Partnerships Flashcards
Partnerships for MEE
Partnership
An association of two or more people to co-own an ongoing business for profit. Distinct legal entity apart from the partners
Types of Partnerships
- General Partnership (GP) = Two or more general partners
- Limited Partnership (LP) = At least one general partner and one limited partner
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) = Protects general partners from personal liability
- Any partnership other than an LP can become an LLP Formation
Formation of a General Partnership
Formed by an objective agreement between two or more persons to co-own an ongoing business for profit
- Agreement can be made expressly (oral or written) or implicitly (from the parties’ conduct)
- Parties’ subjective belief is immaterial
- No formal or statutory requirements
Proof of Association: Sharing of profits is prima facie evidence that the profit-receiving person is a partner in a GP
- “Sharing of profits” ≠ being paid for a loan, collecting rent, or earning a salary
Formation of a Limited Partnership
- Formed by complying with statutory requirements:
- execute a certificate of LP signed by all named general partners, and
- file a certificate of LP with the secretary of state’s office
- The name of the LP must say “limited partnership” or an abbreviation (L.P. or LP)
Formation of a Limited Liability Partnership
- Formed by filing with the secretary of state’s office a certificate of registration signed by at least one person •
- Usually must also pay a filing fee
- The name of the LLP must say “limited liability partnership” or an abbreviation (R.L.L.P., L.L.P., LP, etc.)
Partnership Agreement
In general, relations between partners and the partnership are governed by the PA, or, if the PA is silent, by the default provisions of the UPA
A Partnership cannot opt out of what rules in the partnership agreement?
The partnership agreement cannot:
- unreasonably restrict a partner’s access to the books and records,
- remove the partner’s duties of loyalty and care, or
- disallow a partner’s right to dissociate (but can require the partner to give written notice of her intent to withdraw)
Rights of General Partners (GP/LP)
- Each general partner has equal rights to manage the partnership and conduct business
- Unless the PA says otherwise
- A general partner binds the partnership when acting within the ordinary course of business
- Acts outside the ordinary course of business bind the partnership only if all general partners consent to the action
How are disputes between General Partners resolved? (GP/LP)
- Acts within the ordinary course of business = majority vote
- Acts outside the ordinary course of business = unanimous consent
Rights of Limited Partners (GP/LP)
- Right to seek information for a purpose reasonably related to their interest as a limited partner, including the right to:
- inspect and copy tax returns and other documents required by law, and
- obtain true and full information as to the financial condition and state of the partnership’s business
- No right to co-manage the partnership or engage in partnership business (limited partners aren’t agents of the LP)
Duties Within the Partnership
- A partner is personally liable to the partnership and the other partners for damages caused by a breach of a fiduciary duty
- Duty of Care
- Duty of Loyalty
- Duty to Disclose
Duty of Care
Can’t engage in
- grossly negligent or reckless conduct,
- intentional conduct that harms the partnership, or
- a knowing violation of the law
- Applies to general partners in a GP or LP
- Applies during the partnership and throughout the winding-up process
Duty of Loyalty
Can’t:
- compete with the partnership or appropriate a partnership opportunity, or
- enter deals with the partnership that are adverse to the partnership’s interest
- A partner who does must account for any benefit and hold any profit in trust
- Applies to general partners in a GP or LP
Duty to Disclose
Disclosures to General Partners
- Without demand: Any information related to the partnership and reasonably required to exercise a partner’s rights and duties under the PA
- On demand: Any other information concerning the partnership if the demand is reasonable and made for a proper purpose o
Disclosures to Limited Partners
- Must provide the opportunity to inspect financial and tax records, and other documents reasonable related to the limited partner’s interest in the LP (i.e., financial interest)
Duties of Limited Partners
Duties of good faith and fair dealing (less demanding than duties of care and loyalty)