Tesla has added another heavyweight to its litigation department with the appointment of Frank Brannen as associate general counsel of litigation. This move is part of Tesla’s ongoing strategy to build a team of “hardcore streetfighters” for aggressive legal battles, as stated by CEO Elon Musk in a tweet last year.
Brannen, a seasoned litigator, is making his first foray into an in-house role, joining Tesla from the law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, where he served as a partner for over eight years. His move to Tesla comes amidst a wave of departures from Lewis Brisbois this year, reports Law.com.
Tesla’s litigation department has been on a hiring spree, adding at least half a dozen Big Law attorneys since last summer. This aggressive recruitment aligns with Musk’s vision for a hyper-aggressive litigation department. In a tweet last year, Musk made his intentions clear, stating, “There will be blood.”
The addition of Brannen to Tesla’s legal team underscores the company’s commitment to fortifying its litigation capabilities. As Tesla continues to navigate the complex legal landscape of the automotive industry, the expertise of seasoned litigators like Brannen will be crucial in steering the company through potential legal challenges.
In May 2022, Musk announced that Tesla was in the process of establishing a robust litigation department tasked with initiating and executing lawsuits. Musk stated that this team would be reporting directly to him. The recent recruitment drive for lawyers appears to be a continuation of this strategy. The aim is not only to equip Tesla with a strong defensive legal team but also to send a stern warning to any entities considering legal disputes with the company.
In March of this year, Brandon Ehrhart, Tesla’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, revealed via LinkedIn that the company is planning to develop a comprehensive in-house litigation and trial team. Musk responded to a tweet highlighting Ehrhart’s post, stating that while Tesla will continue to employ external litigators, it is crucial to establish a potent internal litigation team to ensure the company isn’t perpetually on the back foot.
Musk further stated that the company would also target Wall Street short-sellers, specific law firms, and occasionally corrupt regulators, whom he referred to as “the true evil.”
