599 Corporate Governance (Paton)

LAW599

Corporate Governance

(Paton)

Prerequisite Courses: LAW 451 (Corporations)

Instructor(s): Professor Paul Paton, K.C.

Course credit: 3

Method of presentation: Seminar

METHOD OF EVALUATION

1. Mid-term Examination – (take home) – 40% 

2. Attendance and Participation – 20% 

3. Case Study Proposal – 5%

4. Case Study Workshop Presentation – 10%

5. Case Study Short Research Paper (2000-3000 words) – 25%

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the transformation of the governance of public corporations in the aftermath of recent corporate scandal. The first two-thirds of the course will be dedicated to common exploration of themes, materials and selected case studies; the last third of the course will be dedicated to individual student presentations of research projects on personally selected topics. Together we will assess the changing roles and expectations of directors and senior officers, and the responsibilities of those advising them. We will also explore the changing claims and rights of other "stakeholders", including shareholders, creditors and employees. Legal theories of the public corporation will be probed in order to assess recent reforms, and we will situate domestic developments in light of international responses and approaches. Other key topics will include ESG/corporate social responsibility; the role of institutional investors; “shareholder democracy”; the roles of professionals advising boards; executive compensation; diversity on boards; and other legislative and regulatory responses to policy issues in corporate governance. Selected case studies and guest speakers (TBA) will round out coverage. 

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Description updated 2021-22. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY):

TBD

Supplementary Materials to be posted on TWEN