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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 1Art. 2§ 12233 Corporate Director Definition

§ 12233 Corporate Director Definition

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12233 Corporate Director Definition

This law explains who counts as a 'director' in a company. It says directors are the people who make big decisions for the company, whether they're called directors or something else.

Key Takeaways

  • •Directors are the people who run the company and make big decisions.
  • •Even if someone has a different title, if they do the same job as a director, they count as one.
  • •If the company's rules say a certain job (like 'CEO') automatically makes someone a director, then that person is a director with all the same rights.

Example

A company has a board of people who make decisions. Some are called 'directors,' and one is called 'chief advisor.'

If the 'chief advisor' has the same power to make decisions as the directors, then they count as a director too, even if their title is different.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12233 Corporate Director Definition

“Directors” means natural persons, designated in the articles or bylaws or elected by the incorporators, and their successors and natural persons designated, elected, or appointed by any other name or title to act as members of the governing body of the corporation. “Directors” also means alternate directors described in Section 12331. A person who does not have authority to act as a member of the governing body of the corporation, including through voting rights as a member of the governing body, is not a director as that term is used in this part regardless of title. However, if the articles or bylaws designate that a natural person is a director or a member of the governing body of the corporation by reason of occupying a specified position within or outside the corporation, that person shall be a director for all purposes and shall have the same rights and obligations, including voting rights, as the other directors. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 631, Sec. 38. (AB 1233) Effective January 1, 2010.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

Directorsgoverning bodyalternate directorsarticles or bylaws

Related Statutes

  • § 12238 Corporate Member Voting Rights
  • § 12250 Director Vacancy Definition
  • § 12210 Corporate Lawsuit Procedures
  • § 12211 Corporate Property Attachment Rules
  • § 12212 Corporate Filing Fees

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 12233.
View Official Source