NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$WLFC #Compensation–Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into Willis Lease Finance Corporation’s (NASDAQ:WLFC) board of directors as well as executive chairman Charles F. Willis, IV (as the controlling stockholder) for potential breaches of their fiduciary duties to shareholders in connection with Willis Lease’s past and ongoing practices of paying potentially excessive compensation to Mr. Willis.
If you are a current shareholder of Willis Lease Finance, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/willis-lease-investigation
Why is Willis Lease Finance being Investigated?
Willis Lease is “effectively controlled” by Charles F. Willis, IV, who founded the company in 1985 and owns approximately 40% of the company’s stock. Willis Lease’s board of directors consists of Mr. Willis, his son (who serves as the CEO of Willis Lease), and three additional directors (who are purportedly independent and constitute the company’s Compensation Committee).
In fiscal year 2022, Mr. Willis received compensation totaling approximately $6.2 million in total compensation. In fiscal year 2023, he received compensation totaling approximately $10.7 million. In fiscal year 2025, he received approximately $14.2 million worth of total compensation. Over half of Mr. Willis’ total compensation for these years has been in the form of stock awards.
Despite this substantial compensation, on November 10, 2025, Willis Lease’s compensation committee awarded Mr. Willis an option grant to purchase up to 300,000 shares of Willis Lease common stock “intended to retain and incentivize Mr. Willis to continue in the role of Executive Chairman” with a four-year vesting period and an exercise price linked to Willis Lease’s stock price at the time of the option grant. In the months following this option grant, Willis Lease’s stock price has risen significantly, giving the options significant value to Mr. Willis.
BFA Law is investigating whether Willis Lease’s compensation to Charles F. Willis, IV, represents excessive or wasteful compensation, and whether Willis Lease Finance’s board of directors, together with Charles F. Willis, IV (as the controlling stockholder) may have breached their fiduciary duties to Willis Lease’s stockholders in connection with the compensation.
Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/willis-lease-investigation
What Can You Do?
If you are a current holder of Willis Lease Finance Corporation stock you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.
All representation is on a contingency fee basis; there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.
Submit your information by visiting:
https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/willis-lease-investigation
Or contact:
Adam McCall
[email protected]
212.789.3619
Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?
BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named “Elite Trial Lawyers” by the National Law Journal, “Litigation Stars” by Benchmark Litigation, among the top “500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers” by Lawdragon, “Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar” by Law360 and “SuperLawyers” by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.
For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.
https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/willis-lease-investigation
Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Contacts
Adam McCall
[email protected]
212.789.3619
