Last week, a Nasdaq rule change went effective immediately that now permits board committees to approve waivers of the code of conduct for directors or executive officers. This changes the rule that required full board approval for these types of waivers. Companies that want to take advantage of this rule change may need to update their committee charters to allow for it.

The Nasdaq rule change came in the form of this proposal to amend Listing Rules 5610 and IM-5610 – and although the rule change is immediately effective, the SEC posted this notice upon which people may comment and cause the SEC to temporarily suspend the rule change.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Allison Handy Allison Handy

Allison Handy is the firmwide co-chair of the Corporate & Securities practice. Her extensive experience includes advising public and private companies in connection with corporate governance practices, disclosure issues, and capital markets transactions, such as equity offerings, debt offerings and tender offers. She…

Allison Handy is the firmwide co-chair of the Corporate & Securities practice. Her extensive experience includes advising public and private companies in connection with corporate governance practices, disclosure issues, and capital markets transactions, such as equity offerings, debt offerings and tender offers. She is also a leader of the firm’s Environmental, Social, and Governance advisory team.

Allison provides counsel to companies on a broad range of issues faced by management and directors in connection with the many compliance aspects of securities laws, including governance rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and stock exchanges. She advises boards and committees in matters related to internal investigations and the efforts of shareholder activists, and works closely with in-house counsel, financial personnel, and outside auditors and advisors to help her clients prepare proxy statements and other reports to investors that meet complex disclosure obligations.