For the purposes of this part, the term:
(1) "Corporation" includes any domestic or foreign predecessor entity of a corporation in a merger.
(2) "Director" or "officer" means an individual who is or was a director or officer, respectively, of a corporation or who, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the corporation's request as a director, officer, manager, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another entity or employee benefit plan. A director or officer shall be considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the corporation's request if the individual's duties to the corporation also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, the individual to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. The term "director" or "officer" includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of a director or officer.
(3) "Liability" means the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine, including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, or reasonable expenses incurred with respect to a proceeding.
(4)(A) "Official capacity" means:
(i) When used with respect to a director, the office of director in a corporation; and
(ii) When used with respect to an officer, as contemplated in § 29-306.56, the office in a corporation held by the officer.
(B) The term "official capacity" shall not include service for any other domestic or foreign corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity.
(5) "Party" means an individual who was, is, or is threatened to be made, a defendant or respondent in a proceeding.
(6) "Proceeding" means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a corporation may indemnify an individual who is a party to a proceeding because the individual is a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if the director:
(1)(A) Conducted himself or herself in good faith;
(B) Reasonably believed:
(i) In the case of conduct in an official capacity, that his or her conduct was in the best interests of the corporation; and
(ii) In all other cases, that the director's conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and
(C) In the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; or
(2) Engaged in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or obligatory under a provision of the articles of incorporation, as authorized by § 29-302.02(b)(5).
(b) A director's conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for a purpose the director reasonably believed to be in the interests of the participants in, and the beneficiaries of, the plan shall be conduct that satisfies subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii) of this section.
(c) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall, of itself, determinative that the director did not meet the relevant standard of conduct described in this section.
(d) Unless ordered by the Superior Court under § 29-306.54(a)(3), a corporation may not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding:
(1) By or in the right of the corporation, except for expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct under subsection (a) of this section; or
(2) With respect to conduct for which the director was adjudged liable on the basis of receiving a financial benefit to which the director was not entitled, whether or not involving action in the director's official capacity.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
A corporation shall indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the director was a party because he or she was a director of the corporation against expenses incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
(a) A corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding by an individual who is a party to the proceeding because that individual is a member of the board of directors if the director delivers to the corporation:
(1) A written affirmation of the director's good faith belief that the relevant standard of conduct described in § 29-306.51 has been met by the director or that the proceeding involves conduct for which liability has been eliminated under a provision of the articles of incorporation as authorized by § 29- 302.02(b)(4); and
(2) A written undertaking of the director to repay any funds advanced if the director is not entitled to mandatory indemnification under § 29-306.52 and it is ultimately determined under § 29-306.54 or § 29-306.55 that the director has not met the relevant standard of conduct described in § 29- 306.51.
(b) The undertaking required by subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be an unlimited general obligation of the director, but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of the director to make repayment.
(c) The authorization under this section shall be made:
(1) By the board of directors:
(A) If there are 2 or more qualified directors, by a majority vote of all the qualified directors, a majority of whom shall for such purpose constitute a quorum, or by a majority of the members of a committee of 2 or more qualified directors appointed by such a vote; or
(B) If there are fewer than 2 qualified directors, by the vote necessary for action by the board in accordance with § 29-306.24(c), in which authorization directors who are not qualified directors may participate; or
(2) By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the control of a director who at the time is not a qualified director shall not be voted on the authorization.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
(a) A director who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director may apply for indemnification or an advance for expenses to the Superior Court. After receipt of an application and after giving any notice it considers necessary, the court shall:
(1) Order indemnification if the court determines that the director is entitled to mandatory indemnification under § 29-306.52;
(2) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if the court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses pursuant to a provision authorized by § 29-306.58(a); or
(3) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if the court determines, in view of all the relevant circumstances, that it is fair and reasonable to:
(A) Indemnify the director; or
(B) Advance expenses to the director, even if the director has not met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in § 29-306.51(a), failed to comply with § 29-306.53, or was adjudged liable in a proceeding referred to in § 29-306.51(d)(1) or (2) of this section, but, if the director was adjudged so liable, indemnification shall be limited to expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.
