Advocacy Overview

What

Since its inception, the Society has been committed to serving as a leading voice on key governance, securities law, and, more recently, sustainability disclosure-related issues  for U.S. public and private companies. The Society actively monitors developments, informs our members, engages with policymakers and other stakeholders, and advocates on behalf of our members with key policymakers on these areas. The Society plays a unique role that has a real impact on regulatory, legislative, and judicial decision making by providing expert, non-partisan, and balanced advocacy that reflects our members’ practical experiences. We have been a consistent voice for policies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of governance and disclosure requirements, enabling our members to adopt practices that are tailored to their circumstances and serve their companies’ long-term interests.

How

The Society’s policy agenda is informed by our members through several of our National Committees, informal working groups, member surveys, and individual members' suggestions.  

Based on that input, the Society’s Policy Advisory Committee advises and assists the Society’s Board of Directors, committee chairs, and staff in identifying issues of importance to the Society and its members; formulating research, communication, education, and advocacy plans associated with those issues; and coordinating the Society’s execution of those plans.

Where

While much of the Society’s policy work focuses on the SEC, we also actively address issues in Congress, other federal regulatory agencies, state legislative and regulatory bodies, federal and state courts, as well as international standard-setting entities, and proxy advisory firms.

Who

While the Society staff coordinates our advocacy efforts, the Society’s members play pivotal leadership roles. Society members have multiple opportunities to participate directly in our interactions with policymakers, which enhances the effectiveness of our efforts, whether through meetings with federal and state legislators, SEC Commissioners and staff, and other policymakers and standard setters. In addition to those direct interactions, the Society relies upon the Securities Law Committee, other member working groups, individual members, and outside counsel to support our oral and written advocacy efforts.


For more information on the Society’s advocacy efforts directed toward specific regulators or other stakeholders, please click on the links below. 

SEC 

Courts

Standard Setters

Other Federal Regulators

States

International 

Congress

Proxy Advisors

Comment Letter/Amicus Brief Archive