The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rulemaking process has received much attention under Chair Gensler’s leadership not only because of the volume and substance of proposed rules, but also because of the relatively short comment periods allotted for the public to respond pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act process. As just one example of
ESG
SEC’s ESG Task Force Brings 1st Case Against Brazilian Mining Co., Alleging Material Misstatements About Dam Safety
Underscoring the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) attention to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures, the SEC has charged Vale S.A., a publicly traded Brazilian mining company, with making false and misleading claims about the safety of its dams prior to the January 2019 collapse of its Brumadinho dam. This Legal Update highlights allegations…
Upcoming SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee Meeting
On May 6, 2022, the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee will host a live meeting to discuss two recent long-awaited and controversial SEC proposals: the SEC’s proposed rules on Climate-Related Disclosures and its proposed rules on SPACs, Shell Companies, and Projections.
Mayer Brown partner Anna Pinedo will provide testimony relating to, and…
US SEC’s Climate Risk Disclosure Proposal Likely to Face Legal Challenges
On March 21, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted 3:1 to propose new rules that, if adopted, would require public companies to, among other things, provide audited financial statements containing climate-related financial impact and expenditure metrics, report their greenhouse gas emissions, and disclose details of how climate change is affecting their businesses.…
Rising ESG-Related Litigation Risks for Financial Services Institutions
May 3, 2022 Webinar
12pm – 1pm EDT
Register here.
As financial institutions embark on environmental, social and governance initiatives and make ESG a fundamental component of their business models, the opportunities created are also accompanied by risk—including increasing pressure from regulators, investors and other stakeholders. Join Mayer Brown panelists where they will explore…
US Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Examinations 2022 Exam Priorities
On March 30, 2022, the Division of Examinations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced its examination priorities for 2022. This year’s priorities specifically focus on: (i) private funds; (ii) environmental, social and governance investing; (iii) standards of conduct, including Regulation Best Interest, fiduciary duty and Form CRS; (iv) information security and operational…
US SEC Includes “Greenwashing” in Its Examination Priorities for the First Time
In its 2022 Examination Priorities, issued on March 30, 2022, the Division of Examinations (“Division”) of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) uses the term “greenwashing” for the first time, as it outlined ESG as an area of continued focus for the Division.
Specifically, the Division stated that it will continue…
ESG and Human Capital Disclosures
During the 2022 NAREIT REITwise conference, Mayer Brown partner Christina Thomas was interviewed to provide context regarding the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) proposed rule changes and what’s behind the impetus for more robust disclosures. Christina also talked about how the SEC has discussed updating human capital management disclosure rules, in addition to…
Climate Change Disclosure: The SEC’s Proposed New Rules and Impact on Public Companies
April 6, 2022 Webinar
Register here.
After much anticipation, on March 21, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) voted to propose rules that would require extensive reporting by public companies of climate change-related disclosure and related attestation, if adopted. In a departure from existing “principles-based” disclosure requirements rooted in materiality, the SEC…
SEC Proposes Climate Change Disclosure Rules Applicable to Public Companies
On March 21, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted 3:1, with only Commissioner Hester Peirce dissenting, to propose long-awaited rules that, if adopted, would require extensive reporting by public companies of climate change-related disclosure and related attestation (the “Proposal”). Comments on the Proposal are due 30 days after publication in the Federal…