Business Organizations: Cases and Materials
on Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies
and Corporations

By Professor Andrew Beckerman-Rodau

Summary of book

This case book is designed to provide a basic overview of business organizations. It is specifically designed for a basic survey course on business organizations. Rather than focus exclusively on specific entities such as corporations and partnerships it deals with business enterprises collectively. The issues and problems that face all businesses are examined. This allows a comparative understanding of the differences and similarities between operating a business as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a corporation or a limited liability company. Related agency law issues are integrated into the material since such issues often arise in the operation of a business enterprise. Ethical issues facing a business attorney are also identified.

The goal of this case book is to provide an understanding of the rudiments of both the legal and business issues related to the operation of a business enterprise. These include selecting the type of entity to utilize, financing the enterprise, setting up the business, maintaining its ongoing operation and addressing liability concerns both among business owners and with regard to third parties. Areas such as wrongful discharge, covenants not to compete and a brief introduction to unfair competition are also examined.

The cases are edited and followed by questions to facilitate focusing on the issues being examined. Most relevant statutory sections are reproduced in the text of the book. Numerous problems and questions involving statutory analysis are provided. Relevant case and statutory citations are included after problems and questions to assist in understanding and resolving the relevant issues raised.

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