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

The Executive Pay Dilemma

Executive pay in the midst of the pandemic presents an obvious dilemma. On the one hand, it would be a stretch to blame fairly management teams for most of the adverse financial performance that will stretch across a broad range of industries. On the other, they cannot escape the consequences either. Consider that while stock […]

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Institutional Investors’ Overboarding Policies for Directors

Over the past several years, large institutional investors have addressed their growing concerns about the demands of board service by adopting or strengthening policies on a director’s total number of board commitments. This trend has resulted in significant declines in vote support for some directors considered “overboarded” according to these new or tightened guidelines. In […]

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Executive Compensation Considerations in PIPE Transactions

As companies seek to shore up their balance sheets, we expect to see an increase in private investments in public companies (often referred to as “PIPEs”). This post outlines key issues with respect to executive compensation arrangements that may arise in connection with PIPE transactions. Review Applicable Change of Control Provisions. Parties to a PIPE […]

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Posted in Corporate Elections & Voting, Executive Compensation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Practitioner Publications, Private Equity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Executive Compensation Considerations in PIPE Transactions

Stakeholder Principles in the COVID Era

The business community’s contribution: to be leaders of responsiveness and stewards of resilience As business leaders, we are experiencing how profoundly the COVID-19 emergency is affecting the world. Our employees face health risks in their daily lives, and challenges in performing their jobs. Our ecosystem of suppliers and customers is under extreme pressure. By doing […]

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Statement on Emerging Market Investments Disclosure and Financial Reporting Risks

The PCAOB’s Inability to Inspect Audit Work Papers in China Continues Introduction Over the past several decades, the portfolios of U.S. investors have become increasingly exposed to companies that are based in emerging markets or that otherwise have significant operations in emerging markets. This exposure includes investments in both U.S. issuers and foreign private issuers […]

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Posted in Accounting & Disclosure, International Corporate Governance & Regulation, Practitioner Publications, Regulators Materials, Securities Litigation & Enforcement, Securities Regulation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Statement on Emerging Market Investments Disclosure and Financial Reporting Risks

COVID-19 and Corporate Governance: Key Issues for Public Company Directors

For almost all U.S. public companies, COVID-19 has created unique and very profound challenges. For the board of directors, which is charged with overseeing the short-term and long-term health of the corporation and its business prospects, navigating the COVID-19 crisis requires careful consideration of a range of issues under these unprecedented circumstances. This post outlines […]

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Codetermination: A Poor Fit for U.S. Corporations

The idea that corporations should be managed primarily in the best interest of shareholders has long had its critics. However, the practical relevance of that debate has remained limited for decades. As long as shareholders retain the right to select corporate managers, corporations will ultimately be managed in their interest. Moreover, there is little reason […]

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Posted in Academic Research, Boards of Directors, Comparative Corporate Governance & Regulation, Corporate Elections & Voting, International Corporate Governance & Regulation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Codetermination: A Poor Fit for U.S. Corporations

Impact of COVID-19 on Executive and Director Compensation

As the COVID-19 pandemic and stay at home orders continue to change the way we live, work, and spend, corporations have been forced to continue evolving in response. Without an obvious rebound in consumer spending in sight, workforce reductions and furloughs are an unfortunate but necessary tactic to help companies weather the drought. The impacts […]

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Addressing Underwater Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Amidst COVID-19

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the ensuing market uncertainty, as well as recently enacted legislation, have upended the compensation and benefit programs of many companies. This post is based on the third memorandum in a series of client memoranda that we are preparing regarding how companies may wish to consider addressing their programs in this […]

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2020 Proxy Season Preview

Companies recognize the importance of environmental and social (E&S) factors and are giving consideration to a broader group of stakeholders to help mitigate risk. However, new regulations bring uncertainty to the future of environmental, social and governance (ESG) proposals. The rapid spread of the coronavirus is roiling global markets and testing companies’ abilities to handle […]

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