New Releases by Joan MacLeod

Required disclosures under U.S. securities laws, whether mandated by line-item disclosure rules, gap-filling regulations, or antifraud provisions, tend to focus principally, although not exclusively, on corporate facts - information about an issuer of securities or a transaction involving an issuer of securities. Although there are line-item disclosure rules that require the public revelation of personal facts about executive officers (both by the issuer and by the executive himself or herself), these rules are limited in scope.However, public disclosure of executives'' personal facts not covered by these line-item rules still may be required under applicable gap-filling regulations or antifraud provisions. The analysis of whether and, if so, when to disclose personal facts about an executive officer under these regulations and provisions may be difficult. The lynchpin in that analysis is a decision as to whether the personal facts are material under applicable formulations of the judge-made materiality standard. These materiality determinations may be complex and emotionally laden.This paper argues for an enhancement of federal disclosure rules as they relate to personal facts about executive officers of public companies. The paper first summarizes significant existing requirements for disclosure about executive officers. Then, the paper argues that the existing federal securities law regime applicable to public company executive disclosures of personal facts is deficient in three respects. Specifically, existing disclosure requirements place too much discretion in the hands of executives, cause pressure on important individual rights, and tend to cause investors and markets to overreact. As a response, the paper proposes limited federal securities rule changes designed to more effectively and efficiently manage the public release of personal facts about public company executives.

Is it a substance-abusing petty criminal who''s robbing this elderly couple of their possessions, security and family--or something else?

In his 2007 book lt;igt;No Seat at the Tablelt;/igt;, Professor Douglas Branson aptly describes how patterns of male dominance inherent in the legal structures of corporate governance reproduce themselves again and again to keep women out of executive suites and boardrooms, and then he offers a practical way to break this cycle of dominance-through paradigm shifting. A central value of Professor Branson''s book derives from this thesis, as well as his use of nontraditional empirical data and interdisciplinary literature (in addition to more traditional decisional law and legal scholarship) to support the positions he takes. Moreover, lt;igt;No Seat at the Tablelt;/igt; is an invaluable resource because it collects in one volume varied research materials and related information at the intersection of women and corporate boards and because it offers further support for diversification of boards of directors as part of the overall effort to strengthen corporate governance practices and promote more productive, efficient, and trustworthy corporations.This review is designed to explore these strengths - and a few related weaknesses - in Professor Branson''s approach. Specifically, the review highlights three key strengths of Professor Branson''s work: his thorough and useful report of 2001 and 2005 proxy data from public company filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, his account of the effects of tokenism in the boardroom, and his analysis of the obstacles women face in climbing the rungs to the top of the corporate ladder. The review then evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of his proposed paradigm shifting as an effective way to procure female advancement to executive ranks and board positions. Finally, the review examines the potential shortcomings of Professor Branson''s observation and suggestion that the differences between men and women are inconsequential and should be minimized and, further, how these statements (when taken out of context) conflict with his efforts to keep women in the pipeline toward upper management.

This play about the charismatic Jhana and her family draws from MacLeod''s experience working with mentally handicapped adults and children.

Between 1860 and 1930, more than 80,000 British children were "exported" to Canada. Cast of 5 women and 3 men.

The Shape of a Girl and Jewel offer sober glimpses into complicated terrain--the teenage world and the offshore oil rig.

A student''s life changes when sponsors a Salvadoran refugee as a class project. Cast of 2 women and 3 men.