LAWYER PROFILE

Catherine Dearlove

USA 2026

Richards, Layton & Finger PA

Ranked in 1 practice area

Chancery

Delaware

17 years ranked

About

Provided by Richards, Layton & Finger PA

Practice Areas

Corporate & Chancery Litigation

Corporate Transactions

Corporate Governance

Mergers & Acquisitions

Special Committees & Investigations

Limited Liability Company & Partnership Advisory

Career

“Responsive, business-minded and client-focused” (Chambers USA), Catherine Dearlove has appeared as lead or co-counsel in many notable cases in the Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court. “An incisive and clear thinker,” “a master of case strategy,” and “a really fabulous lawyer” (Chambers USA), she represents Delaware corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and their officers, directors, and managers in M&A disputes, derivative and class actions, and corporate control disputes.

Catherine’s clients also rely on her advice regarding complex corporate governance and fiduciary issues, praising her “experience, judgment, and skills both in and out of the courtroom” (Chambers USA). In addition, Catherine advises special committees in internal investigations and transactional matters, has served as a party-appointed neutral arbitrator, and has testified as an expert witness on Delaware corporate law issues.

Catherine is a frequent panelist and speaker at professional conferences addressing issues of Delaware corporate law and governance, and has published articles and book chapters on current topics in Delaware corporate law.

Professional Memberships

Attorneys’ Liability Assurance Society, Ltd., Board of Directors

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Contractual Governance of Business Entities Joint Task Force Founding Co-Chair, Corporate Governance Committee Delaware Affairs Sub-Committee Co-Chair

Delaware Law Developments, Practicing Law Institute, Co-chair

Delaware Museum of Natural History, Board of Trustees

Publications

“Court of Chancery Permits $4.3 Billion Interim Distribution in Altaba Dissolution,” Delaware Business Court Insider, November 4, 2020

“Delaware Supreme Court Validates Federal Forum Selection Provisions,” Insights, May 2020

Contributor, The Directors’ Handbook, 2017

“Absence of Claim of Wrongdoing Can Defeat Books and Records Demands,” Insights, November 2016

“Proxy Access by Private Ordering: A Review of the 2012 and 2013 Proxy Seasons,” The Business Lawyer, November 2013

“Mitigating Financial Adviser Conflicts With Second Adviser,” Delaware Business Court Insider, August 28, 2013

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Chancery - Delaware

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Catherine Dearlove maintains a strong reputation for her work in corporate litigation, and boasts experience advising on books and records requests as well as corrective actions. She has experience representing clients in the Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Cathy's legal expertise in Delaware corporation law and the Court of Chancery and creative thinking about potential claims, coupled with her practical approach to resolving a matter through litigation or other mechanisms, was instrumental in getting us to a better place in a complex, challenging and highly politically charged matter.
ChanceryChambers Guide to the USA
Cathy is an excellent Delaware law and litigation practitioner.
ChanceryChambers Guide to the USA
We would highly recommend working with Catherine and would turn to her for future instructions without hesitation.
ChanceryChambers Guide to the USA