Updates & Events

Fredrikson & Byron attorney Jacob M. Abdo will serve as an attorney grader for the January 2021 GRAMMY® Awards Entertainment Law Initiative writing contest.

Fredrikson & Byron attorneys David L. Lillehaug, Masha M. Yevzelman, Joseph J. Cassioppi, Emily A. Unger and Todd A. Wind have been named to Minnesota Lawyer’s 2020 “Attorneys of the Year.”

Fredrikson & Byron attorneys Brandon R. Underwood, Bridget R. Penick and Bret A. Dublinske received a favorable result from the U.S. Supreme Court in a lawsuit alleging sex discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation under Federal and Iowa law.

Fredrikson & Byron shareholder Tracy L. Deutmeyer has been sworn in to serve as a member of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Trademark Public Advisory Committee for a three-year term through December 1, 2023.

On November 2, 2020, the SEC adopted amendments to the exempt offering framework with the aims of reducing regulatory complexity, facilitating capital formation and expanding investment opportunities.

On November 17, 2020, the SEC adopted amendments to Rule 302(b) of Regulation S-T to permit the use of electronic signatures in connection with SEC filings.

On November 19, 2020, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial disclosure requirements in Regulation S-K with the aim of reducing duplicative disclosure and focusing on material information.

On November 24, 2020, the SEC proposed temporary rules to permit, for five years and subject to certain conditions, a company to provide equity compensation to certain “platform workers” who provide services available through the company’s technology-based marketplace platform.

On November 12, 2020, proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) announced updates to its proxy voting guidelines for the 2021 proxy season, applicable to shareholder meetings on or after February 1, 2021.

The industry has weathered much in the past. Given current conditions and uncertainties, bank boards and management should hope for a vaccine, a strong economy, and world peace, but prepare in case any of that is not achieved in the near term.