Alter Ego and Asset Protection

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Alter Ego

Alter ego is an theory used by creditors to attempt to pierce the corporate veil by arguing that the entity and the debtor are effectively one and the same such that they should not be treated as different by the courts.

The following cases discuss the alter ego argument as utilized by creditors to break through the liability containment of business entities, including a list of the major opinions involving alter ego arguments in the debtor-creditor context.

Alabama

Culp v. Economy Mobile Homes, Inc.,
2004.AL.0000163 (Ala. 03/19/2004)

Calactic Employer Services, Inc. v. McDorman,
2003.AL.0000549 (Ala.Civ.App. 07/11/2003)

Thompson Properties v. Birmingham Hide & Tallow Company, Inc.,
839 So.2d 629 (Ala. 06/21/2002)

Mary S. Backus v. Jimmy H. Watson,
619 So. 2d 1342 (Ala. 03/26/1993)

Arizona

State Compensation Fund v. Yellow Cab of Phoenix,
3 P.3d 1040 (Ariz.App.Div.1 11/26/1999)

Taeger v. Catholic Family and Community Services,
995 P.2d 721 (Ariz.App.Div.1 06/17/1999)

Horizon Resources Bethany Ltd. v. Cutco Industries Inc.,
881 P.2d 1177 (Ariz.App.Div.1 05/10/1994)

Arkansas

Jerry Bullington v. Helen Palangio,
45 S.W.3d 834 (Ark. 06/21/2001)

Clara Crutchfield v. Russ-Mar Inc., Donna Fleharty & Michael Fleharty,,
No. CA98-901 (Ark.App. 03/17/1999)

California

Krausz Puente LLC v. Frank Westall et al.,
No. B164989 (Cal.App. 01/25/2005)

JLRB Associates et al. v. Mark T. Livingston,
No. D042738, D043800 (Cal.App. 01/20/2005)

Craig V. Randall v. Gordon A. Campbell et al.,
No. H025938 (Cal.App. 01/11/2005)

Jan Levinski v. Ronald E. Schmer et al.,
No. E033093 (Cal.App. 12/22/2004)

Sylvia Chen v. Hall Construction et al.,
No. G033139 (Cal.App. 12/20/2004)

Mindware S.A. v. Canara Technologies Inc. et al.,
No. G031089 (Cal.App. 12/15/2004)

Emma Mary Ellen Holley et al. v. Grove S. Crank, Sr. et al.,
No. 99-5611 (9th Cir. 10/26/2004)

Cal Pac Associates, Inc. v. Coussoulis Development Company,
2004.CA.0008132 (Cal.App. Dist.4 09/15/2004)

More...,

Colorado

William W. Hewitt & Valley Park Apartments, Inc. v. Thomas S. Rice,
Nos. 03CA0984 & 03CA1092 (Colo.App. 12/30/2004)

Great Neck Plaza, L.P. v. Le Peep Restaurants, LLC,
37 P.3d 485 (Colo.App. 08/16/2001)

Connecticut

Litchfield Asset Management Corp. v. Howell,
2002.CT.0000339 (Conn.App. 06/04/2002)

Delaware

Outokumpu Engineering Enterprises v. Kvaerner Enviropower Inc.,
685 A.2d 724 (DE. 07/10/1996)

Chaplake Holdings v. Chrysler Corporation,
CA No. 94c-04-164 (DE. 08/11/1995)

District of Columbia

Flynn v. Ohio Building Restoration, Inc.,
No. 02-0921 (D.D.C. 05/07/2004)

Lawlor v. District of Columbia,
758 A.2d 964 (D.C. 09/07/2000)

Simon v. Circle Associates, Inc.,
753 A.2d 1006 (D.C. 06/08/2000)

Florida

Goodman v. Aldrich & Ramsey Enterprises, Inc.,
804 So.2d 544 (Fla.App. Dist.2 01/16/2002)

Exit 242 Tourist Information v. Florida's Room Service Inc.,
792 So.2d 1283 (Fla.App. Dist.5 09/07/2001)

Sanwa Bank v. Kato,
734 So.2d 557 (Fla.App. Dist.5 06/04/1999)

