It's Official In CA - Don't Even Think About Your Canary As Food!

I deal with regulations all day long.  Most of them are absolutely somniferous.  However, every once in a while I come across a regulation that is so unexpected that I can't help but wake up, rub my eyes and stare in wonderment.

SEC Will Consider Definition of "Venture Capital Fund" This Week

Section 407 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue rules defining "venture capital fund".  As discussed in this earlier post, the definition is needed to implement the...

CalPERS Announces Private Engagement In Lieu of Name and Shame

On Monday, the California Public Employees Retirement System issued this press release stating that it has "adopted a new strategy for engaging underperforming public stock companies through private contacts and proxy actions rather than by posting...

Are Social Investors Mounting A Campaign For Minority Rule?

As discussed in this prior post, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires that companies include in their proxy statements not less frequently than every six years "a separate resolution subject to shareholder vote to...

Forum, Venue and Choice-of-Law - When Shall We Three Meet Again?

In prior posts I mentioned several California oddities with respect to the often confused concepts of choice of law, choice of forum and choice of venue.  For those who simply can't get enough of the subject, I recommend reading Julie Bisceglia's ...

CalPERS to Consider Changes to Name and Shame Methodology

In 1987, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) initiated its "Focus List" program. Under this program, CalPERS identifies companies to a preliminary list. CalPERS then contacts these companies for the purpose of "encouraging"...

CalPERS’ 3D Advisory Committee May Be Appointed Soon

The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) have teamed up on an initiative called the Diverse Director Database (3D Program). According to CalPERS, the 3D Program is...

FPPC Proposes Rule Amendment To Implement Placement Agent Legislation

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is charged with regulation of, among other things, lobbyist registration and reporting.  As discussed in several earlier posts, AB 1743 (Hernandez) amends the definition of "lobbyist" in...

"And What They Will Inform. . .That Will The King Severely Prosecute"

Last month, I asked the California Attorney General's office for information concerning utilization of the whistleblower hotline mandated by Labor Code § 1102.7.  Below are the data provided to me: