Cleary Gottlieb's " 2019 Mid-Year Developments in Securities and M&A Litigation" discusses major developments from the first half of 2019 and highlights significant decisions and trends ahead.
In Lorenzo, the most significant securities decision in 2019 so far, the Supreme Court clarified the scope of "scheme liability" under Rule 10b-5(a) and (c). The Court also declined to rule on several significant issues arising from the Ninth Circuit, including whether plaintiffs must show that the defendant acted with scienter when bringing claims under Section 14(e), whether Morrison extends to unsponsored American Depositary Receipts, and the standard for establishing loss causation. Looking ahead, we will be watching for a potential grant of certiorari from the Tenth Circuit's decision in Scoville, which held that the Dodd-Frank Act permits the SEC to bring fraud claims or claims under Section 17 of the Securities Act based on sales of securities that do not constitute domestic transactions within the meaning of Morrison. With respect to M&A litigation, the Delaware Supreme Court continued to clarify its jurisprudence with respect to appraisal methodology as well as the protection MFW affords to controlled transactions. The Court also released important opinions pertaining to oversight duties for boards of directors and the fiduciary duties of activist investors.
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