Author Archives: Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation

Principles for Board Governance of Cyber Risk

Accelerating digitalization puts new pressures on companies to overhaul their business models and, indeed, fundamentally reimagine how they conduct business. Given that companies are increasingly judged on how well they protect their own information as well as the data entrusted to them by customers and partners, cybersecurity and cyber resilience have become vital concerns for […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Accounting & Disclosure, Boards of Directors, Practitioner Publications | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Principles for Board Governance of Cyber Risk

Cash-for-Information Whistleblower Programs: Effects on Whistleblowing and Consequences for Whistleblowers

Cash-for-information whistleblower programs have gained momentum as a regulatory tool to enforce corporate misconduct. Yet, little is known about how financial incentives affect whistleblowers’ decisions to report potential misconduct to authorities. Similarly, there is no large-sample evidence on the consequences for whistleblowers under these programs. We study these questions using over 5,000 whistleblower lawsuits brought […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Academic Research, Empirical Research, Securities Litigation & Enforcement | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Cash-for-Information Whistleblower Programs: Effects on Whistleblowing and Consequences for Whistleblowers

Private Sector Implications of Biden’s Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk

The Biden Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk (the Executive Order) is the latest significant step by the Administration to analyze and mitigate the risks that climate change poses to the U.S. economy, businesses, workers and the financial system. It aims to advance the Biden Administration’s policy of promoting disclosure of climate-related financial risk, mitigating […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Accounting & Disclosure, ESG, Legislative & Regulatory Developments, Practitioner Publications, Securities Regulation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Private Sector Implications of Biden’s Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk

Remarks by SEC Chair Gensler at the CFO Network Summit

Thank you, Jean, for that kind introduction and for your question. Before I answer, as is customary, I’d like to note that my views are my own, and I am not speaking on behalf of my fellow Commissioners or the staff. Your question is particularly relevant for this audience. I welcome the opportunity to share […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Practitioner Publications, Regulators Materials, Securities Litigation & Enforcement, Securities Regulation, Speeches & Testimony | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Remarks by SEC Chair Gensler at the CFO Network Summit

How Informative Is the Text of Securities Complaints?

Much of the research in law and finance reduces long, complex texts down to a small number of variables. Prominent examples of this practice include the coding of corporate charters as an entrenchment index and characterizing dense securities complaints by using the amount at issue, the statutes alleged to have been violated, and the presence […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Academic Research, Empirical Research, Securities Litigation & Enforcement | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on How Informative Is the Text of Securities Complaints?

SEC Approves Nasdaq’s Direct Listing Rule

On May 19, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) approved proposed rule changes submitted by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that allow companies to list in connection with a concurrent primary offering. The approved rule allows a company that has not previously had its equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Accounting & Disclosure, Practitioner Publications, Securities Regulation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on SEC Approves Nasdaq’s Direct Listing Rule

Statement by Commissioner Peirce and Commissioner Roisman on The Commission’s Actions Regarding the PCAOB

Today [June 4, 2021], the Commission removed William D. Duhnke III from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and announced that it will seek candidates to fill all five seats on the PCAOB, including those that are currently occupied by members whose terms have not ended. We have serious concerns about the hasty and […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Accounting & Disclosure, Regulators Materials, Securities Regulation, Speeches & Testimony | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Statement by Commissioner Peirce and Commissioner Roisman on The Commission’s Actions Regarding the PCAOB

Pandemic Risk and the Interpretation of Exceptions in MAE Clauses

The MAE cases arising from the COVID-19 pandemic have focused attention on the exceptions found in typical MAE definitions. As is well known, such definitions commonly except from the definition events related to certain systematic risks, such as changes in business, market or industry conditions, changes in law, or force majeure events. Cases such as […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Academic Research, Mergers & Acquisitions | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Pandemic Risk and the Interpretation of Exceptions in MAE Clauses

ESG Scrutiny From the SEC’s Division of Examinations

In the run up to the 2020 presidential election, we had predicted that a Biden administration would usher in an era of heightened SEC scrutiny. We also anticipated that ESG (environmental, social and governance) and SRI (socially responsible investing) would become a priority for the SEC’s Division of Examinations (the “Exam Division”). For more on […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Accounting & Disclosure, ESG, Practitioner Publications, Securities Regulation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on ESG Scrutiny From the SEC’s Division of Examinations

Proposed EU Directive on ESG Reporting Would Impact US Companies

A new EU proposal would significantly expand the scope of ESG reporting by companies operating in Europe. Applicability Proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) EU-listed companies, and other companies operating in the EU that are ‘large’ (see definition below). Fast facts, impacts, actions The following are key points about the proposed CSRD, which […]

Click here to read the complete post
Posted in Accounting & Disclosure, ESG, International Corporate Governance & Regulation, Practitioner Publications | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Proposed EU Directive on ESG Reporting Would Impact US Companies