How and why do GCs get raises? Two case studies

How and why do GCs get raises? Two case studies:

1. Qualcomm GC Ann Chaplin’s comp has increased the last 3 years per Corporate Counsel. In 2025 she made $9M, up from $6.9M in 2024. Of her 2025 pay, the large majority was stock (78% of total pay at $7.1M), and her base rose from $700K to almost $750K. She was the only one of six exec officers to get a bump in salary.

What accounts for her raise? She resolved an important litigation matter (“helped the company secure dismissal of a lone remaining claim in an IP licensing suit brought by a British semiconductor company”), so the company recognized her “strong performance and leadership.” Additionally, the company noted GC comp was rising so they wanted her pay “to remain competitive to the market.”

2. Disney CLO Horacio Gutierrez’s comp increased by 3% last year, making over $16M per Corporate Counsel. The large majority was equity (67%, around $10M), and base was $1.5M. He is the third highest paid Disney exec, behind the CEO ($46.8M) and CFO ($20.2M).

His raise was due to managing “high stakes legal battles” including acquiring Comcast’s stake in Hulu, navigating litigation/regulatory matters (e.g., AI), and restructuring Legal. And, like Qualcomm, Disney cited “continued outstanding performance and changes in the market for executive talent” as reasons for the increased pay.