Private to Public Timeline -
Click/tap an area of the timeline to learn more about the D&O insurance process for companies going public. While the timeline below is specific to IPO companies, the milestones are relevant to...more
In 2024, biotechnology companies were the second most targeted industry for securities class action litigation, according to the D&O Databox™, Woodruff Sawyer’s proprietary database of securities class action suits. The...more
There is significant complexity to the process of protecting a company and its directors and officers as they undertake the process of going public. This resource is your guide to the D&O insurance process for de-SPAC...more
The 2025 PLUS D&O Symposium brought together leading voices in the professional liability space to discuss the evolving risks corporate leaders are facing. I was privileged to moderate the panel on securities litigation, a...more
Woodruff Sawyer’s D&O Databox™ Year-End Report provides insights about securities class action activities, developments, and historical trends—sourced from Databox, our proprietary database and leading resource for securities...more
A recession averted, inflation rates stabilizing, and low unemployment—all indicators suggest the economy is in solid shape. But there are threats on the horizon. With the highly charged election behind us and a new...more
1/9/2025
/ Biden Administration ,
Capital Markets ,
Corporate Taxes ,
Interest Rates ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Nasdaq ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Tariffs ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Planning ,
Tax Reform ,
Trade Relations ,
Trump Administration
Effective board members know that staying current is key to upholding their responsibilities to their shareholders. The good news is there are numerous educational opportunities for directors offered in a variety of settings:...more
The organization known as B Lab certifies B Corporations. To obtain this certification, companies have to meet strict social and environmental standards, including annual reporting. This certification signals to consumers...more
Even though there was an uptick in IPO activity in 2024, many companies have taken a wait-and-see approach and deferred their public debuts to next year. Still, going public in 2025 will come with challenges, such as...more
Traditionally, this has been the main type of derivative suit that has resulted in large settlements. Merger and acquisition cases are common here. Examples of these types of suits include Paramount Global (CBS-Viacom merger)...more
In this increasingly litigious and regulatory intense environment, D&O Looking Ahead provides a bridge to help you stay on top of the evolving D&O risk landscape. – Priya Huskins The streak of good news in D&O litigation...more
In a market known for volatility, public company D&O (directors & officers) insurance has certainly lived up to its reputation in recent years—pricing has been on a roller coaster, fluctuating between skyrocketing increases...more
Government agencies have been launching and testing whistleblower programs for some time and have been delighted by their results. Tippers have benefited, too—with some amassing multimillion-dollar awards. Not to be left...more
Founding a successful company is enormously difficult. An oft-cited statistic is that 75% of venture-backed start-ups fail, a percentage that is probably both understated and fails to consider all the companies that never...more
The streak of good news in D&O litigation risk ends this year, with a rise in class action filings and bigger settlements. But the D&O market is still soft, so staying on top of the evolving risk landscape will help you...more
8/6/2024
/ Board of Directors ,
Class Action ,
Cybersecurity ,
D&O Insurance ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Insurance Costs ,
Insurance Industry ,
New Rules ,
Risk Management ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Litigation ,
Webinars
The FTC’s mission is protecting the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. The FTC’s scope of responsibilities...more
It has been two years since public companies saw a marked decrease in the number of securities class action filings against them. In 2022, 168 class actions were filed, a record low since 2014; however, 2024 activity is...more
All empires eventually decline. For decades, Delaware has held the crown as the premier state of incorporation for domestic companies (and many foreign companies seeking a foothold in the United States capital markets). But...more
8 Reasons to Buy D&O Insurance 1. Attracting New Directors: D&O insurance makes board seats more attractive. 2. Investor Requirements: Some venture capital and private equity firms require that their portfolio companies...more
As they go through their initial public offering (IPO) and the subsequent merger & acquisition (M&A) process, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) face many regulatory, legal, and business hurdles. Obtaining the...more
Woodruff Sawyer is a market leader when it comes to placing D&O insurance for companies going public through IPOs and direct listings. Experience matters for these types of transactions, and this is especially the case when...more
Kidnap and ransom (K&R) insurance is the corporate insurance that no one talks about—for good reason. Telling potential kidnappers that you have such an insurance policy (often referred to as a “special risk” or “special...more
There were 18,926 business bankruptcy filings in 2023. The number of companies that filed for bankruptcy with $1 billion or more in liabilities was 22. Some notable companies filed for bankruptcy including RiteAid, Vice...more
Woodruff Sawyer is the market leader when it comes to placing D&O insurance for companies going public, be it through an IPO, direct listing, or merger with a SPAC (a “de-SPAC” transaction). Experience matters in this arena....more
Hackers are now weaponizing the SEC’s cyber disclosure rules as a new way to pressure corporations. You may recall that the Securities and Exchange Commission has new rules for timely disclosure of cyberattacks.
One major...more