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The Supreme Court of the State of Delaware Affirms Complete Victory in $1.6B Entire Fairness Suit

The Supreme Court of the State of Delaware Affirms Complete Victory in $1.6B Entire Fairness Suit Background Image

On November 3, 2021, the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware affirmed a complete victory obtained by Vinson & Elkins trial lawyers for former subsidiaries of its client, Energy Transfer, LP, in Delaware class action litigation challenging the $18 billion merger between Regency Energy Partners, LP and Energy Transfer Partners, LP (ETP).

The Vinson & Elkins team faced an uphill battle going into trial at the end of 2019, as the plaintiff had already obtained a partial summary judgment that the process used by the general partner of Regency Energy Partners, LP to approve a January 2015 merger between Regency and Energy Transfer Partners, LP was defective under terms of the Regency’s partnership agreement. As a result, the team had to meet Delaware’s highest level of scrutiny, which was to prove that the transaction was entirely fair to Regency.

Following a six-day trial in February 2021, Delaware Chancery Court Chancellor Andre G. Bouchard issued a lengthy opinion rejecting plaintiff’s $1.6 billion damages claims based on allegations that defendants breached Regency’s partnership agreement by employing an unfair and invalid process and forcing Regency to enter into the merger with ETP.

With the Supreme Court’s affirmance, a dispute that began more than five years ago can finally come to a close.

Led by partner Michael Holmes, the Vinson & Elkins team consisted of partners Craig Zieminski and John Wander, and associates Jeff Crough, Meredith Jeanes, Virginia DeBeer, Lindsey Pryor, Tom Mitsch and Will Stripling, along with Delaware counsel Rolin Bissell, Tammy Mercer and James Yoch from the Young Conaway firm.

About Vinson & Elkins
For more than a century, Vinson & Elkins has provided outstanding client service across important industries that drive the global economy. Built on a strong culture of collaboration across 11 offices worldwide, V&E lawyers are committed to excellence, offering clients decades of legal experience in handling transactions, investments, projects and disputes across the globe. Learn more by visiting www.velaw.com or follow us on Twitter @VinsonandElkins or connect with us on LinkedIn.

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