Planning an IPO? Don’t Miss Our March Webcasts

Key Takeaways

• Two March webcasts cover IPO compensation and disclosure
• Expert panels include top law firms and compensation consultants
• First webcast focuses on pre‑IPO to post‑IPO compensation strategies
• Second webcast addresses Exchange Act reporting and compliance pitfalls
• CLE credits available; members get free access, non‑members purchase

Summary

Compensation Standards and TheCorporateCounsel.net are hosting two free webcasts in March aimed at companies preparing for an IPO and newly public firms. The March 18 webcast, “Pre‑IPO Through IPO: Compensation Strategies for a Smooth Transition,” will guide executives through equity plan design, 409A valuations, lock‑up rules and post‑IPO compensation governance. The March 24 session, “From S‑1 to 10‑K: Avoiding Disclosure Pitfalls,” will cover Exchange Act reporting, risk‑factor language, Form 8‑K and 10‑K filing, SOX controls and first‑year shareholder meeting logistics. Both events feature panels of senior partners from Morgan Lewis, Cooley, Latham & Watkins and other leading firms, and offer CLE credit for participants.

Pulse Analysis

The path from private to public ownership brings a cascade of compensation complexities that can derail even well‑funded startups. Equity‑plan redesign, 409A valuation updates, lock‑up restrictions and new executive award structures must align with SEC expectations and shareholder scrutiny. By convening compensation experts from Morgan Lewis, Alpine Rewards and Pearl Meyer, the March 18 webcast provides a step‑by‑step framework that helps boards and HR leaders translate pre‑IPO equity grants into transparent, market‑ready remuneration packages. Practitioners gain concrete templates for employment agreements, severance clauses and governance policies that survive the heightened disclosure regime of a listed company.

Beyond pay, newly listed firms confront a steep learning curve in Exchange Act reporting. The March 24 session tackles the most common SEC comments, from vague risk‑factor language to incomplete forward‑looking statements, and demystifies the mechanics of Form 8‑K, Form 10‑K and proxy filings. Panelists from Wilson Sonsini, Cooley and Gibson Dunn illustrate how early integration of SOX controls and internal‑audit processes can prevent costly restatements and investor backlash. Their insights underscore that proactive disclosure planning is not a legal afterthought but a strategic advantage in the first year of public life.

Both webinars double as continuing‑legal‑education opportunities, granting participants CLE credits in most jurisdictions—a rare incentive that encourages timely attendance and knowledge retention. Membership to CompensationStandards.com or TheCorporateCounsel.net unlocks free live access, replay archives and a 100‑day refund guarantee, lowering the barrier for smaller companies to obtain premium counsel. As the IPO market rebounds, the demand for specialized, on‑demand education is rising, positioning these platforms as essential partners for firms seeking to navigate compensation design and regulatory compliance without hiring full‑time in‑house experts.