This Week in Chancery Court: Albertsons, Kroger, Pritzker, Juul

The country’s largest grocery chains will argue in Delaware Chancery Court this week over whether the sudden resignation of The Kroger Co.'s CEO is relevant to a dispute over a botched merger blocked on antitrust grounds.

Here’s more from the court’s post-holiday calendar:

Tuesday: Lien v. Eagle Equity Partners II LLC, Del. Ch., No. 2022-0972, settlement hearing 9/2/25.

At issue: Whether Vice Chancellor Paul A. Fioravanti Jr. approves a $10 million cash settlement to end class action claims over a blank-check transaction that took online gaming platform Skillz Inc. public. The attorneys representing the investor leading the litigation seek a $1.75 million fee award, according to a brief supporting the deal. The architects of the merger between Skillz and a special purpose acquisition company include CBS Entertainment ex-president Jeff Sagansky and former MGM Studios chairman Harry Sloan.

Court action: A settlement hearing will be held in Wilmington, Del.

Jeff Sagansky, Harry Sloan Pay $10 Million to Settle Skillz Case

Wednesday: Bower v. Pritzker, Del. Ch., No. 2024-0985, hearing 9/3/25.

At issue: Hotel billionaire Nick Pritzker, venture capitalist Riaz Valani, and Juul Labs Inc. seek the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the rescue financing that allowed the vaping company to avert bankruptcy over its marketing practices. It’s the second lawsuit in Chancery Court in which Valani and Pritzker have faced claims that they exploited Juul’s crisis and steered value from the company to themselves and their investment vehicles. The $1.9 billion debt-to-equity conversion “was obviously in the best interests of all stockholders,” according to Juul’s brief supporting the motion to dismiss.

Court action: Oral arguments will be held in Wilmington, Del.

Nick Pritzker Hit With New Lawsuit Over Juul Corporate Bailout

Thursday: Albertsons Companies, Inc. v. The Kroger Co., Del. Ch., No. 2024-1276, hearing 9/4/25.

At issue: Vice Chancellor Lori W. Will considers the demand from Albertsons Cos. for Kroger to provide details about ex-Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen’s personal conduct. McMullen resigned suddenly this year, following Kroger’s failed $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons. An Ohio court blocked lawyers from questioning McMullen about his resignation in a breach-of-contract lawsuit brought by the singer Jewel and an events company Kroger hired to stage a wellness festival. In the Delaware case, Albertsons seeks billions of dollars in damages, while Kroger has said Albertsons undermined the deal.

Court action: A hearing will be held in Wilmington, Del.

Albertsons Wants Details on Ex-Kroger CEO’s Personal Conduct (1)