ESG and SEC Enforcement in 2022
Videocast: Asset management regulation in 2020 videocast series – Advisers Act regulatory agenda
Videocast: Asset management regulation in 2020 videocast series – DOL: What’s ahead
ERISA Plan Fiduciaries’ Proxy Voting: Regulatory Updates
For the 2025 proxy and annual reporting season, there are a number of key issues to consider and keep an eye on for further developments as preparations commence. This alert provides an overview of these issues and updates in...more
Over the last five years, stockholder activism has undergone significant transformation, shaped by changing market conditions, regulatory developments, and evolving societal expectations. Activism has continued to spread...more
Back in February, in ISS v. SEC, the D.C. Federal District Court vacated the SEC’s 2020 rule that advice from proxy advisory firms was a “solicitation” under the proxy rules. Both the SEC and National Association of...more
On May 13, 2024, a group of 21 Democratic Congressmen--4 Senators and 16 Representatives, as well as the D.C. Delegate--submitted a letter to SEC Chairman Gensler, urging him “to finalize an anti-greenwashing rule you...more
ExxonMobil (“Exxon”) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on Sunday, January 21, 2024, seeking a declaratory judgment to exclude a shareholder proposal from its proxy statement...more
Broadly considered, stockholder activism has been a significant phenomenon among the largest U.S. public companies, with activists of a variety of stripes waging campaigns on a wide range of issues including in the form of...more
In late July 2023, House Republicans on the Financial Services Committee introduced four bills targeting various business and market activities that implicate environmental, social, and governance issues. In a statement...more
The Cozen Lens- •There remains high bipartisan interest in creating a regulatory framework for digital assets in the US as both the House Financial Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee intend to mark up a...more
In the current environment, tax-free spinoffs may be the best option for companies focusing their business lines, we explain in this issue of The Informed Board. Spin-offs do not depend on third parties, and they preserve...more
REGULATORY UPDATES - Recent SEC Leadership Changes - The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced that Megan Barbero, currently SEC Principal Deputy General Counsel, will be appointed General Counsel,...more
On November 15, 2022, Skadden held a webinar titled “Preparing for the 2023 Shareholder Proposal Season.” The panelists were Gianna McCarthy, Director of Corporate Governance for the New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYS...more
On November 22, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule promulgated by the Employee Benefits Security Administration that allows retirement plan fiduciaries to consider environmental, social and...more
This comprehensive report includes five-year trend data, covering the 2018-2022 proxy seasons, for annual meeting participation, director elections, say-on-pay and other proposals among the technology and life sciences...more
REGULATORY UPDATES - SEC Announces Leadership Changes - Anthony (“Tony”) C. Thompson was appointed to a second term as a board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), which will run until...more
On July 13, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) finalized rule amendments (the “Amendments”), proposed in November 2021, updating regulations governing proxy voting advice. The Amendments, approved by the...more
In a 3-1 vote on May 25, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a proposed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rulemaking for investment advisers and funds. The proposed rule and form...more
Summaries of recent legislative and regulatory developments with respect to: •SEC’s 2022 Examination Priorities • Proposed Amendments to Form PF Requirements- •Proposed New Rules Applicable to Private Fund Advisers and...more
In this episode, Wiley’s Kevin Muhlendorf and Holly Wilson discuss what 2022 will bring for Climate and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues at the SEC, including expected activities by the SEC’s ESG Task Force...more
REGULATORY UPDATES - William Birdthistle Named Director of Division of Investment Management - On December 21, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced the appointment of William A. Birdthistle as...more
During 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted rule changes and provided public companies with useful guidance on various topics. In December, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) released its...more
In March 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) created a Climate and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Task Force (ESG Task Force) within the Division of Enforcement, the purpose of which is to...more
On March 3, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the SEC) Division of Examinations (the Division) announced its Examination Priorities for 2021, which included an enhanced focus on climate-related risks. ...more
SEC Chair’s Senate Committee Testimony on SEC Initiatives On October 5, 2021, SEC Chair Gary Gensler provided testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services. Several of the initiatives are of...more
Greenwashing is under increased scrutiny at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Greenwashing is clearly damaging to consumers and investors as it imbues purchasing decisions...more
REGULATORY UPDATES - SEC Leadership Changes - On April 17, 2021, Gary Gensler was sworn into office as the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Gensler served as chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures...more