Potential Impact of the CTA Enforcement Ban in Texas Top Cop Shop v. Garland et al.

On December 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas filed a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which mandates companies disclose beneficial ownership information. This injunction was issued in response to the case, Texas Top Cop Shop v. Garland et al. (Case 4:24-cv-00478). Texas Judge Mazzant, who issued the judgment, ruled that corporate regulation falls under state jurisdiction, not federal.
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Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Other Protections for Investors

Structuring a business strategically plays a major role in optimizing benefits and in protecting the business from potential issues.  Another important facet of strategically structuring a business is to plan for the unexpected and put in place safety nets and contingency plans in the event of a business threat. This is the core principle of risk mitigation. What happens if a business owner is unable or unwilling to pay off a personal debt? Can creditors come after their business assets? It depends.… Read More

SEC Releases EXAMS Priorities for 2025

On Oct. 21, 2024 , the US Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) published a press release announcing their 2025 Examination Priorities. Many of the focus areas come as no surprise, as the SEC has diligently alerted industry and investors alike to what their areas of concern have been throughout the year. There are, however, a few areas that registrants may find require an extra review or a deeper dive.… Read More

Regulatory Focus On Off-Channel Communications: What You Need to Know for Your Compliance Program

Director of Operations and Counsel Kathryn Konzen, Esq. explores the vulnerabilities to cyberattacks in the financial sector in the article titled “Cybersecurity: Regulatory Compliance, Attacks, and Risk Mitigation,” published in GRC Outlook. The article offers insight into why the sector remains a target for cybercriminals and how to mitigate cyber risks.… Read More

Private Funds Adviser Charged for Integration Doctrine Violations

The Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently charged a Private Funds Adviser for violations of the Registration and Custody rules, specifically as they relate to integration doctrines.

This is the first SEC enforcement action in over ten years against an Investment Adviser for violations against the Integration Doctrine. The Integration Doctrine is set forth in Rule 152 of the Securities Act of 1933 and prevents the separating of single offerings into multiple offerings to take advantage of exemptions that would otherwise not be available if the offering was not divided.… Read More

Policies and Procedures- SEC Priorities and Areas of Scrutiny

As part of any Compliance Program, your Policies and Procedures provide one of the strongest internal controls for what to do, and when. Policies and Procedures are critical for helping to mitigate risk and provide direction to employees on how to comply with the various securities regulations that govern your business. That is why it is so important, prior to year-end, to review and update Policies and Procedures to ensure they are customized to your business practices, with consideration for new regulations and use of technology to help govern your firm.… Read More

SEC, FINRA Crack Down on “Duty of Care” Violations

Enforcement actions are once again on the rise. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) are cracking down on violations of “Duty of Care” highlighting the importance of making sure your clients’ best interests are always top of mind.… Read More

Are you a Prime Target for SEC EXAMS? Determining your Risk Quotient and How to Prepare.

A common question that investment advisers often wonder is: When is the next time the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) will examine me?

The answer to this often lies in the risk quotient tied to the firm.

When the last time the adviser was examined, new products and service offerings, and tips, referrals and complaints all factor into this. The SEC has a risk-based approach to determining when advisers should be examined which also can be driven by new rules and resources available to the SEC staff to conduct registrant examinations.… Read More

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