180.0203(1)(1) The corporate existence begins when the articles of incorporation become effective under
s. 180.0123.
180.0203(2)
(2) The department's filing of the articles of incorporation is conclusive proof that the corporation is incorporated under this chapter, except in a proceeding by the state to cancel or revoke the incorporation or involuntarily dissolve the corporation.
180.0203 History
History: 1989 a. 303;
1995 a. 27.
180.0205
180.0205
Organization of corporation. 180.0205(1)
(1) After incorporation, if initial directors are named in the articles of incorporation, the initial directors shall hold an organizational meeting, at the call of a majority of the directors, to complete the organization of the corporation by appointing officers and carrying on any other business brought before the meeting.
180.0205(2)(a)(a) After incorporation, if initial directors are not named in the articles of incorporation, the incorporator or incorporators shall hold an organizational meeting, at the call of a majority of the incorporators, to do any of the following:
180.0205(2)(a)1.
1. Elect directors and complete the organization of the corporation.
180.0205(2)(a)2.
2. Elect directors who will complete the organization of the corporation.
180.0205(2)(b)
(b) Action required or permitted by this chapter by incorporators at an organizational meeting may be taken without a meeting if the action taken is evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken and signed by each incorporator.
180.0205(3)
(3) An organizational meeting may be held in or outside this state.
180.0205 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
180.0206(1)(1) The incorporators, board of directors or shareholders of a corporation may adopt initial bylaws for the corporation.
180.0206(2)
(2) The bylaws of a corporation may contain any provision for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the corporation that is not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state.
180.0206 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
180.0207(1)(1) In this section, "emergency" means a catastrophic event that prevents a quorum of the corporation's directors from being readily assembled.
180.0207(2)
(2) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the board of directors of a corporation may adopt bylaws that are effective only in an emergency. The emergency bylaws may make all provisions necessary for managing the corporation during the emergency, including but not limited to the following:
180.0207(2)(a)
(a) Procedures for calling a meeting of the board of directors.
180.0207(3)
(3) Provisions of the regular bylaws that are consistent with the emergency bylaws remain effective during the emergency. The emergency bylaws are not effective after the emergency ends.
180.0207(4)
(4) Notwithstanding
ss. 180.0828,
180.0831 and
180.0833, corporate action taken in good faith in accordance with the emergency bylaws binds the corporation and may not be used to impose liability on a corporate director, officer, employee or agent.
180.0207 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
PURPOSES AND POWERS
180.0301(1)(1) A corporation incorporated under this chapter has the purpose of engaging in any lawful business unless a more limited purpose is set forth in its articles of incorporation.
180.0301(2)
(2) A corporation engaging in a business that is subject to regulation under another statute of this state may incorporate under this chapter only if not prohibited by, and subject to all limitations of, the other statute.
180.0301 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
180.0302
180.0302
General powers. Unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, a corporation has perpetual duration and succession in its corporate name and has the same powers as a natural person to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs, including but not limited to power to do all of the following:
180.0302(1)
(1) Sue and be sued, complain and defend in its corporate name.
180.0302(2)
(2) Have a corporate seal, which may be altered at will, and to use it, or a facsimile of it, by impressing or affixing it or in any other manner reproducing it.
180.0302(3)
(3) Make and amend bylaws, not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the corporation.
180.0302(4)
(4) Purchase, receive, lease or otherwise acquire, and own, hold, improve, use and otherwise deal with, property or any legal or equitable interest in property, wherever located.
180.0302(5)
(5) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property.
180.0302(6)
(6) Purchase, receive, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, and own, hold, vote, use, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge or otherwise dispose of and deal in and with shares or other interests in, or obligations of, any other entity.
180.0302(7)
(7) Make contracts and guarantees; incur liabilities; borrow money; issue its notes, bonds and other obligations, which may be convertible into or include the option to purchase other securities of the corporation; and secure any of its obligations by mortgage or pledge of any of its property, franchises or income.
180.0302(8)
(8) Lend money, invest and reinvest its funds and receive and hold property as security for repayment.
180.0302(9)
(9) Be a promoter, partner, member, associate or manager of an entity.
180.0302(10)
(10) Conduct its business, locate offices and exercise the powers granted by this chapter in or outside this state.
180.0302(11)
(11) Elect directors and appoint officers, employees and agents of the corporation, define their duties, fix their compensation and, subject to
s. 180.0832, lend them money and credit.
180.0302(12)
(12) Pay pensions and establish pension plans, pension trusts, profit-sharing plans, share bonus plans, share option plans and benefit or incentive plans for any or all of its current or former directors, officers, employees and agents of the corporation and its subsidiaries.
180.0302(13)
(13) Make donations and otherwise devote its resources for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific, educational, humanitarian, philanthropic or religious purposes.
