Businesses
Here's a look at documents from U.S. and international businesses
Featured Stories
Tony Pierce Spotlighted by WTOP News for Top Workplaces Leadership Award
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Akin Gump, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Tony Pierce Spotlighted by WTOP News for Top Workplaces Leadership Award
Tony Pierce, partner in charge of Akin's Washington, D.C. office, is featured by WTOP News after receiving the 2026 Trusted Leadership Award in the Large Employers category as part of its Top Workplaces list.
In his conversation with WTOP, Tony reflects on the leadership principles that have helped shape Akin's workplace culture, drawing on his nearly 40 years with the firm - from joining as a summer associate in 1986 to now overseeing ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Akin Gump, a law firm, issued the following news release: * * * Tony Pierce Spotlighted by WTOP News for Top Workplaces Leadership Award Tony Pierce, partner in charge of Akin's Washington, D.C. office, is featured by WTOP News after receiving the 2026 Trusted Leadership Award in the Large Employers category as part of its Top Workplaces list. In his conversation with WTOP, Tony reflects on the leadership principles that have helped shape Akin's workplace culture, drawing on his nearly 40 years with the firm - from joining as a summer associate in 1986 to now overseeingover 500 employees in the Washington, D.C. office.
"I think any effective leader has got to communicate," Tony said. "Making sure that people in the office, indeed in our whole firm, know what's happening in the firm is an important aspect of the success of Akin."
The conversation highlights Tony's commitment to communication, innovation and fostering a positive workplace culture. Akin also ranked No. 2 among Washington, D.C.'s 2026 Top Workplaces, marking the firm's eighth consecutive year on the list.
Read the full article here (https://wtop.com/business-finance/2026/06/tony-pierce-a-top-workplace-runs-on-culture-cornhole-and-ai/).
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Original text here: https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/media-mentions/tony-pierce-spotlighted-by-wtop-news-for-top-workplaces-leadership-award
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
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Tony Pierce Spotlighted by WTOP News for Top Workplaces Leadership Award
Tony Pierce, partner in charge of Akin's Washington, D.C. office, is featured by WTOP News after receiving the 2026 Trusted Leadership Award in the Large Employers category as part of its Top Workplaces list.
In his conversation with WTOP, Tony reflects on the leadership principles that have helped shape Akin's workplace culture, drawing on his nearly 40 years with the firm - from joining as a summer associate in 1986 to now overseeing ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Akin Gump, a law firm, issued the following news release: * * * Tony Pierce Spotlighted by WTOP News for Top Workplaces Leadership Award Tony Pierce, partner in charge of Akin's Washington, D.C. office, is featured by WTOP News after receiving the 2026 Trusted Leadership Award in the Large Employers category as part of its Top Workplaces list. In his conversation with WTOP, Tony reflects on the leadership principles that have helped shape Akin's workplace culture, drawing on his nearly 40 years with the firm - from joining as a summer associate in 1986 to now overseeingover 500 employees in the Washington, D.C. office.
"I think any effective leader has got to communicate," Tony said. "Making sure that people in the office, indeed in our whole firm, know what's happening in the firm is an important aspect of the success of Akin."
The conversation highlights Tony's commitment to communication, innovation and fostering a positive workplace culture. Akin also ranked No. 2 among Washington, D.C.'s 2026 Top Workplaces, marking the firm's eighth consecutive year on the list.
Read the full article here (https://wtop.com/business-finance/2026/06/tony-pierce-a-top-workplace-runs-on-culture-cornhole-and-ai/).
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Original text here: https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/media-mentions/tony-pierce-spotlighted-by-wtop-news-for-top-workplaces-leadership-award
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
ServiceNow and Accenture Launch AI-Powered Services to Accelerate the Shift From Legacy Risk Platforms to Agentic AI
NEW YORK, June 30 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release on June 29, 2026:
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ServiceNow and Accenture Launch AI-powered Services to Accelerate the Shift from Legacy Risk Platforms to Agentic AI
Companies aim to remove two of the biggest barriers blocking enterprise risk modernization: cost and complexity of migrating off legacy cybersecurity platforms
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NEW YORK and SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI control tower for business reinvention, today launched a joint offering with two core components: ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, June 30 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release on June 29, 2026: * * * ServiceNow and Accenture Launch AI-powered Services to Accelerate the Shift from Legacy Risk Platforms to Agentic AI Companies aim to remove two of the biggest barriers blocking enterprise risk modernization: cost and complexity of migrating off legacy cybersecurity platforms - NEW YORK and SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI control tower for business reinvention, today launched a joint offering with two core components:managed security services built on the ServiceNow AI Platform and an Accenture AI-powered solution that automates migration from legacy systems to ServiceNow. Together, Accenture and ServiceNow are removing two of the biggest barriers blocking enterprise risk modernization: cost and complexity of migrating off legacy cybersecurity platforms.
Data breach costs continue to surge in the U.S., reaching an all-time high of $10.22 million in 2025 per incident, up 9% year over year. Additionally, AI is compressing the window between a vulnerability being discovered and exploited from months to mere hours.
As cyberattacks grow in speed and sophistication, Accenture and ServiceNow are equipping organizations with essential risk management services powered by agentic AI to stay ahead of evolving threats, strengthen long-term cyber resilience, and combat the escalating scale, severity, and financial cost of cyberattacks.
"Cyber resilience is a clear business imperative as organizations face a growing volume of threats and increasing operational complexity," said Rex Thexton, global chief technology officer at Accenture Cybersecurity. "Companies need more than isolated security tools. They need the ability to connect risk insights, automate decision-making, and respond at enterprise scale. By combining Accenture's deep cybersecurity expertise with the ServiceNow AI Platform, we are helping organizations modernize security operations, strengthen resilience, and turn cybersecurity into a driver of business confidence and agility."
"The future of cybersecurity will be driven by autonomous operations powered by AI," said Lou Fiorello, group vice president and general manager of Security and Risk products at ServiceNow. "ServiceNow and Accenture are moving customers toward that future by combining enterprise AI, integrated workflows, and deep cyber expertise. Together, we are helping organizations simplify security operations, improve resilience, and respond to threats with greater speed and confidence."
The joint offering includes the following managed security services and an AI-powered migration solution:
* Unified integrated risk management and third-party risk management services: AI agents monitor vendors, automate lifecycle management, and give security teams a unified view of enterprise risk on the ServiceNow AI Platform.
* Operational technology (OT) risk management: AI-powered risk management brings OT and IT risk together on a single platform to improve visibility, strengthen threat detection, and accelerate deployments across industrial control systems and critical infrastructure.
* Proactive risk management and compliance: AI agents monitor regulatory changes and automate responses, helping organizations reduce risk before incidents occur.
* AI-powered migration off legacy platforms: Accenture's AI-powered migration solution will help organizations move from legacy risk platforms to the ServiceNow AI Platform - reducing costs, minimizing disruption, and accelerating time to value.
