Business Newsletters

CORPORATE DIRECTORS - AN OVERVIEW OF FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES

AN OVERVIEW OF FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Employers have a general duty under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to provide a workplace free from "recognized" hazards. A violation of this duty can lead to criminal sanctions in addition to civil penalties. An employer can also be exposed to liability under occupational safety and health regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Department of Labor. Directors and high-level executive officers must act to reduce or eliminate workplace dangers or risk OSHA liability.

Investment Advisor Codes of Ethics

Rule 204A-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, adopted pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, requires implementation of codes of ethics by investment advisers. Each adviser's code of ethics must include a standard of conduct and must require compliance with federal securities laws. The codes also must require that investment adviser employees must report their personal stock transactions, and copies of the codes must be made available to clients of the investment advisor.

Trademark Law

(Federal False Advertising and False Designation of Origin Claims)

Directors' Duty of Care

The duty of care requires a director to make business decisions in the best interests of the corporation in good faith, with due diligence, and with the skill and judgment of an ordinary person under the circumstances. Claims for breach of the duty of care that involve a failure to act typically allege that directors did not adequately supervise corporate executives or key employees.