The Securities Law Blog provides commentary and news on the latest securities law developments impacting established and emerging growth publicly-traded issuers and investment banks, as well as entrepreneurs and venture-backed private entities. Our blog closely follows SEC rulemaking in several key areas including public and private securities offerings, shareholder activism and equity investment, and mergers & acquisitions.
The authors of this blog are members of the Corporate/Securities practice of Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP. Since our founding, this firm has been distinguished by responsive, independent and client-focused legal services provided by lawyers with a profound commitment to the companies they serve. This blog is an outgrowth of this representation of our clients in a wide range of capital market transactions.
Seller’s COVID-related actions breached an “ordinary course” covenant, even though the COVID-19 pandemic did not give rise to a “material adverse effect.”
Authored by Michael R. Neidell and Zachary E. Freedman, Law Clerk
New Rules Modernize Securities Filings and Eliminate Pre-Offer Filing Requirements, Now Consistent with Federally Set Timelines
On December 1, 2020, Nasdaq filed Proposed Rule 5605(f) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to adopt new listing rules related to board diversity. If approved by the SEC, Proposed Rule 5605(f) would require all companies listed on Nasdaq’s U.S. exchange to publicly disclose their diversity statistics regarding their board of directors. Proposed Rule 5605(f) would also require all Nasdaq-listed companies to include a minimum number of individuals on their board of directors who self-identify in one or more of the following “Diverse” categories: female, underrepresented minority or LGBTQ+.
Authored by Kenneth M. Silverman; Zachary E. Freedman, Law Clerk
The SEC’s new release amends the rules governing “integration” permitting private placements and registered public offerings to occur shortly before, after or at the same time with each other. The amendments replace the SEC’s prior five-factor test with practical updates for today’s markets that particularly benefit smaller publicly traded companies.
Recognizing the longstanding need for a new approach to the regulation of finders who help smaller businesses raise early stage capital, the SEC has published a notice of a proposed exemptive order and request for comment to formalize the regulatory status of unregistered finders. The proposed finders exemption from broker-dealer registration would facilitate a role for unregistered finders in the capital-raising process and clarify the circumstances under which issuers can legally compensate finders who comply with specified conditions. The author’s thoughts on the proposed finders exemption follow a summary of the rule proposal.
The New Rules are Designed to Add Clarity, Efficiency and Transparency to the SEC’s Already Successful Whistleblower Award Program
Public companies and first-time issuers will pay about 16% less to register their securities with the SEC starting next month.
On August 26, 2020, the SEC adopted amendments to its business, legal proceedings and risk factors disclosure rules. All public companies, particularly smaller ones, can benefit from the SEC’s continuing commitment to a principles-based and company-specific approach to disclosure in registration statements, periodic reports and certain proxy statements filed with the SEC.