Recently, Accenture was recognized as a Leader in IDC MarketScape's Worldwide Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance Consulting Services 2025-2026 Vendor Assessment (doc #US53936925, December 2025). The report noted, "Another key differentiator lies in how Accenture fuses technology, process, and delivery with its partner ecosystem and automation-enabled services. Its strategic alliances -- for instance, with ServiceNow for integrated risk management (IRM) and third-party risk management -- underpin a modular yet scalable offering for enterprises facing complex regulatory, third-party, and distributed business unit risk environments."
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About ServiceNow
ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is the AI control tower for business reinvention. The ServiceNow AI Platform integrates with any cloud, any model, and any data source to orchestrate how work flows across the enterprise. By unifying legacy systems, departmental tools, cloud applications, and AI agents, ServiceNow provides a single pane of glass that connects intelligence to execution across every corner of business. With more than 100 billion workflows running on the platform each year, ServiceNow helps organizations turn fragmented operations into coordinated, autonomous workflows that deliver measurable results. Learn how ServiceNow puts AI to work for people at www.servicenow.com.
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About Accenture
Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 799,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us at accenture.com.
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ServiceNow Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" about the expectations, beliefs, plans, and intentions relating to ServiceNow's joint offering with Accenture. Such statements include statements regarding future product capabilities and offerings and expected benefits to ServiceNow. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. If any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions prove incorrect, ServiceNow's results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements made. ServiceNow undertakes no obligation, and does not intend to update the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include: (i) delays and unexpected difficulties and expenses in executing the product capabilities and offerings, (ii) changes in the regulatory landscape related to AI and (iii) uncertainty as to whether sales will justify the investments in the product capabilities and offerings. Further information on factors that could affect ServiceNow's financial and other results is included in the filings ServiceNow makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
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Accenture Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "aspires," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook," "goal," "target" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, that the partnership might not achieve its anticipated benefits and risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI, including advanced AI, could harm our business, damage our reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action, as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations.
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URL: ServiceNow
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Original text here: https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2026/servicenow-and-accenture-launch-ai-powered-services-to-accelerate-the-shift-from-legacy-risk-platforms-to-agentic-ai
[Category: BizConsulting]
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ServiceNow and Accenture Launch AI-powered Services to Accelerate the Shift from Legacy Risk Platforms to Agentic AI
Companies aim to remove two of the biggest barriers blocking enterprise risk modernization: cost and complexity of migrating off legacy cybersecurity platforms
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NEW YORK and SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI control tower for business reinvention, today launched a joint offering with two core components: ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, June 30 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release on June 29, 2026: * * * ServiceNow and Accenture Launch AI-powered Services to Accelerate the Shift from Legacy Risk Platforms to Agentic AI Companies aim to remove two of the biggest barriers blocking enterprise risk modernization: cost and complexity of migrating off legacy cybersecurity platforms - NEW YORK and SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI control tower for business reinvention, today launched a joint offering with two core components:managed security services built on the ServiceNow AI Platform and an Accenture AI-powered solution that automates migration from legacy systems to ServiceNow. Together, Accenture and ServiceNow are removing two of the biggest barriers blocking enterprise risk modernization: cost and complexity of migrating off legacy cybersecurity platforms.
Data breach costs continue to surge in the U.S., reaching an all-time high of $10.22 million in 2025 per incident, up 9% year over year. Additionally, AI is compressing the window between a vulnerability being discovered and exploited from months to mere hours.
As cyberattacks grow in speed and sophistication, Accenture and ServiceNow are equipping organizations with essential risk management services powered by agentic AI to stay ahead of evolving threats, strengthen long-term cyber resilience, and combat the escalating scale, severity, and financial cost of cyberattacks.
"Cyber resilience is a clear business imperative as organizations face a growing volume of threats and increasing operational complexity," said Rex Thexton, global chief technology officer at Accenture Cybersecurity. "Companies need more than isolated security tools. They need the ability to connect risk insights, automate decision-making, and respond at enterprise scale. By combining Accenture's deep cybersecurity expertise with the ServiceNow AI Platform, we are helping organizations modernize security operations, strengthen resilience, and turn cybersecurity into a driver of business confidence and agility."
"The future of cybersecurity will be driven by autonomous operations powered by AI," said Lou Fiorello, group vice president and general manager of Security and Risk products at ServiceNow. "ServiceNow and Accenture are moving customers toward that future by combining enterprise AI, integrated workflows, and deep cyber expertise. Together, we are helping organizations simplify security operations, improve resilience, and respond to threats with greater speed and confidence."
The joint offering includes the following managed security services and an AI-powered migration solution:
* Unified integrated risk management and third-party risk management services: AI agents monitor vendors, automate lifecycle management, and give security teams a unified view of enterprise risk on the ServiceNow AI Platform.
* Operational technology (OT) risk management: AI-powered risk management brings OT and IT risk together on a single platform to improve visibility, strengthen threat detection, and accelerate deployments across industrial control systems and critical infrastructure.
* Proactive risk management and compliance: AI agents monitor regulatory changes and automate responses, helping organizations reduce risk before incidents occur.
* AI-powered migration off legacy platforms: Accenture's AI-powered migration solution will help organizations move from legacy risk platforms to the ServiceNow AI Platform - reducing costs, minimizing disruption, and accelerating time to value.
Recently, Accenture was recognized as a Leader in IDC MarketScape's Worldwide Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance Consulting Services 2025-2026 Vendor Assessment (doc #US53936925, December 2025). The report noted, "Another key differentiator lies in how Accenture fuses technology, process, and delivery with its partner ecosystem and automation-enabled services. Its strategic alliances -- for instance, with ServiceNow for integrated risk management (IRM) and third-party risk management -- underpin a modular yet scalable offering for enterprises facing complex regulatory, third-party, and distributed business unit risk environments."
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About ServiceNow
ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is the AI control tower for business reinvention. The ServiceNow AI Platform integrates with any cloud, any model, and any data source to orchestrate how work flows across the enterprise. By unifying legacy systems, departmental tools, cloud applications, and AI agents, ServiceNow provides a single pane of glass that connects intelligence to execution across every corner of business. With more than 100 billion workflows running on the platform each year, ServiceNow helps organizations turn fragmented operations into coordinated, autonomous workflows that deliver measurable results. Learn how ServiceNow puts AI to work for people at www.servicenow.com.
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About Accenture
Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 799,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us at accenture.com.
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ServiceNow Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" about the expectations, beliefs, plans, and intentions relating to ServiceNow's joint offering with Accenture. Such statements include statements regarding future product capabilities and offerings and expected benefits to ServiceNow. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. If any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions prove incorrect, ServiceNow's results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements made. ServiceNow undertakes no obligation, and does not intend to update the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include: (i) delays and unexpected difficulties and expenses in executing the product capabilities and offerings, (ii) changes in the regulatory landscape related to AI and (iii) uncertainty as to whether sales will justify the investments in the product capabilities and offerings. Further information on factors that could affect ServiceNow's financial and other results is included in the filings ServiceNow makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
* * *
Accenture Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "aspires," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook," "goal," "target" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, that the partnership might not achieve its anticipated benefits and risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI, including advanced AI, could harm our business, damage our reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action, as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations.
