Trinity School of the Bible Trustees Sinina Talley v. Trinity School of the Bible Officers Ruth Norman

• Court: Court of Chancery of Delaware
• Decided: July 5, 2016
• Docket: 11923-VCMR
• Status: Published

Opinion

COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

TAMIKA R. M ONTGOMERY-REEVES New Castle County Courthouse VICE CHANCELLOR 500 N. King Street, Suite 11400 Wilmington, Delaware 19801-3734

July 5, 2016

Ms. Sinina Talley Ms. Ruth Norman 100 Brooklyn Avenue 212 Manhattan Avenue Apartment LL Roosevelt, NY 11575 P.O. Box 7143 Freeport, NY 11520 Mr. Theodore Norman 212 Manhattan Avenue Ms. Wendy Scott Roosevelt, NY 11575 P.O. Box 1742 Apex, NC 27502 Ms. Theresa Washington 220 Christiana Road Mr. Danny Washington New Castle, DE 19720 155 West Greenwich Street Apartment W520 Hempstead, NY 11550

Re: Trinity School of the Bible Trustees Sinina Talley, et al. v. Trinity School of the Bible Officers Ruth Norman, et al. Civil Action No. 11923-VCMR

Dear Parties:

I have considered the filings in this case, the exhibits attached thereto, and

the applicable laws. For the reasons stated herein, the plaintiffs’ complaint (the

“Complaint”) is dismissed without prejudice. Trinity School of the Bible Trustees, et al. v. Trinity School of the Bible Officers, et al. Civil Action 11923-VCMR July 5, 2016 Page 2 of 4

Pro se litigants Sinina Talley, Wendy Scott, and Danny Washington

(“Plaintiffs”), and Theresa Washington, Ruth Norman, and Theodore Norman

(“Defendants”), are members of Trinity School of the Bible (“Trinity”), a

Delaware not-for-profit corporation. 1 Trinity is a religious education and

charitable community outreach center. 2 The parties hereto are members of

Trinity’s board (the “Board”).

On May 18, 2014, Delores Washington, the founder and former president of

Trinity, passed away leaving the Board with the six above-listed members. After

Delores Washington’s death, a myriad of disagreements arose among the Board.3

On July 7, 2014, Plaintiffs contacted the Delaware Center for Justice to request

mediation services, but Defendants refused to participate in any mediation. On

January 21, 2016, Plaintiffs filed the Complaint in this action against Defendants.

In the Complaint, Plaintiffs allege a series of mismanagement claims against

Defendants that appear to be derivative in nature.4 For example, Plaintiffs argue

1 The facts are drawn from the Complaint and the exhibits attached thereto. 2 Compl. at 2. 3 Id. 4 See, e.g., id. at 3 (“The Plaintiffs are aggrieved because they have suffered extreme disrespect and abuse in attempting to carry out their roles as trustees which in turn would propel the school forward. As stated, because the School Board has been barred from functioning normally, including legally as a Non- Trinity School of the Bible Trustees, et al. v. Trinity School of the Bible Officers, et al. Civil Action 11923-VCMR July 5, 2016 Page 3 of 4

that Defendant Theresa Washington seized control of Trinity’s bank accounts by

misrepresenting to PNC and M&T Banks that the Board authorized her to close

those bank accounts. Further, Defendants allegedly failed to hold and attend Board

meetings as needed and when appropriate, which prevented Plaintiffs from

carrying out their duties as trustees. Similarly, Defendants purportedly refused to

disclose lease information and financial statements. In sum, Plaintiffs contend that

“Trinity School of the Bible, its students and the community as a whole ha[ve]

[sic] been injured by the misconduct of Defendant . . . .”5

These claims are derivative in nature and, therefore, belong to Trinity.6 A

corporate entity may appear as a party in this Court only if represented by a

member of the Delaware Bar.7 Likewise, a derivative plaintiff seeking to enforce

Profit, the mission of the school and the school itself is in danger of permanent closure and forfeiture of its privilege to maintain its 501(c)3 status.”); see also id. at 5 (alleging, among other things, corporate misconduct, malfeasance, breach of fiduciary duties, misappropriation of funds, and fraud). 5 Id. at 13. 6 See Tooley v. Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc., 845 A.2d 1031, 1033 (Del. 2004); see also Kramer v. W. Pac. Indus., Inc., 546 A.2d 348, 353 (Del. 1988) (“A claim of mismanagement . . . represents a direct wrong to the corporation that is indirectly experienced by all shareholders. . . . Thus, the wrong alleged is entirely derivative in nature.”). 7 Transpolymer Indus., Inc. v. Chapel Main Corp., 582 A.2d 936 (Del. 1990) (TABLE) (“While a natural person may represent himself or herself in court even though he or she may be an attorney licensed to practice, a corporation, being an Trinity School of the Bible Trustees, et al. v. Trinity School of the Bible Officers, et al. Civil Action 11923-VCMR July 5, 2016 Page 4 of 4

rights on behalf of a corporation must be represented by counsel. 8 Because

Plaintiffs may not pursue this action pro se, the Complaint is dismissed without

prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Sincerely,

/s/ Tamika Montgomery-Reeves

Vice Chancellor

TMR/jp

artificial entity, can only act through its agents and, before a court only through an agent duly licensed to practice law.”). 8 Lygren v. Mirror Image Internet, 992 A.2d 1237 (Del. 2010) (TABLE) (“[C]orporate appellants Parfi and Plenteous may not pursue this appeal because they are not represented by counsel, as required by Delaware law.”); see also Pinnavaia v. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., 2015 WL 5657026, at *1 (Del. Ch. Sept. 11, 2015) (“A derivative plaintiff seeks to ‘enforce a right of a corporation,’ and corporations appearing in this Court may only do so through counsel. Thus, the derivative plaintiff who asserts the rights of the corporation must also be represented by counsel.”).