Corporate Securities Law Blog

Sheppard Mullin's capital markets lawyers practice from all eight major legal markets in California as well as New York, Washington, D.C., Europe and Asia. Our lawyers participate in every stage of capital formation, from incorporation to financing, to growth capital, to the public markets, and from the public markets to leveraged finance to private equity. Our lawyers straddle the equity, equity-linked, high-yield and investment grade debt markets and market terms for securities offerings in their respective industries. With the benefit of deep regulatory expertise, industry knowledge, intimate familiarity with our markets and experience, we help our clients rapidly execute opportunities when the market windows are open, assess and mitigate risks and maximize returns.

Sheppard Mullin's mergers and acquisitions practice includes seasoned corporate attorneys with the practical experience to structure, negotiate and close even the most complicated transactions. We represent domestic and international buyers and sellers of public and private companies in a diverse range of industries. On the sell side, our clients range from entrepreneurs and family owned businesses to equity sponsors and large multinational corporations. On the buy side, we advise both financial and strategic buyers.

Sheppard Mullin's corporate governance and compliance practice includes a seasoned team of public company attorneys who represent a wide range of public companies and investment bankers. Our attorneys have significant experience in all areas of regulatory compliance and disclosure under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and capital formation under the Securities Act of 1933. We advise on corporate governance issues and have extensive experience advising boards, audit committees, compensation committees and nominating and governance committees of public companies. Our securities practice also includes representing public companies and their officers and directors in a wide variety of SEC and exchange investigations.

Securities litigation is a multifaceted, highly specialized area of practice. The securities laws are complex, and securities cases typically involve high stakes and sensitive matters. Securities claims present the risk of substantial damage awards and adverse publicity, as well as other serious risks and exposure. Often the threatened exposure bears little relation to the true merits of the claims.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has a long history of successfully defending clients against securities claims. We have tried several of these cases, and defended many of them by way of motions to dismiss, motions for judgment on the pleadings and motions for summary judgment. In cases that have settled, our clients have paid significantly less than the average settlement.