One of the most important sources of director protection is corporate indemnification. But as significant as indemnification is for the protection of directors, the directors’ first line of defense, literally, is their right to advancement of their costs of defense. All too often, these two terms – advancement and indemnification – are used interchangeably, but
Eleventh Circuit: HealthSouth Settlement Appropriately Eliminated Scrushy’s Indemnification Rights
In a June 17, 2009 opinion (here), the Eleventh Circuit upheld the district court’s entry, in connection with the $445 million partial settlement of the HealthSouth securities action, of a bar order that extinguished Richard Scrushy’s contractual claims both for indemnification of any settlement he may enter in the case as well as
Yes, BofA is Advancing Mozilo’s Defense Expenses – As It Should
A variety of news articles and blogs have expressed surprise and even outrage that Bank of America is advancing the legal expense that former Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo is incurring in defending against the various claims that have been raised against him, including the recent SEC enforcement action.
There is no particular reason for
D&O Insurance: Defense Expense Advancement
On June 26, 2008, Judge Gerard Lynch of the Southern District of New York issued another opinion (here) in the D&O insurance coverage litigation arising out of the Refco debacle (My recent post discussing Judge Lynch’s prior opinion in the case discussing insurance application issues can be found here.)
In yet another
Former Directors, Advancement Rights, and D&O Insurance
It is generally understood that under Delaware law, directors enjoy broad rights of indemnification and advancement. The Delaware statutory regime does allow corporations a great deal of flexibility in how they adapt these provisions to their own circumstances. But while these principles are generally understood, it may nevertheless come as a surprise to many that