Aldea Communications v. Gardner,
725 So.2d 456 (Fla.App. Dist.2 02/10/1999)

Bellairs v. Mohrmann,
716 So.2d 320 (Fla.App. Dist.2 08/14/1998)

Seminole Boatyard v. Christoph,
715 So.2d 987 (Fla.App. Dist.4 06/24/1998)

Marriage Shirley Barineau v. James Barineau,
662 So.2d 1008 (Fla.App. Dist.1 11/14/1995)

Harris Investment Company v. Gurney P. Hood,
167 So. 25 (Fla.App. 03/31/1936)

Georgia

Baillie Lumber Company v. Thompson et al.,
No. S05Q0587 (Ga. 04/26/2005)

Pazur v. Belcher,
No. A04A1866 (Ga.App. 12/20/2004)

Baillie Lumber Company, LP v. Bert F. Thompson et al.,
No. 03-15932 (11th Cir. 12/02/2004)

Southern Land Title, Inc. et al. v. North Georgia Title, Inc.,
No. A04A1935 (Ga.App. 10/07/2004)

Ward et al. v. Ward,
No. A04A1138 (Ga.App. 07/08/2004)

Bonner v. Brunson,
No. A03A1514 (Ga.App. 07/28/2003)

Acree v. McMahon,
276 Ga. 880 (Ga. 07/10/2003)

Scott Brothers, Inc. v. Warren,
582 S.E. 2d 224, (Ga.App. 05/15/2003)

Yukon Partners, Inc. v. The Lodge Keeper Group, Inc.,
572 S.E. 2d 647, (Ga.App. 09/27/2002)

More...,

Hawaii

Diane L. Graybehl v. Cordula, Inc.,
No. 23126 (Haw.App. 09/30/2003)

Rearden Family Trust v. Michael Wisenbaker,
65 P.3d 1029 (Haw. 03/25/2003)

Illinois

Nova Chemicals, Inc. v. Frawley,
2003.NDIL.0000406 (N.D.Ill. 10/16/2003)

Sharon Leasing, Inc. v. Phil Terese Transportantion, LTD.,
701 N.E.2d 1150 (Ill.App. 10/14/1998)

Indiana

Lydia Escobedo et al v. BHM Health Associates,
798 N.E.2d 220 (Ind. 10/29/2003)

Mart v. Natare Corp.,
742 N.E.2d 15 (Ind.App. 12/29/2000)

Hinds v. McNair et al.,
129 N.E.2d 553 (Ind. 10/26/1955)

Iowa

S & S Electric et al. v. St. Francis Manor, Inc. and Seeland Park,
No. 2-999 / 02-0436 (Iowa.App. 06/25/2003)

In re the Marriage of Shelia Estella Ballstaedt
and David John Ballstaedt Jr.,
606 N.W.2d 345 (Iowa 02/16/2000)

Kansas

Mandeville v. Quinstar Corp.,
2004.C10.0000709 (10th Cir. 07/14/2004)

B-S Steel of Kansas, Inc. v. Texas Industries, Inc.,
No. 01-2410-JAR (D.Kan. 07/09/2004)

In the Matter of E. Thomas Pyle, III,
No. 91,077 (Kan. 06/25/2004)

Varney Business Services, Inc. v. Harley W. Pottroff,
59 P.3d 1003 (Kan. 12/20/2002)

William S. Mynatt v. David W. Collis and Ann M. Hughes,
57 P.3d 513 (Kan. 11/01/2002)

Commerce Bank, N.A. v. Liebau-Woodall & Associates, L.P.,
20 P.3d 88 (Kan. 03/02/2001)

Samuel B. Muller, Jr. v. Bank of America, N.A.,
12 P.3d 899 (Kan. 11/02/2000)

Kentucky

Setzer's Steel Systems Inc. v. Chenault Development Corp.,
725 S.W.2d 22 (Ky.App. 01/23/1987)

Louisiana

United States v. Newman,
2004.C05.0001463 (5th Cir. 06/09/2004)

Maine

Hahnel Bros. Co. v. William Bell III,
No. CV-98-140 (Me. 04/25/2000)

Maryland

Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Ashworth,
2004.MD.0000161 (Md. 06/09/2004)

