On May 3, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted, by a 3-to-2 vote, amendments (the “Amendments”) to its existing rules (the “Existing Rules”) regarding disclosures about purchases of an issuer’s equity securities by or on behalf of the issuer or an affiliated purchaser, commonly referred to as “buybacks.” The Amendments require
David Schuette
SEC Disclosure Considerations Following Bank Sector Disruptions
Recent failures of certain domestic and international banks and resulting government intervention, acquisitions and subsequent developments have resulted in significant disruption in the bank sector. Compliance with U.S. securities laws is important, especially in times of heightened uncertainty. This alert focuses on the impact the current volatility may have on disclosures that public companies make…
MB Microtalk: Amendments to Rule 10b5-1

In this MB Microtalk video, Mayer Brown partner, David Schuette, discusses the recent amendments to Rule 10b5-1, which will become effective on February 27, 2023, and impose additional conditions on the availability of the affirmative defense, changes to section 16 filings and issuer disclosure obligations.
Visit our MB Microtalk page for more topics and
SEC Adopts Amendments to Rule 10b5-1’s Affirmative Defense to Insider Trading Liability & Related Disclosures
On December 14, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) unanimously adopted amendments (the “amendments”) to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and related disclosure obligations for public companies. The amendments (i) add new conditions to the availability of the affirmative defense to insider trading liability contained in Rule…
Compensation Clawback Listing Standards Requirement: US Securities and Exchange Commission Adopts Final Rules
On October 26, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new Rule 10D-1, directing national securities exchanges to establish listing standards that prohibit the listing of any security of a company that does not adopt and implement a written policy requiring the recovery, or “clawback,” of certain incentive-based executive compensation. Recovery under a…
2023 US Proxy and Annual Reporting Season:Let the Preparations Begin!
With the calendar turning to autumn, the proxy and annual reporting season may seem a long way off. However, in light of the amount of work and planning that goes into the proxy statement, annual report, and annual meeting of shareholders, this is the ideal time to begin preparations.
This Legal Update provides an overview…
SEC Adopts Pay Versus Performance Disclosure Rule
On August 25, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finally adopted a “pay versus performance” rule in accordance with a Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) mandate that requires SEC-reporting companies to disclose in a clear manner the relationship between executive compensation actually paid and the financial performance of…
SEC Votes on Changes to Shareholder Proposal and Proxy Solicitation Rules
On July 13, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proposed amendments to revise three of the substantive bases for exclusion of shareholder proposals under Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Proposed Rules”). Specifically, the Proposed Rules would amend the following bases for exclusion: substantial implementation (Rule…
SEC Adopts Universal Proxy Rules
On November 17, 2021, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted mandatory universal proxy rules that will apply for all contested director elections. Under the final rules, each universal proxy card must list all management and dissident nominees for director, enabling shareholders voting by proxy to pick and choose among the different slates of…
SEC Staff Issues Legal Bulletin Announcing Shift in Shareholder Proposal Review Process Ahead of 2022 Proxy Season
On November 3, 2021, the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance (the “Staff”) of the US Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14L (“SLB 14L”). SLB 14L reverses course on Staff positions taken since 2017 with respect to the ordinary business grounds for exclusion of shareholder proposals from company proxy statements…