Graydon Head & Ritchey is a trusted legal advisor to financial service industry public and private companies, large and small.  For over 130 years, we have assisted our clients in complying with ever-changing laws, rules and regulations to facilitate the formation of a multitude of financial services industry business ventures, the negotiation and completion of sophisticated transactions, the design and structure of executive compensation packages and employee benefit plans, and, when necessary, defending their legal rights in court.  In so representing our financial services industry clients, we have provided counsel on a wide variety of complex, and often gray, legal issues that boards of directors and executive officers routinely face in governing their companies effectively and with integrity.

Since the enactment of The Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, substantially more political, regulatory and media attention has been given to “corporate governance” than at any time in recent history.  While such attention is warranted in light of the well-chronicled recent misdeeds of all-too-many large public companies and their executives, the need for good corporate governance for financial service industry clients from both a business and a legal perspective is nothing new.  However, the dramatic increases and harshness in potential criminal penalties, civil claims and public perceptions  that could arise from violations, even inadvertent, are much too great to risk not being legally compliant.  Our experience tells us that a company’s reputation is one of its most valuable assets, to be protected and enhanced through effective corporate governance.

GH&R can assist financial service industry public and private companies in creating and implementing appropriate policies, practices and procedures for effective corporate governance that will comply with all applicable laws and better position our clients to take advantage of exit strategy opportunities that might arise, whether a merger, sale or initial public offering.  Public companies are well aware of the importance of corporate governance, but implementing effective corporate governance measures is also becoming increasingly more important for privately held companies as well.  Prospective acquirers, investors and lenders will thoroughly examine a company’s corporate governance efforts and will insist upon comprehensive representations and warranties regarding these matters for which indemnification will be required.

GH&R’s lawyers focus both on prevention and on intervention after a situation develops, bringing together the breadth of experience and necessary resources to guide our clients successfully through the required legal compliance steps and to respond if a corporation, director or officer is confronted with a sudden legal crisis.  While we are prepared to react quickly to any unexpected corporate claims or investigations that might arise, we believe that our best value lies in counseling prevention.  GH&R’s corporate governance team can help your company design and implement legally compliant corporate governance policies and procedures appropriate for your particular circumstances and can assess your existing practices to limit potential liability.