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URL: ServiceNow
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Original text here: https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2026/servicenow-and-accenture-launch-ai-powered-services-to-accelerate-the-shift-from-legacy-risk-platforms-to-agentic-ai
[Category: BizConsulting]
Partner Sandeep Kathuria Brings More Than Two Decades of Government Contracts Experience to Saul Ewing's Washington, D.C. Office
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, June 30 -- Saul Ewing, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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New Partner Sandeep Kathuria Brings More Than Two Decades of Government Contracts Experience to Saul Ewing's Washington, D.C. Office
Washington - Saul Ewing LLP has expanded its Government Contracts Group in its Washington, D.C. Office with the hiring of Partner Sandeep Kathuria, who brings more than two decades of work as a senior in-house lawyer for major defense contractors, IT and telecom companies, and a defense tech startup to his work advising clients on complex government contracts ... Show Full Article PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, June 30 -- Saul Ewing, a law firm, issued the following news release: * * * New Partner Sandeep Kathuria Brings More Than Two Decades of Government Contracts Experience to Saul Ewing's Washington, D.C. Office Washington - Saul Ewing LLP has expanded its Government Contracts Group in its Washington, D.C. Office with the hiring of Partner Sandeep Kathuria, who brings more than two decades of work as a senior in-house lawyer for major defense contractors, IT and telecom companies, and a defense tech startup to his work advising clients on complex government contractsissues, cybersecurity, and technology law.
"We are excited that Sandeep is joining Saul Ewing," said Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner Jason McElroy. "Clients who operate in markets that are highly regulated by the government and get their work from federal agencies will appreciate the insight he brings from a career built in and around government contracting. His ability to spot both legal and operational risks--and translate them into practical, business-focused solutions--makes him a trusted partner to clients navigating the complex process of landing opportunities to compete for public sector work."
Mr. Kathuria handles a wide variety of government contract matters and has extensive experience with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). He also handles administrative litigation for government contract claims and bid protest issues.
Mr. Kathuria's practice includes counsel on cybersecurity matters such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program and incident response; foreign ownership, control, and influence and other industrial security issues; and the False Claims Act (FCA) and fraud investigations.
In addition, Mr. Kathuria has a corporate practice that includes negotiation of transactions, support in mergers and acquisitions, and advice on corporate compliance, artificial intelligence (AI), and intellectual property.
In addition to representing well-established defense contractors, Mr. Kathuria serves as outside general counsel for defense tech startups, supporting a wide range of issues critical to their formation and growth. He also provides government contracts support to companies that do not focus on this area as their primary line of business.
Mr. Kathuria has an LL.M. in Government Procurement from George Washington School of Law, a J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and a B.A. from George Washington University.
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About Saul Ewing
Saul Ewing is a full-service, national law firm with more than 450 attorneys and a team of top-notch business professionals, all working together to deliver practical, proactive advice and excellent client service. Our diversity of thought, focus on innovation, cross-serving practices, and culture of coaching create a collegial and supportive environment that inspires us to deliver inspired solutions. This is The Saul Approach.
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Original text here: https://www.saul.com/insights/press-release/sandeep-kathuria-joins-saul-ewing
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
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New Partner Sandeep Kathuria Brings More Than Two Decades of Government Contracts Experience to Saul Ewing's Washington, D.C. Office
Washington - Saul Ewing LLP has expanded its Government Contracts Group in its Washington, D.C. Office with the hiring of Partner Sandeep Kathuria, who brings more than two decades of work as a senior in-house lawyer for major defense contractors, IT and telecom companies, and a defense tech startup to his work advising clients on complex government contracts ... Show Full Article PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, June 30 -- Saul Ewing, a law firm, issued the following news release: * * * New Partner Sandeep Kathuria Brings More Than Two Decades of Government Contracts Experience to Saul Ewing's Washington, D.C. Office Washington - Saul Ewing LLP has expanded its Government Contracts Group in its Washington, D.C. Office with the hiring of Partner Sandeep Kathuria, who brings more than two decades of work as a senior in-house lawyer for major defense contractors, IT and telecom companies, and a defense tech startup to his work advising clients on complex government contractsissues, cybersecurity, and technology law.
"We are excited that Sandeep is joining Saul Ewing," said Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner Jason McElroy. "Clients who operate in markets that are highly regulated by the government and get their work from federal agencies will appreciate the insight he brings from a career built in and around government contracting. His ability to spot both legal and operational risks--and translate them into practical, business-focused solutions--makes him a trusted partner to clients navigating the complex process of landing opportunities to compete for public sector work."
Mr. Kathuria handles a wide variety of government contract matters and has extensive experience with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). He also handles administrative litigation for government contract claims and bid protest issues.
Mr. Kathuria's practice includes counsel on cybersecurity matters such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program and incident response; foreign ownership, control, and influence and other industrial security issues; and the False Claims Act (FCA) and fraud investigations.
In addition, Mr. Kathuria has a corporate practice that includes negotiation of transactions, support in mergers and acquisitions, and advice on corporate compliance, artificial intelligence (AI), and intellectual property.
In addition to representing well-established defense contractors, Mr. Kathuria serves as outside general counsel for defense tech startups, supporting a wide range of issues critical to their formation and growth. He also provides government contracts support to companies that do not focus on this area as their primary line of business.
Mr. Kathuria has an LL.M. in Government Procurement from George Washington School of Law, a J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and a B.A. from George Washington University.
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About Saul Ewing
Saul Ewing is a full-service, national law firm with more than 450 attorneys and a team of top-notch business professionals, all working together to deliver practical, proactive advice and excellent client service. Our diversity of thought, focus on innovation, cross-serving practices, and culture of coaching create a collegial and supportive environment that inspires us to deliver inspired solutions. This is The Saul Approach.
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Original text here: https://www.saul.com/insights/press-release/sandeep-kathuria-joins-saul-ewing
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Hachette Book Group Sponsors Asian American Journalists Association's 2026 National Convention With Raising Readers Activation Featuring Workman Kids Author & Illustrator Vicky Fang
NEW YORK, June 30 -- Hachette Book Group issued the following news release on June 29, 2026:
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Hachette Book Group Sponsors Asian American Journalists Association's 2026 National Convention with Raising Readers Activation Featuring Workman Kids Author & Illustrator Vicky Fang
Hachette sponsored seven aspiring student storytellers in Minneapolis
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Hachette Book Group (HBG) proudly returned as a sponsor of the Asian American Journalists Association's (AAJA) 2026 National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 24-June 28, 2026, where top Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalists ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, June 30 -- Hachette Book Group issued the following news release on June 29, 2026: * * * Hachette Book Group Sponsors Asian American Journalists Association's 2026 National Convention with Raising Readers Activation Featuring Workman Kids Author & Illustrator Vicky Fang Hachette sponsored seven aspiring student storytellers in Minneapolis - Hachette Book Group (HBG) proudly returned as a sponsor of the Asian American Journalists Association's (AAJA) 2026 National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 24-June 28, 2026, where top Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalistscharged ahead with the conference theme of "Deep Roots, New Routes."
