SEC Comment and Review Process l Going Public Bootcamp

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC’s“) Division of Corporation Finance reviews filings including registration statements filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act“), and the Securities Exchange Act… Read More

Can I Raise Money From Investors Who Are Not “Accredited Investors”? Introducing The Slo-PO Method

Securities Law Blog A question we frequently receive from entrepreneurs raising capital for the first time is whether can raise money from people who do not meet the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) definition of an “accredited… Read More

Investor Relations Providers Indicted For Growlife and Hemp, Inc. Pumps

Three investor relations providers have been indicted for manipulating the securities of several microcap companies, including two marijuana-related stocks, Growlife and Hemp, Inc. According to the allegations, the four promoters bought inexpensive shares of thinly traded penny stock… Read More

Rule 147 l The Intrastate Exemption

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog Section 3(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), is generally known as the “intrastate offering exemption.” It provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for “any security which… Read More

Kevin McKnight and Company He Promoted Charged With Fraud

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On August 4, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced an administrative proceeding against Kevin McKnight and his investor relations firm Undiscovered Equities for violations of Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of… Read More

Rule 144 Legal Opinion Checklist l Securities Lawyer 101

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog The Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) requires the sale of a security to be registered under the Securities Act, unless the security or transaction qualifies for an exemption from registration…. Read More

What is a Penny Stock Bar? Securities Lawyer 101

To understand penny stock bar, it is necessary to be familiar with the definition of penny stock. Many penny stock market participants are unclear about the wide range of activities prohibited by a penny stock bar.   The bar prohibits owning a penny stock even for one’s own account as well as any activity related to an offering of a penny stock, including drafting disclosures.   The impact of a Penny Stock Bar is that he individual is barred from acting as a promoter, finder, consultant or agent or otherwise engaging in activities with a broker, dealer, or issuer for the purpose of the issuance or trading in any penny stock or inducing or attempting to induce the purchase or sale of any penny stock.

SEC Charges CEO & CFO with Sarbanes-Oxley Violations

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On July 31, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced charges against Marc Sherman, the CEO and Edward Cummings, the CFO of a Florida-based computer equipment company for misrepresenting to external auditors… Read More

Whistleblowers Gone Wild

Nearly everyone believes the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Whistleblower Program under the Dodd Frank Act is a good idea.  By the agency’s account, a considerable number of fraudulent schemes have been exposed, and devious perpetrators brought to justice thanks… Read More

Frank Speight and International Stock Transfer Charged

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On July 24, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the”SEC”) and Department of Justice announced charges against Frank-Speight (Cecil Franklin Speight) and his Florida-based transfer agent with defrauding investors by using aggressive boiler room tactics to… Read More

Carolyn Winsor Apprehended by U.S. Authorities

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On June 27, 2014, Caroline Winsor, also known as Caroline Meyers and Caroline Danforth was apprehended and is in custody of the U.S. authorities. Winsor was indicted with conspiracy, wire fraud, and securities fraud. In… Read More

What is a Confidential Treatment Request?

An issuer filing a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that desires to keep certain information confidential and out of the public domain may do so under limited circumstances by filing an SEC request… Read More

The SEC’s Oversight of the Registration Statement Process

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is the key regulator of going public transactions, securities offerings and securities professionals. During the going public and registration statement process the SEC provides oversight of various professionals… Read More

Company Website Requirements for Periodic Reports

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog It has become almost routine for publicly traded companies to use their websites to provide information to investors.  In going public transactions, the issuer’s website can be used to keep shareholders informed about the… Read More

Pending JOBS Act Proposals – Securities Lawyer 101

Securities Law Blog The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (or JOBS Act) (the “JOBS Act”), enacted in 2012, is intended, among other things, to reduce barriers to capital formation, particularly for smaller companies.

SEC Charges Investor Relations Provider, Kevin McGrath

Securities Law Blog On July 22, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) charged a partner at a New York-based investor relations firm with insider trading on confidential information he learned about two clients while he helped… Read More

SEC Charges Brokers and Codesmart Executive in Pump-And-Dump Scheme

On July 17, 2014, the SEC charged individuals who pocketed millions of dollars running an elaborate pump-and-dump scheme involving shares of a medical education company in Pennsylvania and two other microcap stocks. The SEC alleges that the stock… Read More

SEC Charges Christopher Plummer & Cex Cowsert in Vaccine Development Scam

On July 18, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) charged what it described as a serial con artist and a penny stock company CEO with misleading investors in a supposed vaccine development company by issuing false press… Read More

What is Regulation D? Going Public Lawyers

Under the Securities Act of 1933, any offer to sell securities must either be registered with the SEC or meet an exemption. Regulation D of the Securities Act contains three rules providing exemptions from the registration requirements, allowing… Read More

Can I Use Rule 504 to Issue Free Trading Stock? Securities Lawyer 101

Rule 504 of Regulation D provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the federal securities laws for some companies when they offer and sell up to $5,000,000 of their securities in any 12-month period. A company can use the… Read More

What Are SEC Related Party Disclosures?

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) disclosure requirements for transactions with certain Related Persons are designed to provide shareholders with a clear and complete picture of key financial relationships impacting public companies. Items 404(a)… Read More

FINRA Announces Arbitration Task Force

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On July 17, 2014, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced its 13-member Arbitration Task Force. The task force will consider possible enhancements to its arbitration forum to improve the transparency, impartiality and efficiency… Read More

What is a Stock Promoter? Securities Lawyer 101

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog The securities laws contain specific rules and regulations that apply to issuers who use the services of promoters. These include disclosure obligations under the Securities Act of 1933, (“Securities Act”) and the Securities Exchange… Read More

Disclosure Controls and Procedures & Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer must provide certifications in Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.  The certifications must state that they have reviewed the report, believe that… Read More

SEC Charges Lawbreakers Who Secretly Ran Microcap Company

Posted by Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On July 16, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced SEC charges against James E. Cohen and Joseph Corazzi who secretly controlled Natural Blue Resources including the operational and management decisions of… Read More

Going Public Attorney Insights – Direct Public Offerings

A Going Public Attorney is an important part of the overall going public process.   The issuer’s Going Public Attorney in the beginning of the process assist the company in selecting the best method to obtain public company status…. Read More

The SEC Provides Guidance For Accredited Investor Verification

On July 3, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) six compliance and disclosure interpretations (“CD&I”) providing guidance as to the accredited investor verification in Rule 506(c) offerings.  On September 23, 2013, the Rule 506(c) became effective.  The rule… Read More

What Stock Can I Register on Form S-1?

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog A registration statement on Form S-1 can be used to register various types of securities offerings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).   Form S-1 provides issuers with flexibility in the types of… Read More

SEC Charges Golfers in Scam By: Brenda Hamilton Lawyer

Securities Law Blog On July 11, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against a group of golfing friends, who made more than $554,000 of illegal profits from trading on inside information about Massachusetts-based American Superconductor Corporation.

Direct Public Offering Toolbox l By: Brenda Hamilton Attorney

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog For companies with a reasonable time schedule for going public, a direct public offering provides an appealing method for obtaining public company status.  In a direct public offering, a company’s shares are sold directly to… Read More