We previously noted that SEC Chair Gary Gensler suggested the SEC would adopt new rules governing SPACs because, in his view, SPACs are very similar to initial public offerings but lack protections available to traditional IPO investors. And now, the SEC has taken concrete steps to treat “like cases alike”
Ben Orlanski
Ben Orlanski is a partner in the Corporate Department and is a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group and the Capital Markets Group. Ben focuses on major corporate transactions and strategically solving critical business challenges. He has significant experience in securities and public company representation; mergers and acquisitions; capital markets transactions; special committee, board of directors and general corporate representation; and corporate governance. His experience covers a wide range of industry sectors, including software-as-a-service, REITs, digital media, specialty manufacturing and consumer products.
Capital Formation and Securities
Ben has significant experience in managing, structuring and executing sophisticated securities and capital raising transactions. His approach reflects understanding of market operation, well-designed capital structure and the practical realities of the capital raising process. He represents public companies and investors in public offerings, registered direct transactions, self-tenders, warrant exchanges/flush transactions, recapitalizations, defensive strategies and secondary offerings. He also advises clients on corporate finance transactions for private businesses, ranging from venture capital and private placements to public offerings and debt restructurings.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Ben has completed scores of transactions representing buyers, sellers, investment bankers and financiers through all phases of the M&A process. He is actively involved in planning, structuring, negotiating and documenting strategic merger and acquisition transactions as well as dispositions of sophisticated enterprises.
General Counsel, Public Reporting and Strategic Advice
Ben acts as outside general counsel for numerous public and private companies, applying a business-like approach to produce practical legal solutions to both day-to-day and exceptional legal challenges. In representing his public clients, Ben has successfully guided the public reporting process for clients facing accounting and SEC challenges, proxy contests, cash flow issues, litigation, shareholder activism and strategic alternatives. He frequently advises on issues related to compliance with insider trading laws and major compliance challenges. He also represents boards of directors and special committees of public companies in special situations, including “interested” transactions, investigations, executive succession planning and sensitive corporate governance issues.