Limited Liability: A Legal and Economic Analysis

'Bainbridge and Henderson have given us one of the most important books on one of the most important contemporary legal issues, the liability of individual and corporate shareholders for corporate debts. There is no issue in corporate law more subject to uncertainty and no issue more likely to be litigated. No single book has ever attempted, much less carried off, the complete historical, international, economic and legal theoretical exegesis of limited liability, which these two authors do with range, depth, confidence and even a bit of panache. This monograph, of crucial interest both to scholars and practitioners, will become an instant classic and an immediate authority.' Stephen B. Presser, Northwestern University and the author of Piercing the Corporate Veil The modern corporation has become central to our society. The key feature of the corporation that makes it such an attractive form of human collaboration is its limited liability. This book explores how allowing those who form the corporation to limit their downside risk and personal liability to only the amount they invest allows for more risks to be taken at a lower cost. This comprehensive economic analysis of the policy debate surrounding the laws governing limited liability examines limited it not only in an American context, but internationally, as the authors consider issues of limited liability in Britain, Europe and Asia. Stephen Bainbridge and M. Todd Henderson begin with an exploration of the history and theory of limited liability, delve into an extended analysis of corporate veil piercing and related doctrines, and conclude with thoughts on possible future reforms. Limited liability in unincorporated entities, reverse veil piercing and enterprise liability are also addressed. This comprehensive book will be of great interest to students and scholars of corporate law. The book will also be an invaluable resource for judges and practitioners.

Table of Contents:
Contents: 1. Introduction 2. History of Limited Liability 3. Why does the Law Limit Corporate Shareholders’ Liability? 4. Veil Piercing Standards 5. What Law Applies? 6. Veil Piercing in Statutory Contexts 7. Related Doctrines 8. Veil Piercing in Unincorporated Entities 9. Limited Liability in Comparative Perspective 10. Rethinking Veil Piercing 11. Conclusion Index

About the Author :
Stephen M. Bainbridge, William D. Warren Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Los Angeles and M. Todd Henderson, Michael J. Marks Professor of Law, University of Chicago, US

Review :
'This book does a wonderful job of bringing sharp and clear analysis to a breathtakingly complex and poorly understood area of law. In particular, the book is distinctive for its careful treatment of the inefficiencies generated by current confusion and apparent subjectivity of the law in many states. Also of interest is the book's thoughtful economic analysis of the various ways that parent companies and other controlling investors react to the confused state of the law.' --Jonathan Macey, Yale University'Professors Bainbridge and Henderson have made an outstanding contribution to the literature on limited liability. There is something valuable for everyone in this book, which provides not only a clear and comprehensive exposition of the doctrine and theory of limited liability, but also with a cogent and clever solution to limited liability's deeply troubled exception, veil-piercing. This is an important book in one of the most important areas of business law, and is a tremendous, versatile resource for attorneys, entrepreneurs, students and scholars alike.' --Peter Oh, University of Pittsburgh 'This new text represents scholarship in its finest form. Professors Bainbridge and Henderson provide, in succinct form, a masterly coverage of the central corporate law concept of limited liability. . . This is a ''must have'' component for the personal library of any serious scholar of corporate law in the developed world. Students at all levels will benefit from the insights on offer. It could be read with interest by a range of policymakers. I would recommend it without any qualification.' --International Company and Commercial Law Review