• Investing
  • Stock
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Economy
The Significant Deals
Investing

Tesla’s law firm drafts Delaware bill that could salvage Musk pay package

by February 19, 2025
written by February 19, 2025

A law firm that represents Tesla and Elon Musk has written proposed legislation that would alter Delaware corporate law, according to a person directly familiar with the drafting of the bill.

The proposed legislation, drafted by Richards, Layton & Finger, or RLF, would amend Delaware General Corporation Law, and if adopted, could pave the way for the reinstatement of Musk’s 2018 CEO pay package at Tesla, worth tens of billions of dollars in options.

RLF confirmed their involvement to CNBC.

“Statutory changes are necessary to restore the core principles that have been the hallmark of Delaware for over a century and ensure that Delaware remains the preeminent jurisdiction for incorporation,” Lisa Schmidt, president of RLF, said in a statement.

The bill was introduced in the Delaware General Assembly on Monday and would require approval by the state’s two chambers as well as Gov. Matt Meyer before it could become law.

The pay package Tesla granted to Musk in 2018 was the largest CEO compensation plan in public corporate history, but the Delaware Court of Chancery in early 2024 ordered it to be rescinded.

In her ruling, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick wrote that the pay plan was inappropriately set by Tesla’s board, which was controlled by Musk, and that it was approved by shareholders who were misled by Tesla’s proxy materials before they were asked to vote on it.

Under the proposed legislation, Musk might no longer be considered a “controller” of Tesla, said Brian JM Quinn, a Boston College Law professor. Transactions that involve self-dealing with controllers or directors would be subject to less review than they are now, Quinn said. Those transactions range from going-private deals, to mergers and acquisitions, to board and executive compensation decisions.

“The real role of corporate law is to protect minority investors,” Quinn said. “With this bill, the legislature is saying, ‘Now, you know what? Protect them less.’”

The proposed legislation would also limit the kinds of documents that minority stakeholders are able to obtain through “books and records” inspection requests, Quinn said. Those stakeholders would be limited to formal items such as a certificate of incorporation or minutes of stockholder meetings but they’d lose access to informal communications such as emails or other messages between board members and executives, Quinn said. 

After the Court of Chancery’s ruling last year, Musk started a campaign to persuade companies not to incorporate in Delaware and moved the site of incorporation for his businesses out of the state. He has aimed his ire at McCormick with repeated and disparaging posts about her on X, his social network.

Other prominent executives, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Bill Ackman of Pershing Square, have also criticized the Delaware judiciary. 

“Delaware has taken some heat for supposedly being too hard on controller transactions,” said Renee Zaytsev, partner at Boies Schiller and co-chair of the firm’s securities and shareholder dispute practice. 

“These amendments seem to be a course correction that would make it significantly easier for boards and controllers to avoid judicial scrutiny of their transactions,” she said.

Tesla and Musk did not respond to requests for comment.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
From tariffs to DOGE, what companies are saying about the impact of MAGA policies
next post
Coca-Cola takes on Olipop and Poppi with new prebiotic soda brand, Simply Pop

You may also like

A flagging U.S. industry looks for new life...

July 18, 2025

Coca-Cola dodges after Trump says soda will switch...

July 18, 2025

Trump says it’s ‘highly unlikely’ he will fire...

July 17, 2025

Inflation picks up again in June as tariffs...

July 16, 2025

Jerome Powell asks inspector general to review Fed’s...

July 15, 2025

Some Walmart garment orders from Bangladesh on hold...

July 13, 2025

Trump’s tariffs on Brazil could make your coffee...

July 11, 2025

White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve,...

July 10, 2025

Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot...

July 10, 2025

OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to...

July 10, 2025
Fill Out & Get More Relevant News








    Stay ahead of the market and unlock exclusive trading insights & timely news. We value your privacy - your information is secure, and you can unsubscribe anytime. Gain an edge with hand-picked trading opportunities, stay informed with market-moving updates, and learn from expert tips & strategies.

    Recent Posts

    • A flagging U.S. industry looks for new life in a Philadelphia shipyard

      July 18, 2025
    • Coca-Cola dodges after Trump says soda will switch back to cane sugar

      July 18, 2025
    • Trump says it’s ‘highly unlikely’ he will fire Fed Chair after broaching idea with GOP reps

      July 17, 2025
    • Inflation picks up again in June as tariffs slowly work their way through U.S. economy

      July 16, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (245)
    • Editor's Pick (3,646)
    • Investing (561)
    • Stock (6,426)

    Latest News

    • A flagging U.S. industry looks for new life in a Philadelphia shipyard
    • Coca-Cola dodges after Trump says soda will switch back to cane sugar

    Popular News

    • Oil prices rise more than 1% as Israel vows to intensify attacks on Iran
    • Work one day for free, French asked in latest budget plan

    About The Significant deals

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Copyright © 2025 thesignificantdeals.com | All Rights Reserved

    The Significant Deals
    • Investing
    • Stock
    • Editor’s Pick
    • Economy