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Shadow SEC: The Value of an Independent SEC

By Joel Seligman, John Coates, John C. Coffee, Jr., James D. Cox, Jill E. Fisch and Merritt B. Fox February 24, 2025 by John Coates

Effective and well-designed laws governing investment and financial markets are the single most important foundation for financial markets to allocate capital efficiently while providing optimal reassurance to investors and lenders. Strong empirical evidence shows the United States has a lower …

SEC Rulemaking and Litigation in Chair Gensler’s First 1000 Days

By John Coates February 14, 2024 by John Coates

Many claims have been made about the current pace of SEC rulemaking, some inconsistent with reality. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for example, has claimed that under Chair Gary Gensler the SEC launched an “unprecedented” “barrage of rulemaking.”[1] A …

SEC Speaks on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for SPAC Warrants

By John Coates and Paul Munter April 13, 2021 by John Coates

In a recent statement,[1] Acting Chief Accountant Paul Munter highlighted a number of important financial reporting considerations for SPACs.[2] Among other things, that statement highlighted challenges associated with the accounting for complex financial instruments that may be common

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SPACs, IPOs, and Liability Risk Under the Securities Laws

By John Coates April 12, 2021 by John Coates

Over the past six months, the U.S. securities markets have seen an unprecedented surge in the use and popularity of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (or SPACs).[1],[2] Shareholder advocates – as well as business journalists and legal and

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Columbia Law School's Blog on Corporations and the Capital Markets

John Coates

Shadow SEC: The Value of an Independent SEC

SEC Rulemaking and Litigation in Chair Gensler’s First 1000 Days

SEC Speaks on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for SPAC Warrants

SPACs, IPOs, and Liability Risk Under the Securities Laws