Spring 2010 Programs

Please join us on April 27th for an insightful discussion on how boards should start to prepare for the changing M & A environment - both in measuring risk and seizing opportunity. We are pleased to have assembled a truly world class panel to lead the discussion on this topic.

Participants will include:

Robert A. Kindler, Vice Chairman and Global Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, Morgan Stanley

Arnold L. Chavkin, Director, Encore Energy Partners, Managing Director, Pine Brook Road Partners LLC, Former Chief Investment Officer, JP Morgan Partners

Victor E. Grijalva, Director, Transocean Inc., and Dynegy, Inc.; Former Vice Chairman, Schlumberger Limited


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The last decade has seen large, well-respected companies suffer significant - in some cases catastophic - setbacks as a result of compliance failures. Public outrage over recent fraud and corruption scandals has led enforcement agencies to become even more aggressive.

The head of the US Department of Justice's Criminal Division recently declared "a new chapter in white collar criminal enforcement." "Put simply," he said, "the prospect of significant prison sentences for individuals should make it clear to every corporate executive, every board member... that we will seek to hold you personally accountable." The DOJ is "stepp[ing] up resources and focus on financial fraud in all its forms" and would continue to pursue criminal charges "when the corporation fails to implement compliance reforms, changes to its corporate culture, and undertake other measures." What should a Board be doing to ensure an appropriate level of oversight in this new environment? What are the regulators' and shareholders' expectations re: the Board's role in fostering and enhancing compliance oversight and training, in reviewing and implementing appropriate compliance policies, procedures, and strategies? How proactive should (or must) a Board of Directors be in this regard?

Panelists include:

Steven A. Tyrrell, Partner, Weil Gotshal & Manges; Former Chief, Fraud Section of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice

Ray J. Groves, Retired Chair & CEO, Ernst & Young; Former Chair, Marsh Inc.; Director, Boston Scientific

James L. Gunderson, Former Chair of Audit and Compliance Committees, Aibel Group Limited, Chair, NACD-NY, and CEO, Governance and Transactions

Stephen L. Brown, Esq., Director, Corporate Governance, TIAA-CREF