Delaware’s Emerging Competition and the Future of American Corporate Law
Delaware is historically the most important jurisdiction for corporate law in the United States. A sophisticated business court, cutting-edge legislation, and an extensive body of precedent are said to be the recipe for Delaware’s success. However, a growing number of voices warn that the status quo may be changing.
Other states, nation states, and the federal government are emerging (and re-emerging) to compete with Delaware. What does this mean for the future of American corporate law? This symposium will explore a range of issues, including (1) whether other states or foreign nations can pose a threat to Delaware’s dominance; (2) whether incorporating in Delaware is still advantageous in light of statutory requirements imposed by either federal law or other states’ law; (3) whether shareholder arbitration poses a threat to Delaware; (4) whether Delaware Chancery Court jurisprudence is still in line with business expectations; and (5) whether Delaware should embrace the Business Roundtable’s new “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation.”
The Symposium will bring together members of the judiciary, legal scholars, and practitioners from around the nation. Vice Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick of the Delaware Court of Chancery will deliver a keynote address, and Professor Marcel Kahan of New York University School of Law will present a lunch time lecture. While panelists will be principally composed of law professors, we will be inviting leading practitioners from Delaware, Baltimore, New York, and Washington, D.C. who will add to the discussion as audience members.
The Symposium is generously sponsored by the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, the Business Law Program at the University of Maryland School of Law, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, Ropes & Gray LLP, and Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP.
We will be providing a limited amount of parking passes on first come first serve basis. You may direct any inquiries about the event to Valeriya Zavyalova at vzavyalova@umaryland.edu. You may register for the symposium at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-law-review-symposium-tickets-89634373825