Nasdaq Changes Compliance Deadlines for Board Diversity Rules

Tom Conaghan represents public and private companies, underwriters and other sources of capital, corporate boards and board committees, and corporate executives. He advises US- and foreign-based public companies on issues relating to mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, strategic investments, spin-offs, public and private offerings of securities (including initial public offerings (IPOs)), disclosure, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting, corporate governance, executive compensation, and the stock exchange-listed company rules. Tom also advises sponsors, investors and targets in SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation) transactions. Tom is co-head of the Firm’s Capital Markets and Public Companies Group, and partner-in-charge of the Corporate Group in the Firm’s Washington, DC office. Tom is rated in Chambers USA and The Legal 500 for his M&A work, and is cited for being a “strong M&A lawyer who anticipates clients’ needs, exhibits strong management over deals, and translates his breadth of knowledge in a way that clients can easily understand and use.” Tom has led several M&A transactions for alcohol beverage clients in conjunction with the Firm’s Chambers USA top-rated beverage practice. Tom represents real estate investment trusts (REITs) in connection with IPOs and M&A transactions. He also advises clients on large-scale global corporate reorganizations and spin-offs. His experience includes advising Tyco International (NYSE: TYC) in connection with its spin-offs of Covidien, TE Connectivity and The ADT Corporation.

Eric Orsic is the co-head of the Firm’s Capital Markets and Public Companies Practice Group. Eric advises clients in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and securities transactions and compliance. He works with publicly and privately held companies to structure and negotiate business acquisitions/dispositions. His public company transactional experience includes public equity and debt offerings, tender offers and going-private transactions. Eric also serves as outside securities counsel to several public companies and advises on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) compliance matters, including periodic reporting requirements and disclosure issues. In addition, he works with public and private companies in the design and structuring of executive compensation programs such as stock and stock-based compensation plans.

Heidi J. Steele focuses her practice on corporate securities, mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies and corporate counseling. She has extensive experience in public and private equity and debt financings, compliance with disclosure and regulatory requirements, tender offers and mergers, acquisitions and dispositions. She advises public and private corporations on a variety of matters, including securities compliance. Heidi acts as counsel for a wide range of corporate combinations. Recent transactions work includes public offerings of common stock, 144A offerings of debt and convertible debt of public companies, acquisitions and sales of public companies and ongoing counsel on public company compliance with the Securities Act of 1934 and stock exchange rules.

David A. Cifrino focuses his practice on corporate and transactional matters, primarily representing public and private financial services, industrial, technology, consumer products and other businesses ranging in size from start-ups to Fortune 50 multinationals, in securities, merger, acquisition, disposition, commercial, strategic, governance and executive compensation matters. He also represents clients in public and privately placed equity and debt financings under the Securities Act of 1933 and counsels public companies on the full range of securities compliance issues under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. David is a Senior Fellow in Harvard University’s Advanced Leadership Initiative, where he is primarily focused on corporate sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. David also provides advice regarding the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank Acts, including related Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and stock exchange rulemaking with respect to financial and other disclosure, auditor independence, insider securities transaction reporting, executive compensation, director independence and requirements for audit, compensation and governance committees. Prior to entering the practice of law, David held several positions in broadcast journalism, including as a producer and manager of the Boston bureau of CBS News where he was responsible for reporting, producing and writing news stories appearing on national programs, including the CBS Evening News and Face the Nation.