The Weinberg Center’s fifth annual “ESG in the Boardroom” program, titled “Shareholder Proposals at the Crossroads: Boards, ESG, and the Future of SEC Rule 14a-8,” held April 28 in Wilmington, Delaware, brought together directors, jurists, advisors, and regulators to examine a governance environment in which boards are operating with less regulatory certainty and more direct
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SEC Chairman Atkins on AI: Strategy, Governance, and the Discipline of Principles
On March 4, 2026, SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins delivered remarks at the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s Artificial Intelligence Innovation Series Roundtable on Strategy and Governance Principles, outlining how the Commission is approaching artificial intelligence as both a regulatory tool and a market development. In his remarks, Chairman Atkins addressed the implications of AI for
Quick Takes from SRI 2026
At this year’s SRI, a few themes popped up in panels across a range of topics: disclosure trends; governance priorities; and frequently discussed interpretive questions.
IPO Comment Letter Timing: Still Long, but Improving
Initial comment letters for IPOs are still currently taking longer than the 30-day target reflective of both filing volume and working down
SEC Announces Creation of Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
On August 1, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the launch of a task force on artificial intelligence (AI) that will spearhead the agency’s efforts to enhance innovation and efficiency in its operations through the responsible use of AI. Valerie Szczepanik, who has been named the SEC’s Chief AI Officer, is leading the
ISS Launches Annual Global Benchmark Policy Survey
On July 24, 2025, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) announced the launch of its Annual Global Benchmark Policy Survey. In its announcement, ISS notes:
This year’s survey begins with core governance topics, including shareholder rights in relation to multi-class capital structures, considerations with regard to shareholder proposals, and board governance, with a focus on director overboarding.
SEC Announces Creation of Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit
On February 20, 2025, the SEC announced the creation of the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU) “to focus on combatting cyber-related misconduct and to protect retail investors from bad actors in the emerging technologies space.” The CETU’s focus on protecting retail investors harkens back to similar SEC initiatives under former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton.
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