Most private companies operate for years without ever facing a directors & officers (D&O) insurance claim. That’s why the risks can be easy to overlook. But D&O litigation isn’t just about major scandals or headline-making...more
Foreign private issuers (FPIs) are non-US companies that are traded on US exchanges. They have access to US capital markets even though FPIs are subject to less-stringent disclosure requirements. A good question to ask is...more
As they go through their initial public offering (IPO) and the subsequent merger & acquisition (M&A) process, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) face many regulatory, legal, and business hurdles. Obtaining the...more
Derivative suits are a topic of discussion that continues to challenge directors, officers, and insurers alike. The issue is particularly fraught for individual directors and officers because Delaware-incorporated companies...more
Private to Public Timeline -
Click/tap an area of the timeline to learn more about the D&O insurance process for companies going public. While the timeline below is specific to IPO companies, the milestones are relevant to...more
In 2024, biotechnology companies were the second most targeted industry for securities class action litigation, according to the D&O Databox™, Woodruff Sawyer’s proprietary database of securities class action suits. The...more
There is significant complexity to the process of protecting a company and its directors and officers as they undertake the process of going public. This resource is your guide to the D&O insurance process for de-SPAC...more
The 2025 PLUS D&O Symposium brought together leading voices in the professional liability space to discuss the evolving risks corporate leaders are facing. I was privileged to moderate the panel on securities litigation, a...more
The organization known as B Lab certifies B Corporations. To obtain this certification, companies have to meet strict social and environmental standards, including annual reporting. This certification signals to consumers...more
Even though there was an uptick in IPO activity in 2024, many companies have taken a wait-and-see approach and deferred their public debuts to next year. Still, going public in 2025 will come with challenges, such as...more
Traditionally, this has been the main type of derivative suit that has resulted in large settlements. Merger and acquisition cases are common here. Examples of these types of suits include Paramount Global (CBS-Viacom merger)...more
In this increasingly litigious and regulatory intense environment, D&O Looking Ahead provides a bridge to help you stay on top of the evolving D&O risk landscape. – Priya Huskins The streak of good news in D&O litigation...more
In a market known for volatility, public company D&O (directors & officers) insurance has certainly lived up to its reputation in recent years—pricing has been on a roller coaster, fluctuating between skyrocketing increases...more
The streak of good news in D&O litigation risk ends this year, with a rise in class action filings and bigger settlements. But the D&O market is still soft, so staying on top of the evolving risk landscape will help you...more
8/6/2024
/ Board of Directors ,
Class Action ,
Cybersecurity ,
D&O Insurance ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Insurance Costs ,
Insurance Industry ,
New Rules ,
Risk Management ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Litigation ,
Webinars
The FTC’s mission is protecting the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. The FTC’s scope of responsibilities...more
8 Reasons to Buy D&O Insurance 1. Attracting New Directors: D&O insurance makes board seats more attractive. 2. Investor Requirements: Some venture capital and private equity firms require that their portfolio companies...more
As they go through their initial public offering (IPO) and the subsequent merger & acquisition (M&A) process, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) face many regulatory, legal, and business hurdles. Obtaining the...more
Woodruff Sawyer is a market leader when it comes to placing D&O insurance for companies going public through IPOs and direct listings. Experience matters for these types of transactions, and this is especially the case when...more
Woodruff Sawyer is the market leader when it comes to placing D&O insurance for companies going public, be it through an IPO, direct listing, or merger with a SPAC (a “de-SPAC” transaction). Experience matters in this arena....more
CEO compensation can be a source of concern for shareholders, which makes it a concern for the Delaware Chancery Court. Another major concern is director independence. The decision by the Delaware Chancery Court to void Elon...more
A year ago, you couldn’t avoid the talk about a brutal recession on the horizon—yet it didn’t materialize. At the end of 2023, economists said the data pointed to either a small recession or an avoidance altogether in 2023,...more
Effective board members know that staying current is key to upholding their responsibilities to their shareholders. The good news is there are numerous educational opportunities for directors offered in a variety of settings:...more
Companies that have been waiting to do their IPO until conditions improve are gearing up. In fact, EY predicts the global IPO market will turn around in 2024 due to some improvements in key macroeconomic factors and...more
Woodruff Sawyer’s 11th annual D&O Looking Ahead Guide features proprietary research and expert insights to help guide your 2024 directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance program renewal.
In this article, we’ll...more
The softening D&O market has continued into 2023, with 91% of our clients experiencing a cost reduction in their renewal in the first half of the year. Self-insured retentions have also continued to fall. The soft market is a...more
9/6/2023
/ Class Action ,
Contract Renewal ,
Cybersecurity ,
D&O Insurance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Insurance Claims ,
Insurance Contracts ,
Insurance Industry ,
Insurance Rates ,
New Rules ,
Risk Management ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Violations ,
Self-Insured Retention Provisions ,
Webinars