Corporate Governance

Corporate governance is the set of processes, customs, policies, laws and institutions affecting the way in which a corporation is directed, administered or controlled. Corporate governance also includes the relationships among the many players involved (the stakeholders) and the goals for which the corporation is governed. The principal players are the shareholders, management and the board of directors. Other stakeholders include employees, suppliers, customers, banks and other lenders, regulators, the environment and the community at large.

Corporate governance is a multi-faceted subject. An important theme of corporate governance deals with issues of accountability and fiduciary duty, essentially advocating the implementation of guidelines and mechanisms to ensure good behavior and protect shareholders. Another key focus is the economic efficiency view, through which the corporate governance system should aim to optimize economic results, with a strong emphasis on shareholders welfare. There are yet other aspects to the corporate governance subject, such as the stakeholder view, which calls for more attention and accountability to players other than the shareholders (e.g. the employees or the environment)

How We Serve Our Clients

With corporate responsibility becoming a hot button issue in the aftermath of some well publicized corporate scandals, the Wenger law firm is well poised to assist our corporate clients in fundamental corporate compliance.  State and federal legislatures have enacted numerous laws to help protect investors and the public.  One of the most notable is Sarbanes Oxley Act, named for the U.S. Senators who introduced the bill before Congress.  This Act governs publicly traded corporations but it sets some standards regarding auditing, oversight, and governance that, if followed, would be beneficial for private corporations in protecting themselves and their investors from potential liability.  In that regard, our attorneys provide advice to boards of directors regarding their fiduciary duties and potential conflicts of interest; independent auditors; developing and amending governance policies and guidelines; codes of ethics and business conduct.  We also conduct internal investigations at the behest of the company or board of directors.