Who Can Be Held Liable for a Breach of Fiduciary Duty?
Frequently, fiduciary relationships arise through contracts or agreements. Even still, virtually any party with a fiduciary duty can be held liable for a breach of their duty, including but not limited to:
- Business partners. Nevada law states that partners owe their other partners a fiduciary duty of loyalty. For example, refraining from competing with the partnership.
- Employees and agents, which have a duty not to act contrary to the interests of their employers (principals).
- Board of director members, who have a fiduciary duty to act in the interest of shareholders.
- Certain professionals advising or representing a business in a fiduciary capacity, such as lawyers, real estate agents, CPAs or financial advisors. It’s important to note that financial professionals are not always considered fiduciaries.
The first step to determining liability is to prove that a fiduciary duty exists. Depending on the circumstances, establishing a fiduciary relationship can be complex and is something that should be handled by an experienced and capable attorney.