In May 2020, the SEC adopted a temporary rule to make it easier for existing businesses to raise up to $250,000 through Regulation Crowdfunding (“Reg CF”). In this video, MSK Corporate & Business Transactions partner Mark Hiraide explores this development further, and addresses the key questions you need to consider in order to take advantage of this rule. Continue reading Mark Hiraide Covers the Latest on Crowdfunding
In this video, MSK partner Jean Nogues discusses business income/interruption coverage and provides a brief analysis on how to identify what options you have for coverage, as well as what to do if you receive a rejection after filing a claim. Continue reading MSK Minute: Jean Nogues Has You Covered on Business Interruption
Written by John Durrant
As of May 5, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has accompanied a precipitous descent in the domestic securities markets, followed by a surprisingly sharp rebound. Such volatility may well give rise to several different types of potential liability against companies and their officers and directors, including:
Business leaders may well say, “Wait, we didn’t cause COVID-19; we didn’t shut down the economy; how can we be held liable?” Continue reading “Will COVID-19 Cause Securities Litigation?”
Written by Mark T. Hiraide
In response to the ill effects the coronavirus pandemic is having on business, the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2020 adopted a temporary final rule to make it easier for existing businesses to raise up to $250,000 through Regulation Crowdfunding.
Under the relaxed rules, which are in effect only until August 31, 2020, a business is excused from complying with the Regulation Crowdfunding requirement to have its financial statements reviewed by an independent public accountant. During this limited period, the SEC is requiring only certain information from the business’ Federal income tax returns certified by the principal executive officer. That represents a significant time and financial savings for companies – especially small businesses – that need a quick infusion of capital during rough times caused by the COVID-19 virus. Continue reading “SEC Offers an Elixir for Small Businesses Feeling the Financial Effects of COVID-19”
Written by Ignacio Celis-Aguirre
On March 26, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) announced that it would be providing additional temporary regulatory relief to market participants in response to the effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). This relief addresses: (1) temporary relief from the notarization requirement for Form ID for certain filers who cannot secure a notarization because of COVID-19; (2) extending the filing deadline for specified Regulation A and Regulation Crowdfunding reports and forms from certain companies unable to file timely reports and forms because of COVID-19; and (3) extending the filing deadline for submitting annual update filings (“Form MA-A”) to Form MA for certain municipal advisors affected by COVID-19. Continue reading “Additional SEC Relief is Revealed”
SEC Grants Additional Time For Filings Impacted By COVID-19
Written by Blake Baron
Earlier this month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) provided conditional regulatory relief to those public companies impacted by COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) with a 45-day extension to file certain SEC filings that would have been otherwise due between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020. The SEC announced today that it was modifying that prior relief to cover certain filings due on or before July 1, 2020. The SEC acknowledged that many companies’ operations continue to be significantly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which may result in difficulties for those companies to meet their applicable SEC filing deadlines. Continue reading “COVID-19 Causes Coverage”
Written by Blake Baron
Introduction
On March 25, 2020, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance provided disclosure guidance to public companies to assist in the evaluation of a company’s disclosure obligations with respect to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic and related business and market disruptions.
While it may be difficult for companies to assess or predict the exact impact of COVID-19 on individual companies or entire industries, the SEC explained that a company may have obligations to disclose certain risks and effects to the extent material to investment and voting decisions. Such risks and effects include the impact of COVID-19 on the current state of a company’s operations, management expectations regarding its future effects, a company’s response to the evolving pandemic and operational plans to address such uncertainties. The SEC noted that disclosure of these risks and COVID-19-related effects may be necessary or appropriate in various sections of SEC filings, including, but not limited to, management’s discussion and analysis, the business section, risk factors, legal proceedings, disclosure controls and procedures, internal control over financial reporting, and a company’s financial statements. Continue reading “SEC Sets Course on COVID-19 Disclosure”
New York City Helps Small Businesses Survive
Written by Arina Shulga
With the recent “social distancing” measures that include the closure of schools, bars and restaurants, gyms, libraries, Broadway theaters, large retailers, and other businesses, many companies operating in New York City are being seriously impacted. Although some bigger companies may survive this economic crisis, small businesses likely face a grim future. Continue reading “Big Apple, Small Business”
DOJ and FTC Announce Temporary Modifications to Certain Filing and other Procedures under the Hart, Scott Rodino Act (“HSR Act”) For Pendency of COVID-19 Event
Written By Anthony Adler
On March 13, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that they have adopted a series of temporary changes to their civil merger investigation processes, which will remain in place during the pendency of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) event. These changes will ensure that the DOJ and FTC will be able to continue operations as their employees carry out their duties under a mass telework directive in accordance with health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health authorities. These temporary measures include the following: Continue reading “Merger Modifications”
Shareholder Meetings in the Age of “Social Distancing” and COVID-19
Written by Blake Baron
Background
On March 13, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) published guidance to assist public companies, investment companies, shareholders and other market participants affected by COVID-19 in connection with their upcoming shareholder meetings. The SEC explained that this guidance was designed to allow these companies to continue to hold their meetings, including through the use of technology, and engage with shareholders under social distancing circumstances, while still complying with the federal securities laws.
Shareholder Meetings – The Impact of COVID-19 and the Natural Transition to Virtual Meetings
Generally, public companies and investment companies are required to hold annual meetings of security holders, with the federal securities laws requiring the delivery of proxy materials to the voting shareholders. Over the past few years, more and more companies have been transitioning to either complete “virtual” shareholder meetings or “hybrid” meetings, which avoid the need for in-person shareholder attendance. Continue reading “Shareholder Distancing”
