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In Re Browning Ferris Shareholders Derivative Litigation

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LITIGATION

In October, 1991, two shareholders filed a derivative suit in the Denver District Court against the Company’s four executive officers, who are also directors, and nominally, against the Company.

Among other things, the suit asserts breaches of fiduciary duties and corporate law in regard to allegedly excessive compensation paid to the directors/executive officers since 1985, loans to Jerome I. Goldstein, and loans from Mr. Goldstein’s wife and other family members.

The plaintiffs also claim misleading information on these matters in proxy statements of the Company. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages. The executive officers strongly dispute the allegations made in the suit.

The executive officers have retained their own counsel, and it is expected that they will seek indemnification for their costs and expenses.

In response to the suit, in November, 1991, the Board of Directors appointed a Special Litigation Committee.

This Committee is comprised of two outside directors, Michael J. Sheets and Dennis H. Field.

In establishing the Special Litigation Committee, the Board stated that the findings and determinations of the Committee will be final and not subject to review by the Board of Directors.

The Company also filed a motion to dismiss the complaint or in the alternative to stay the proceedings pending the report of the Special Litigation Committee.

The motion to stay the proceedings was granted on February 2, 1992.

The Special Litigation Committee retained its own counsel and extensively investigated the allegations and claims set forth in the complaint.

On March 23, 1992, the Special Litigation Committee issued a report which concluded that:

• The compensation paid to the director/executive officers since 1985 was fair and determined in accordance with applicable legal standards;

• The Company’s borrowings from relatives of Jerome J. Goldstein were approved in accordance with applicable law and were fair;

• The Company’s payment of personal expenses of Jerome I. Goldstein in the nature of advances was not fair and may not have been made in accordance with Colorado law and fiduciary principles, although, for a number of reasons, no purpose would be served by the Company in pursuing a claim on this particular matter;

• The Company’s proxy statements contain no material omissions or misrepresentations of facts.

In regard to the personal advances to Mr. Goldstein, the Committee stated, among other things, that the advances were disclosed in proxy statements, were understood as amounts to be repaid by Mr. Goldstein, and have in fact been repaid in full, thus largely curing any possible damage to the Company.

The Committee also concluded that the Company should charge interest at an appropriate rate for personal advances which were outstanding from time to time.

It is the policy of the Company no longer to pay personal expenses of any director, officer, or employee.

The Committee further stated a number of conclusions or recommendations for forward-looking actions, including the establishment of a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee.

All of these actions have been adopted as policies of the Company.

Overall, the Committee concluded in its report that it is the considered judgement of the Committee, acting on behalf of and with the full authority of the Board of Directors, that it is in the best interest of the Company and all of its shareholders that no action on behalf of the Company should be brought or continued against the director/executive officers by reason of any matters alleged in the shareholders complaint.

The Committee directed counsel for the Company to take such measures as necessary to give effect to this determination.

The Special Litigation Committee report has been filed with the court, and based upon that report, the Company has moved to dismiss the complaint.

Scott’s Liquid Gold-Inc. 4/6/92

Certain Litigation

All nominees for the Company’s Board of Directors, except Steven B. Sample, were named as defendants in a consolidated shareholder derivative action originally commenced as two separate actions in United States District Court for the Central District of California in April, 1989.

The claims made in this lawsuit, which purportedly were made on behalf of the Company, alleged that the individual defendants violated their fiduciary duties, were negligent in fulfilling their responsibilities, and acted contrary to certain laws in connection with specified ongoing and terminated proceedings in which allegations of improper practices by subsidiaries of the Company related to U.S. Government contract procurement matters have been made.

This shareholder derivative action sought to have the Company recover from the individual defendants (who include certain present and former executive officers of the Company in addition to the directors) compensation for the damages purportedly sustained by the Company as a result of the misconduct alleged and other relief.