180.0302(14)
(14) Transact any lawful business that will aid governmental policy.
180.0302(15)
(15) Make payments or donations, or do any other act, not prohibited by law, that furthers the business and affairs of the corporation.
180.0302(16)
(16) Provide benefits or payments to directors, officers and employees of the corporation or its subsidiaries, and to their estates, families, dependents or beneficiaries, in recognition of the past services of the directors, officers and employees to the corporation or its subsidiaries.
180.0302 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
180.0302 Annotation
A ch. 180 corporation cannot offer general trust services to the public, notwithstanding compliance with 223.105.
78 Atty. Gen. 153.
180.0303(2)
(2) In anticipation of or during an emergency, the board of directors of a corporation may do all of the following:
180.0303(2)(a)
(a) Modify lines of succession to accommodate the incapacity of any director, officer, employee or agent.
180.0303(2)(b)
(b) Relocate the principal office or designate alternative principal offices or regional offices, or authorize the officers to do so.
180.0303(3)
(3) Unless emergency bylaws adopted under
s. 180.0207 provide otherwise, all of the following apply to a meeting of the board of directors during an emergency:
180.0303(3)(a)
(a) Notwithstanding
s. 180.0822 (2), the corporation need give notice of the meeting only to those directors whom it is practicable to reach, and the corporation may give notice in any practicable manner, including by publication and radio.
180.0303(3)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding
s. 180.0824 (1) and
(2), one or more officers of the corporation present at a meeting of the board of directors may be considered to be directors for the meeting in order of rank and within the same rank in order of seniority, as necessary to achieve a quorum.
180.0303(4)
(4) Notwithstanding
ss. 180.0828,
180.0831 and
180.0833, corporate action taken in good faith in anticipation of or during an emergency under this section to further the ordinary business affairs of the corporation binds the corporation and may not be used to impose liability on a corporate director, officer, employee or agent.
180.0303 History
History: 1989 a. 303;
1991 a. 16.
180.0304
180.0304
Lack of corporate power. 180.0304(1)
(1) Except as provided in
sub. (2), the validity of any corporate action or any conveyance or transfer of property to or by the corporation may not be challenged on the ground that the corporation lacks or lacked power to act.
180.0304(2)
(2) A corporation's power to act may be challenged in any of the following proceedings:
180.0304(2)(a)
(a) In a proceeding by a shareholder against the corporation to enjoin the act.
180.0304(2)(b)
(b) In a proceeding by the corporation, directly, derivatively or through a receiver, trustee or other legal representative, against an incumbent or former director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation.
180.0304(3)
(3) In a shareholder's proceeding under
sub. (2) (a) to enjoin an unauthorized corporate act, the court may enjoin or set aside the act, if equitable and if all affected persons are parties to the proceeding, and the court may award damages for loss, other than loss of anticipated profits, suffered by the corporation or another party because of enjoining the unauthorized act.
180.0304 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
NAME
180.0401(1)(a)1.
1. Shall contain the word "corporation", "incorporated", "company" or "limited" or the abbreviation "corp.", "inc.", "co." or "ltd." or words or abbreviations of like import in another language, except as provided in
par. (b) or
s. 180.1907.
180.0401(1)(a)2.
2. May not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by
s. 180.0301 and its articles of incorporation.
180.0401(1)(b)
(b) A corporation in existence on January 1, 1991, need not change its name to comply with
par. (a) 1.
180.0401(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in
subs. (3) and
(4), the corporate name of a domestic corporation must be distinguishable upon the records of the department from all of the following names:
180.0401(2)(a)1.
1. The corporate name of a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state.
180.0401(2)(a)3.
3. The corporate name of a dissolved corporation or a dissolved nonstock corporation that has retained the exclusive use of its name under
s. 180.1405 (3) or
181.1405 (3), respectively.
180.0401(2)(a)4.
4. The fictitious name adopted by a foreign corporation or a foreign nonstock corporation authorized to transact business in this state.
180.0401(2)(a)5.
5. The corporate name of a nonstock corporation incorporated in this state.
180.0401(2)(a)6.
6. The name of a limited partnership formed under the laws of, or registered in, this state.
180.0401(2)(a)7.
7. The name of a cooperative association incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state.
180.0401(2)(a)8.
8. The name of a limited liability company organized under the laws of, or registered in, this state.
180.0401(2)(a)9.
9. The name of a limited liability partnership formed under the laws of, or registered in, this state.
180.0401(2)(b)
(b) The corporate name of a corporation is not distinguishable from a name referred to in
par. (a) 1. to
9. if the only difference between it and the other name is the inclusion or absence of a word or words referred to in
sub. (1) (a) 1. or of the words "limited partnership", "limited liability partnership", "cooperative" or "limited liability company" or an abbreviation of these words.
