Overview
Harrison S. Carpenter is a corporate litigator that focuses his practice on defense of direct and derivative stockholder actions, mergers and acquisitions litigation, arbitrations, and bankruptcy-related actions. Harrison represents directors, officers, business entities, and investors in appraisal actions, earn-out disputes, internal investigations, contests for control, corporate governance disputes, books and records proceedings, advancement actions, and business divorce cases. He has also successfully litigated numerous cases involving corporate ratification, corporate disclosures, contests for company information, investor buyouts, breach of fiduciary duty, tender offers, and representations and warranties-related claims.
Harrison also maintains an active pro bono practice, where he has successfully assisted several mothers in obtaining joint custody of their children and obtained a complete dismissal of claims of abuse that were asserted by the state against a minor client.
Before joining the firm, Harrison worked for the Honorable Donald F. Parsons, Jr. of the Delaware Court of Chancery. While in law school, he served as a judicial extern for the Hon. Thomas L. Ambro of the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Results
- Successfully represented publicly traded healthcare company in connection with derivative claims concerning novel claims related to a tax receivable agreement
- Successfully represented special litigation committee of the board of directors of a publicly traded theatre company in connection with derivative claims concerning a strategic transaction involving the company’s majority stockholder
- Successfully represented private equity investor in defeating multiple temporary restraining order applications and obtaining summary judgment over claim confirming the removal of limited liability company manager
- Successfully represented cryptocurrency firm in connection with contest for control involving founders
- Successfully represented family office in connection with contest for corporate books and records
- Successfully represented director of biotech company in connection with books and records claims related to strategic transaction involving the company’s majority stockholder
- Successfully represented private equity investor in connection with breach of fiduciary duty claims against majority stockholder of telehealth company
- Represented cryptocurrency mining development company in obtaining voluntary dismissal of investor claims
- Successfully represented medical real estate company in connection with advancement dispute involving officer
- Successfully represented former directors and officers of commercial-stage medical device company in obtaining voluntary dismissal of post-bankruptcy breach of fiduciary duty claims
- Obtained dismissal of action asserting direct and class claims for a breach of fiduciary duty relating to asset sale against directors of company specializing in mobile enterprise solutions*
- Obtained favorable post-trial ruling on issue of first impression under new Section 205 of the Delaware General Corporation Law on behalf of founder of biopharmaceutical company*
- Obtained summary judgment in contest for corporate control of a high-frequency trading firm*
- Obtained dismissal of aiding and abetting claim asserted against investment bank in M&A-related fiduciary duty class action*
- Successfully represented biotech company and private equity firm in obtaining dismissal of an action involving issue of first impression regarding the scope of the forum non conveniens doctrine*
- Represented full-service investment firm in an action to rescind investment placed with laboratory services company*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott.
Recognitions
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, Commercial Litigation 2021-2025
- Super Lawyers: Rising Stars, 2023-2024
Credentials
Education
Widener University School of Law, JD, 2013
West Chester University, BA, 2008
Admissions
Delaware
Courts / Agencies
US District Court for the District of Delaware
