06/15/2011 - Top Ten Initial Considerations in a Going Private Transaction
As the general counsel of a public company, you are busy working one day and the CEO walks into your office and says, “I’ve been thinking that I would like to make a proposal to take this company private. I need your advice on how to get started.” The following points should be considered to help make the process easier.

02/12/2009 - SEC Mandates Interactive Data Financial Reporting
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued rules that will require most public companies to file financial statements with the SEC in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). Interactive data in XBRL format permits users of financial information to automatically download financial data directly into documents and analytical tools.

06/16/2006 - Stock Option Backdating--How Big Are The Problems And What Should You Do?
Recently, over 40 public companies have come under investigation by the SEC or the Justice Department for improperly backdating options, and it is likely that more public companies will come under investigation in the future. At issue is whether option grants to executives and others were backdated to coincide with dates when a company’s stock price was low, thereby increasing the potential profits realized by the holders of the options if and when exercised. Improper backdating may be intentional or a result of faulty corporate procedures. In either event, serious accounting, tax, and disclosure issues result.

01/31/2003 - 24 - SEC Adopts New Rules on Auditor Independence
On January 28, 2003, the SEC published additional rules regarding the independence of accounting firms that audit the financial statements of public companies. These rules are a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”) and were adopted by the SEC in accordance with Section 208(a) of the Act, although certain aspects of the rules expand upon the auditor independence provisions of the Act.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Recent Developments Under Regulation FD

01/28/2003 - SEC Adopts Rules Governing Determination and Disclosure of Audit Committee Financial Experts

01/24/2003 - SEC Adopts Code of Ethics Disclosure Rules

01/24/2003 - SEC Adopts Rules Governing Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Amendments to Form 8-K

12/04/2002 - SEC Proposes Rules to Federalize Professional Conduct for Lawyers Practicing Before the SEC

11/01/2002 - SEC Proposes Rules on Internal Controls, Ethics Codes and Financial Experts on Audit Committees

09/18/2002 - NYSE Submits Changes to Corporate Accountability and Listing Standards to SEC for Approval

09/10/2002 - SEC Issues Final Rules On Accelerated Filing Deadlines for Certain Public Companies

09/04/2002 - SEC Issues Final Rules on Certification of Disclosure in Quarterly and Annual Reports

08/30/2002 - Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: SEC Adopts Amendments to Accelerate Section 16 Filings

08/30/2002 - Sarbanes-Oxley Prohibition on Loans to Executives May Conflict with Compensation Practices

08/28/2002 - Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Certification

08/14/2002 - Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Important Changes to Insider Reporting Deadlines under Section 16

08/09/2002 - Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Suggestions for Compliance

08/02/2002 - Considerations for Sarbanes-Oxley Act Certification

07/31/2002 - Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Promises Far-Reaching Implications for Public Companies

ALERT: SEC Orders CEO and CFO Certification of Public Filings