Barry M. Klayman

Of Counsel

Wilmington

(302) 295-2035

(215) 701-2209

Barry concentrates his practice in the areas of civil and commercial litigation, fiduciary and corporate governance, and insurance litigation. He represents clients in many industries, including financial and professional services, software manufacturers, publishers, retailers, real estate developers and real estate brokers, and manufacturers.

Barry has extensive  trial experience in both Pennsylvania and Delaware, and has handled numerous jury trial cases, including a case that was reputed at the time to have been the longest civil jury trial in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas history.

Barry’s corporate governance practice involves representing corporations, directors, officers, stockholders, and other stakeholders in Delaware’s Court of Chancery and other courts. He also advises clients on implementing policies and mechanisms to ensure compliance with best practices.

Barry  has experience handling complex civil litigation matters in federal and state court.  He has represented numerous companies and individuals in commercial and contract disputes. He has also represented employers and manufacturers in cases dealing with personal injury claims due to exposures to asbestos, benzene, lead and other heavy metals, PCB, solvents, and other hazardous substances. He has also litigated several cases in the Delaware Valley that deal with civil rights issues, including the rights of persons with physical and mental disabilities.

Barry has appeared in bankruptcy court representing debtors, trustees, and creditors in adversary actions, particularly in prosecuting and defending preference actions and D&O liability claims.

Barry is a frequent lecturer on civil litigation topics and legal ethics for the National Business Institute. He also writes a monthly feature for the Delaware Business Court Insider, an online publication.

Barry serves on the board of directors of the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (formerly Akiba Hebrew Academy) in Radnor, Pa. He was president of the school from 2000 to 2003. He formerly served as a member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Committee on Policy, Strategy and Funding and chaired the Committee on National and Overseas Services. Until May 2009, he served on the board of directors of BBYO, Inc., and its predecessor, the B'nai B'rith International Youth Commission. He was chairman and a member of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Region B'nai B'rith Youth Organization.

Barry earned his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Columbia University and his law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School. He was Congress Editor of the Harvard Law School Journal on Legislation.

Experience

News

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger Quoted in Delaware Business Court Insider

January 18, 2012

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger were quoted in the Delaware Business Court Insider article entitled ''Delaware Bankruptcy Court Expounds on Meaning and Significance of Stern'' regarding Judge Christopher S. Sontchi's views on the significance of the Supreme Court's decision in Stern v. Marshall.

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger Featured in Delaware Business Court Insider

August 10, 2011

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger featured in Delaware Business Court Insider

Publications

Chancery Court Addresses the Requirements for Issuing Letters of Request Under the Hague Convention

December 08, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger (Wilmington), writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent Delaware Court of Chancery opinion that addressed the requirements for issuance of letters of request under the Hague Convention.

The Requirements of Equitable Fraud as a Basis for Chancery Court Jurisdiction

November 10, 2022

Barry Klayman & Mark Felger (Wilmington), writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss the requirements of equitable fraud as a basis for jurisdiction in the Court of Chancery in Delaware.

Court Upholds Garnishment of Beneficiary's Interest in Distributions From a Del. Statutory Trust

October 13, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger (Wilmington), writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by the Delaware Supreme Court upholding the garnishment of a beneficiary’s interest in distributions from a Delaware Statutory Trust.

Bankruptcy Code Preempts LLC Act's Statute of Repose for Recovery of Distributions

September 01, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by a judge in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware holding that Section 546 of the Bankruptcy Code preempts Delaware’s three-year statute of repose on the liability of a member for distributions from a limited liability company.

Chancery Lacks Jurisdiction to Award Damages for an Improvidently Entered Injunction in the Absence of a Bond

August 05, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision in the Court of Chancery holding that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to award damages for an improvidently granted injunction in the absence of a bond or other security.

Equity May Allow a Pro Rata Recovery in a Derivative Action [Delaware Business Court Insider]

July 06, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, review a recent decision by the Court of Chancery in which Vice Chancellor Laster discussed the circumstances under which the court might allow a pro rata recovery in the context of a derivative action.

