On December 11, 2025, the President signed an Executive Order titled “Protecting American Investors from Foreign-Owned and Politically-Motivated Proxy Advisors” (the “EO”). The EO focuses on the influence of proxy advisory firms, specifically Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass, Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”). According to the EO, ISS and Glass Lewis control over 90%
Considerations for Management
The Character of the Corporation 2025
Conference | November 18, 2025
Learn more here
Mayer Brown is pleased to sponsor The Character of the Corporation 2025. This forum brings together public company board members, institutional shareholders, proxy advisors, judicial and governmental representatives and corporate governance thought leaders to discuss effective governance, geopolitical conflict and crisis management.
If you are interested in…
MB Sounding Board: 2025 Outlook for Boards

In this episode, Robyn Bew, EY Americas Center for Board Matters Director, shares insights from the EY Americas Board Priorities 2025 report. Robyn discusses how corporate boards’ priorities have evolved year-over-year, including oversight of management’s response to volatile economic conditions and capital allocation strategies. Our guest also talks about directors’ increased focus on innovation…
MB Sounding Board: Franchise Leader, Delaware

In this episode (approx. 10 minutes), Professor Anat Alon-Beck of Case-Western Reserve University School of Law (follow her work on SSRN) talks to us about her scholarship. In particular, Prof. Alon-Beck discusses some of the findings regarding competition among states to attract businesses—including Texas and Nevada. Prof. Alon-Beck also discusses incorporation trends for growth…
Delaware Governor Signs SB 21 Into Law
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 21 (“SB 21”) into law Tuesday night, pushing forward a measure that has drawn strong criticism from shareholder and consumer advocacy groups.
The bill made its way to the governor’s desk after a debate in the House, where it passed with a 32 to 7 vote and two members…
SEC Provides New Guidance on the Use of Schedules 13D and 13G
Last week, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) Division of Corporation Finance revised two Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (“C&DIs”) relating to beneficial ownership disclosures on Schedules 13D and 13G. Schedule 13D is required to be filed to report 5% or greater ownership of a class of equity securities of a public company, while…
10-K Risk Factors in a Rapidly Changing World
As many public companies finalize the disclosure in their Annual Reports on Form 10-K, they should consider paying particular attention to their risk factors in light of the multitude of federal government actions following President Trump’s inauguration. Since January 20, a flurry of Executive Orders has been issued, focusing on areas including immigration, federal government…
Updated Proxy Rules C&DIs
On January 27, 2025, the staff of the US Securities and Exchange Commission updated its Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (“C&DIs”) for Proxy Rules and Schedules 14A/14C with respect to notices of exempt solicitations under Rule 14a-6(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Rule 14a-2(b)(1) of the Exchange Act exempts…
Not Quite Yet: Supreme Court Stays CTA Injunction, But Filing Requirements Remain Suspended
The US Supreme Court has stayed the injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), but the requirement for companies to file beneficial ownership information remains suspended, creating ongoing uncertainty about compliance timelines. This Legal Update summarizes status and notes potential developments that could impact companies’ reporting obligations. Continue reading.
On Again, Off Again: Fifth Circuit Again Suspends Corporate Transparency Act Filing Requirements
On December 26, 2024, a panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated an order issued by a different panel just days before that had stayed the nationwide preliminary injunction suspending enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its implementing regulations. The Fifth Circuit’s action has the effect of restoring…
