TheCorporateCounsel.net

January 18, 2017

Transcript: “Non-GAAP Disclosures – Analyzing the Comment Letters”

We have posted the transcript for our popular webcast: “Non-GAAP Disclosures: Analyzing the Comment Letters.”

Whistleblowers: BlackRock Nailed in Separation Agreement Enforcement Action

As Yogi Berra might put it, “it’s like deja vu all over again.” Yesterday, the SEC tagged BlackRock for language in separation agreements that it believed created disincentives for whistleblowing. According to the SEC’s order, more than 1,000 departing BlackRock employees signed separation agreements containing violative language stating that they “waive any right to recovery of incentives for reporting of misconduct” in order to receive severance payments. This action is notable because BlackRock is one of the biggest institutional investors out there!

Last month, Broc blogged about the latest separation agreement case – the day after he blogged about another separation agreement case – and noted that more were on the way.

The SEC’s ongoing emphasis on separation agreements hammers home the need to modify agreements that may create impediments to whistleblowing. It’s also another excellent reason to tune into our upcoming webcast – “Whistleblowers: What Companies Should Be Doing Now”

Tomorrow’s Webcast: “Privilege Issues in M&A”

Tune in tomorrow for the DealLawyers.com webcast – “Privilege Issues in M&A” – to hear Alston & Bird’s Lisa Bugni, Bass Berry’s Joe Crace & Akin Gump’s Trey Muldrow discuss how to deal with the attorney-client privilege in M&A transactions.

John Jenkins