Author: Gary L. Tygesson

Gary is a partner in the Capital Markets and Corporate Compliance Group with extensive experience advising public companies on a wide range of securities financing, reporting and compliance matters. Gary also regularly advises clients and their Boards of Directors with respect to corporate governance, SEC compliance, public company disclosure, shareholder activism and executive compensation. Gary served as Co-Chair of the firm-wide Corporate Group from 1997 to 2002 and as a member of the Firm's Management Committee from 1997 to 2002.

SEC Reminds Companies of Disclosure Obligations Relating to Coronavirus

SEC Reminds Companies of Disclosure Obligations Relating to Coronavirus

In connection with the order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday providing filing relief for companies that are affected by the coronavirus, the Commission reminded all companies to be vigilant regarding their disclosure obligations related to the evolving coronavirus scenario. A company’s assessment of, and plans for addressing, material risks to its business and operations resulting from the coronavirus can be material to...

Recent Dorsey eUpdate: New Streamlined Procedure for Extension of Confidential Treatment

Recent Dorsey eUpdate: New Streamlined Procedure for Extension of Confidential Treatment

Public companies that have previously obtained a confidential treatment order from the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission for a material contract filed as an exhibit under the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 must continue to file extension applications if they want to protect the confidential information from public release pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request after...

SEC Proposes to Expand “Test-the-Waters” Modernization Reform to All Issuers

SEC Proposes to Expand “Test-the-Waters” Modernization Reform to All Issuers

The SEC proposed a new rule and related amendments that would expand the “test-the-waters” accommodation—currently available to emerging growth companies—to all issuers, including investment company issuers. Proposed Securities Act Rule 163B, if adopted, would significantly enhance an issuer’s ability to cost-effectively assess the demand for and valuation of its securities, and also provide insights into the structural components for the offering that are important to investors....

SEC Guidance on Cybersecurity Disclosure and Policies – Recap of Dorsey Webinar Presentation

SEC Guidance on Cybersecurity Disclosure and Policies – Recap of Dorsey Webinar Presentation

Earlier this week, Dorsey hosted a webinar panel presentation on the SEC’s recent guidance on cybersecurity disclosures and policies. The webinar provided a detailed walk-through of the SEC’s guidance, including issues related to enhanced disclosure, insider trading, and Reg FD policies. The panel also discussed the impact of the SEC’s guidance within the changing landscape of cybersecurity and current developments in shareholder litigation, SEC enforcement actions,...

Proxy Access “Fix-It” Proposals Fizzle

Proxy Access “Fix-It” Proposals Fizzle

As the 2017 proxy season winds down, one clear take-away is that shareholder proposals attempting to modify the terms of previously adopted mainstream proxy access bylaws did not fare well. Many of these proposals focused solely on the aggregation limit, seeking to increase the number of shareholders (usually 20) that are required to meet the minimum ownership threshold (usually 3% of outstanding shares) in order...

Disclosure Alert:  Consider Transitional Disclosure on Revenue Recognition Standard

Disclosure Alert: Consider Transitional Disclosure on Revenue Recognition Standard

The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to encourage companies to provide useful disclosure to investors with regard to the new revenue recognition standard that will apply for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard not only changes the method for measuring revenue and the timing of revenue recognition, but also requires expanded disclosures to enable users of financial...