In response to a demand that the Company commence legal proceedings against the individual defendants named in the suit and against “all other persons responsible for the illegal activities” referred to in the plaintiffs action, the Company’s Board of Directors on December 6, 1989, established a Special Litigation Committee to conduct an investigation of the allegations made in the plaintiffs demand.

The Committee presented its findings and conclusions to the full Board of Directors on May 3, 1990, whereupon the Board adopted the Committee’s recommendation that no suit be instituted by the Company against any of the defendants named in the derivative lawsuit or against any other person.

After completion by plaintiffs of limited discovery with respect to the good faith and reasonableness of such investigation, defendants filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings or, in the alternative, summary judgment.

On October 7, 1991, defendants motion for summary judgment was granted by the Court, resulting in the dismissal of plaintiffs claims.

Such judgment has been appealed by the plaintiffs to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Appellate briefs have been filed by all parties, but a date for oral argument of the appeal has not yet been set by the Court.

Further information with respect to this legal proceeding is set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1992, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which may be obtained by any shareholder upon request made to the Company’s Corporate and Law Library at the Company’s address set forth on the first page of this Proxy Statement.

Litton Industries, Inc. 10/26/92

LITIGATION

The Corporation, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Bentele, and two former officers no longer with the Corporation are named as defendants in two purported class actions brought in February 1992 by two alleged stockholders.

These actions, which have been consolidated and are now pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, allege violations of federal securities laws and related state laws.

The plaintiffs base their allegations principally on the Corporation’s February 18, 1992, press release about an FDA inspection of Pitman-Moore’s (now Mallinckrodt Veterinary’s) Kansas City plant that also cautioned that estimates of security analysts regarding fiscal 1992 earnings from continuing operations in excess of $1.65 per share “were probably too optimistic.”

The estimates had been marginally higher ($1.67). The thrust of the allegations is that disclosure of manufacturing deficiencies was not made on a timely basis.

On October 4, 1993, the district court granted defendants motion to dismiss the complaint without leave to replead.

Plaintiffs thereafter moved to reopen the judgment and for leave to file an amended pleading, which motion was denied.

Plaintiffs have appealed both decisions and the appeal has been briefed and is awaiting argument.

In September 1992, a stockholder’s derivative suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, purportedly on behalf of the Corporation, against all of the then directors of the Corporation asserting claims for alleged violation of the federal proxy rules, for alleged breach of fiduciary duty, and in Mr. Kennedy’s case for alleged misappropriation of confidential business information.

The case was assigned to the same judge as the above class actions and was consolidated with them for pre-trial purposes.

This case, like the class actions, arose as a consequence of the FDA inspection and the February 18, 1992, press release referred to above in the class actions.

On October 4, 1993, the district court granted defendants motion to dismiss the complaint for, among other things, failure to make a demand on the Board before commencing suit.

Plaintiff did not appeal this decision.

Rather, plaintiffs counsel served a purported demand letter on the Board requesting that appropriate action be taken to redress the alleged misconduct that was the subject of plaintiffs prior complaint.

By letter dated December 7, 1993, the Corporation requested further information from plaintiff regarding the allegations in the demand letter, but to date has not received any response to this request.

The Corporation believes the aforementioned suits are without merit and will have no material effect.

The Corporation is paying the legal fees and expenses incurred in defending these cases including advancing, in accordance with New York law, the fees and expenses attributable to the defense of the individual directors.

A portion may be reimbursed by insurance.

Mallinckrodt Group Inc. 9/13/94

Signature:

Date:

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What the In Re Browning Ferris Shareholders Derivative Litigation Is

In Re Browning Ferris Shareholders Derivative Litigation refers to a shareholder-led derivative action brought on behalf of a corporation to address alleged officer or director misconduct, breaches of fiduciary duty, waste, or mismanagement. Derivative litigation proceeds on the corporation's behalf, typically requires attention to demand or demand-futility standards, consolidation of related claims, service and discovery mechanics, and judicial approval for any settlement or corporate governance remedy. The case record usually includes the complaint, supporting exhibits, corporate books and records demands, and motions related to standing, dismissal, and settlement approval.