Director's Access to Company's Privileged Information Upheld Despite Proxy Contest

June 01, 2022

Barry Klayman & Mark Felger (Wilmington), writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, review a recent decision by the Court of Chancery in Delaware holding that where two halves of a deadlocked board are competing in a proxy contest, neither side could benefit from the company’s resources, including its privilege, to the exclusion of the other.

Stark Upholds Granting of Nunc Pro Tunc Retentions by Bankruptcy Court

May 04, 2022

Mark Felger and Barry Klayman co-authored an article on Law.com that analyzes U.S. District Court Judge Leonard P. Stark’s decision in City of Rockford v. Mallinckrodt (In re Mallinckrodt), 2022 WL 906451 (D. Del. Mar. 28, 2022).

Slights Addresses Third-Party Direct Actions by Judgment Holders Against an Insurer

March 31, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, review a recent decision in the Superior Court of Delaware that addresses whether a third party may bring a direct action against an insurer for coverage on a theory of subrogation when equitable subrogation does not apply and the right cannot be traced to a statute or contract.

Court Refuses Appointment of a Custodian Under DGCL Section 226(a)(3) to Continue Defunct Corporation

March 02, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision in the Delaware Court of Chancery refusing to appoint a custodian pursuant to Delaware General Corporation Law Section 226(a)(3) to continue the business of a defunct corporation.

The Common Law Insolvency Exception for the Sale of a Corporation's Assets Without Stockholder OK [Delaware Business Court Insider]

February 02, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision in the Delaware Court of Chancery reaffirming the continuing validity of the common law insolvency exception for the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of an insolvent or failing corporation without the requirement for stockholder approval.

Timely Appeal of Order of Dismissal Warrants Substitution and Further Proceedings by Chapter 7 Trustee

January 13, 2022

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by the Delaware Supreme Court directing the Court of Chancery to substitute a Chapter 7 trustee for the nominal defendant and realign it as plaintiff in a shareholder action that had been dismissed for failure to make a demand on the company’s board of directors, where the case was pending on appeal when the bankruptcy case was filed.

VC Glasscock on the Evolution of the Vested Rights Doctrine in Delaware

December 09, 2021

Barry Klayman & Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by Vice Chancellor Glasscock of the Delaware Court of Chancery reviewing the evolution of the vested rights doctrine in Delaware and synthesizing from prior case law a simplified test for its application.

Delaware Court Is Proper Forum to Address Issues Raised by Foreign Letters Rogatory

November 03, 2021

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by Judge Paul R. Wallace of the Delaware Superior Court holding that the Delaware courts are the proper forum for resolving issues raised by a subpoena issued pursuant to foreign letters rogatory, including the propriety and scope of the subpoena and whether the expenses of complying should be shifted from the non-party target to the requesting party.

Board's Delayed Response to Misconduct in Light of Enforcement Actions Defeats 'Caremark' Claim

October 07, 2021

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, review a recent decision by Vice Chancellor Slights of the Court of Chancery dismissing a claim that defendants violated their Caremark duties because plaintiff failed to adequately plead demand futility.

Chancery Holds Section 3104(d)(4) Provides Standalone Authority for Alternative Means for Service of Process

September 02, 2021

Barry Klayman & Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, review a recent decision by Vice Chancellor Slights of the Court of Chancery of Delaware holding that section 3104(d)(4) of the Delaware Long Arm Statute provides standalone authority for alternative means for service of process, and approving international service of a summons and complaint by email and posting at the defendants’ residences.

Sontchi Rejects Majority View on Test to Determine Whether a Business Trust Is an Eligible Debtor

July 01, 2021

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, review a recent decision from Chief Judge Sontchi of the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware holding that the law of the jurisdiction in which a trust is organized governs whether it is a “business trust” that can be an eligible debtor under the Bankruptcy Code.

High Court Affirms Bankruptcy Ends LLC Membership but Not Member's Economic Interest

June 03, 2021

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, review a recent decision from the Supreme Court of Delaware affirming that the Bankruptcy Code does not preempt the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act to the extent that it divests members of an LLC who file for bankruptcy of the right to participate in the management of the company, but not their economic interest.

