[co-author: Madison Gaudreau]
On April 14, 2021, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Gary Gensler as the 33rd Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”).[1] This change will bring forth a Democratic majority at the SEC which, in turn, suggests that the Commission will change its current emphasis on capital formation to focus more on investor protection and the following other areas: rules required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) such as security-based swaps, compensation, and stress tests for certain SEC registrants like asset managers; and inspections, examinations, and enforcement. Below we examine what to expect from Mr. Gensler’s SEC, including an expected new enforcement landscape and heightened interest in digital currency, Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SPACs”), and new disclosure mandates for issuers on climate and ESG issues.
Panama Papers Accountant Seeks Early Release Due To Virus By
David Hansen · January 11, 2021, 7:16 PM EST The government should grant early release to a 76-year-old accountant brought down by the Panama Papers investigation because he has COVID-19, his attorneys told a New York federal court Monday.
Frank Gaffey, the accountant, fell ill from a massive outbreak of the novel coronavirus occurring at his federal prison after he reported to it in late November, his attorneys said. The court must hold an emergency hearing after the government s counsel in the case indicated the U.S. will likely oppose the motion, they said.
By Khorri Atkinson
Former Eighth Circuit Judge Kermit E. Bye, who served 15 years on the bench, died Saturday at the age of 84 in Fargo, North Dakota.
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Silicon Valley s own Fenwick & West LLP jumped on the midyear bonus bandwagon Tuesday, reportedly announcing that associates will get checks totaling from $4,500 to $64,000.
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The attorney who is representing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo over alleged sexual harassment has departed New York firm Seward & Kissel LLP, a spokesperson confirmed to Law360 on Tuesday.
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BlackRock, the world s largest asset manager, has hired Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP to conduct an investigation into alleged employee misconduct following a series of accusations of racial and sexual discrimination and harassment inside the workplace.