United States of America ex rel v. Highmark Inc.,
No. 02-2317 (4th Cir. 06/07/2004)

Federated Department Stores v. Le,
595 A.2d 1067 (Md.App. 09/13/1991)

Massachusetts

Brothers Building Co. of Nantucket, Inc. v. Yankow,
779 N.E.2d 991 (Mass.App. 12/11/2002)

Harrison v. Netcentric Corp.,
744 N.E.2d 622 (Mass. 03/14/2001)

Michigan

Trustees of the Resilient Floor Decorators Insurance Fund, et al.
v. A & M Installations, Inc. and Carpet Workroom, Inc.,
No. 03-1149 (6th Cir. 01/05/2005)

Ernst v. Roberts,
2004 Fed.App. 0266P (6th Cir. 08/12/2004)

Raad Ayar & Others v. Foodland Distributors & Livonia Hold Co.,
No. 242603 (Mich.App. 06/15/2004)

Plymouth Pointe Condominium Assocation v Delcor Homes,
No. 233847 (Mich.App. 10/28/2003)

W.S. Townsend v. Gerald L Nye and Sharon V. Nye,
No. 235396 (Mich.App. 07/01/2003)

William Bennett v. Winn Dixie Supermarkets, Inc.,
No. 236685 (Mich. 02/04/2003)

Minnesota

Juno Investment Corp. v. United States,
2004.DMN.0000215 (D.Minn. 06/07/2004)

Geelan v. Mark Travel, Inc.,
2004.DMN.0000198 (D.Minn. 05/24/2004)

Galbraith v. U.S. Premise Networking Services, Inc.,
2004.MN.0000714 (Minn.App. 05/11/2004)

Pay Child Support Online Inc. v. ACS State & Local Solutions, Inc.,
2004.DMN.0000140 (D.Minn. 04/05/2004)

Alice Grant v. Jack Lehtinen, et al.,
No. C3-02-2074 (Minn.App. 08/19/2003)

Dr. Tassilo Bonzel v Pfizer, Inc.,
No. C9-03-47 (Minn.App. 07/29/2003)

In re Estate of John William Tully,
No. C4-02-513 (Minn. 01/14/2003)

Mississippi

George P. Hewes III and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
v. Cynthia Langston,
853 So. 2d 1237 (Miss. 09/11/2003)

Missouri

Bank of Belton v. Bogar Farms, Inc. et al.,
No. WD63310 (Mo.App. 02/08/2005)

Taylor v. Clark,
2004.MO.0000937 (Mo.App. S.D. 06/30/2004)

Sheila Roth & Robert Roth v. La Societe Anonyme Turbomeca France,
No. WD 61927 (Mo.App. 09/30/2003)

Joel Bianco Kawasaki Plus et al v. Meramec Valley Bank,
81 S.W.3d 528 (Mo.App. 07/23/2002)

Montana

Peschel Family Trust v. Mark P. Colonna,
75 P.3d 793 (Mont. 08/21/2003)

William H. Lane, Jr. v. Montana Fourth Judicial District Court,
68 P.3d 819 (Mont. 04/29/2003)

Nevada

In re: Paladin Commerce Center, LLC, Debtor
General Electric Credit Equities, Inc. v. Barry Thalden,
(Nev. 06/03/2004)

Semenza v. Caughlin Crafted Homes,
901 P.2d 684 (Nev. 08/24/1995)

Levinson v. District Court,
57 P.2d 18 (Nev. 07/29/1993)

New Hampshire

James and Rosemary Currier v. Amerigas Propane,
144 N.H. 122 (N.H. 08/06/1999)

The State of New Hampshire v. Geraldo Gonzalez,
143 N.H. 693 (N.H. 07/02/1999)

New Jersey

Board of Trustees of Trucking Employees of North Jersey Welfare Fund
Inc-Pension Fund v. Kero Leasing Corporation,
No. 03-2176 (3d Cir. 07/12/2004)

New York

In re Verestar, Inc.,
343 B.R. 444 (Bkrpt.S.D.N.Y. 07/09/2006)

In the Matter of Mega Personal Lines et al. v. Dianne Halton,
No. 94908 (N.Y.App.Div. 07/01/2004)