AAJA is a membership nonprofit whose mission is to increase AAPI perspectives and representation in newsrooms, media, and storytelling as well as ensure fair and accurate coverage of communities of color.
"We are so pleased to welcome Hachette back to our convention and share in the mission of uplifting AAPI voices in media and literature," said Naomi Tacuyan Underwood, the executive director of AAJA. "We commend Hachette's dedication to making sure our society continues to encourage voracious readers to tap into the stories of our communities."
Workman Kids author and illustrator Vicky Fang of Lots and Lots of Ocelots joined Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publicity Director Cheryl Lew to participate on the panel Raising Readers: Cultivating an Audience from Youth to Adulthood on Friday, June 26, moderated by Peabody-award winning journalist and co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation Michelle Li. Hachette also sponsored seven aspiring student storytellers from across the country to attend the multi-day event, gathering more than 1,200 media professionals.
The seven students are: Wendy Zhou, University of Virginia; Ningyuan Ma, University of Minnesota Twin Cities; Anshu Patel, University of Minnesota; Marissa Ding, University of Southern California; Gwynnevere Vang, University of St. Thomas; Siqi Wang, Northwestern University; and Feixu Chen, Northwestern University. Through Hachette's support, the students engaged with the nation's top AAPI journalists and gained valuable insight and connections via a wide range of panels, networking opportunities, and the conference's job fair.
"We are very proud to return as a sponsor for AAJA's 2026 convention, with emphasis on our global Raising Readers Campaign," said Gabrielle Gambrell, Chief Communications Officer at Hachette Book Group. "The work of AAJA is extraordinary, and together we are committed to helping children discover the joy of reading. Reading for pleasure improves mental well-being, empathy, mental health, happiness, and overall success in children."
Throughout the panel, Fang, Lew, and Li discussed Raising Readers, Hachette's global social impact campaign stressing the importance of children reading for fun and entertainment so they can be lifelong, successful, critical thinkers. Raising Readers is an urgent initiative to raise public awareness of declining rates of children's reading for fun, even though reading has been proven to be the most definitive indicator of a child's future success. As a children's book publicist, Lew shared her insights into the publishing process and how she generates buzz for award-winning and bestselling books. Fang, a former Google kids' product designer-turned-author, explained how her analytical and creative prowess combine for popular children's books that teach kids to problem solve and love reading.
"I think it can be helpful to think about reading not as an end goal, but as a way for kids to dive deeper into their interests--to better understand the world and themselves," said Fang. "If a kid has not fallen in love with reading, I believe they just haven't found the right book yet."
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About Little, Brown Books for Young Readers:
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) began publishing books for children in 1926, and we now offer a distinguished and diverse list of 250 frontlist titles annually. In addition to the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers' core list of bestselling and award-winning picture books, chapter books, middle grade titles, and young adult books, we publish across four imprints: Christy Ottaviano Books, a boutique imprint that focuses on developing authors and artists; JIMMY Patterson Books, founded by the world's bestselling author, James Patterson; LB Ink, home of LBYR's graphic novels and graphic nonfiction; and LB Kids for novelty and board books. We also now publish romance for adult readers under the Requited imprint. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, recognizing a century of storytelling and its enduring impact on generations of young readers.
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About Workman Kids:
Workman Kids publishes books that bring the world of possibilities to young readers through innovative, educational, and inspiring books that entertain, enrich, and inform! Featuring beloved and bestselling brands such as Brain Quest(R), Paint by Sticker(R) Kids, and Indestructibles(R), Workman Kids is committed to growing a new generation of inquisitive minds and lifelong readers.
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About Hachette Book Group:
Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading U.S. general-interest book publisher made up of dozens of esteemed imprints within the publishing groups Basic Books Group, Grand Central Publishing Group, Hachette Audio, Little, Brown and Company, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Orbit, Workman Publishing, and Running Press Group. We also provide custom distribution, fulfillment, and sales services to several publishing companies.
Our books and authors have received the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, Nobel Prize, James Beard Award, and other major honors.
We are committed to diversity in our company and our publishing programs, and to fostering a culture of inclusion for all our employees and authors. We are proud to be part of Hachette Livre, the world's third-largest trade and educational publisher.
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URL: Workman Kids
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Original text here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/articles/hachette-sponsors-asian-american-journalists-associations-2026-national-convention-with-raising-readers-activation-featuring-workman-kids-author-illustrator-vicky-fang/
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Hachette Book Group Sponsors Asian American Journalists Association's 2026 National Convention with Raising Readers Activation Featuring Workman Kids Author & Illustrator Vicky Fang
Hachette sponsored seven aspiring student storytellers in Minneapolis
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Hachette Book Group (HBG) proudly returned as a sponsor of the Asian American Journalists Association's (AAJA) 2026 National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 24-June 28, 2026, where top Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalists ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, June 30 -- Hachette Book Group issued the following news release on June 29, 2026: * * * Hachette Book Group Sponsors Asian American Journalists Association's 2026 National Convention with Raising Readers Activation Featuring Workman Kids Author & Illustrator Vicky Fang Hachette sponsored seven aspiring student storytellers in Minneapolis - Hachette Book Group (HBG) proudly returned as a sponsor of the Asian American Journalists Association's (AAJA) 2026 National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 24-June 28, 2026, where top Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalistscharged ahead with the conference theme of "Deep Roots, New Routes."
AAJA is a membership nonprofit whose mission is to increase AAPI perspectives and representation in newsrooms, media, and storytelling as well as ensure fair and accurate coverage of communities of color.
"We are so pleased to welcome Hachette back to our convention and share in the mission of uplifting AAPI voices in media and literature," said Naomi Tacuyan Underwood, the executive director of AAJA. "We commend Hachette's dedication to making sure our society continues to encourage voracious readers to tap into the stories of our communities."
Workman Kids author and illustrator Vicky Fang of Lots and Lots of Ocelots joined Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publicity Director Cheryl Lew to participate on the panel Raising Readers: Cultivating an Audience from Youth to Adulthood on Friday, June 26, moderated by Peabody-award winning journalist and co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation Michelle Li. Hachette also sponsored seven aspiring student storytellers from across the country to attend the multi-day event, gathering more than 1,200 media professionals.
The seven students are: Wendy Zhou, University of Virginia; Ningyuan Ma, University of Minnesota Twin Cities; Anshu Patel, University of Minnesota; Marissa Ding, University of Southern California; Gwynnevere Vang, University of St. Thomas; Siqi Wang, Northwestern University; and Feixu Chen, Northwestern University. Through Hachette's support, the students engaged with the nation's top AAPI journalists and gained valuable insight and connections via a wide range of panels, networking opportunities, and the conference's job fair.
"We are very proud to return as a sponsor for AAJA's 2026 convention, with emphasis on our global Raising Readers Campaign," said Gabrielle Gambrell, Chief Communications Officer at Hachette Book Group. "The work of AAJA is extraordinary, and together we are committed to helping children discover the joy of reading. Reading for pleasure improves mental well-being, empathy, mental health, happiness, and overall success in children."
