Francis Pileggi Quoted in Delaware Law Weekly Article on Chancery Court Caseload Increase Due to COVID-19

Wilmington, Del. (November 4, 2020) - Wilmington Managing Partner Francis G.X. Pileggi was recently quoted in a Delaware Law Weekly article titled “Cases Involving COVID-19 Issues Swell Delaware Chancery Court Caseload” about the increase in the Delaware Court of Chancery’s caseload, which has resulted from COVID-19-related lawsuits.

As the article describes, there has been a significant increase in case filings in the Court of Chancery over the last several months. According to a legal data expert for Lex Machina, this increase is likely attributable to lawsuits that arose from circumstances related to the pandemic, such as retailers disputing rent for the months during which their stores were closed, or breach of contract cases where parties could no longer complete a merger.

Mr. Pileggi told Delaware Law Weekly that he has observed an increase in case filings during the pandemic, noting “My practice is busier than ever. I think I’ve seen more cases coming in seeking different types of injunctive relief than I have in a very long time.” He added, “I know a lot of people have had a similar experience to what I have, and their experience is that there have been more cases filed in Chancery during COVID than prior to COVID.”

Mr. Pileggi is a member of Lewis Brisbois’ Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice. He focuses primarily on high-stakes disputes of corporations, stockholders, members of boards of directors, members and managers of LLCs, and those with managerial or ownership interests in other forms of entities. Since 2004, Mr. Pileggi has also maintained the Delaware Corporate & Commercial Litigation Blog, in which he analyzes key decisions from Delaware's Supreme Court & Court of Chancery.

You can read the full Delaware Law Weekly article here (subscription may be required).