Crisis at the Company: The Role Of Independent Directors In Steering The Company To Safe Waters

When a public company suffers a major financial or operational incident, such as a financial restatement, allegations of corporate wrongdoing, mass tort, FDA rejection, product recall or another existential event, it can present significant financial and reputational risks on multiple fronts, such as shareholder suits, class actions, conflicts with auditors, and governmental investigations brought by the Department of Justice, the SEC and other federal and state agencies. 

Such events present unique and complex challenges. In many instances the company’s independent directors will have a critical role in addressing such events. In some cases, the independent directors will have complete oversight of the company’s response to an existential event. This program will address:

• the responsibilities of independent directors in such a situation;
• best practices for properly discharging the fiduciary duties owed to the company; and
• the role of independent directors in conjunction with audit committees and special litigation committees.

Co-hosted by the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance and Ballard Spahr LLP, this presentation will provide a comprehensive guide to the decisive role independent directors play in these crisis situations.

Speakers:
Justin P. Klein, Director, John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance, University of Delaware
Stacie L. Roberts, Vice President, Corporate Governance, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
David L. Axelrod
M. Norman Goldberger
John C. Grugan
April Hamlin
Timothy D. Katsiff
Laura E. Krabill
David J. Margules
Jessica Case Watt
Kahlil C. Williams

Click here for more information on the John L. Weinberg Center.
Click here for the event agenda.
Click here for the event presentation slides.
Click here for the event handout.
Click here for the cases and materials from the presentation.
Click here for panelist profiles.

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM ET | Registration, networking, and continental breakfast
9:30 AM - 11:40 AM ET | Program
11:40 AM - 12:45 PM ET | Lunch at the Pyramid Club

Ballard Spahr LLP
1735 Market Street, 48th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Discounted parking is available for guests who park in the Parkway Garage at Liberty Place.
Click here for directions to the garage at Liberty Place - 44 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

CLE Credits: This program is approved for 2.0 Ethics CLE credits in CA, DE, NY, & PA; and 2.4 NJ Ethics CLE credits. Uniform Certificates of Attendance will also be provided for the purpose of seeking CLE credit in other jurisdictions.

For the health and safety of our employees, clients, and friends, Ballard Spahr requires that attendees at our events and programs be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and we will require proof of your COVID-19 vaccination to attend any Ballard Spahr event or program.