With DeSantis Legal Battles Looming Disney Extends Its Top Lawyers Contract
After two years on the job, The Walt Disney Company has extended the employment agreement of its top lawyer, Horacio Gutierrez.
The former Spotify employee will work for Disney through December 31, 2026, and receive an annual base salary of $1.5 million. Gutierrez’s prior employment contract was set to expire at the end of the year.
![Disney Board Directors](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-7-scaled-e1693163021409-1024x581.jpg)
![Disney Board Directors](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-7-scaled-e1693163021409-1024x581.jpg)
Credit: Disney
Gutierrez was originally tapped by Disney to replace retiring long-time legal chief Alan Braverman.
Guttierez Gets A New Title
In addition to getting a new contract, Gutierrez has also been promoted to chief legal officer. He previously served as Disney’s general council.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-2-1024x701.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-2-1024x701.jpg)
The Walt Disney Company
Additionally, the lawyer will continue to serve as Disney’s chief compliance officer. Gutierrez assumed that role earlier this year when Disney laid off Alicia Schwarz as part of the company’s larger restructuring.
Disney originally recruited Gutierrez two years ago from Spotify, where he served as the music streaming company’s general council. Before that job, the lawyer served as general counsel for Microsoft.
![Spotify logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/spotify-logo-1920x1080-1-1024x577.jpg)
![Spotify logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/spotify-logo-1920x1080-1-1024x577.jpg)
Photo: Spotify?
During the 2022 fiscal year, Gutierrez received nearly $15.2 million in compensation. The lawyer also now owns more than $856,000 in Disney stock.
A Lot on the Table
His new employment contract increases Gutierrez’s long-term equity incentive annual award to 600% of his $1.5 million base salary. Going forward, Gutierrez’s base pay cannot dip lower than that number.
![Idalia](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-ron-desantis-mario-tama-getty-images-1024x687.png)
![Idalia](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-ron-desantis-mario-tama-getty-images-1024x687.png)
Photo: Maria Tamo/Getty Images
During his tenure at Disney, Guttierez has not only dealt with the fallout of the company’s ongoing feud with Florida governor Ron DeSantis, but he also played a key role in ousting former CEO Bob Chapek last year.
The company’s board eventually elected to bring Bob Iger back to fill the CEO role.
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/75-1024x683.webp)
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/75-1024x683.webp)
(Charley Gallay / Getty Images for Disney)
As always, continue to check back with MickeyBlog. We will continue to bring you updates on all the news coming out of the Walt Disney Company.
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