In all states except one, LLCs are divided into two categories--those managed by the members and those managed by managers appointed by the members (aka "manager-managed"). In a quest to offer LLCs the face of a corporation, Tennessee goes a different route. Their LLCs are either member managed or governor managed. Further, in a LLC with governors, the governors may appoint managers who serve under them in much the same capacity as officers server under a corporate board of directors. For more information on the particulars, see "New Management Structures" section of this article.I don't really see what this statutory frameworks adds to Tennessee LLCs; however, the novel framework does create traps for the unwary. The managers of LLCs in other jurisdictions act like officers of a corporation. Further, in a manager-managed LLC, the members have a roll very similar to the board of directors of a corporation. So what's the point to LLC governors Tennessee? In the grand scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal. Governor-managed Tennessee LLCs operate exactly the same as member-managed LLCs in the other 49 states (except for the fact that they can named managers who report to them). For Tennessee LLCs wishing managers, they are required by statute to create an intermediate body of "governors" in addition to naming managers. This necessitates additional complexity in the operating agreement. However, one option to simplify governance for Tennessee LLCs with managers is to name all governors additionally as managers. The net effect of such an arrangement is that the body of LLC governors = the body of LLC managers. Although the operating agreement still requires extra provisions to address the issue of governors, I believe it's a relatively easy drafting issue to handle.
Here is a link to the Tennessee statutes. Go to Title 48 (Corporations and Associations) and see Chapter 201, et alia for the Tennessee LLC Act.
4 comments:
FYI, you're citing to and quoting from the old Tennessee LLC act. LLCs formed on or after January 1, 2006 are formed under the new Tennessee LLC act; LLCs formed before January 1, 2006 may opt into the new act. The new act gives organizers the choice of three forms of LLC—member-managed (under default rules, this looks like a GP), manager-managed (looks like an LP), and director-managed (looks like a corporation). The cite for that new law is: Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-249-101 et seq. The old act allowed for member-management or management by a board of governors through a chief manager and secretary (acting as agents for the LLC).
Thanks for clearing that up Joan.
Pay attention to Joan. She knows her stuff.
Thaanks great blog post
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