Center for Leadership Development and Research

• Research Paper Abstract (PDF)

Did "Stoneridge" Kill Scheme Liability?

In January 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Stoneridge Investment v. Scientific-Atlanta, labeled by commentators “the most important securities case in a generation”. At issue was whether third party vendors, whose conduct played into a public company’s scheme to defraud investors, could be liable to those investors in a private securities fraud class action. The Stoneridge decision lived up to its billing, establishing important principles concerning the scope of Section 10(b) and private rights of action.

Panelists:

-Timothy S. Bishop, Mayer Brown LLP
-Andrew N. Vollmer, Deputy General Counsel, Securities and Exchange Commission
-Professor Jay Brown, University of Denver Sturm College of Law
-Steven N. Williams, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy

Rock Center Lunch for Students
Speaker: Andrew S. Vollmer, Deputy General Counsel-SEC

Andrew S. Vollmer, Deputy General Counsel, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) discussed Computer Hacking and The US Law on Insider Trading.

• Video
  

Women on Board: How Women Are Gaining Ground in Corporate Governance

While the press has frequently noted that CEOs of large companies are mostly men, what about their boards of directors? Recent research has suggested that multiple women serving on a corporate board can be tied to better financial performance among the Fortune 500. What makes women strong contributors to corporate boards and has this changed how companies view gender balance in their organizational leadership?

This forum examined the impact that women are having in the board room of corporations, as well as how professional women in their early and mid-career can prepare themselves for roles as corporate directors.

Sponsored by: Center for Leadership Development and Research, Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Governance, Stanford Center on Ethics, Women in Management, Women’s Initiative Network.

Moderator

Faculty member Evelyn Williams moderated a panel of board members and board advisors, among them two former CEOs of public companies.

Panelists

	Elizabeth Davila Consultant and Former Chairman and CEO of VISX, Inc. Serves on the boards of Accuray, Inc. and Nugen, Inc.
	Patti Hart Former Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Systems and Excite@Home Serves on the boards of Korn Ferry International, Spansion Inc., Lin TV Corp. and International Game Technology, and previously served on the boards of Plantronics Inc., Vantive Corp., Earthlink, and Premisys Corp.
	John Thompson Vice Chairman, Global CEO and Board Practice, at Heidrick & Struggles Recognized as one of the most respected CEO and Board recruiters in the nation.
	Debra Zumwalt Vice President and General Counsel for Stanford University Formerly a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop LLP, managing partner of the Silicon Valley office and member of the firm's governing board.

March 20, 2008

• Research Paper Abstract (PDF)
  

Panelists:
-Justice Jack Jacobs, Delaware Supreme Court
-Judge Jack Komar, Superior Court of California (Santa Clara County)
-Jordan Eth, Partner, Morrison Foerster    

Moderator:
-Rachelle Silverberg, Partner, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz,  Lecturer in Law and Scholar From Practice at the Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University.

Rock Center Lunch for Students
Delaware 101: Why Delaware Is So Important
Speaker: Justice Jack Jacobs, Delaware Supreme Court

Justice Jack Jacobs of the Delaware Supreme Court, Professor Ronald J. Gilson, Stanford Law School and Rachelle Silverberg, Partner, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz,  Lecturer in Law and Scholar From Practice at the Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University. discussed what you need to know about Delaware, its Courts and its key rulings.

The rulings of the Delaware Chancery Court and Supreme Court set critical precedents that profoundly influence how companies operate, as well as the guidelines for mergers and interactions with investors.

Discussion of the recent JDS Uniphase trial in which plaintiffs sought damages of up to $20 billion. Professor Joseph Grundfest moderated a discussion of the plaintiff’s allegations, the defense strategy and the implications for securities fraud litigation going forward. The panelists included lead defense counsel and the lead expert witness and they discussed implications of the litigation.

Panelists:

-Jordan Eth, Morrison & Foerster
-James P. Bennett, Morrison & Foerster
-Michael L. Charlson, Heller Ehrman
-Michael J. Shepard, Heller Ehrman
-Allan Kleidon, Cornerstone Research

Rock Center Lunch for Students
How the Sub prime Meltdown Brought Sovereign Wealth Funds to Wall Street
Edward F. Greene, General Counsel of Citibank's Markets and Banking Group

Edward F. Greene, General Counsel of Citibank's Markets and Banking Group, spoke to students about the recent investments in Wall Street firms by Sovereign Wealth Funds after the sub prime meltdown and the issues these investments raised for regulators and investors.