The Delaware Supreme Court has revived a $100 million pay dispute between Centerview Partners and former technology banker David Handler, ordering a trial over whether the elite M&A boutique owes him back compensation. Handler, who ran Centerview's technology practice, claims he was promised 6.5% of the business under a 2012 oral agreement with founders Robert Pruzan and Blair Effron.

Handler sued Centerview in 2022 after generating $60 million in revenue during his final year without receiving payment. The firm argues Handler was an employee, not a partner, and that he improperly launched his new advisory firm Tidal Partners while still employed at Centerview. Centerview maintains Handler forfeited compensation due to alleged disloyalty.

The ruling marks Centerview's second high-profile court battle with a former employee in months, following a discrimination settlement with Kathryn Shiber. Handler's lawyers called the decision a victory, while Centerview dismissed it as "purely technical" and expressed confidence in prevailing at trial.