What Constitutes a Consumer Deposit for Priority Treatment Under the Bankruptcy Code

May 05, 2021

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, review a recent decision from the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware discussing what is a consumer deposit for purposes of priority treatment under section 507(a)(7) of the Bankruptcy Code and holding that prepayments to a flight service company for future airplane flights were deposits within the meaning of the statute.

Motions for Partial Dismissal Toll the Period for Answering the Entire Complaint for Del.'s Note Action Statute

March 31, 2021

Barry Klayman & Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision from the Superior Court of Delaware holding that partial motions to dismiss toll the period for answering the entire complaint under Delaware’s Note Action Statute moving for partial dismissal before answering is not a procedural error necessitating a default or other repercussions.

The Doctrine of Unclean Hands as Guardian of Equity

March 03, 2021

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision from the Court of Chancery of Delaware that discusses the doctrine of unclean hands and explains how it serves as the guardian of equity and a vehicle for protection of the reputation of the court itself.

The Affiliate Privilege Doctrine Explained

February 03, 2021

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision from the Delaware Superior Court that serves as a primer on the affiliate privilege doctrine.

A Primer and a Warning for Section 220 Proceedings

January 14, 2021

Barry Klayman & Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision from the Court of Chancery in Delaware that serves as a primer on increasingly common defenses to stockholder books and records inspection demands and a cautionary tale for defendants in Section 220 proceedings who opt to pursue overly aggressive defense strategies that seek to place obstacles to the use of Section 220 as a quick and easy pre-filing discovery tool.

Chancery Holds First-Party Claims Covered by Standard Indemnity Provision in LLC Agreement Absent Express Contrary Intent

December 09, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by the Court of Chancery in Delaware holding that first-party claims are covered by a standard indemnity provision in a limited liability company agreement absent an express intent to the contrary, rejecting application of the presumption in a line of cases involving bilateral commercial contracts against fee-shifting with respect to claims between the contracting parties absent a clear statement allowing it.

Waiver of Partition Right Held Unenforceable Where Unlimited in Duration

November 04, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by the Court of Chancery in Delaware holding that a waiver of partition rights by co-tenants of real property was unenforceable because it was unlimited in duration.

Anti-Assignment Clause Prohibiting Assignment by Operation of Law Applies to Subsequent Merger

October 07, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by the Superior Court of Delaware holding that an anti-assignment clause prohibiting an assignment “by operation of law” without the other party’s consent applied to a subsequent merger in which the contracting party was not the surviving entity.

Chapter 7 Trustee Can Abandon Looting Claims Back to Creditors Who Had Them Before the Bankruptcy

September 02, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger contributed an article to the Delaware Business Court Insider.

Seller's Privilege Claims Remain With Seller Unless Buyer Contracts for Waiver or Waiver Right

August 05, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by the Delaware Court of Chancery holding that, unlike the rule in merger cases, the privilege for communications regarding an asset purchase agreement and associated negotiations does not pass to the purchaser by default operation of law, but remains with the seller unless the buyer contracts for something different.

Chancery Decision Seeks to Further Clarify Operation of Del. Borrowing Statute

July 01, 2020

Barry Klayman & Mark Felger, writing in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discuss a recent decision by the Delaware Court of Chancery interpreting the state’s borrowing statute, which provides that a suit to enforce a cause of action arising outside of Delaware cannot be brought in a Delaware court after the expiration of the applicable Delaware statute of limitations or the statute of limitations of the state or country where the cause of action arose, whichever is shorter.

Chancery Upholds Shareholder Representative Structure and Refuses to Treat Sellers as Real Parties in Interest

June 10, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger published an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider.

Cause of Action for Professional Negligence Accrues at the Time of Injury, Not When Damages Occur [Delaware Business Court Insider]

May 06, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger authored an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider discussing a recent decision of the Delaware Supreme Court holding that for tort claims, such as legal malpractice actions, the wrongful act occurs at the time of injury.

Bankruptcy Court Lacks Jurisdiction to Decide Motion to Stay Pending Appeal [Delaware Business Court Insider]

April 01, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger discuss a recent decision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware refusing to grant a motion to stay the bankruptcy proceedings pending an appeal to the district court.

