Corporate Governance Issues For 2015

An analysis of recent and not so recent trends in corporate governance, from Sidley Austin partner Holly J. Gregory.  By and large, she writes, governance has become more “shareholder-centric,” with results that are not necessarily what the boosters of this trend have claimed for it. With that as context, she looks at some corporate governance issues that are likely to be on the table in the coming year, and beyond. Among them: tensions between achieving short-term returns and making long-term investment; the impact of shareholder activism on board decisions; shareholder litigation and the reactive use of corporate by-laws to protect boards; concerns about proxy advisor power and influence; drawing the line between board oversight and management; and rebuilding society’s trust in the corporation.