On September 6, 2024, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) charged Esmark Inc. (“Esmark”) and its Founder/Chairman and former CEO James Bouchard under Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of...more
In our previous client alert, The Rise of the “Occasional Activist,” we discussed the increase in shareholder activism through 2022 by “occasional activists” – investors who are not funds dedicated to activist strategies or...more
On October 10, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted amendments to the rules governing beneficial ownership reporting under Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the...more
Nearly a decade ago, the SEC Staff issued a no-action letter that enabled investment bankers who limit their services to M&A transactions involving private companies to avoid broker-dealer registration with the SEC. The M&A...more
The number of shareholder proposals put forward in 2022 increased by roughly 9% over 2021. At the same time, however, the number of shareholder proposals put forward by hedge funds and dedicated activists went up by only 1%....more
Shareholder activism continued unabated in 2022 and we see very little to suggest that will change in 2023. Overall, the number of activist campaigns were up 36% in 2022. However, activists continue to struggle to...more
Brokers who specialize in the sale or purchase of private companies (“M&A Brokers”) have long been an uncomfortable fit under the rules applying to securities broker-dealers. M&A Brokers typically provide advisory services to...more
On February 10, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) proposed amendments[1] to the rules governing beneficial ownership reporting under Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934...more
On November 17, 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) adopted amendments to the proxy rules to require (and implement) the use of a universal proxy card in proxy contests for most SEC-registered...more
On September 21, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) announced proposed amendments that, if enacted, would make significant changes to the premerger notification rules under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust...more
The third of a six-part series examining six specific and evolving rights plan provisions.
As discussed in greater detail in some of our prior articles,[1] a shareholder rights plan is a protective measure used by a public...more
Many in the blockchain and cryptocurrency community were in a celebratory mood on June 14, 2018, following a landmark speech given by William Hinman, Director for the Division of Corporation Finance of the U.S. Securities and...more
On April 4, 2018, the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) published two new Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (“New C&DIs”) on the use of...more
A brief discussion regarding the SEC’s guidance provided to ICO market participants over the past year.
On January 22, 2018, the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Jay Clayton, gave opening...more
For most of the 20th century, Eastman Kodak Co. (often referred to simply as Kodak) was one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Founded in 1888, Kodak dominated the film and camera markets — in 1976, Kodak had 90...more