Congress has adopted legislation to facilitate public and private capital formation by emerging growth companies *

USA - April 4 2012
Congress passed legislation that, if signed as expected by President Obama, will allow companies to raise capital more easily in both the private and public markets.

Co-authors: Frank Lopez, Frank Zarb, Julie M Allen.

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ISS releases updated proxy voting policies for 2012 *

USA - November 29 2011
On November 17, 2011, Institutional Shareholder Services, the influential proxy advisory firm, released its 2012 proxy voting policies.

Co-authors: David Fenwick, Peter M Fass, Gene Buttrill, Philippa M Bond (Pippa), Julie M Allen.

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Proposed FINRA Rule 5123: disclosure in private placements *

USA - November 2 2011
The SEC recently solicited a second round of comments on the proposed new FINRA rule governing private placements.

Co-authors: David Fenwick, Peter M Fass, Gene Buttrill, Philippa M Bond (Pippa), Julie M Allen.

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NASDAQ, NYSE and NYSE Amex propose stricter listing standards for reverse merger IPO companies *

USA - September 28 2011
Initial public offerings effected through a reverse merger, exchange offer or other non-traditional process involving a shell company have garnered increased attention by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the national listing exchanges.

Co-authors: Theodore J Ghorra, Frank Zarb, Julie M Allen.

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Dodd-Frank conflict minerals disclosure requirements expected to affect thousands of public companies in 2012 *

USA - September 21 2011
Beginning January 1, 2012, public companies will have to begin assessing their compliance with new "conflict minerals" disclosure requirements.

Co-authors: David Fenwick, Peter M Fass, Gene Buttrill, Philippa M Bond (Pippa), Julie M Allen.

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