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
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
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 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
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
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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
Despite fewer companies going public in 2023, we saw an unwelcome uptick in class action lawsuit filings. After a period of relief in securities class action (SCA) filings—three years to be exact—the tide is officially...more
The softening D&O market has continued into 2023, with 91% of our clients experiencing a cost reduction in their renewal in the first half of the year. Self-insured retentions have also continued to fall. The soft market is a...more
9/6/2023
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Contract Renewal ,
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Securities class action activity in 2023 reflects the environment the business community is experiencing: Economic activity has slowed as companies deal with the high costs of doing business. In the first half of 2023, the...more
A New York business professor called it a “$300 million bar tab to hang out with Jay-Z.” A Delaware judge said that “by all accounts, it was a terrible business decision.”
Despite numerous red flags, Jack Dorsey’s company...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
Good news: The downward trend of securities class actions against public companies continues as we look at the first half of 2022. If the trend holds for the second half of 2022, the rate of securities class action litigation...more
Insights Priya Cherian Huskins, Esq.Senior Vice President, Management LiabilityEditor, Management Liability/D&O May 10, 2022 /Management Liability/D&O While the life sciences sector has experienced a slowdown in IPO activity...more
“Short reports,” also known as “short-seller attacks,” are investigative-type reports with negative allegations about a company published by short sellers. The “bombshell” revelations can include things like financial...more
In 2021, 182 securities class actions were filed against issuers of stock listed on US exchanges. This statistic means that the total number of annual filings in 2021 was down 13% compared to 2020. As highlighted in our...more