Latham & Watkins LLP

Ellen Smiley advises clients on the complex legal issues that arise in the course of life as a public company.

Ellen combines her deep technical knowledge with commercial resourcefulness to guide public companies on corporate governance and US securities laws. She helps clients navigate:

• • Disclosure requirements and related considerations
  • Director independence
  • Insider trading restrictions
  • Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability issues
  • Proxy advisory firm voting recommendations
  • Stockholder proposals
  • Formal and informal US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) inquiries
  • Sarbanes-Oxley
  • New developments, latest rulemaking, and evolving best practices in public company reporting, disclosure, and governance matters

She serves as a trusted advisor to both established and newly listed public companies of all sizes, from emerging companies to Fortune 500 enterprises, spanning diverse industries and jurisdictions. Balancing clients’ unique circumstances and pressure points, Ellen crafts workable solutions within the parameters of a public company’s regulatory regime and company-specific construct. Her nimble approach in times of volatility helps clients forecast and pre-empt potential issues relating to their business.

A recognized thought leader, Ellen regularly presents at industry events on topics essential to public companies. Within the firm, Ellen develops knowledge management tools and resources for the Public Company Representation practice and clients, and consistently garners recognition for these contributions.