PUBLICLY HELD COMPANIES

Companies with a significant number of shareholders need to comply with highly detailed reporting requirements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  These requirements govern reporting of material corporate information, solicitation of proxies, purchases and sales of company securities by insiders, and much more.

Companies whose shares also are listed on a stock exchange must comply with stock exchange rules which, among other things, address listing and maintenance criteria, corporate governance standards, and public dissemination of material information.

At Bybel Rutledge LLP clients have access to attorneys with over 35 years experience representing publicly held companies.  We advise on compliance with all aspects of regulatory, statutory and exchange mandates.

Public Disclosures and SEC Reporting
We assist clients in the timely and appropriate disclosure of material corporate developments, including preparation or review of filings under Form 8-K, Regulation FD and applicable stock exchange rules.  We also counsel management and boards of directors on their fiduciary duty and their Section 16 reporting obligations when purchasing or selling company securities.  Further, our attorneys assist public companies in the preparation or review of mandatory periodic reports which must be filed with the SEC (such as Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and proxy statements).

Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance
Attorneys at Bybel Rutledge LLP are experienced in navigating the complex regulatory structures applicable to public companies, including provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and corporate governance rules adopted by the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Representation of Audit Committees
Lawyers in our firm have served as independent counsel to audit committees of publicly held companies. In this regard, we have specific experience advising audit committees on their duties and responsibilities in dealing with whistleblower complaints filed under Sarbanes-Oxley.  We also have advised on the change of company auditors and negotiated auditor engagement letters which met the guidance issued by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.