Securities Litigation Category Archives

Venue Lies Where You Lay It: Strict Construction of Forum Selection Clauses in the Ninth Circuit

In this era of tightening federal budgets and periodic government shutdowns, there can be no guarantee that any particular federal courthouse will be open for business—or even in existence—at the time an agreement spawns litigation. Under a recent Ninth Circuit decision, such a closure could be more than inconvenient: it could cut off a party’s bargained-for access to federal ...

In this era of tightening federal budgets and periodic government shutdowns, there can be no guarantee that any particular federal courthouse will be open for business—or even in existence—at the ...

Update: Will the Bezos Divorce Impact SEC Disclosure Obligations for Public Companies?

On February 20, 2019 we posted about whether the Bezos’ divorce would impact SEC disclosure requirements for public companies.  In this regard, Amazon’s recent filing may offer additional support to those who wish to argue that personal matters impacting management, or a shareholder who owns a controlling stake in the company, should be disclosed. On April 4, 2019, Amazon ...

On February 20, 2019 we posted about whether the Bezos’ divorce would impact SEC disclosure requirements for public companies.  In this regard, Amazon’s recent filing may offer additional support to ...

Will the Bezos Divorce Impact SEC Disclosure Obligations for Public Companies?

Recently the chief executive and controlling shareholder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and his wife, the novelist MacKenzie Bezos, announced that they will divorce.  Thus far at least the news has not had a lasting effect on Amazon’s stock price, even though investors do not know how the couple’s 16% controlling stake in the company will be affected by the ...

Recently the chief executive and controlling shareholder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and his wife, the novelist MacKenzie Bezos, announced that they will divorce.  Thus far at least the news has ...

Who is the “Seller” of a Security?

Who is the “seller” of a security?  Although the question may seem straightforward, a recent decision from the Washington Supreme Court suggests that the possibilities continue to grow. The Washington State Securities Act (“WSSA”)[1] regulates the buying and selling of securities in Washington state.  Like its federal counterparts, one of the WSSA’s primary purposes is “to protect investors from ...

Who is the “seller” of a security?  Although the question may seem straightforward, a recent decision from the Washington Supreme Court suggests that the possibilities continue to grow. The Washington ...