Chairman Atkins expresses preference for regulatory clarity that boosts US markets’ appeal to businesses and investors.
On April 21, Paul Atkins was sworn in as Chairman of the SEC. He returns to the SEC from the private sector. Chairman Atkins is a securities lawyer who previously served on the SEC staff and as an SEC Commissioner from 2002-2008.
Chairman Atkins will soon begin naming his senior staff, including the Division Directors, and will identify the priorities for his term as
The Trump administration continues to roll back policies on DEI and banking regulation while facing various lawsuits over its personnel, spending, and immigration actions.
This past week, the Trump administration continued to take action on DEI, barring certain DEI-related language from government contracts and closing an office within the EPA. It also rolled back Biden-era proposals to regulate banking and finance. Meanwhile, the administration continues to face litigation challenges in federal court, with judges blocking personnel actions, USAID spending freezes
SEC Staff seeking authority to issue subpoenas must now obtain Commission approval.
On March 10, 2025, in a vote that fell along party lines, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or the Commission) issued a rule amendment to rescind the Commission’s 2009 delegation of authority to the Division of Enforcement for the issuances of formal orders of investigation.1 Formal orders of investigation provide the SEC Staff with the authority to issue subpoenas for documents and witness testimony, among certain
The SEC Staff now allows confidential draft submissions for all follow-on offerings, shelf offerings, and M&A, enhancing flexibility.
By Michele Anderson, Alex Cohen, Paul Dudek, and Joel Trotter
The SEC Staff has expanded the ability of issuers to make confidential submission of draft registration statements and clarified the procedures for making confidential submissions. This new policy takes effect immediately.
The move follows a February 24, 2025, speech by Securities and Exchange Commission Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda
The Acting SEC Chairman announced regulatory priorities designed to help companies raise capital, widen investment options available to retail investors, and reduce regulatory burdens on smaller public companies.
On February 24, 2025, in a speech to the Florida Bar’s 41st Annual Federal Securities Institute and M&A Conference, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or the Commission) Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda outlined key SEC priorities aimed at fostering “innovation, job creation, and economic growth” in both the public and private markets.
The new unit aims to protect retail investors and foster innovation by addressing cyber-related misconduct and emerging technology fraud.
By Margaret Graham, Michael H. Rubin, Nathan H. Seltzer, and Douglas K. Yatter
On February 20, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the establishment of the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU), which will focus on combatting cyber-related misconduct and protecting retail investors from fraud in the emerging technologies sector. The new unit, led by Laura
The Trump administration continues to curb regulation and federal spending while defending previous actions in court.
This week, President Trump issued executive orders asserting direct control over independent agencies and empowering the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to scrutinize agency regulations. Meanwhile, the administration faces a steady stream of lawsuits attempting to block orders cutting off funding and freezing agency activities.
Latham lawyers are carefully monitoring the rollout of President Trump’s policy priorities through executive orders, agency actions, and installment