Throughout the panel, Fang, Lew, and Li discussed Raising Readers, Hachette's global social impact campaign stressing the importance of children reading for fun and entertainment so they can be lifelong, successful, critical thinkers. Raising Readers is an urgent initiative to raise public awareness of declining rates of children's reading for fun, even though reading has been proven to be the most definitive indicator of a child's future success. As a children's book publicist, Lew shared her insights into the publishing process and how she generates buzz for award-winning and bestselling books. Fang, a former Google kids' product designer-turned-author, explained how her analytical and creative prowess combine for popular children's books that teach kids to problem solve and love reading.
"I think it can be helpful to think about reading not as an end goal, but as a way for kids to dive deeper into their interests--to better understand the world and themselves," said Fang. "If a kid has not fallen in love with reading, I believe they just haven't found the right book yet."
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About Little, Brown Books for Young Readers:
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) began publishing books for children in 1926, and we now offer a distinguished and diverse list of 250 frontlist titles annually. In addition to the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers' core list of bestselling and award-winning picture books, chapter books, middle grade titles, and young adult books, we publish across four imprints: Christy Ottaviano Books, a boutique imprint that focuses on developing authors and artists; JIMMY Patterson Books, founded by the world's bestselling author, James Patterson; LB Ink, home of LBYR's graphic novels and graphic nonfiction; and LB Kids for novelty and board books. We also now publish romance for adult readers under the Requited imprint. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, recognizing a century of storytelling and its enduring impact on generations of young readers.
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About Workman Kids:
Workman Kids publishes books that bring the world of possibilities to young readers through innovative, educational, and inspiring books that entertain, enrich, and inform! Featuring beloved and bestselling brands such as Brain Quest(R), Paint by Sticker(R) Kids, and Indestructibles(R), Workman Kids is committed to growing a new generation of inquisitive minds and lifelong readers.
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About Hachette Book Group:
Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading U.S. general-interest book publisher made up of dozens of esteemed imprints within the publishing groups Basic Books Group, Grand Central Publishing Group, Hachette Audio, Little, Brown and Company, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Orbit, Workman Publishing, and Running Press Group. We also provide custom distribution, fulfillment, and sales services to several publishing companies.
Our books and authors have received the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, Nobel Prize, James Beard Award, and other major honors.
We are committed to diversity in our company and our publishing programs, and to fostering a culture of inclusion for all our employees and authors. We are proud to be part of Hachette Livre, the world's third-largest trade and educational publisher.
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URL: Workman Kids
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Original text here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/articles/hachette-sponsors-asian-american-journalists-associations-2026-national-convention-with-raising-readers-activation-featuring-workman-kids-author-illustrator-vicky-fang/
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath Issues Commentary: Is a Stockholder Vote Necessary?
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 30 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on June 29, 2026, by partner Oderah C. Nwaeze:
* * *
Is a Stockholder Vote Necessary?
The Corporate Guide
This guide was originally published on January 4, 2022, and has been updated as of June 26, 2026.
At a Glance
Delaware law states that a stockholder vote is only necessary when a corporation sells "all or substantially all of its [] assets." But the law stops short of defining "substantially all." Instead, judges have broadly defined the meaning of "substantially all" through ... Show Full Article MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 30 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on June 29, 2026, by partner Oderah C. Nwaeze: * * * Is a Stockholder Vote Necessary? The Corporate Guide This guide was originally published on January 4, 2022, and has been updated as of June 26, 2026. At a Glance Delaware law states that a stockholder vote is only necessary when a corporation sells "all or substantially all of its [] assets." But the law stops short of defining "substantially all." Instead, judges have broadly defined the meaning of "substantially all" througha series of cases. This guide explains how Delaware courts determine whether a company has sold "substantially all" of its assets.
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The Meaning of "Substantially All"
A company sells "substantially all" of its assets when the assets sold are "quantitatively vital to the operation of the corporation, [are] out of the ordinary and substantially affect[] the existence and purpose of the corporation." "[A] determination of whether there is a sale of substantially all assets so as to trigger section 271 depends upon the particular qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the transaction at issue." Hollinger Inc. v. Hollinger Intern., Inc., 858 A.2d 342, 377 (Del. Ch. 2004).
A transaction involves "substantially all" of a company's assets if the assets sold are "quantitatively vital to the operation of the corporation, [are] out of the ordinary and substantially affect[] the existence and purpose of the corporation." Id.
The results of the quantitative and qualitative prongs of the test are analyzed together to find whether the totality of the circumstances indicates that the corporation disposed of "substantially all" of its assets.
A corporation will not be found to have sold "substantially all" of its assets when the remaining assets are substantial and profitable. Id. at 385.
Quantitative Analysis Explained
The quantitative prong of the "substantially all" analysis considers the portion of assets sold in comparison to those retained by the corporation. The assets for sale will be considered "substantially all" of the corporation's assets if they are quantitatively necessary to the corporation.
A corporation will not be found to have sold "substantially all" of its assets if:
1. It retained other significant assets
2. The retained assets have a strong record of profitability
3. It still expects healthy future profits and growth
The percentage of assets sold is not outcome determinative, but it is part of the analysis. The following cases further shed light on how the quantitative analysis may be applied.
Hollinger Inc. v. Hollinger Intern., Inc., 858 A.2d 342 (Del. Ch. 2004)
The Court of Chancery found that an international newspaper company's sale of one of its most profitable and prestigious divisions (56-57% of the company's asset value) did not satisfy the quantitative test because the surviving company would continue as a profitable enterprise even after the sale. Id. at 380.
* This conclusion was informed, in part, by the fact that the division sold accounted for (1) less than half of the company's revenue during the last three years; (2) less than 50% of the company's earnings and book value; and (3) a declining percentage of the company's EBITDA. Id. at 380-82.
* In addition, the remaining business included more than 100 newspapers, and one remaining division had been valued at $950 million. Id. at 379-80.
Thorpe v. Cerbco, Inc., 1995 WL 478954 (Del. Ch. Aug. 9, 1995)
The Court of Chancery held that the company's sale of its subsidiary constituted the disposition of "substantially all" of its assets because the subsidiary constituted 68% of the company's assets and was the primary profitable segment of the company. 1995 WL 478954, at *9-10, overruled on other grounds by 676 A.2d 436 (Del. 1996) (affirming the Chancery Court's conclusion that the subsidiary accounted for 68% of the company, thus its sale would constitute "substantially all" of the company's assets).
Qualitative Analysis Explained
According to then-Vice Chancellor Leo E. Strine, Jr. (and former Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court), the qualitative aspect of the "substantially all" analysis is "more than a tad unclear." Hollinger, 858 A.2d at 383.
