Securities & Compliance
SEC reporting (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K), Reg FD, insider trading policy, Section 16, SOX compliance
Primer
Securities compliance is an always-on discipline for any lawyer working with public companies. The Exchange Act reporting cycle — annual 10-K, quarterly 10-Q, and event-driven 8-K — creates a continuous cadence of legal review, disclosure committee management, and sign-off coordination with the CFO, outside securities counsel, and auditors. Getting this right is foundational to everything else the company does.
Reg FD (Regulation Fair Disclosure) prohibits selective disclosure of material nonpublic information to analysts, investors, or other market participants. Policies governing earnings calls, investor days, analyst meetings, and management presentations must be clearly drafted and enforced — and executives must be trained on what can and cannot be said outside of public filings. Violations are reputationally costly and increasingly subject to SEC enforcement.
Insider trading compliance requires a robust written policy, quarterly trading windows, pre-clearance procedures, and a Section 16 tracking system for officers and directors. Rule 10b5-1 plans were significantly tightened by the SEC in late 2022 — any legacy plans should be reviewed against the updated cooling-off periods and single-plan limitations.
SOX compliance (particularly Section 302 and 906 certifications, and Section 404 internal controls) is a joint legal/finance function. Legal counsel advises on the disclosure controls and procedures framework underlying CEO/CFO certifications and supports the disclosure committee's quarterly review process.
Deep Dives
- Form 8-K Reference Guide — Comprehensive guide to all triggering events, filing mechanics, practice tips, and the new cybersecurity incident disclosure requirements (Item 1.05). Updated for 2026.
Key Concepts
Reference topics — deep-dive primers coming soon
- Exchange Act reporting: 10-K (60/75/90 days), 10-Q (40/45 days), 8-K (4 business days)
- XBRL/iXBRL tagging requirements — inline XBRL for all filers
- Materiality standard: TSC Industries / Basic Inc. v. Levinson — probability × magnitude
- Reg FD — what constitutes selective disclosure; public disclosure cure procedures
- Insider trading policy: trading windows, blackout periods, pre-clearance
- Rule 10b5-1 plans — updated 2022 cooling-off periods, single-plan rule, annual certification
- Section 16 reporting: Forms 3, 4, 5 — timing and derivative transactions
- Section 13(d)/(g) beneficial ownership reporting — 5% thresholds
- Proxy statement (DEF 14A): CD&A, director biographies, audit committee report
- SOX §302/906 certifications — disclosure controls and procedures quarterly review
- SOX §404 — management assessment + auditor attestation (accelerated filers)
- Non-GAAP financial measures — SEC guidance and reconciliation requirements
- Earnings release review — quiet period management, draft review cadence
- Securities litigation risk — §10(b)/Rule 10b-5, PSLRA safe harbor, scienter
- NYSE/Nasdaq listing standards — continued listing requirements and waivers