Law Commons^™

Ovitz Performance In Disney Role Is Faulted At Trial, John Donohue

John Donohue

Former Walt Disney Co. President Michael Ovitz's job performance and spending habits came under attack during testimony in a Delaware court case, as an expert witness said Disney's directors could have fired Mr. Ovitz for cause, rather than giving him the no‐fault termination he received. John J. Donohue, a Yale University law professor and witness for a group of Disney shareholders, testified that his review of California law, of Mr. Ovitz's employment contract and of depositions in the case showed that Disney's board had the right not to grant Mr. Ovitz a no‐ fault termination, which resulted in an estimated …