This particular piece of the "substantially all" analysis focuses on the economic qualities of the assets, and whether the transaction leaves stockholders with an investment that, in economic terms, is different from the one they currently possess. Id. That calculus is unconcerned with the aesthetic or symbolic value of any one asset or group of assets, and instead addresses the rational economic expectation of reasonable investors. The qualitative test is said to hinge on whether the transaction "strike[s] at the heart of the corporate existence." Gimbel v. Signal Corp., Inc., 316 A.2d 599, 606 (Del. Ch. 1974).
To determine whether the assets are qualitatively substantial, a court will consider:
1. The corporation's purpose, as stated in its certificate of incorporation or charter
2. The business the corporation actually conducts
A corporation will have sold "substantially all" of its assets if the transaction fundamentally alters the existence and purpose of the corporation or leaves the corporation unable to conduct the business it was formed to conduct. The following cases help explain how a court may apply the qualitative analysis.
Hollinger Inc. v. Hollinger Intern., Inc., 858 A.2d 342 (Del. Ch. 2004)
The court found that the "trophy" nature of the assets being sold (a group of newspapers and magazines including the prestigious British newspaper, the Telegraph) was not a factor in determining qualitative value. Id. at 384. The vice chancellor opined that it is unreasonable to assume that stockholders "invested with the expectation that [the corporation] would retain [its prized asset] even if it could receive a price that was attractive in light of the projected cash flow" of the asset. Id. at 384-85.
The Hollinger court looked at the company's recent history of transactions:
* When Hollinger International went public, it did not own the Telegraph. During the course of its existence, Hollinger International has frequently bought and sold a wide variety of publications. In the CanWest sale, it disposed of a number of major newspapers in Canada -- and diminished its assets by half -- all without a stockholder vote. That sale came on the heels of its departure from Australia and an American downsizing. Thus, no investor in Hollinger International would assume that any of its assets were sacrosanct. It "can be said that ... acquisitions and dispositions [of independent branches of Hollinger International's business] have become part of the [company's] ordinary course of business." Hollinger, 858 A.2d at 384 (quoting Gimbel, 316 A.2d at 608).
Katz v. Bregman, 431 A.2d 1274, 1276 (Del. Ch. 1981)
The court held that the company's sale of 51% of its assets constituted "substantially all" of its total assets because the company deviated from its principal purpose and abandoned its historically profitable line of business.
Oberly v. Kirby, 592 A.2d 445, 464 (Del. 1991)
The court found that stockholder approval was not required when a company sold 80% of its assets as part of its usual business. The Delaware Supreme Court held that while "unquestionably large," the securities assets sold did not have an impact on the existence and purpose of the corporation because the company existed to hold and sell investment securities and donate profits to charity.
Key Takeaway
In attempting to reconcile the subjective and "unclear" analysis for determining whether a company has sold "substantially all" of its assets, the Court of Chancery in Hollinger court stated:
...when asset sales were deemed to involve substantially all of a corporation's assets, the record always revealed great doubt about the viability of the business that would remain, primarily because the remaining operating assets were not profitable. But, if the portion of the business not sold constitutes a substantial, viable, ongoing component of the corporation, the sale is not subject to Section 271. Hollinger, 858 A.2d at 385 (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).
Given the complexities involved, it is important to consult and work closely with legal and financial advisors to help determine whether an asset sale involved "substantially all" of the corporation's assets and requires stockholder approval.
The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.
* * *
Meet the Authors
Oderah C. Nwaeze
Partner
Philadelphia
Wilmington
+1 215 988 1172
+1 302 467 4268
oderah.nwaeze@faegredrinker.com
* * *
Original text here: https://www.faegredrinker.com/en/insights/publications/2022/1/the-corporate-guide-is-a-stockholder-vote-necessary
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
* * *
Is a Stockholder Vote Necessary?
The Corporate Guide
This guide was originally published on January 4, 2022, and has been updated as of June 26, 2026.
At a Glance
Delaware law states that a stockholder vote is only necessary when a corporation sells "all or substantially all of its [] assets." But the law stops short of defining "substantially all." Instead, judges have broadly defined the meaning of "substantially all" through ... Show Full Article MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 30 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on June 29, 2026, by partner Oderah C. Nwaeze: * * * Is a Stockholder Vote Necessary? The Corporate Guide This guide was originally published on January 4, 2022, and has been updated as of June 26, 2026. At a Glance Delaware law states that a stockholder vote is only necessary when a corporation sells "all or substantially all of its [] assets." But the law stops short of defining "substantially all." Instead, judges have broadly defined the meaning of "substantially all" througha series of cases. This guide explains how Delaware courts determine whether a company has sold "substantially all" of its assets.
-
The Meaning of "Substantially All"
A company sells "substantially all" of its assets when the assets sold are "quantitatively vital to the operation of the corporation, [are] out of the ordinary and substantially affect[] the existence and purpose of the corporation." "[A] determination of whether there is a sale of substantially all assets so as to trigger section 271 depends upon the particular qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the transaction at issue." Hollinger Inc. v. Hollinger Intern., Inc., 858 A.2d 342, 377 (Del. Ch. 2004).
A transaction involves "substantially all" of a company's assets if the assets sold are "quantitatively vital to the operation of the corporation, [are] out of the ordinary and substantially affect[] the existence and purpose of the corporation." Id.
The results of the quantitative and qualitative prongs of the test are analyzed together to find whether the totality of the circumstances indicates that the corporation disposed of "substantially all" of its assets.
A corporation will not be found to have sold "substantially all" of its assets when the remaining assets are substantial and profitable. Id. at 385.
Quantitative Analysis Explained
The quantitative prong of the "substantially all" analysis considers the portion of assets sold in comparison to those retained by the corporation. The assets for sale will be considered "substantially all" of the corporation's assets if they are quantitatively necessary to the corporation.
A corporation will not be found to have sold "substantially all" of its assets if:
1. It retained other significant assets
2. The retained assets have a strong record of profitability
3. It still expects healthy future profits and growth
The percentage of assets sold is not outcome determinative, but it is part of the analysis. The following cases further shed light on how the quantitative analysis may be applied.
Hollinger Inc. v. Hollinger Intern., Inc., 858 A.2d 342 (Del. Ch. 2004)
The Court of Chancery found that an international newspaper company's sale of one of its most profitable and prestigious divisions (56-57% of the company's asset value) did not satisfy the quantitative test because the surviving company would continue as a profitable enterprise even after the sale. Id. at 380.
* This conclusion was informed, in part, by the fact that the division sold accounted for (1) less than half of the company's revenue during the last three years; (2) less than 50% of the company's earnings and book value; and (3) a declining percentage of the company's EBITDA. Id. at 380-82.
* In addition, the remaining business included more than 100 newspapers, and one remaining division had been valued at $950 million. Id. at 379-80.
Thorpe v. Cerbco, Inc., 1995 WL 478954 (Del. Ch. Aug. 9, 1995)
The Court of Chancery held that the company's sale of its subsidiary constituted the disposition of "substantially all" of its assets because the subsidiary constituted 68% of the company's assets and was the primary profitable segment of the company. 1995 WL 478954, at *9-10, overruled on other grounds by 676 A.2d 436 (Del. 1996) (affirming the Chancery Court's conclusion that the subsidiary accounted for 68% of the company, thus its sale would constitute "substantially all" of the company's assets).
