Publications - Gibson Dunn

Publications

Our lawyers provide sophisticated analysis, practical guidance and thought leadership on a wide range of topics. We encourage our readers to review this collection of client alerts, articles and white papers and benefit from the authors’ exceptional experience, market knowledge, practiced judgment and singular insights.

Select a Topic:
Select a Practice:
Select an Office:
Lidow v. Superior Court: In Employment Law Context, California Declines to Apply Delaware’s Corporate Internal Affairs Doctrine

When the former CEO of a Delaware corporation headquartered in California sues his employer for retaliatory termination, which state's laws apply?  In its recent decision in Lidow v. Superior Court, a California Court of Appeal allowed the ex-CEO's claims to proceed under California law, refusing to apply a conflict of laws principle known as the "internal affairs doctrine," which otherwise would have barred his action under Delaware law.The internal affairs doctrine holds that the laws of the state of incorporation should normally govern a corporation's internal affairs.  The United States Supreme Court, citing this doctrine with approval, has described "internal affairs" as "matters peculiar to the relationships among or between the corporation and i

Client Alert | June 26, 2012

UK Government Announces Details of Binding Shareholder Votes on Executive Pay

Earlier this year we reported on the UK Government's proposals to give shareholders of companies greater influence over executive pay through the use of binding votes.

Client Alert | June 21, 2012

In a Ruling with Important Implications for Courts’ Deference to Agencies, U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Department of Labor Position on Overtime for “Outside Sales” Employees

The United States Supreme Court ruled yesterday that pharmaceutical sales representatives are "outside sales" employees who are exempt from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA").

Client Alert | June 19, 2012

Supreme Court Round-Up: A Summary of Recent Opinions, Upcoming Arguments, and Other Developments (June 15, 2012)

As the Supreme Court winds down its 2011 Term, Gibson Dunn's Supreme Court Round-Up is summarizing the opinions the Court has already released, the issues presented in cases that will be argued, and other key developments.  The Court has issued decisions in over fifty-five cases already this Term, including five cases in which Gibson Dunn is involved.Spearheaded by former Solicitor General Theodore B.

Client Alert | June 15, 2012

Searching questions: Freedom of expression, competition and search engines

Brussels partner David Wood is the author of "Searching questions: Freedom of expression, competition and search engines" [PDF] published in Competition Law Insight on June 12, 2012.

Client Alert | June 12, 2012

Coeur Défense Judgment Broadens Scope of French Safeguard Procedures

Paris partner Jean-Philippe Robé and London partner Wayne McArdle are the authors of "Coeur Défense Judgment Broadens Scope of French Safeguard Procedures" [PDF] published in the Second Quarter 2012 issue of INSOL World.

Client Alert | June 11, 2012

Role Of Contracts, Ownership In AISLIC Trial And Beyond

Los Angeles partner Jeffrey Dintzer and associate Dana Craig are the authors of "Role Of Contracts, Ownership In AISLIC Trial And Beyond" [PDF] published by Law360 on June 8, 2012, at www.law360.com.

Client Alert | June 8, 2012

President Obama Signs Order Targeting “Foreign Sanctions Evaders”

On May 1, 2012, President Obama signed Executive Order 13608 "Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria" ("FSE E.O.").[i] The FSE E.O.

Client Alert | June 7, 2012

LP boards: A liability shield

New York partner Edward Nelson and associate Timothy Abbott are the authors of "LP boards: A liability shield" [PDF] published in Private Equity Manager on June 5, 2012.

Client Alert | June 5, 2012

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

New York partner Joel Cohen and associate Anya Grossmann are the authors of "Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" [PDF] which appeared as Chapter 7 in The US Private Real Estate Fund Compliance Guide published by Private Equity International in June 2012.

Article | June 1, 2012

Don’t You Forget About Me: The Continuing Viability of the FCPA’s Facilitating Payments Exception

Washington, D.C. partner Michael Diamant and associate Jesenka Mrdjenovic are the authors of “Don’t You Forget About Me: The Continuing Viability of the FCPA’s Facilitating Payments Exception” [PDF] published in Volume 73 of the Ohio St.

