One of the most interesting recent developments has been the onset of innovative litigation reform efforts in the form of bylaw revisions. Among the most intriguing of these efforts involves fee shifting bylaws, whereby an unsuccessful claimant in intracorporate litigation must pay the other party’s costs. As discussed here, earlier this year, the Delaware
SEC Announces Largest Yet Whistleblower Bounty Award of Over $30 Million
In what is by far the largest whistleblower bounty award yet under the Dodd-Frank’s whistleblower provisions, the SEC on September 22, 2014 announced an award of between $30 and $35 million to a whistleblower who provided original information that led to a successful SEC enforcement action. In the SEC’s Order providing for the award (
D&O Insurance: Prior and Pending Litigation Exclusion Bars Coverage for Lawsuit Filed Years Before But Served During the Current Policy Period
Under which claims made D&O insurance policy is there coverage for a claim that was filed under seal years ago but not served on the policyholder until the policy period of the current policy? If you find the answer “no policy” as unsatisfying as I do, read on. In a September 15, 2014 opinion (
JOBS Act Provisions Fuel IPO Surge, Raise Concerns
All eyes may be on the record-setting IPO of Chinese Internet firm, Alibaba, but the real IPO story for 2014 may be the significant number of IPOs this year involving smaller companies. The number of companies completing IPOs this year is on pace for the highest annual level since 2007, a surge in initial public
Guest Post: Activist Shareholder: The New Kid on the German D&O-Block
Although I try to include on this blog topics involving issues from outside the United States, because of my background and experience, U.S-related topics tend to predominate. That is why I am always grateful to have the opportunity to publish a guest post from a non-U.S. reader. I have published below an article discussing D&O
Who is an “Officer”? A Critical Inquiry for Indemnification and Insurance
Many companies provide advancement, indemnification and insurance benefits and protection for their officers and directors. However, it is not always clear who is an “officer” for purposes of claiming the benefits and protection. The long-running and high-profile saga of Sergey Aleynikov, the former Goldman Sachs computer programmer and company Vice President accused of stealing proprietary
Failed NC Bank Execs Granted Summary Judgment on All FDIC Claims
On September 11, 2014, in a sharply worded order that will give heart to the FDIC’s many other failed bank litigation targets, Eastern District of North Carolina Judge Terrence Boyle, applying North Carolina law, granted the summary judgment motion of the former directors and officers of the failed Cooperative Bank of Wilmington, N.C., in the
D&O Insurance: Though Specific Litigation Exclusion Does Not Apply, Subsequent Suits Related to Prior Claim Not Covered
As the litigation wave arrived following the global financial crisis, many financial institutions were hit with multiple suits that arrived piecemeal and over time. For D&O insurance coverage purposes, these lawsuits were filed across multiple policy periods. A recurring question as the subprime litigation has worked its way through the system is whether the various
PLUS Regional Professional Liability Symposium in London, September 29, 2014
On September 29, 2014, I will be in London to participate in the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) regional symposium. The luncheon event, which is entitled “Dangers of Long Arm Enforcement in a World WIthout Borders” will take place at Gibson Hall. I will be making a presentation at the event on the
InSights: What to Watch in the World of D&O
Every year after Labor Day, I take a step back and survey the most important current trends and developments in the world of Directors’ and Officers’ liability and D&O insurance. In the latest issue of InSights (here), I review this year’s survey. Once again, there are a host of things worth watching in