On July 18, 2018, the SEC voted unanimously both to issue a final rule and to solicit public comment through a concept release relating to the federal securities rules that govern the issuance of employer stock pursuant to compensation arrangements. Davis Polk discusses the SEC’s final rule and concept release here. The final rule and the concept release were published to the Federal Register on July 24, 2018. The final rule is effective as…

#MeToo may no longer dominate daily headlines but its indelible impression remains. Corporate boards’ mandate to act in their shareholders’ best interest includes not only overseeing strong financial performance, but also recognizing the ways that corporate culture impacts shareholder value. Reputational harm can cost a company in multiple ways, literally, and produce lasting damage. Claims regarding sexual misconduct should be treated with proper diligence, and while it may warrant more sensitivity due to the nature…

On July 2, 2018, the SEC issued an order criticizing an issuer’s disclosure of executive perquisites and requiring the issuer to take measures to ensure that its future disclosures comply with SEC standards. The SEC staff alleged that, over the course of 2013 to 2016, annual proxy statements issued by The Dow Chemical Company omitted disclosure of about $3 million worth of perquisites, including the use of the company aircraft and other expenses, which, according…