Public Company Advisory Team (PCAT)

PCAT is a purpose-built, highly knowledgeable subgroup of our public companies practice that works exclusively on the day-to-day issues our clients face. We are on the ground and in the trenches with our clients – and we deliver sophisticated, practical, and targeted advice in a prompt and cost-effective manner.

Our team serves as outside corporate counsel to experienced and newly public companies, advising them on a wide range of matters related to securities law and disclosure obligations. We draw upon deep securities law and corporate governance experience from across our firm’s platform to deliver cross-disciplinary and real-time guidance that helps clients manage their most pressing securities law and corporate governance concerns. We have a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape and insights from 15+ former Securities and Exchange Commission and US attorneys, which enables us to efficiently resolve complex issues with shareholders, the SEC and other regulatory agencies on our clients’ behalf.

PCAT also serves as a central resource for Cooley lawyers and public company clients by monitoring trends and industry developments, providing advice on complex securities and governance issues, and leveraging the practical experience of our former SEC staff members and their key connections.

Counsel throughout the entire lifecycle

PCAT supports our capital markets and public companies groups by preparing companies to become public and advising companies directly on an ongoing basis after their initial public offering.

Pre-IPO

The IPO is only one milestone on the immense journey of continuing to scale and grow. Our team works proactively with clients as they prepare to go public to ensure absolute continuity from a Cooley team perspective.

During the IPO

PCAT works side by side with the rest of our IPO team to make the process of going public as efficient and smooth as possible. Typical areas of focus include preparing the “board book” of public company charters and policies, assisting with the corporate governance disclosure and director independence analysis, and providing public company “boot camp” training sessions to the board and management.

Post-IPO

After an IPO, the same Cooley team works proactively with clients to help with the transition to a public company. PCAT has deep knowledge of the issues faced by public companies – newly public companies in particular – enabling us to provide prompt, cost-effective, and best-in-class SEC reporting and corporate governance advice. At this juncture, we know each business well and continue to work seamlessly as one team.