Qualitative Analysis Explained
According to then-Vice Chancellor Leo E. Strine, Jr. (and former Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court), the qualitative aspect of the "substantially all" analysis is "more than a tad unclear." Hollinger, 858 A.2d at 383.
This particular piece of the "substantially all" analysis focuses on the economic qualities of the assets, and whether the transaction leaves stockholders with an investment that, in economic terms, is different from the one they currently possess. Id. That calculus is unconcerned with the aesthetic or symbolic value of any one asset or group of assets, and instead addresses the rational economic expectation of reasonable investors. The qualitative test is said to hinge on whether the transaction "strike[s] at the heart of the corporate existence." Gimbel v. Signal Corp., Inc., 316 A.2d 599, 606 (Del. Ch. 1974).
To determine whether the assets are qualitatively substantial, a court will consider:
1. The corporation's purpose, as stated in its certificate of incorporation or charter
2. The business the corporation actually conducts
A corporation will have sold "substantially all" of its assets if the transaction fundamentally alters the existence and purpose of the corporation or leaves the corporation unable to conduct the business it was formed to conduct. The following cases help explain how a court may apply the qualitative analysis.
Hollinger Inc. v. Hollinger Intern., Inc., 858 A.2d 342 (Del. Ch. 2004)
The court found that the "trophy" nature of the assets being sold (a group of newspapers and magazines including the prestigious British newspaper, the Telegraph) was not a factor in determining qualitative value. Id. at 384. The vice chancellor opined that it is unreasonable to assume that stockholders "invested with the expectation that [the corporation] would retain [its prized asset] even if it could receive a price that was attractive in light of the projected cash flow" of the asset. Id. at 384-85.
The Hollinger court looked at the company's recent history of transactions:
* When Hollinger International went public, it did not own the Telegraph. During the course of its existence, Hollinger International has frequently bought and sold a wide variety of publications. In the CanWest sale, it disposed of a number of major newspapers in Canada -- and diminished its assets by half -- all without a stockholder vote. That sale came on the heels of its departure from Australia and an American downsizing. Thus, no investor in Hollinger International would assume that any of its assets were sacrosanct. It "can be said that ... acquisitions and dispositions [of independent branches of Hollinger International's business] have become part of the [company's] ordinary course of business." Hollinger, 858 A.2d at 384 (quoting Gimbel, 316 A.2d at 608).
Katz v. Bregman, 431 A.2d 1274, 1276 (Del. Ch. 1981)
The court held that the company's sale of 51% of its assets constituted "substantially all" of its total assets because the company deviated from its principal purpose and abandoned its historically profitable line of business.
Oberly v. Kirby, 592 A.2d 445, 464 (Del. 1991)
The court found that stockholder approval was not required when a company sold 80% of its assets as part of its usual business. The Delaware Supreme Court held that while "unquestionably large," the securities assets sold did not have an impact on the existence and purpose of the corporation because the company existed to hold and sell investment securities and donate profits to charity.
Key Takeaway
In attempting to reconcile the subjective and "unclear" analysis for determining whether a company has sold "substantially all" of its assets, the Court of Chancery in Hollinger court stated:
...when asset sales were deemed to involve substantially all of a corporation's assets, the record always revealed great doubt about the viability of the business that would remain, primarily because the remaining operating assets were not profitable. But, if the portion of the business not sold constitutes a substantial, viable, ongoing component of the corporation, the sale is not subject to Section 271. Hollinger, 858 A.2d at 385 (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).
Given the complexities involved, it is important to consult and work closely with legal and financial advisors to help determine whether an asset sale involved "substantially all" of the corporation's assets and requires stockholder approval.
The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.
* * *
Meet the Authors
Oderah C. Nwaeze
Partner
Philadelphia
Wilmington
+1 215 988 1172
+1 302 467 4268
oderah.nwaeze@faegredrinker.com
* * *
Original text here: https://www.faegredrinker.com/en/insights/publications/2022/1/the-corporate-guide-is-a-stockholder-vote-necessary
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath Issues Commentary: Director Independence - Keeping the Board and Board Actions Conflict-Free
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 30 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on June 29, 2026, by partner Oderah C. Nwaeze:
* * *
Director Independence - Keeping the Board and Board Actions Conflict-Free
The Corporate Guide
This article was originally published on February 25, 2022, and has been updated as of June 26, 2026.
At a Glance
This guide provides a high-level explanation of Delaware law regarding director independence, including the types of relationships and circumstances that might raise questions of director independence./1
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Why is Director ... Show Full Article MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 30 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on June 29, 2026, by partner Oderah C. Nwaeze: * * * Director Independence - Keeping the Board and Board Actions Conflict-Free The Corporate Guide This article was originally published on February 25, 2022, and has been updated as of June 26, 2026. At a Glance This guide provides a high-level explanation of Delaware law regarding director independence, including the types of relationships and circumstances that might raise questions of director independence./1 - Why is DirectorIndependence Important?
A court's conclusion regarding whether the majority of a company's board is independent could affect:
The Standard of Review Applicable to a Challenged Transaction
- If independent directors approve a transaction, a stockholder challenge likely will be subject to the "business judgment rule," which presumes the directors acted on an informed basis, in good faith, and in the best interest of the company.
- A plaintiff may rebut the presumptions under the business judgment rule by showing that most of the directors approving the challenged transaction were either interested in the transaction or not independent of a person with an interest in the transaction.
- If a majority of directors are not independent, the entire fairness standard of review would apply, which is far more difficult for the company to satisfy.
In March 2025, the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) Section 144 was amended to provide clearer "safe harbor" provisions for transactions involving directors or officers who are not independent or disinterested. The amended statute also creates a rebuttable presumption that directors are disinterested when the director is not a party to the transaction.
Safe Harbor Provision: Depending on the type of transaction, courts will give a transaction the protection of the business judgment rule, as opposed to the entire fairness standard, if the transaction is approved by either:
1. An informed majority of the corporation's disinterested directors acting in good faith.
2. An informed majority of the corporation's disinterested stockholders.
Presumed Independence: The presumed disinterestedness of public company directors is rebuttable only with "substantial and particularized facts" proving that the director has either a material interest in the transaction or a material relationship with a person that has a material interest. DGCL Section 144(e)(4).
Evaluating Special Committees for Controlling Stockholder Transactions
- Whenever a special committee of disinterested and independent directors negotiates and approves a transaction with a controlling stockholder, it becomes the plaintiff/stockholder's burden to prove the deal was unfair.
- If the company and its directors are unable to establish the independence of the special committee, the company should evaluate whether another statutory safe harbor is available. If not, it remains the company's burden to prove the entire transaction was fair.
- For a special committee to be independent, every member of the committee should be independent.