Why This Litigation Template Matters for Shareholders and Counsel

A clear derivative litigation filing frames the claims, preserves corporate remedies, documents factual support, and helps manage procedural thresholds such as demand futility. Properly prepared pleadings and supporting exhibits reduce dismissal risk, streamline discovery, and create a defensible record for settlement or judicial resolution.

Why This Litigation Template Matters for Shareholders and Counsel

Who Typically Prepares and Uses These Filings

The following stakeholders commonly prepare, review, or rely on derivative litigation filings.

  • Shareholders and lead plaintiffs who assert the corporation’s claims and provide factual allegations supporting standing and demand arguments.
  • Plaintiffs' counsel who draft the complaint, assemble exhibits, and coordinate corporate records demands and motion practice.
  • Corporate counsel and boards who respond to records requests, evaluate demand positions, and negotiate potential settlements or reforms.

Each party has distinct responsibilities—plaintiffs prove demand or futility; defendants manage disclosures, privilege, and governance remediation.

Typical User Profiles

Shareholder Plaintiff

An individual or group holding shares who initiates the derivative action to seek redress on the corporation’s behalf. They typically supply facts, sign verified complaints, and may serve as lead plaintiff while counsel handles pleadings and litigation strategy.

Plaintiffs' Counsel

Law firms specializing in corporate litigation who draft complaint allegations, collect board minutes and corporate records via inspection demands, handle service and discovery, and pursue settlement or trial while observing professional and procedural obligations.

Key Components of a Professional Derivative Litigation Filing

A complete filing bundles procedural items, factual allegations, and supporting records to satisfy pleading requirements and establish a record for demand-futility or other jurisdictional issues.

Case Caption

Accurate captioning names the corporate plaintiff, individual shareholders, defendant directors or officers, the court and docket. Errors in party names or venues can lead to clerical rejections or procedural delays and should match corporate charter records.

Verified Complaint

A verified complaint sets out factual allegations linking defendants’ conduct to corporate injury, articulates legal theories (fiduciary duty breach, waste), and includes a verification or affidavit establishing the plaintiff’s factual basis for the claim.

Demand Letter and Record

If a pre-suit demand was made, include the demand and response. If demand is excused, plead demand futility facts thoroughly—board composition, conflicted directors, and chronology supporting futility assertions.

Exhibits and Records

Attach or index key corporate records, contracts, board minutes, financial statements, and communications relied on in the complaint. Proper exhibit labeling and Bates ranges improve discovery efficiency and judicial review.

Relief and Remedies

Specify requested remedies—injunctive relief, accounting, disgorgement, corporate governance reforms, or monetary restitution—to allow the court and parties to assess potential settlement contours.

Verification and Signature

Include a sworn verification by the shareholder or counsel where required and a signature block with printed name, counsel contact information, and certificate of service conforming to local rules.

Required Case Data and Filing Elements

Case Caption: Court name and docket
Parties: Plaintiff and defendant names
Dated Filings: Complaint filing date
Demand Records: Demand letter status
Exhibits: Contracts and minutes
Relief Sought: Specific remedies listed

Penalties and Risks from Incomplete or Incorrect Filings

Dismissal Risk: Failure to plead demand
Sanctions: Rule 11 or court fines
Statute Limits: Claims barred by timeline
Spoliation: Evidence loss sanctions
Fee Exposure: Potential fee shifting
Privilege Loss: Inadvertent disclosures

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to document a timely demand or to plead sufficient facts excusing demand can lead to early dismissal and wasted costs for plaintiffs.
  • Naming the incorrect corporate entity or omitting a key defendant causes service issues and may require amended pleadings or supplemental filings.
  • Submitting incomplete or unlabeled exhibits slows the clerk’s processing and complicates discovery; always include an exhibit index and Bates ranges.
  • Neglecting local rules for verification, certificate of service, or signature formatting often prompts clerks to reject filings or issue procedural deficiency notices.

