Four Decades for Justice
John W. White is Chair of the Corporate Governance and Board Advisory Practice. From 2006 through 2008, he served as Director of the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees disclosure and reporting by public companies in the United States.
During his over 30 years as a partner at Cravath, Mr. White has focused his practice on representing public companies in a wide variety of areas, including public reporting responsibilities, corporate governance and ESG matters, public financings and restatements and other financial crises.
While on the SEC staff, Mr. White led the Division through one of the most significant and prolific rulemaking periods in its history, including the Commission’s adoption of final rules addressing executive compensation disclosure, Sarbanes‑Oxley Section 404’s internal control requirements, internet access to proxy materials, oil and gas disclosure, use of interactive data in financial reporting, shareholder proposals relating to the election of directors, private offerings, and capital raising and reporting by smaller public companies, as well as the Commission’s issuance of guidance regarding the use of corporate websites. International initiatives included acceptance of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by foreign private issuers, the proposed roadmap for use of IFRS by U.S. issuers and modernizing the Commission’s rules on cross‑border tender offers and deregistration and exemption from registration of foreign issuers, as well as revisions to the public reporting regime for foreign private issuers. He played an integral role in the SEC’s response to market turmoil throughout 2008, ensuring that the Division acted swiftly and appropriately to facilitate strategic transactions and access to capital for public companies.
Mr. White has served as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC), which advises the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and currently serves as a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Standards and Emerging Issues Advisory Group. Mr. White also serves on the Board of Directors of Financial Executives International (FEI). He is a frequent speaker on corporate governance, ESG and the securities laws. Mr. White served three years on the New York Stock Exchange’s Legal Advisory Committee, four years as Chairman of the Securities Regulation Institute and five years as Co‑Chair of PLI’s Annual Institute on Securities Regulation. He is currently a member of the Annual Institute’s Advisory Committee as well as the Advisory Committee for PLI’s Annual Institute in Europe. Additionally, he serves as an inaugural member of The American College of Governance Counsel. Mr. White was twice selected by National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as one of the 100 most influential people in the boardroom and corporate governance community. He has been recognized by Chambers USA in both securities regulation and capital markets, as well as by The Legal 500 US, The Best Lawyers in America and Ethisphere Institute’s “Attorneys Who Matter.” Lawdragon has named Mr. White a nationwide “Legend” and inducted him as a “Power Broker” into its “Hall of Fame.”
Mr. White received a B.S. with honors in accounting from the University of Virginia in 1970, and in May 1970 he received the Elijah Watts Sells award for the highest score in the nation on the Uniform CPA Examination. He received a J.D. magna cum laude from New York University School of Law in 1973, where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review. Before joining Cravath, Mr. White served as a law clerk to Hon. John J. Gibbons of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mr. White joined Cravath in 1975 and was elected a partner in 1980. At Cravath, he has served as Recruiting Partner, Corporate Managing Partner, Finance Partner and twice as Head of the Corporate Department.
While on the SEC staff, Mr. White led the Division through one of the most significant and prolific rulemaking periods in its history, including the Commission’s adoption of final rules addressing executive compensation disclosure, Sarbanes‑Oxley Section 404’s internal control requirements, internet access to proxy materials, oil and gas disclosure, use of interactive data in financial reporting, shareholder proposals relating to the election of directors, private offerings, and capital raising and reporting by smaller public companies, as well as the Commission’s issuance of guidance regarding the use of corporate websites. International initiatives included acceptance of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by foreign private issuers, the proposed roadmap for use of IFRS by U.S. issuers and modernizing the Commission’s rules on cross‑border tender offers and deregistration and exemption from registration of foreign issuers, as well as revisions to the public reporting regime for foreign private issuers. He played an integral role in the SEC’s response to market turmoil throughout 2008, ensuring that the Division acted swiftly and appropriately to facilitate strategic transactions and access to capital for public companies.
