Michael L. Hermsen

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This Lexis Practice Advisor First Analysis article discusses the amendments adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to the accelerated filer and large accelerated filer definitions in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2). The final amendments are intended to reduce the number of issuers that qualify as accelerated…

On April 8, 2020, the Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) – Jay Clayton – and the Director of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance – William Hinman – issued a joint statement titled The Importance of Disclosure – For Investors, Markets and Our Fight Against COVID-19 (the “Statement”) providing guidance…

This First Analysis article discusses some key ramifications of coronavirus outbreak for public companies. In addition to a host of significant general business concerns, such as those relating to liquidity and financing opportunities, revenues, supply chain and employee and community health and welfare, the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 has raised a number of issues…

On March 12, 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted amendments to the accelerated filer and large accelerated filer definitions in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Rule 12b-2). The final amendments are intended to reduce the number of issuers that qualify as accelerated filers and reduce compliance costs for…

On March 2, 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted amendments to Rules 3-10 and 3-16 of Regulation S-X that simplify and streamline the financial disclosures required in registered debt offerings involving guaranteed or collateralized debt securities.

Read our Legal Update here.

On January 30, 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission provided guidance regarding the disclosure of key performance indicators and metrics used in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) section of SEC filings. This commission-level guidance, which reflects the SEC’s interpretation of existing MD&A requirements, becomes effective on…

On December 18, 2019, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed rules for the reporting of certain payments by resource extraction issuers, its third attempt to promulgate rules mandated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Comments are due by March 16, 2020. This Legal Update provides further detail on the…

During the last two weeks of 2019, the US Securities and Exchange Commission offered guidance and reminders relating to the role of audit committees, international intellectual property and technology risks, and confidential treatment applications. This Legal Update provides further detail on—and discusses practical considerations regarding—these pronouncements, which public companies should take into account as the…

On November 5, 2019, the US Securities and Exchange Commission proposed several amendments to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The proposed amendments are intended to “recognize the significant changes that have taken place in our markets in the decades since these regulatory requirements were last revised….” This Legal Update discusses…

On October 16, 2019, the Division of Corporation Finance of the US Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14K to provide additional guidance on shareholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This Legal Update describes this recent staff guidance and provides related practical considerations for…