Business Law and Corporate Law

ISS STOXX Governance has released the results of its annual global benchmark policy survey, revealing significant divisions between institutional investors and corporate respondents on critical governance issues. The survey examined contentious topics including director independence criteria, the potential shift to semiannual reporting, say-on-pay voting requirements, and nature-related risk disclosures...

The SEC's Division of Corporation Finance has issued two new no-action letters expanding retail investor voting programs beyond the initial Exxon framework, allowing Goldman Sachs and Tesla to implement standing voting instruction programs. These letters enable retail shareholders to provide advance voting instructions aligned with management recommendations while maintaining certain investor protections...

The SEC's Division of Corporation Finance has issued a groundbreaking no-action letter to Tesla that significantly expands the scope of issuer voluntary retail voting programs beyond previous guidance. This development introduces new flexibilities including centralized multi-issuer hubs, standing instructions, and householding capabilities that could fundamentally reshape how retail shareholders participate in corporate governance.

Nasdaq has proposed eliminating its Alternative Price Requirement, which currently allows companies to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market at prices between $2 and $4 under certain conditions. The rule change would establish a uniform $4 minimum price requirement for all initial listings, aligning Nasdaq with other national securities exchanges after NYSE American removed its own sub-$4 listing option in March 2026.

On 15 October 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved amendments to FINRA Rule 2210 that will permit broker-dealers to include projected performance and targeted returns in certain investor communications.1

The SEC's Division of Corporation Finance has issued two new no-action letters expanding retail investor voting programs beyond the initial Exxon framework, allowing Goldman Sachs and Tesla to implement standing voting instruction programs. These letters enable retail shareholders to provide advance voting instructions aligned with management recommendations while maintaining certain investor protections...

Maryland has amended its franchise registration and disclosure law with changes taking effect October 1, 2026. The amendments extend enforcement authority, expand franchisee claims periods, clarify jurisdictional scope, establish franchisee association rights, and codify a fast-track renewal program for franchise disclosure documents.

International restaurant expansion often generates legal problems before anyone believes there is much legal work to do. A team finds a location and negotiates the lease before confirming that the hours, the liquor service, and the patio are permitted at that address. An executive chef flies in to train the kitchen on a visitor stamp.

On July 9, 2026, the United States District Court for the Central District of California issued its decision in So Cal Storage, LLC et al. v. UNITS Franchising Group, Inc., 2026 WL 2045621 (C.D. Cal. July 9, 2026), granting a franchisor's motion to dismiss the franchisees’ claims arising from alleged misrepresentations, software failures, vendor restrictions, and misuse of advertising fund contributions.

A federal court in Florida has upheld CMS's controversial 2020 rule that fundamentally restructures how organ procurement organizations are evaluated and ranked, potentially leading to widespread decertification. The ruling addresses critical legal challenges regarding the competitive ranking system, performance metrics, and data sources while four other courts continue to consider similar cases.

Jones Day provides insights on legal and business matters through their subscription-based communications platform. The page offers access to ESG-focused content and outlines important disclaimers regarding the use of information from their website and email communications.

The Eleventh Circuit has adopted a notably low evidentiary threshold for proving knowledge under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, holding that Medicare participation alone may suffice to establish that a defendant knew patients could be federally insured. This decision in United States v. Chun has significant compliance implications for healthcare providers and life sciences companies serving populations that may include any federally insured individuals.