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Current Issue
No Payday for Objecting Stockholders as Delaware Supreme Court Reverses Appraisal Ruling
The Delaware Supreme Court recently reversed a Delaware Chancery Court's finding that a private equity buyer had underpaid in connection with its acquisition of payday lending firm DFC Global Corporation.
Conflict Minerals Update – SEC Releases Guidance Following District Court Decision
On April 3, 2017, the US District Court for the District of Columbia (the "Court") entered a final judgment in National Association of Manufacturers, et al. v. Securities and Exchange Commission, ruling that Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Rule 13p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Form SD violate the First Amendment of the US Constitution to the extent that the statute and the rule require companies to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and state on their websites if any of their products "have not been found to be 'DRC conflict free.'"
Technical Amendments Under the JOBS Act Result in Changes to Cover Pages of Many Securities Act and Exchange Act Forms
On March 31, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") made a number of technical amendments to existing rules and certain Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") forms to conform them to certain provisions of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 ("JOBS Act") and related SEC guidance.
Certain Considerations Relating to Virtual Shareholder Meetings
Virtual annual shareholder meetings are gradually increasing year-over-year, but the absolute number is still small and investor resistance to the "virtual-only" format persists. Nevertheless, additional companies continue to switch to the virtual-only format every year, and many more are incorporating virtual components to supplement their in-person meetings.
Recent Regulatory Developments and the New US Presidential Administration's Actions Affecting Public Companies
There have been several recent developments and proposed initiatives related to deregulation impacting US public companies and foreign private issuers ("FPIs"). Below is a brief summary of regulatory changes that have been implemented and the current status of certain proposals aimed at changing or eliminating existing or pending regulations.
Delaware Supreme Court Affirms Energy Transfer’s Termination of Merger Agreement for Lack of Tax Opinion
Resolving a dispute surrounding one of the largest M&A deals of 2015, the Delaware Supreme Court affirmed the Delaware Chancery Court's decision allowing Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. to terminate its proposed acquisition of The Williams Companies, Inc. due to the inability of Energy Transfer's tax counsel to deliver a necessary tax opinion.
Reminders for Foreign Private Issuers for the 2017 Annual Reporting Season
This memorandum outlines certain considerations for foreign private issuers (FPIs) in preparation for the 2017 annual reporting season.
Reminders for US Public Companies for the 2017 Annual Reporting and Proxy Season
This memorandum outlines certain considerations for US public companies in preparation for the 2017 annual reporting and proxy season. Part I of this memorandum discusses new developments and practical action items for the 2017 reporting season; Part II provides a brief overview of recent corporate governance and regulatory developments and trends; and Part III includes a discussion of expected regulatory developments and pending rulemaking initiatives.
2016 Issue
"Golden Leash" Disclosure Rule
Delaware Court of Chancery Finds Accepting Tender
New Proposed Rules on Curbing Wall Street
DOL Issues Final Fiduciary Rule
SEC Takes Issue with Employee Confidentiality
2015 Issue
New Guidance On Exclusions Under Rule 14a-8
Delaware Supreme Court Upholds Rural/Metro Decision
SEC Adopts Final Rules on CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure
Delaware Corporation Law Amendments Address Fee-Shifting and Exclusive Jurisdiction Provisions
SEC Proposes Broadened Rules on Clawback of Incentive-Based Compensation
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