Step-by-Step: Preparing a Derivative Complaint

Follow a consistent sequence from fact gathering through filing and post-filing motions to preserve claims and meet procedural thresholds.

  • 01
    Investigate: Collect corporate records and factual support
  • 02
    Draft Complaint: Plead demand or futility and relief
  • 03
    Verify and Sign: Include sworn verification or affidavit
  • 04
    File and Serve: File with clerk and serve defendants

How to Configure an Electronic Filing and Review Workflow

Design digital workflows to track drafts, manage exhibit versions, and coordinate signatures and service with counsel and clients.

Field Configuration
eSignature method Email link or RON where permitted
Authentication level Email+SMS or ID verification
Routing order Plaintiff counsel then client review
Retention policy Maintain signed copies and logs

Where to File, Serve, and Submit Supporting Materials

Filing paths vary: federal complaints go to the district clerk, state filings to the county or state court clerk. Supporting records may be submitted under seal.

  • Court Clerk: File complaint and pay filing fee
  • Defendant Service: Serve named defendants per rules
  • Corporate Records: Exchange via ESI or sealed submission
  • Settlement Approval: File motion for court approval

Digital Signing and Submission Requirements

Use eSignature platforms that support audit trails, PDF/A exports, and secure access when handling case documents and verifications.

  • Formats Supported: PDF, DOCX, TIFF compatible
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or ID verification

Key Procedural Milestones and Expected Sequence

A typical derivative case follows sequential milestones from demand through discovery and settlement approval; track dates carefully to meet procedural deadlines.

01

Pre‑Suit Demand

Send corporate demand or prepare futility pleadings

02

Complaint Filing

File complaint with court clerk and effect service

03

Discovery Phase

Exchange records, depose witnesses, and collect exhibits

04

Settlement Approval

Court review and fairness hearing for any settlement

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Case Documents

Compare common eSignature options for managing filings, exhibits, and verifications. signNow is listed first for reference to plan and feature availability.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Examples: How Teams Use Derivative Litigation Filings

Real-world examples illustrate common workflows and outcomes when filings are prepared thoroughly and managed electronically.

Optica Ventures

A shareholder plaintiff gathered board minutes via targeted records requests to support demand futility allegations.

  • Counsel used indexed exhibits to streamline motions practice.
  • The organized exhibit set reduced discovery disputes and helped the parties reach a governance-focused settlement with court approval and remedial provisions.

Martin Properties

Counsel relied on electronic signing and secure exhibit storage to manage multi-jurisdictional service.

  • The platform provided robust audit trails for verifications.
  • Quick access to signed records and searchable exhibits accelerated the briefing schedule and reduced administrative delays in court filings.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Filings

Follow these practical tips to reduce procedural risk, improve clarity, and speed review by courts and opposing counsel.

Standardize Names and Dates
Use exact corporate and individual legal names across all documents, and enter dates as MM/DD/YYYY to avoid clerical conflicts. Consistency prevents misfiling, ensures accurate service, and supports timeline calculations for statutes of limitation.
Index Exhibits Clearly
Create a numbered exhibit index with short descriptions and Bates ranges. Clear indexing saves reviewer time, reduces discovery disputes, and prevents misplacement of key evidence during motion practice or hearings.
Preserve Audit Trails
When using eSignature tools, preserve the certificate of completion, IP addresses, timestamps, and signer authentication details. Audit trails help establish attribution and intent if signature validity is questioned.
Limit Initial Filings
Attach only necessary exhibits to the initial complaint; reserve voluminous records for production sets. Lean initial filings can reduce filing fees, simplify judicial review, and focus issues for early motions.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common procedural, technical, and legal questions encountered when preparing or submitting derivative litigation documents.


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