The Corporate and Securities Law module provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory framework governing equity compensation programs and corporate governance. Topics include:

• Corporate structure: Explains the organization of corporations and distinctions between common vs. preferred stock, and convertible vs. nonconvertible shares.
• Shareholder approval and authority: Covers when shareholder approval is required for equity plans, how authority to grant awards is delegated, and how shares are held and voted.
• Securities law compliance: Reviews registration and exemption requirements under federal securities laws, including Form S-8 for public companies (to register shares for employee plans) and Rule 701 for private companies (providing exemption from registration).
• Insider reporting and Section 16 compliance: Details the use of Forms 3, 4, and 5, along with the short-swing profit recovery rule.
• Insider trading restrictions: Examines Rules 10b-5 and 10b5-1, emphasizing compliance policies, trading windows, and the establishment of good-faith trading plans.