Blog

Public Companies & the Law

The issues facing public companies change rapidly. Our Public Companies & the Law blog helps companies and their management, board members and in-house counsel stay one step ahead. 

SEC Extends Section 16(a) Reporting to FPI Directors and Officers and Grants Conditional Relief in Six Jurisdictions
Blog March 11, 2026
SEC Extends Section 16(a) Reporting to FPI Directors and Officers and Grants Conditional Relief in Six Jurisdictions
The SEC has adopted a final rule implementing the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act that, effective March 18, 2026, subjects directors and officers of foreign private issuers to the insider ownership reporting regime of Exchange Act Section 16(a) on Forms 3, 4, and 5…
SEC and Large Banks Continue Pushback on Proxy Advisers After JPMorgan
Blog January 29, 2026
SEC and Large Banks Continue Pushback on Proxy Advisers After JPMorgan
…
JPMorgan’s Split With Proxy Advisers: A Harbinger for the 2026 Proxy Season
Blog January 07, 2026
JPMorgan’s Split With Proxy Advisers: A Harbinger for the 2026 Proxy Season
In an industry-first move, the Wall Street Journal reports that JPMorgan Chase’s asset‑management arm has cut all ties with the major proxy advisory firms, effective immediately, according to an internal memo cited by the paper…
SEC Largely Suspends No-Action Relief for the Exclusion of Shareholder Proposals
Blog November 24, 2025
SEC Largely Suspends No-Action Relief for the Exclusion of Shareholder Proposals
The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance has determined that, until at least September 30, 2026, it will not respond to requests by issuers for no-action relief for their decisions to exclude shareholder proposals from proxy statements under Exchange Act Rule 14a-8, with one exception…
White House Weighing Limits on Proxy Advisers and Index-Fund Voting
Blog November 14, 2025
White House Weighing Limits on Proxy Advisers and Index-Fund Voting
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the White House is considering executive actions that would restrict the influence of proxy advisory firms and index-fund managers…
SEC Signals Potential Shift in Disclosure Requirements
Blog July 11, 2025
SEC Signals Potential Shift in Disclosure Requirements
Recent developments at the SEC highlight the Commission’s focus on reducing disclosure burdens for companies and encouraging public capital formation…
10 Disclosure Considerations for Public Companies Given Trump’s and DOJ’s Outlook on “Illegal DEI”
Blog March 05, 2025
10 Disclosure Considerations for Public Companies Given Trump’s and DOJ’s Outlook on “Illegal DEI”
As we previously explained, Trump issued a handful of executive orders aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) programs and policies within the federal government and encouraged the private sector (including public companies) to follow suit…
New ISS voting guidelines ramp up expectations for public companies
Blog November 19, 2019
New ISS voting guidelines ramp up expectations for public companies
Last week Institutional Shareholder Services updated its proxy voting guidelines for annual shareholder meetings to be held on or after February 1, 2020.  The updates take a major step forward to advocate greater gender diversity on public company boards, express fresh opposition to super-voting shares and evergreen plan provisions, enhance support for independent board chairs, and make other important modifications. Gender diversity: As it signaled last year…
SEC Continues Its Disclosure Simplification Initiative
Blog March 29, 2019
SEC Continues Its Disclosure Simplification Initiative
On March 20, 2019, the SEC amended its disclosure requirements to ease reporting burdens for most public companies. While no individual change is particularly noteworthy, the aggregate impact of the changes should generally simplify the reporting process. A few changes will require modest additional disclosures. The most significant changes are: Confidential treatment requests – Very helpfully, the SEC is dispensing with the need to obtain the staff's prior approval of a confidential……
1 of 2

ABOUT

We know that the issues facing public companies change rapidly, and we cover the topics that we know are on the minds of management, board members and in-house counsel. Attorneys from Foley Hoag’s Capital Markets practice provide updates on new and proposed regulations, analysis of interpretive guidance, best practices on governance issues as well as reminders on disclosure and compliance obligations that will keep you on track.

Related Services

Practice
Capital Markets
Our Capital Markets practice covers the full spectrum of securities offerings, helping clients structure transactions and in navigate regulatory requirements to enable clients to obtain necessary funding and exploit market windows from initial funding through exits.
Practice
Public Companies
Our team is uniquely equipped to guide sophisticated enterprises through the rapidly changing regulatory landscape and to help them adapt and respond to market changes. 
Practice
Tax
Leveraging decades of experience gained in private practice, Big Four tax consulting and government practice, our Tax Group can advise you on myriad complex domestic and international tax matters.
Practice
Mergers & Acquisitions
Our experienced M&A attorneys handle transactions of all sizes; clients tell us that we add value to their deals because we understand their business, the market in which they compete and how the transaction fits into their larger business goals.
Practice
Debt Finance
Our Debt Finance practice provides a full range of services to both borrowers and lenders in commercial loan transactions and debt offerings, with extensive experience in all aspects of secured and unsecured debt financings.
Practice
Global Business & Human Rights
Launched over two decades ago, our Global Business & Human Rights practice was one of the first to help clients implement and advance internationally recognized human rights, social and environmental policies that align with legal requirements and emerging best practices while protecting operations from risk.
Practice
Environmental, Social & Governance
Our multi-disciplinary team — comprised of business, litigation, energy, environmental, and human rights advisors — will help you develop and implement an ESG program specifically designed for your organization’s needs. We’ve been doing this since the 1980s, and have the experience and institutional memory to craft impactful and cutting edge ESG strategies.
Practice
Securities Litigation
Navigating the securities litigation maze of laws, regulations and claims demands both specialized expertise in securities law and the highest level of litigation skill. Our attorneys have the experience to resolve issues with effective pragmatism. 

Blog Editors

Blog Authors

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe to Public Companies & the Law

We use cookies to enhance user experience, improve functionality and performance, and for analysis of website traffic. By clicking “accept”, you agree to the use of cookies. For more information about our cookie policy and the information we collect, please review our Privacy Statement.