BB&K's Isabel Safie Discusses the Implications of IRS’ Definition of Governmental Plan Status
Bill on Bankruptcy: Stockton May Win the Battle, Lose the War
We may learn as early as today whether a pending constitutional challenge to AB 979 will be going to trial in May. AB 979 is California's law requiring publicly held domestic and foreign corporations having their principal...more
It’s Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we’ve been monitoring. This week’s post includes: a new report on the state of corporate human rights reporting; the...more
The topic of director tenure has increasingly become the focus of both academics and investors. Some argue that long-term directors contribute deep knowledge of the company and provide experience, historical memory and...more
As many institutional investors have concluded, prevailing governance policies and practices have not produced desired board refreshment, which these investors would support in order to strengthen expertise, promote diversity...more
Next week, the California Public Employees Retirement System will consider a staff recommendation “to update the legislative and policy guidelines to include support for Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rulemaking on...more
In this post, I noted a recent study by Professor Tracie Woidtke at the University of Tennessee concluding that social-issue shareholder-proposal activism appears to be negatively related to firm value. I therefore raised...more
Rhonda Brauer is a senior managing director of corporate governance at Georgeson Inc. where she helps companies enhance their shareholder communications and analyze their governance practices. She recently joined Latham &...more
“Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair” - In this press release issued last week, CalPERS congratulated itself on the “success” of its proxy voting initiatives:...more
Proxy access has suddenly leap-frogged to the top of seemingly everyone’s corporate governance list after various setbacks over the past few years. In fact, a March 17th Wall Street Journal article quoted Anne Simpson, head...more
It's difficult to discern “trends” from reactions to date on proxy access proposals, but here are some data points: Three companies, including two on the NY Comptroller’s 75-company target list have adopted...more
Shareholder voting standards was a hot topic this proxy season and will likely continue to be of significant interest next proxy season and in subsequent years. This proxy season, shareholders submitted various proposals...more
CalPERS’ Global Principles of Accountability for Corporate Governance declare: Compensation programs are one of the most powerful tools available to the company to attract, retain, and motivate key employees to...more
Next Monday, the Investment Committee of CalPERS’ Board of Administration is scheduled to consider several amendments to CalPERS’ Global Principles of Accountable Corporate Governance. Among other changes, the committee will...more