Mr. White has served as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC), which advises the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and currently serves as a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Standards and Emerging Issues Advisory Group. Mr. White also serves on the Board of Directors of Financial Executives International (FEI). He is a frequent speaker on corporate governance, ESG and the securities laws. Mr. White served three years on the New York Stock Exchange’s Legal Advisory Committee, four years as Chairman of the Securities Regulation Institute and five years as Co‑Chair of PLI’s Annual Institute on Securities Regulation. He is currently a member of the Annual Institute’s Advisory Committee as well as the Advisory Committee for PLI’s Annual Institute in Europe. Additionally, he serves as an inaugural member of The American College of Governance Counsel. Mr. White was twice selected by National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as one of the 100 most influential people in the boardroom and corporate governance community. He has been recognized by Chambers USA in both securities regulation and capital markets, as well as by The Legal 500 US, The Best Lawyers in America and Ethisphere Institute’s “Attorneys Who Matter.” Lawdragon has named Mr. White a nationwide “Legend” and inducted him as a “Power Broker” into its “Hall of Fame.”
Mr. White received a B.S. with honors in accounting from the University of Virginia in 1970, and in May 1970 he received the Elijah Watts Sells award for the highest score in the nation on the Uniform CPA Examination. He received a J.D. magna cum laude from New York University School of Law in 1973, where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review. Before joining Cravath, Mr. White served as a law clerk to Hon. John J. Gibbons of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mr. White joined Cravath in 1975 and was elected a partner in 1980. At Cravath, he has served as Recruiting Partner, Corporate Managing Partner, Finance Partner and twice as Head of the Corporate Department.
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
International Bar Association
New York City Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB) Standing Advisory Group
Financial Executives International (FEI)
Securities Regulation Institute
Practising Law Institute
PLI Securities Regulation in Europe
New York Stock Exchange Legal Advisory Committee
SEC Historical Society
The American College of Governance Counsel
Chambers Global
Chambers USA
The American Lawyer
Best Lawyers in America
Lawdragon
The Legal 500 US
NACD Directorship
Ethisphere Institute’s “Attorneys Who Matter”
Elijah Watts Sells Award (Highest score in the nation on the Uniform CPA Examination), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1970
Law and Policy Award (Sarbanes‑Oxley Section 404), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2007
Deals & Cases
February 14, 2023
On February 9, 2023, The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) issued a statement in response to Nelson Peltz’s announcement that Trian Fund is no longer pursuing a proxy contest at Disney. Cravath represented Disney in connection with this matter.
Deals & Cases
November 29, 2021
Cravath represented Vaxxinity, Inc. in connection with its initial public offering. Vaxxinity is a U.S.‑based global biotechnology company pioneering a new class of immunotherapeutic vaccines to democratize health. Shares began trading on November 11, 2021 on The Nasdaq Global Market.
Deals & Cases
April 07, 2018
On March 26, 2018, Cravath client Akorn, Inc. (“Akorn”), a U.S.-based manufacturer and marketer of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, reached a settlement in a civil action brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint alleged financial reporting, books and records, and internal accounting controls violations in connection with Akorn’s accounting restatements for the fiscal year 2014. Akorn cooperated with the SEC and, pursuant to the settlement, did not admit or deny the SEC's allegations or pay any financial sanction.
Deals & Cases
December 02, 2016
On December 2, 2016, Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock III of the Delaware Court of Chancery dismissed two shareholder derivative lawsuits alleging that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation improperly handled foreign exchange transactions. His decision was based in part on an independent internal investigation conducted by Cravath that concluded the claims had no sound legal basis.
Activities & Publications
August 02, 2023
On August 1, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC Adopts Cybersecurity Disclosure Rules for Public Companies.” The memo examines the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recently adopted final rules regarding disclosure by public companies, including foreign private issuers, of cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance and related incidents. The final rules will significantly expand public companies’ reporting obligations with respect to cybersecurity matters. The memo outlines the new reporting requirements, timeline for compliance and next steps for companies to consider as they evaluate their existing cybersecurity policies and procedures.
