Gru's Loyal Minions: A Fun Look at Fiduciary Duties
Last night, I had the opportunity to watch “Despicable Me 4” with my family, and it got me thinking about the law in the most unexpected way.
Minions, the small, yellow, and loyal creatures from the "Despicable Me" movie franchise, serve as a perfect and entertaining example to understand the intricacies of agency law and fiduciary duties.
Let’s break it down (and don’t worry—there are no “Despicable Me 4” spoilers below)!
An agency relationship is formed when one person (the principal) appoints another (the agent) to act on their behalf. This relationship can be established through mutual consent, without the need for a formal contract or consideration.
In the “Despicable Me” movies, Gru (the principal) appoints the Minions (the agents) to execute various tasks and schemes, establishing an agency relationship through their mutual understanding and consent.
In addition to any express contractual duties that the agent owes the principal, fiduciary duties of loyalty, reasonable care under the circumstances (including duty to disclose all relevant information), and obedience to reasonable directions are owed.
Let’s explore these duties through the antics of the Minions:
Duty of Loyalty: Agents must act in the best interests of their principal, avoiding conflicts of interest and not acting for their own benefit.
Example: Imagine a Minion is sent by Gru to acquire a rare artifact. If the Minion secretly buys the artifact for another collector who offers a more money, the Minion breaches the duty of loyalty. The Minion’s responsibility is to prioritize Gru’s interests above all.
Duty of Care: Agents must perform their duties with the competence and diligence expected of a reasonable person in similar circumstances.
Example: When tasked with building a new gadget, the Minions must exercise due diligence, following Gru's instructions carefully and ensuring the gadget is safe and functional. If a Minion carelessly constructs a faulty device that endangers others, it breaches the duty of care.
Duty of Obedience: Agents must follow all lawful instructions given by their principal.
Example: Gru instructs a Minion to purchase a specific item for no more than $5,000. If the minion disregards this instruction and spends $10,000, the Minion violates the duty of obedience. The Minion’s obligation is to adhere strictly to Gru’s directives.
The “Despicable Me” movie franchise "Despicable Me" (2010) "Despicable Me 2" (2013), "Despicable Me 3" (2017), and "Despicable Me 4." There is also a spin-off series called the "Minions" movies, which includes "Minions" (2015) and "Minions: The Rise of Gru" (2022).
Next time you see the minions on the big screen, remember the lessons they can teach you about agency law. And may your studies be as diligent as the minions’ loyalty to Gru!