(b) If the Superior Court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification under subsection (a)(1) of this section or to indemnification or advance for expenses under subsection (a)(2) of this section, it shall also order the corporation to pay the director's expenses incurred in connection with obtaining court-ordered indemnification or advance for expenses. If the court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under subsection (a)(3) of this section, it may also order the corporation to pay the director's expenses to obtain court-ordered indemnification or advance for expenses.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
(a) A corporation shall not indemnify a director under § 29-306.51 unless authorized for a specific proceeding after a determination has been made that indemnification is permissible because the director has met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in § 29-306.51.
(b) The determination under subsection (a) of this section shall be made:
(1) If there are 2 or more qualified directors, by the board of directors by a majority vote of all the qualified directors, a majority of whom shall for such purpose constitute a quorum, or by a majority of the members of a committee of 2 or more qualified directors appointed by such a vote;
(2) By special legal counsel:
(A) Selected in the manner prescribed in paragraph (1) of this subsection; or
(B) If there are fewer than 2 qualified directors, selected by the board of directors, in which selection directors who are not qualified directors may participate; or
(3) By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the control of a director who at the time is not a qualified director shall not be voted on the determination.
(c) Authorization of indemnification shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is permissible; provided, that if there are fewer than 2 qualified directors, or if the determination is made by special legal counsel, authorization of indemnification shall be made by those entitled to select special legal counsel under subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
(a) A corporation may indemnify and advance expenses under this part to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is an officer of the corporation:
(1) To the same extent as a director; and
(2) If he or she is an officer but not a director, to such further extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors, or contract, except for liability:
(A) In connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than for expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding; or
(B) Arising out of conduct that constitutes:
(i) Receipt by the officer of a financial benefit to which the officer is not entitled;
(ii) An intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders; or
(iii) An intentional violation of criminal law.
(b) Subsection (a)(2) of this section shall apply to an officer who is also a director if the basis on which the officer is made a party to the proceeding is an act or omission solely as an officer.
(c) An officer of a corporation who is not a director shall be entitled to mandatory indemnification under § 29-306.52, and may apply to the Superior Court under § 29-306.54 for indemnification or an advance for expenses, in each case to the same extent to which a director may be entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under those provisions.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
A corporation may purchase insurance on behalf of an individual who is a director or officer of the corporation, or who, while a director or officer of the corporation, serves at the corporation's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity, against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual in that capacity or arising from the individual's status as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have power to indemnify or advance expenses to the individual against the same liability under this part.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
(a) A corporation may, by a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or in a resolution adopted or a contract approved by its board of directors or shareholders, obligate itself in advance of the act or omission giving rise to a proceeding to provide indemnification in accordance with § 29-306.51 or advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance with § 29-306.53. Any such obligatory provision shall satisfy the requirements for authorization referred to in § 29-306.53(c) and in § 29-306. 55(c). Any such provision that obligates the corporation to provide indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law obligates the corporation to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance with § 29-306.53 to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless the provision specifically provides otherwise.
(b) Any provision pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall not obligate the corporation to indemnify or advance expenses to a director of a predecessor of the corporation, pertaining to conduct with respect to the predecessor, unless otherwise specifically provided. Any provision for indemnification or advance for expenses in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders of a predecessor of the corporation in a merger or in a contract to which the predecessor shall be a party, existing at the time the merger takes effect, shall be governed by § 29- 309.07(a)(4).
(c) A corporation may, by a provision in its articles of incorporation, limit any of the rights to indemnification or advance for expenses created by or pursuant to this part.
(d) This part shall not limit a corporation's power to pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a director or an officer in connection with appearing as a witness in a proceeding at a time when he or she is not a party.
(e) This part shall not limit a corporation's power to indemnify, advance expenses to, or provide or maintain insurance on behalf of an employee or agent.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
A corporation may provide indemnification or advance expenses to a director or an officer only as permitted by this part.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-378, see notes under § 29-101.01.