Toporoff Engineers, P.C. v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Company,
No. 03-9214 (2d Cir. 06/08/2004)

In re Vebeliunas,
332 F.3d 85 (2d Cir. 06/13/2003)

First Capital Asset Management, Inc. v. N.A. Partners, L.P., et al,
300 A.D.2d 112 (N.Y.App. Div. 12/17/2002) pdf

North Carolina

Department of Transportation v. Airlie Park, Inc. et al.,
No. COA02-766 (N.C.App. 02/04/2003)

Pamela Becker v. Graber Builders, Inc. et al.,
No. COA01-178 (N.C.App. 04/16/2002)

Berry O. Monteau and Bay Area Turf, Inc.
v. Reis Trucking & Construction, Inc. et al.,
No. COA00_1078 (N.C.App. 11/06/2001)

Richard H. Glenn et al. v. Smilie Wagner,
329 S.E.2d 326 (N.C. 05/07/1985)

North Dakota

Gene Thompson & Jean D. Thompson v. Max Danner & Mel Danner,
507 N.W.2d 550 (ND. 10/27/1993)

Industrial Commission of North Dakota
v. Thomas Wilber & Joyce Wilber,
453 N.W.2d 824 (ND. 04/12/1990)

Ohio

Estate of John A. Strang v. Ivan A. Strang,
2004.OH.3677 (Ohio App. 07/12/2004)

Birdell Byars v. Joel Herman, et al.,
2004 Ohio 3613 (Ohio App. 07/08/2004)

I Sports et al. v. IMG Worldwide, Inc. et al.,
2004.Ohio.3113 (Ohio App. 06/17/2004)

William D. DeHoff v. Veterinary Hospital Operation of Central Ohio,
2003 Ohio 3334 (Ohio.App. 06/26/2003)

Michael F. Patton v. Robert D. Wilson,
2003 Ohio 3379 (Ohio.App. 06/26/2003)

Dardinger, EXR. v Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield et al.,
781 N.E.2d 121 (Ohio 12/20/2002)

Oklahoma

Federal Trade Commission v. H.G. Kuykendall, Sr.,
Nos. 02-6101 and, 02-6102 (10th Cir. 06/10/2004)

Pennmark Resources Company v.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission,
2000 OK CIV APP 63 (Okla.App. 06/02/2000)

TPQ Investment Corp. v. State,
1998.OK.25 (Okla. 02/10/1998)

Oklahoma Oil & Gas Exploration v. W.M.A. Corporation,
1994.OK.47 (Okla.App. 07/31/1994)

Oregon

Jones v. Emerald Pacific Homes, Inc.,
71 P 3d 574 (Or.App. 07/02/2003)

Gemignani v. Pete,
71 P 3d 87 (Or App. 05/15/2003)

J.C. Compton Co. v. Brewster,
59 P 3d 1288 (Or App. 12/11/2002)

Pennsylvania

Mosaica Education, Inc. Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Appeals Board,
No. 2096 D.D. 2002 (Pa.Commw. 11/24/2003)

Rhode Island

Guzman v. Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems, Inc.,
839 A.2d 504 (R.I. 11/21/2003)

UST Corp. v. General Road Trucking Corp.,
783 A.2d 931 (R.I. 11/05/2001)

Heflin v. Koszela,
774 A.2d 25 (R.I. 06/11/2001)

South Carolina

Edens v. Bellini,
No. 3815 (S.C.App. 06/01/2004)

Hunting v. Elders,
No. 3778 (S.C.App. 04/19/2004)

Williams v. Williams,
517 S.E.2d 689 (S.C. 06/28/1999)

South Dakota

Benson v. Goble,
593 N.W.2d 402 (S.D. 03/31/1999)

Kansas Gas & Electric Company v. Jeff Ross,
521 N.W.2d 107 (S.D. 08/24/1994)

Tennessee

Nadler v. Mountain Valley Chapel Business Trust,
2004.TN.0000948 (Tenn.App. 06/30/2004)

Oceanics Schools, Inc. v. Barbour,
2003.TN.0000380 (Tenn.App. 03/14/2003)

Muroll Gesellschaft M.B.H. v. Tennessee Tape, Inc.,
908 S.W.2d 211 (Tenn.App. 05/17/1995)