Article | May 31, 2012

SEC Staff Guidance on Shareholder Proposals During 2012 Proxy Season

There have been a number of significant shareholder proposals submitted during the 2012 proxy season to date.  This alert summarizes notable responses by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") staff (the "Staff") to no-action requests concerning many of these shareholder proposals.  By way of background, according to Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS"), 1,105 proposals have been submitted to companies to date for 2012 annual meetings.  As of May 22, 2012, 303 no-action requests had been submitted to the SEC since October 1, 2011.  This is comparable to the number of shareholder proposal no-action requests submitted during a similar period in 2011.  Moreover, repeating the experience in 2011, the number o

Client Alert | May 29, 2012

The TSCA, Lead and The Division Of The Hazardous Bullet

Orange County associates James Sabovich and Heather Hearne are the authors of "The TSCA, Lead and The Division Of The Hazardous Bullet" [PDF] published by Law360 on May 24, 2012 at www.law360.com.

Client Alert | May 24, 2012

SEC Announces New Three-Part Examination Strategy for Newly Registered Private Fund Advisers

In recent weeks, senior officials from the SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations ("OCIE") have revealed a three-part examination strategy for newly registered private fund advisers.  Most notably, this strategy will result in tailored examinations of a significant portion of new registrants being performed over the next 12 to 24 months.  With an SEC examination imminent for most newly registered private fund advisers, new registrants should consider being proactive and prepare to meet forthcoming OCIE document and data requests.  Advisers would also be well-advised to remain cognizant of the increasing risk of an OCIE examination developing into an investigation by the SEC's Division of Enforcement ("Enforcement"), and look for opportuni

Client Alert | May 22, 2012

Recent Trends in Joint Venture Exit and Termination Provisions

Where tax and other considerations make it possible, we find many of our clients use the joint venture structure because it provides tremendous flexibility to the joint venture partners in structuring their relations and determining how the joint venture will operate.  Most savvy joint venture partners also enjoy the flexibility the joint venture structure allows in deciding when and how partners can unwind or exit the venture.  The exit and termination provisions of a joint venture are almost always a key issue in negotiations in forming a joint venture, and the joint venture structure allows the parties to tailor creative solutions to meet the specific business goals and needs of the joint venture partners and the joint venture itself.  This alert explores common concepts

Client Alert | May 21, 2012

Delaware Court of Chancery Expedites Proceedings to Enjoin Enforcement of Advance Notice Bylaw

The Delaware Court of Chancery recently issued an opinion granting Carl Icahn's motion to expedite proceedings to determine whether to enjoin enforcement of Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s advance notice bylaw.

Client Alert | May 17, 2012

Supreme Court Round-Up: A Summary of Recent Opinions, Upcoming Arguments, and Other Developments (May 17, 2012)

As the Supreme Court winds down its 2011 Term, Gibson Dunn's Supreme Court Round-Up is summarizing the opinions the Court has already released, the issues presented in cases that will be argued, and other key developments.  The Court has issued decisions in over forty-five cases already this Term, including five of the eleven cases in which Gibson Dunn is involved.

Client Alert | May 17, 2012

Dodd-Frank Act Implementation: Impact of Title VII and Related CFTC and SEC Regulations on Derivatives End-Users

This alert focuses on the impact that Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and related regulations will likely have on both financial and nonfinancial end-users.  While Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act provides certain exceptions for swap end-users with respect to margin, clearing, execution and other requirements, regulators have not provided definitive guidance regarding these and other issues affecting end-users resulting from Title VII.  Imposing costly regulatory burdens may impact end-users' abilities to efficiently hedge and manage their risks.  End-user clients still have an opportunity to shape many areas through public comment; however, where final rules exist, end-user clients must (1) unders

Client Alert | May 16, 2012

First Steps upon Receiving an Unsolicited Takeover Proposal

Hostile bids continue to be a popular M&A strategy both domestically and internationally. Moreover, the gradual erosion of staggered boards and other antitakeover defenses in the U.S.

Client Alert | May 14, 2012

Protect or Participate?

London associate Kristy Grant is the author of “Protect or participate?” [PDF] published in Legal Week on May 11, 2012.

Article | May 11, 2012