Chancery Reaffirms Fiduciary Exception to Attorney-Client Privilege [Delaware Business Court Insider]

March 04, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger authored an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discussing a recent decision of the Delaware Court of Chancery reaffirming the fiduciary exception to the attorney-client privilege in the face of a challenge based on an amendment to the Decedents’ Estates and Fiduciary Relations law.

Superior Court Holds Jurisdiction Over Enforcement of Charging Order Vests in Chancery Court [Delaware Business Court Insider]

February 05, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger authored an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider explaining a recent decision in the Delaware Superior Court, which held that the Court of Chancery was the appropriate forum for enforcement of a charging order where the validity of conveyances between a limited liability company and its members was at issue.

Chancery Modifies Order After Finding Amendment, Representations Changed Litigation [Delaware Business Court Insider]

January 15, 2020

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger authored an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider discussing a recent decision in the Court of Chancery of Delaware granting a corporation’s motion to modify an earlier advancement order where the corporation subsequently amended its claims against a former officer and director in order to eliminate the grounds for advancement.

Chancery Applies 'Statutory Override' to Uphold Privilege for Emails Hosted on Adversary's Server [Delaware Business Court Insider]

December 11, 2019

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger authored an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discussing a recent decision in the Court of Chancery of Delaware concerning the applicability of the attorney-client privilege to emails between a party and his attorneys.

In Pari Delicto: Neither Fish Nor Fowl [Delaware Business Court Insider]

November 06, 2019

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger authored an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discussing a recent decision of the Court of Chancery of Delaware holding that the defense of in pari delicto is not limited either to actions in equity or at law, and may be asserted as a defense by the Receiver of an insurance company to a legal claim brought in a statutory liquidation proceeding pending in the Court of Chancery.

After Reargument, Chancery Affirms There Is No Bar to an Advance Waiver of Appraisal Rights [Delaware Business Court Insider]

October 09, 2019

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger authored an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider, discussing a recent decision of the Court of Chancery of Delaware holding that the Delaware General Corporation Law does not prohibit sophisticated owners of a corporation from including provisions in a merger agreement that bind them to a future sale of the resulting entity and the waiver in advance of their statutory appraisal rights.

Court: Liability Limitation Is Ambiguous Where Its Application Would Lead to Absurd Results [Delaware Business Court Insider]

September 04, 2019

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger authored an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider discussing a recent decision in the Delaware Superior Court, holding that a liability limitation in an agreement is ambiguous where its application would result in an absurd result.

Liquidating Trustee Succeeds to Privileges of Former Audit Committee [Delaware Business Court Insider]

August 07, 2019

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger discuss a recent decision of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court holding that a liquidating trustee succeeds to the privileges held by the debtor’s former audit committee.

Chancery Enforces Contractual Protections for Privileged Pre-Merger Communications [Delaware Business Court Insider]

July 03, 2019

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger discuss a recent case from the Delaware Court of Chancery upholding the use by the seller of a business of contractual provisions in a merger agreement to protect pre-merger, privileged communications between the seller and its counsel in negotiating the merger and prevent their use by the buyer in subsequent litigation with the seller.

Payment of Discretionary Bonus Not a Per Se Fraudulent Conveyance [Delaware Business Court Insider]

June 05, 2019

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger discuss a recent case from the Delaware Bankruptcy Court holding that the payments by debtors of discretionary bonuses, not tied to previously enunciated metrics and while the debtors were insolvent, were not per se fraudulent conveyances under the Bankruptcy Code in an article in the Delaware Business Court Insider.

Superior Court Holds Chancery Jurisdiction Does Not Extend to All Contracts Involving LLCs [Delaware Business Court Insider]

May 08, 2019

Barry Klayman and Mark Felger discuss a recent case from the Delaware Superior Court holding that the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act does not confer jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery over all contracts involving LLCs.

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1977
  • Columbia University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1974
  • Delaware
  • Pennsylvania
  • Court Of Common Pleas - Philadelphia County
  • Delaware Court of Chancery
  • Delaware Superior Court
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court
  • Supreme Court of Delaware
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court -- Delaware
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court -- Delaware
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • American Bar Association
  • Delaware State Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association