Key Observations This research paper examines 15 recent shareholder resolutions at US companies addressing oversight and transparency over the use of artificial intelligence. On average, shareholder support for resolutions on AI has exceeded support for …
As we previously addressed here, on February 12, 2025, the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance published Staff Legal Bulletin 14M (“SLB 14M”). Among other things, SLB 14M rescinded previous Staff guidance …
Standing behind every crypto asset is a crypto association. Blockchains are typically not organized as traditional legal entities such as a corporation, partnership, or LLC. Instead, they operate through a decentralized network of participants who are …
President Donald Trump’s nominee for Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair, Paul Atkins, began his tenure on April 21, 2025, taking over from Acting Chair Mark Uyeda. While we expect that Chair Atkins’ priorities will be defined in the coming …
Through our research, we identified three priorities that next generation C-suite leaders are looking for to elevate their career journey. Transparent succession planning processes Only 25% of next generation C-suite leaders feel their executive leadership …
Delaware’s entire fairness doctrine – response to which in part drove the SB 21 amendments to Delaware corporate law enacted on March 25, 2025 – is not dead. Thus, it is especially helpful that a new Delaware Court of Chancery opinion reminds us that …
As investor interest in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) skyrocketed in the mid 2010s, ESG ratings became an important area of focus. A strong rating could mean greater inclusion in ESG focused funds (Hartzmark and Sussman, 2019), which in turn …
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and redefine how companies operate, organizations are under increasing pressure to build leadership and governance structures that can keep pace. In response, a growing number of S&P 500 …
AQTION, leveraging its proprietary database powered by SquareWell Partners, published its second review on how the world’s largest 65 investors (hereafter referred to as the “Top 65”) are evaluating governance and sustainability issues and stewarding their …
Posted by Caroline A. Crenshaw, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Posted by Paul Atkins, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Posted by Sehoon Kim (University of Florida), Bernadette A. Minton ( …
Key Points While there have been some vocal critics of Delaware corporations law, few major companies have reincorporated in other states, and Delaware incorporation continues to offer substantial benefits to companies and stockholders. Recent amendments …
On April 9, the US Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission announced parallel cases against the founder and former CEO of an artificial intelligence startup for allegedly misleading investors about his former company’s product …
The growing popularity of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) among long-term investors is, to a large extent, driven by their fee and tax efficiencies. Leveraging their unique security design, ETFs achieve their tax efficiency through the in-kind redemption …
Key Takeaways The rate of ISS recommendations “Against” say-on-pay proposals peaks in June. The causes of spikes in “Against” recommendations for June meetings are unclear. The findings give rise to questions as to why the “June Phenomenon” occurs. …
Texas Senate Bill No. 29 On May 7, 2025, the Texas Legislature adopted Senate Bill No. 29 (first introduced last February), which provides for significant amendments to the Texas Business Organizations Code (TBOC). The amendments have been sent to Governor …
The role of individual experiences in corporate decision-making has long been a subject of interest for academics and practitioners. Our recently published NBER working paper (“Climate Boards: Do Natural Disaster Experiences Make Directors More Prosocial …
Recent tariff announcements by the United States—and ensuing trade tensions and market volatility—have triggered waves of both activity and uncertainty in executive suites and boardrooms. Companies are now grappling with policy volatility, inflationary …
As explained in this March 12 Cooley alert, the impact of the Trump administration’s evolving tariff regime will be felt by US companies across the board. Many will encounter rising material costs and reduced profit margins, particularly given the …
Good afternoon. As you know, SEC Speaks is an opportunity for the agency, and specifically the SEC staff, to speak directly to practitioners in our space. To me, and perhaps to some of you, this year’s SEC Speaks feels a bit different. My hope is that over …
Thank you, Cicely, for your kind introduction. Ladies and gentlemen, I am very happy to be with you at my first SEC Speaks conference as SEC Chairman, though I have been a regular at this event over the past 15 years or so. [1] The event has experienced …
