The SEC’s recent enforcement actions, public statements and proposed rulemaking indicate that cybersecurity will be an area of heightened focus for the Gensler Commission.
New proposed rules would require public companies...more
3/30/2022
/ Broker-Dealer ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Protection ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Investment Adviser ,
National Security ,
Popular ,
Proposed Rules ,
Rulemaking Process ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Exchange Act
Recent enforcement action could signal expanding the boundaries of misappropriation theory, with significant implications for SEC-regulated entities and other market participants.
With Chair Gensler at the helm, an...more
Chair Gensler’s enforcement agenda begins to take shape as SEC brings sprawling enforcement action against wide range of SPAC participants.
Consistent with prior SEC warnings regarding incentives for Special Purpose...more
7/16/2021
/ Airspace ,
CFIUS ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Due Diligence ,
Enforcement Actions ,
False Statements ,
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Insider Trading ,
Internal Controls ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Market participants must manage risk of competing voices regarding direction of ESG rulemaking and the coming wave of enforcement actions.
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s near-term climate change and board...more
March Madness extends into April as the Commission markedly increases its focus on SPACs.
Surprise pronouncements call into question use of the PSLRA safe harbor for projections and accounting treatment for warrants....more
4/19/2021
/ Corporate Counsel ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Insider Trading ,
Investors ,
New Guidance ,
Offering Documents ,
Proxy Statements ,
PSLRA ,
Registration Statement ,
Risk Mitigation ,
Safe Harbors ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs)
SPACs have seen exponential growth in 2020, but SPAC sponsors, investors and targets should beware the scrutiny de-SPAC transactions are receiving from the plaintiffs’ bar and the SEC.
2020’s SPAC IPO explosion will...more
12/16/2020
/ Corporate Counsel ,
D&O Insurance ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Financial Institutions ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ,
Safe Harbors ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Exchange Act ,
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ,
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs)
Although the Supreme Court handed the SEC a win by preserving its authority to seek disgorgement, the Liu decision limits that authority and creates uncertainty that will likely benefit defendants, particularly in insider...more
7/10/2020
/ 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(5) ,
Administrative Authority ,
Business Expenses ,
Calculation of Damages ,
Corporate Misconduct ,
Disgorgement ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Kokesh v SEC ,
Lack of Authority ,
Liu v Securities and Exchange Commission ,
Net Profits ,
SCOTUS ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Expect the SEC to aggressively enforce the securities laws during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly against market participants who act opportunistically.
The SEC as well as senior staff within the Division of...more
TAKEAWAYS
- SEC scrutiny of private funds underscores the importance of remaining vigilant, including updating and improving compliance infrastructure and evaluating internal policies and procedures.
- Private funds...more
2/19/2020
/ California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) ,
Compliance ,
Cybersecurity ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Internal Controls ,
Investment Adviser ,
OCIE ,
Private Equity Firms ,
Private Funds ,
SEC Advertising Rule ,
SEC Examination Priorities ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
DOJ settlement signals need for enhanced False Claims Act scrutiny.
Private funds continue to face heightened secondary liability risks arising from their portfolio investments....more
10/3/2019
/ Compliance ,
D&O Insurance ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Due Diligence ,
Enforcement Actions ,
False Claims Act (FCA) ,
Federal Contractors ,
Independent Director ,
Internal Controls ,
Kickbacks ,
Pensions ,
Pharmacies ,
Portfolio Companies ,
Private Equity Firms ,
Private Investment Funds ,
Risk Management ,
Settlement ,
Strategic Enforcement Plan ,
Vicarious Liability
Although the SEC did not bring as many headline enforcement actions against private funds as in years past, it continues to devote substantial resources and attention on investment advisers.
The SEC will maintain its...more
3/6/2019
/ Annual Reports ,
Conflicts of Interest ,
Cybersecurity ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Excessive Fees ,
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) ,
Illiquid Assets ,
Insider Trading ,
Investment Adviser ,
OCIE ,
Pay-To-Play ,
Private Equity Funds ,
Retail Investors ,
SEC Examination Priorities ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Strategic Enforcement Plan