Activities & Publications
June 23, 2023
Cravath partners John W, White and Elad Roisman and of counsel Lisa M. Kohl participated in the Society for Corporate Governance’s 2023 National Conference, which was held from June 20‑23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. On June 20th, John and Lisa spoke on a panel entitled “Examining the Intersection of Legal and Audit,” which examined issues related to in‑house counsel’s interactions with internal and external auditors and the standards of professional conduct and ethical responsibilities applicable to attorneys practicing before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). On June 21st, Elad spoke on a panel entitled “SEC Update,” which reviewed recent developments at the SEC including rulemakings, comment letter and review trends and recent enforcement actions.
Activities & Publications
June 15, 2023
On June 15, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “NYSE and Nasdaq Clawback Listing Standards Effective as of October 2, 2023.” The memo examines amendments proposed by the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market to their listing standards in order to implement the clawback requirements of the Dodd‑Frank Act, which were recently approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The memo outlines timeline considerations and recommended next steps for companies following the amendments’ approval.
Activities & Publications
June 02, 2023
On June 1, 2023, Cravath partners John W. White and Jennifer S. Leete participated in the 41st Annual SEC and Financial Reporting Institute Conference, which was hosted by the University of Southern California’s Leventhal School of Accounting in Los Angeles, CA. The conference featured business and accounting executives and leading professionals from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to discuss recent SEC and financial reporting issues. John is Chair of the Institute’s Advisory Board.
Activities & Publications
May 18, 2023
On May 18, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC Amends Rules Requiring Disclosures of Issuer Share Repurchase and Rule 10b5‑1 Plans.” The memo examines the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recently adopted final rules on a number of disclosure requirements related to issuer share repurchases. The memo outlines key features of the new rules, the new tabular disclosures, the new narrative disclosures about issuer 10b5‑1 plans and issuer repurchases, and recommendations for companies. Cravath also published a tailored version of the memo for Foreign Private Issuers.
John W. White is Chair of the Corporate Governance and Board Advisory Practice. From 2006 through 2008, he served as Director of the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees disclosure and reporting by public companies in the United States.
During his over 30 years as a partner at Cravath, Mr. White has focused his practice on representing public companies in a wide variety of areas, including public reporting responsibilities, corporate governance and ESG matters, public financings and restatements and other financial crises.
While on the SEC staff, Mr. White led the Division through one of the most significant and prolific rulemaking periods in its history, including the Commission’s adoption of final rules addressing executive compensation disclosure, Sarbanes‑Oxley Section 404’s internal control requirements, internet access to proxy materials, oil and gas disclosure, use of interactive data in financial reporting, shareholder proposals relating to the election of directors, private offerings, and capital raising and reporting by smaller public companies, as well as the Commission’s issuance of guidance regarding the use of corporate websites. International initiatives included acceptance of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by foreign private issuers, the proposed roadmap for use of IFRS by U.S. issuers and modernizing the Commission’s rules on cross‑border tender offers and deregistration and exemption from registration of foreign issuers, as well as revisions to the public reporting regime for foreign private issuers. He played an integral role in the SEC’s response to market turmoil throughout 2008, ensuring that the Division acted swiftly and appropriately to facilitate strategic transactions and access to capital for public companies.
Mr. White has served as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC), which advises the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and currently serves as a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Standards and Emerging Issues Advisory Group. Mr. White also serves on the Board of Directors of Financial Executives International (FEI). He is a frequent speaker on corporate governance, ESG and the securities laws. Mr. White served three years on the New York Stock Exchange’s Legal Advisory Committee, four years as Chairman of the Securities Regulation Institute and five years as Co‑Chair of PLI’s Annual Institute on Securities Regulation. He is currently a member of the Annual Institute’s Advisory Committee as well as the Advisory Committee for PLI’s Annual Institute in Europe. Additionally, he serves as an inaugural member of The American College of Governance Counsel. Mr. White was twice selected by National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as one of the 100 most influential people in the boardroom and corporate governance community. He has been recognized by Chambers USA in both securities regulation and capital markets, as well as by The Legal 500 US, The Best Lawyers in America and Ethisphere Institute’s “Attorneys Who Matter.” Lawdragon has named Mr. White a nationwide “Legend” and inducted him as a “Power Broker” into its “Hall of Fame.”