Texas

R.A. Ramming et al. v. Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America et al.,
No. 03-11160 (5th Cir. 11/05/2004)

Rimade Ltd. v. Hubbard Enterprises, Inc.,
No. 03-11294 (5th Cir. 10/07/2004)

Compaq Computer Corporation v. Ergonome Incorporated,
2004.C05.0002602 (5th Cir. 10/05/2004)

Frank L. Connolly v. Neal Smith et al.,
No. 03-03-00575-CV (Tex.App. 07/15/2004)

Signal Peak Enterprises of Texas Inc. v. Bettina Investments Inc.,
No. 05-03-00381-CV (Tex.App. Dist.5 07/06/2004)

Rio Grande Valley Gas Co. v. City of Edinburg,
59 S.W.3d 199 (Tex.App. Dist.1 12/21/2000) pdf

Coleman Cattle Company, Inc. v. Carpentier,
2000.TX.0042773 (Tex.App. Dist.9 02/03/2000)

Pharaon v. Fesco Inc.,
No. 04-98-00540-CV (Tex.App. Dist.4 07/07/1999) pdf

More...,

Utah

Nipper v. Douglas,
2004 UT App 118 (Utah App. 04/15/2004)

Armed Forces Insurance Exchange v Judi Harrison,
70 P.3d 35 (Utah 04/25/2003)

Aspenwood LLC v. C.A.T., LLC,
73 P.3d 947 (Utah App. 02/06/2003)

Diversified Holdings, L.C. v. Gilbert R. Turner,
63 P.3d 686 (Utah 12/27/2002)

Vermont

State of Vermont v. John E. Geraw,
795 A.2d 1219 (Vt.App. 03/15/2002)

Agway, Inc. v. John H. and Mark Brooks d/b/a Brooks Farm,
790 A.2d 438 (Vt.App. 12/28/2001)

Virginia

C.F. Trust, Inc. v. First Flight Limited Partnership,
580 S.E.2d 806 (Va. 06/06/2003)

Eure v. Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation, Inc.,
561 S.E.2d 663 (Va. 04/19/2002)

Mardula v. Mendelson,
538 S.E.2d 338 (Va.App. 12/19/2000)

Washington

Benaroya Capital Company, LLC v. EMF Partners, LLC et al.,
No. 54428-4-I (Wash.App. 07/05/2005)

Fremont Indemnity Co., in liquidation
v. Commencement International Corp., et al.,
No. 31129-1-II (Wash.App. 11/02/2004)

Duncan J. McNeil v. John T. Powers, Jr., et al.,
No. 21958-5-III (Wash.App. 09/09/2004)

Mayo v Tibbitts,
114 Wash App 1060 (Wash App Div 3 12/12/2002)

Warn/Williams & Associates v Quick Check, Inc.,
114 Wash App. 1049 (Wash App.Div 1 12/02/2002)

Minton v Ralston Purina Co.,
47 P 3d 556 (Wash. 06/06/2002)

West Virginia

Bowers v. Wurzburg,
519 S.E.2d 148 (W.Va. 07/09/1999)

State v. Cook,
515 S.E.2d 127 (W.Va. 05/26/1999)

Wisconsin

Ronald C. Williams v. Rexworks Inc. et al.,
No. 03-3047 (Wis.App. 11/02/2004)

Patricia Wischer v Misubishi Heavy Industries,
Nos. 01-0724, 01-1031, 01-2486 (Wis.App. 09/30/2003)

Bond Drywall Supply v James H Smith,
655 N.W.2d 547 (Wis.App. 11/27/2002)

In the Matter of the Guardianship & Protective Placement of Muriel K,
640 N.W.2d 773 (Wis. 03/19/2002)

Wyoming

Gary Capshaw v. State of Wyoming,
10 P 3d 560 (Wyo. 09/06/2000)

William Charles Mazurek v. State of Wyoming,
10 P 3d 531 (Wyo. 08/16/2000)

Alter Ego Terms

Corporate Shell (a/k/a Corporate Veil)
Slang for the liability limiting advantage of a corporation, which limits the liability of shareholders to the equity they have contributed.

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