This book opens with a simple introduction to financial markets, attempting to understand the action and the players of Wall Street by comparing them to the action and the players of main street. Firstly, it explores the definition of a security by its function, the departure from the buyer beware environment of corporate law and the entrance into the seller disclose environment of securities law. Secondly, it shows that the cost of disclosure rules is justified by their capacity to combat irrationalities, fads, and panics. The third section explains how the structure of class actions is designed to improve deterrence. Next it explores the economic harm from insider trading and how the law fights it. In sum, the book shows how all these parts of securities law serve the virtuous cycle from liquidity to accurate prices and more trading and how the great recession showed that our securities regulation reacted mostly adequately to the crisis.

"This book focuses on a very timely and important subject that merit s comprehensive analysis: "rethinking" the securities laws, with particular emphasis on the Securities Act and Securities Exchange Act. The system of securities regulation that prevails today in the United States is one that has been formed through piecemeal federal legislation, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in vocation of its administrative authority, and self-regulatory episodic action. As a consequence, the presence of consistent and logical regulation all too often is lacking. In both transactional and litigation settings, with frequency, mandates apply that are erratic and antithetical to sound public policy. Over four decades ago, the American Law Institute (ALI) adopted the ALI Federal Securities Code. The Code has not been enacted by Congress and its prospects are dim. Since that time, no treatise, monograph, or other source comprehensively has focused on this meritorious subject. The objective of this book is to identify the deficiencies that exist under the current regimen, address their failings, provide recommendations for rectifying these deficiencies, and set forth a thorough analysis for remediation in order to prescribe a consistent and sound securities law framework. By undertaking this challenge, the book provides an original and valuable resource for effectuating necessary law reform that should prove beneficial to the integrity of the U.S. capital markets, effective and fair government and private enforcement, and the enhancement of investor protection"--

Capital raising, mergers and acquisitions and securities trading around the world often involve some connection with the United States and implicate the US securities laws. United States Securities Law: A Practical Guide ,offers a concise overview of US securities laws from the perspective of a non-US participant. It is written not only for lawyers but for managers, bankers and others with an interest in the topic. This new edition has been significantly updated and expanded, including for the SEC's recent offering reforms and corporate governance developments. Praise for the Second Edition: This book has been a valuable resource in effectively counselling my company in the intricacies of SEC regulation. Jim, with his many years of counselling foreign issuers out of his firms London office, writes with a perspective that is particularly relevant to the needs of foreign companies listed on US exchanges. George Miller, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Novartis Corporation. A well written and useful primer for those looking for quick, practical answers to real life questions or who wish to understand better the background and rationale to US securities law and regulation. Leland Goss, Managing Director, Credit Suisse. This book really is a practical guide to the US securities laws. It does a great job of explaining the rules and regulations in a way that can be understood by readers that are not themselves US securities lawyers. Peter Castellon, Director andamp; Counsel, Citigroup Corporate andamp; Investment Banking.