Mr. White received a B.S. with honors in accounting from the University of Virginia in 1970, and in May 1970 he received the Elijah Watts Sells award for the highest score in the nation on the Uniform CPA Examination. He received a J.D. magna cum laude from New York University School of Law in 1973, where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review. Before joining Cravath, Mr. White served as a law clerk to Hon. John J. Gibbons of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mr. White joined Cravath in 1975 and was elected a partner in 1980. At Cravath, he has served as Recruiting Partner, Corporate Managing Partner, Finance Partner and twice as Head of the Corporate Department.
While on the SEC staff, Mr. White led the Division through one of the most significant and prolific rulemaking periods in its history, including the Commission’s adoption of final rules addressing executive compensation disclosure, Sarbanes‑Oxley Section 404’s internal control requirements, internet access to proxy materials, oil and gas disclosure, use of interactive data in financial reporting, shareholder proposals relating to the election of directors, private offerings, and capital raising and reporting by smaller public companies, as well as the Commission’s issuance of guidance regarding the use of corporate websites. International initiatives included acceptance of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by foreign private issuers, the proposed roadmap for use of IFRS by U.S. issuers and modernizing the Commission’s rules on cross‑border tender offers and deregistration and exemption from registration of foreign issuers, as well as revisions to the public reporting regime for foreign private issuers. He played an integral role in the SEC’s response to market turmoil throughout 2008, ensuring that the Division acted swiftly and appropriately to facilitate strategic transactions and access to capital for public companies.
Mr. White has served as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC), which advises the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and currently serves as a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Standards and Emerging Issues Advisory Group. Mr. White also serves on the Board of Directors of Financial Executives International (FEI). He is a frequent speaker on corporate governance, ESG and the securities laws. Mr. White served three years on the New York Stock Exchange’s Legal Advisory Committee, four years as Chairman of the Securities Regulation Institute and five years as Co‑Chair of PLI’s Annual Institute on Securities Regulation. He is currently a member of the Annual Institute’s Advisory Committee as well as the Advisory Committee for PLI’s Annual Institute in Europe. Additionally, he serves as an inaugural member of The American College of Governance Counsel. Mr. White was twice selected by National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as one of the 100 most influential people in the boardroom and corporate governance community. He has been recognized by Chambers USA in both securities regulation and capital markets, as well as by The Legal 500 US, The Best Lawyers in America and Ethisphere Institute’s “Attorneys Who Matter.” Lawdragon has named Mr. White a nationwide “Legend” and inducted him as a “Power Broker” into its “Hall of Fame.”
Mr. White received a B.S. with honors in accounting from the University of Virginia in 1970, and in May 1970 he received the Elijah Watts Sells award for the highest score in the nation on the Uniform CPA Examination. He received a J.D. magna cum laude from New York University School of Law in 1973, where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review. Before joining Cravath, Mr. White served as a law clerk to Hon. John J. Gibbons of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mr. White joined Cravath in 1975 and was elected a partner in 1980. At Cravath, he has served as Recruiting Partner, Corporate Managing Partner, Finance Partner and twice as Head of the Corporate Department.
