Clair v. Clair

This case arises from a family dispute among the owners of twenty-six business entities (collectively, companies) that were established in connection with the operation of the Clair Auto Group, a chain of automobile dealerships. When the family patriarch, James E. Clair, Sr., died in 2004, his four sons — James E. Clair, Jr.; Mark J. Clair; Joseph P. Clair; and Michael S. Clair (collectively, Clair brothers) — held approximately equal ownership interests in the companies. In November, 2007, the Clair brothers sold most of the companies’ dealerships, real estate, and other assets to Prime…