Governance Watch: Corporate Political Spending
Governance Watch

Governance Watch: Corporate Political Spending

June 2013


12 June, 2013 | (01 hr)

The 2013 proxy season is well underway and this year saw another large focus on corporate political activity in the way of shareholder proposals. At the same time, reports suggest that the SEC is considering the 2011 proposal submitted by a group of ten academics calling for disclosure. And with increased focus on 501(c)4s as a result of the IRS scandal, scrutiny is only likely to grow as to how companies participate in trade associations, 501(c)4 organizations, and lobbying.

This Governance Watch will cover the latest key issues such as:

  • The latest practices by corporations resulting from engagement with investors and others on the issue
  • How companies are responding to increasing calls for disclosure of trade association and 501(c)4 contributions and "grassroots" lobbying expenses.
  • Prospects for activity from the SEC on the issue
  • The impact of the 2013 proxy season and what we might see for 2014

Audience: Corporate secretaries, directors of corporate governance, heads of government and public affairs, heads of corporate citizenship, heads of governance and portfolio managers of institutional investors.

Speakers

Bruce F. Freed

Bruce F. Freed
President and Founder
Center for Political Accountability

Bruce F. Freed is President and a founder of the Center for Political Accountability. In addition to heading the Center, he is a member of the advisory board of the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the University of Pennsylvania's Wh... Full Bio

Wesley Bizzell

Wesley Bizzell
Assistant General Counsel
Altria Client Services Inc.

Wesley Bizzell serves as Assistant General Counsel, Government Affairs for Altria Client Services Inc. (“ALCS”). Mr. Bizzell provides in-house legal counsel on matters relating to the political, legislative, and lobbying activities of ... Full Bio

David Becker

David Becker (Moderator)
Partner
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Mr. Becker practices in the areas of securities regulation, corporate governance, securities enforcement, and internal investigations. He represents companies, boards of directors and senior officers in the United States and abroad on matters invo... Full Bio

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