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
International Bar Association
New York City Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB) Standing Advisory Group
Financial Executives International (FEI)
Securities Regulation Institute
Practising Law Institute
PLI Securities Regulation in Europe
New York Stock Exchange Legal Advisory Committee
SEC Historical Society
The American College of Governance Counsel
Chambers Global
Chambers USA
The American Lawyer
Best Lawyers in America
Lawdragon
The Legal 500 US
NACD Directorship
Ethisphere Institute’s “Attorneys Who Matter”
Elijah Watts Sells Award (Highest score in the nation on the Uniform CPA Examination), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1970
Law and Policy Award (Sarbanes‑Oxley Section 404), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2007
Deals & Cases
February 14, 2023
On February 9, 2023, The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) issued a statement in response to Nelson Peltz’s announcement that Trian Fund is no longer pursuing a proxy contest at Disney. Cravath represented Disney in connection with this matter.
Deals & Cases
November 29, 2021
Cravath represented Vaxxinity, Inc. in connection with its initial public offering. Vaxxinity is a U.S.‑based global biotechnology company pioneering a new class of immunotherapeutic vaccines to democratize health. Shares began trading on November 11, 2021 on The Nasdaq Global Market.
Deals & Cases
April 07, 2018
On March 26, 2018, Cravath client Akorn, Inc. (“Akorn”), a U.S.-based manufacturer and marketer of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, reached a settlement in a civil action brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint alleged financial reporting, books and records, and internal accounting controls violations in connection with Akorn’s accounting restatements for the fiscal year 2014. Akorn cooperated with the SEC and, pursuant to the settlement, did not admit or deny the SEC's allegations or pay any financial sanction.
Deals & Cases
December 02, 2016
On December 2, 2016, Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock III of the Delaware Court of Chancery dismissed two shareholder derivative lawsuits alleging that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation improperly handled foreign exchange transactions. His decision was based in part on an independent internal investigation conducted by Cravath that concluded the claims had no sound legal basis.
Activities & Publications
August 02, 2023
On August 1, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC Adopts Cybersecurity Disclosure Rules for Public Companies.” The memo examines the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recently adopted final rules regarding disclosure by public companies, including foreign private issuers, of cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance and related incidents. The final rules will significantly expand public companies’ reporting obligations with respect to cybersecurity matters. The memo outlines the new reporting requirements, timeline for compliance and next steps for companies to consider as they evaluate their existing cybersecurity policies and procedures.
Activities & Publications
June 23, 2023
Cravath partners John W, White and Elad Roisman and of counsel Lisa M. Kohl participated in the Society for Corporate Governance’s 2023 National Conference, which was held from June 20‑23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. On June 20th, John and Lisa spoke on a panel entitled “Examining the Intersection of Legal and Audit,” which examined issues related to in‑house counsel’s interactions with internal and external auditors and the standards of professional conduct and ethical responsibilities applicable to attorneys practicing before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). On June 21st, Elad spoke on a panel entitled “SEC Update,” which reviewed recent developments at the SEC including rulemakings, comment letter and review trends and recent enforcement actions.
Activities & Publications
June 15, 2023
On June 15, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “NYSE and Nasdaq Clawback Listing Standards Effective as of October 2, 2023.” The memo examines amendments proposed by the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market to their listing standards in order to implement the clawback requirements of the Dodd‑Frank Act, which were recently approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The memo outlines timeline considerations and recommended next steps for companies following the amendments’ approval.
Activities & Publications
June 02, 2023
On June 1, 2023, Cravath partners John W. White and Jennifer S. Leete participated in the 41st Annual SEC and Financial Reporting Institute Conference, which was hosted by the University of Southern California’s Leventhal School of Accounting in Los Angeles, CA. The conference featured business and accounting executives and leading professionals from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to discuss recent SEC and financial reporting issues. John is Chair of the Institute’s Advisory Board.
Activities & Publications
May 18, 2023
On May 18, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC Amends Rules Requiring Disclosures of Issuer Share Repurchase and Rule 10b5‑1 Plans.” The memo examines the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recently adopted final rules on a number of disclosure requirements related to issuer share repurchases. The memo outlines key features of the new rules, the new tabular disclosures, the new narrative disclosures about issuer 10b5‑1 plans and issuer repurchases, and recommendations for companies. Cravath also published a tailored version of the memo for Foreign Private Issuers.
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