The corporate veil doctrine serves as a judicial remedy rather than a standalone cause of action, allowing courts to look beyond the corporate form when necessary to prevent fraud or achieve equity.

In February 2025, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in Dewberry Group, Inc. v. Dewberry Engineers Inc., clarifying the boundaries of liability for corporate affiliates in trademark infringement cases under the Lanham Act. The decision, which reversed a $43 million disgorgement award against Dewberry Group that included the profits of its affiliated companies, has sent ripples through the corporate, intellectual property, and M&A legal communities.

When structuring a business, asset protection is a critical consideration. Many entrepreneurs mistakenly assume that electing S-Corp status for their corporation provides the same liability safeguards as forming an LLC. However, a key distinction lies in charging orders - a legal remedy that determines whether creditors can seize ownership or control of your business.

Tag along rights are crucial contractual protections designed to safeguard minority shareholders in private companies. These rights ensure that if majority shareholders decide to sell their stake, minority holders can “tag along” and sell their shares on the same terms and conditions.