Corporate governance has become an increasingly important area of focus for public companies, shareholder activists, proxy advisory firms, Congress and other constituents, and Debevoise has developed market-leading expertise in guiding and advising on corporate governance best practices. Since the 2008 financial crisis, all public companies, and financial institutions in particular, have been under increased scrutiny by investors and regulators and subject to myriad new governance-related rules and regulations. Senior management, internal lawyers and boards of directors may understandably struggle to determine the best approach for their company’s specific facts and circumstances. Debevoise partners with its clients to effectively address the concerns of their constituents.

Debevoise regularly advises public and private companies, controlled companies, private equity firms, directors, boards and senior management on all aspects of corporate governance, including:

• board and board committee structure, charters and practices;
• director independence;
• governance policies and procedures;
• proxy statement and other corporate governance disclosures;
• related party transactions; and
• shareholder relations and activism

Debevoise capital markets lawyers frequently provide this advice as part of a broader transaction, such as an initial public offering or spin-off. In addition, Debevoise attorneys with expertise in areas including mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation and white collar litigation work closely to provide interdisciplinary solutions in specific or crisis situations such as shareholder campaigns, conducting internal investigations and responding to formal and informal SEC inquiries.