As I have discussed in prior posts (refer here for example), one of the recurring D&O insurance coverage issues that has arisen in connection with the FDIC’s failed bank litigation is the question whether or not the FDIC’s claims as receiver for the failed bank against the bank’s former directors and officers trigger the D&O
More Year-End Retrospectives from Around the Web
If you were among the many who extended the holiday vacation all the way through the short week following New Year’s Day, you may not have seen the year-end retrospective articles that I posted last week, including my list of the Top Ten D&O Stories in 2012 (here), and my year-end analysis of
Former Satyam Directors Win Dismissal of Securities Claims
Seven former independent directors of Satyam – the Indian company known as the “Indian Enron” due to the high-profile accounting scandal that swamped the firm in 2009 – have secured their dismissal from the U.S. securities litigation the company’s shareholder filed in the scandal’s wake. Southern District of New York Judge Barbara Jones’s January 2
Top Ten D&O Stories of 2012
The year just finished included dramatic and important developments involving elections, tragedies and natural disasters. While there was nothing in the world of directors’ and officers’ liability to match this drama, it was nevertheless an eventful year in the world of D&O, with many significant developments. By way of review of the year’s events, here
Fourth Quarter Slowdown Drives Decline in 2012 Securities Class Action Filings
Largely as a result of a slowdown in new filings during the fourth quarter, 2012 securities class action lawsuit filings were below the filing levels of recent years and below historical averages. Filing levels remained elevated in the natural resources, life sciences and computer services industries, and filings against non-U.S. companies, though off from 2011
NY Appellate Court Dismisses Short-Sellers’ Porsche Suit, Closes off Possible Morrison Escape Route
In a decision that could foreclose a possible way for claimants to try to circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Morrison v. National Australia Bank case, a New York appellate court has reversed a lower court and dismissed the fraud suit short-seller hedge funds had brought in New York state court against Porsche
New Zealand Appellate Court Overturns Controversial Decision Blocking D&O Defense Cost Reimbursement
An appellate court in New Zealand has “quashed” the controversial ruling of a lower court ruling that former directors of the defunct Bridgecorp companies are not entitled to defense expense reimbursement under the companies’ D&O insurance policy where the companies’ liquidators have raised (but not yet proven) claims against them exceeding the policy’s limits of
Guest Post: Testing How Clean Your Books Really Are — The Case for Active Monitoring
One of the more challenging exposures that many companies face is the possibility of an FCPA enforcement action. Because of the risk of fines, potential prosecution and reputational damages, many companies understand the need to implement compliance programs to try to avoid these problems. In a guest post, Al Vondra (pictured), a partner in the
UBS’s Massive Libor-Related Settlements: What Do They Signify?
Swiss banking giant UBS has become the second global financial institution to enter a series of massive regulatory settlements in connection with the ongoing Libor scandal investigation. As detailed in its December 19, 2012 press release (here), UBS has agreed to pay a total of about 1.4 billion Swiss francs (about $1.54 billion
Cornerstone: FDIC D&O Lawsuit Filings Increased During Fourth Quarter
The FDIC’s filing of lawsuits against former directors and officers of failed banks increased “markedly” during the fourth quarter of 2012 after a “lull” during the second and third quarters of the year, according to a new study from Cornerstone Research. The study, released December 18, 2012 and entitled “Characteristics of FDIC Lawsuits Against Directors