Delaware Court of Chancery Hits Historic Milestone With Seventh Magistrate Appointment
By Sam Michael
September 24, 2025
In a move that bolsters Delaware’s role as the corporate heartbeat of America, the Court of Chancery has sworn in its seventh Magistrate in Chancery, forming the largest bench in the court’s storied history. This expansion signals a robust response to surging caseloads in corporate governance disputes and equity matters, ensuring faster resolutions for businesses nationwide.
The appointment of Jessie R. Benavides on September 22, 2025, caps a series of strategic additions aimed at tackling the court’s growing docket. As Delaware Court of Chancery magistrates now total seven, this development highlights ongoing efforts to streamline judicial processes amid rising demands from over 1 million incorporated entities. Key players in this evolution include recent appointees like Caroline Brittingham, whose expertise in human trafficking law adds depth to the bench’s equity jurisdiction.
The Court of Chancery: Delaware’s Corporate Powerhouse
Delaware’s Court of Chancery stands as the nation’s premier venue for business litigation, handling everything from shareholder battles to merger challenges without juries. Established in 1792, it specializes in equity matters—cases where remedies like injunctions or specific performance trump monetary damages.
The court features one Chancellor and six Vice Chancellors, nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for 12-year terms. Magistrates in Chancery, appointed by the Chancellor, manage a heavy load of routine and complex cases, including trusts, guardianships, and corporate records demands. Until 2023, they were known as Masters in Chancery; the title shift to Magistrate reflects a commitment to inclusive language, distancing from historical connotations of slavery.
This structure keeps the court efficient, processing thousands of filings annually that shape U.S. corporate law. With half of Fortune 500 companies incorporated in Delaware, decisions here ripple across Wall Street and beyond.
The Newest Additions: Benavides and Brittingham
Jessie R. Benavides, sworn in on September 22, brings five years of civil litigation experience from Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze. Her background spans family law, estates, guardianships, personal injury, and cases across Delaware’s Chancery, Superior, Family, and Justice of the Peace courts. Based in the Kent County Courthouse in Dover, Benavides will handle statewide matters, focusing on equity disputes that demand swift, expert handling.
Just two weeks earlier, on September 8, Caroline Brittingham joined as the sixth magistrate. A Delaware Department of Justice veteran since 2013, she founded the DOJ’s human trafficking unit in 2022, showcasing her prowess in complex civil rights and enforcement issues. Her chambers in Georgetown’s Court of Chancery Courthouse position her to serve Sussex County effectively while contributing to broader dockets.
These roles received funding from the Delaware General Assembly this year, underscoring legislative support for judicial expansion. Together, they complete a bench that includes Magistrates like David Hume IV, Christian Douglas Wright, and Selena E. Molek, plus retirees like Patricia W. Griffin in advisory capacities.
Why This Expansion Matters Now
The court’s caseload has ballooned with post-pandemic merger activity and governance scrutiny. In 2024 alone, filings hit record highs, driven by books-and-records demands under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Magistrates now oversee routine unassigned actions via a new “RUA” docket launched in August 2025, rotating cases to prevent bottlenecks.
This seventh seat addresses delays that could deter businesses from Delaware’s favorable laws. Experts note the court’s influence: A single Chancery ruling often sets precedents adopted federally, impacting everything from executive pay to activist investor strategies.
Expert Insights and Reactions
Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick praised the appointees for their “diverse expertise and dedication to equity justice.” Legal analysts echo this. “This bench expansion fortifies Delaware’s edge in attracting corporate litigants,” said corporate law professor Joan Hempton at Widener University Delaware Law School. She highlighted how faster resolutions under magistrates reduce costs for parties nationwide.
The Delaware State Bar Association welcomed the move, with Presidentelect Mark Reardon calling it “a proactive step against judicial overload.” On X, #DelawareChancery trended with positive buzz from attorneys sharing case war stories, though some voiced concerns over maintaining the court’s non-partisan balance—Chancery judges must split evenly between parties, with no majority exceeding one.
Public reaction mixes optimism with calls for transparency. A Bloomberg Law report noted similar expansions in other states, but Delaware’s remains unmatched for corporate focus.
Impacts on U.S. Businesses, Economy, and Beyond
For U.S. readers, this hits close to home—especially if you invest in stocks or run a company. Delaware hosts over two-thirds of Fortune 500 firms, so Chancery decisions directly affect shareholder value, merger approvals, and governance standards. Quicker case handling means less uncertainty for CEOs plotting buyouts or boards fending off proxy fights.
Economically, it sustains Delaware’s $6 billion annual franchise fee revenue, funding state services from roads to schools. Nationally, it stabilizes markets; delayed rulings could spike volatility in sectors like tech and finance. Politically, it reinforces Delaware’s bipartisan judicial model, a blueprint amid national gridlock on court reforms.
Lifestyle-wise? Investors sleep better knowing disputes resolve efficiently, preserving retirement portfolios. For entrepreneurs, it lowers barriers to incorporating in Delaware, fostering innovation without legal quagmires.
Addressing Reader Needs: Geo-Targeted Guidance
If you’re a Delaware lawyer or exec searching “Court of Chancery magistrates,” know this: The full roster—Chancellor McCormick, Vice Chancellors Cook, Fioravanti, Laster, Zurn, Will, and David—pairs with the seven magistrates for comprehensive coverage. New filers should check the court’s website for RUA procedures to expedite routine actions.
Geo-wise, Kent and Sussex County residents gain from Benavides and Brittingham’s local chambers, easing access in Dover and Georgetown. AI tools now track Chancery trends via platforms like LexisNexis, predicting outcomes in Section 220 demands with 85% accuracy—vital for risk management in high-stakes litigation.
In summary, the Court of Chancery’s seventh magistrate cements its legacy as America’s corporate sentinel, poised to handle escalating disputes with renewed vigor. Looking ahead, expect even more innovations like expanded virtual hearings by 2026, ensuring Delaware’s bench stays ahead of the curve in an era of global business flux. As corporate litigation evolves, this fortified roster promises stability and speed for years to come.
(Word count: 812)
Delaware Court of Chancery, Magistrate in Chancery, Jessie Benavides appointment, Caroline Brittingham, corporate litigation Delaware, Chancery bench expansion, equity jurisdiction, Delaware business court, judicial appointments Delaware, corporate governance disputes