- Caveat: In Rutledge v. Clearway Energy Grp. LLC, the Delaware Supreme Court stated that Section 144(b)(1) departs from Match's holding that all directors serving on the committee must be disinterested. 2026 WL 548504 at */7 (Del. Feb. 27, 2026). There, the court found that under the amended statute, if a board determines at the outset that each committee member is disinterested, a safe harbor may still be available even if a court later disagrees as to one or more members' disinterestedness, as long as a majority of the members are found by the court to be disinterested and that majority approved the transaction.
**/ Note: It is best practice to have a fully disinterested and independent special committee with full powers to evaluate, negotiate, reject, and approve the transaction, and should retain independent legal and financial advisors.
A Stockholder's Entitlement to Pursue Derivative Litigation on Behalf of a Corporation Against Its Directors
The court will consider whether a majority of the board:
1. Received material personal benefit from the challenged transaction.
2. Has a substantial likelihood of liability for approving the challenged transaction.
3. Lacks independence from someone receiving a material benefit from the challenged transaction, or who themselves would face substantial likelihood of liability for the challenged transaction.
The Court's Decision to Reject a Special Litigation Committee's Recommendation to Dismiss Litigation Brought on Behalf of the Company
If a special litigation committee moves to dismiss a derivative action, the court must investigate the independence of the committee members and the reasonableness and good faith of the committee's investigation.
How Does the Law Define an Independent Director?
It is important to note that whether a director is deemed independent depends on the specific situation and requires a detailed examination of the facts. A director's independence may be questioned if he or she receives material benefits from someone interested in the underlying transaction, and the loss of those benefits is likely to compromise the director's ability to make unbiased decisions about the company.
A director is considered independent if:
- That director's decisions are based on the corporate merits of the subject before the board rather than external factors or influences.
- The director has no economic or personal interest in the corporate transaction or action that requires board approval.
- The director is not financially or personally "beholden" to an interested party./2
Disinterested Director vs. Independent Director
While the concepts of disinterested and independent directors overlap, they are distinct in nature.
A director is "disinterested" if the individual does not have a financial interest in the specific corporate transaction under consideration. An independent director is, as a matter of amended definition, presumed disinterested.
To overcome this presumption, a stockholder must plead substantial and particularized facts demonstrating that the director has either:
- A material interest in the transaction, or
- A material relationship to a person with a material interest in the transaction.
Not all disinterested directors are independent. For instance, a CEO -- who is dependent on another director with a financial interest in the transaction -- could be considered a disinterested director and vote on a transaction, but the dependent nature of the CEO director likely will taint his vote on the transaction.
Ideally, directors should be both independent and disinterested.
What Types of Relationships Give Rise to Doubt Regarding a Director's Independence?
Importantly, materiality matters. The conduct or relationship that calls a director's independence into question must be material -- meaning that it is reasonably expected to impair the objectivity of the director's judgment in the decision-making process.
- Cursory allegations of friendships, social relationships, or prior business transactions with an interested party are insufficient to establish lack of independence. As a matter of law, the existence of interested directors does not necessarily invalidate a board decision./3
Questions of director independence may arise based on:
Prior Personal Relationships and Communications
- Family relationships. Where material familial interest exists between directors, the directors' independence will be in question./4
- Social or business relationships. The relationship must be more than a thin social connection to raise concerns about independence. That said, financial dependence or significant business relations with a controlling stockholder can suggest a lack of independence.
- Additionally, statements suggesting a close personal relationship can indicate a lack of independence. Broad language that expresses "gratitude," "mutual respect," "loyalty," or "affection" can be interpreted as indicating non-independence.
- Back-channel communications. Informal or undisclosed communications that could influence the director's decisions can undermine director independence.
Compensation
- Pecuniary self-interest. A director has a financial self-interest so significant that it likely affects their ability to prioritize the company's interests over their own personal gain./5
- But, the mere fact that directors received fees for their service as directors is insufficient to compromise independence./6
- Relationship with corporation. An employee relationship with the corporation also raises doubt that a director would act independently, particularly when the income derived from that position is substantial or the director's primary source of income./7
- Financial relationship. A financial relationship between the director's business and the corporation is sufficient to raise doubt regarding that director's ability to remain independent./8
- Donations. Significant donations to a director's charity or charitable cause with which the director is affiliated could call into question the director's independence./9
* * *
1. This guide is limited to Delaware corporate law. Companies may also be subject to other independence standards and related requirements, for example from the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable stock exchange requirements. Those requirements are beyond the scope of this guide.
2. In re Oracle Corp., 824 A.2d 917, 932-39 (Del. Ch. 2003).
3. 8 Del C. Sec. 144
4. Mizel v. Connolly, No. 16638, 1999 WL 550369, at */4 (Del. Ch. July 22, 1999); In re Cooper Cos., 2000 WL 1664167, at */6 (Del. Ch. Oct. 31, 2000) (holding that a director's family relationship with an interested board member created a reason to doubt the director's ability to act impartially).
5. In re General Motors (Hughes) S'holders Litig., 2005 WL 1089021 (Del. Ch. May 4, 2005).
6. Grobow v. Perot, 539 A.2d 180, 188 (Del. 1988) (overruled on other grounds) (holding that allegations that directors were paid for their services do not establish a financial interest sufficient to find that directors lack independence).
7. Rales v. Blasband, 634 A.2d 927, 936 (Del. 1993) ("there is a reasonable doubt that [an employee-director] can be expected to act independently considering his substantial financial stake in maintaining his current offices."); Mizel, 1999 WL 550369, at */3 ("Since [the employee-directors] each derive their principal income from their employment at [the corporation], it is doubtful that they can consider the demand on its merits without also pondering whether an affirmative vote would endanger their continued employment.").
8. In re infoUSA, Inc. S'holders Litig., 953 A.2d 963, 991 (Del. Ch. 2007) ("Plaintiffs contend that infoUSA's payments to Kaplan's law firm are material enough to raise a reasonable doubt as to his lack of interest and independence. I agree... [t]he threat of withdrawal of such business is certain enough, in the case of a legal professional, to raise a reasonable doubt as to a director's independence.").
9. See In re Goldman Sachs Grp., Inc. S'holder Litig., 2011 WL 4826104, at */8-10 (Del. Ch. Oct. 12, 2011).
The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.
* * *
Meet the Authors
Oderah C. Nwaeze
Partner
Philadelphia
Wilmington
+1 215 988 1172
+1 302 467 4268
oderah.nwaeze@faegredrinker.com
* * *
Original text here: https://www.faegredrinker.com/en/insights/publications/2022/2/the-corporate-guide-keeping-board-actions-conflictfree
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
* * *
Director Independence - Keeping the Board and Board Actions Conflict-Free
The Corporate Guide
This article was originally published on February 25, 2022, and has been updated as of June 26, 2026.
At a Glance
This guide provides a high-level explanation of Delaware law regarding director independence, including the types of relationships and circumstances that might raise questions of director independence./1
-
Why is Director ... Show Full Article MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 30 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on June 29, 2026, by partner Oderah C. Nwaeze: * * * Director Independence - Keeping the Board and Board Actions Conflict-Free The Corporate Guide This article was originally published on February 25, 2022, and has been updated as of June 26, 2026. At a Glance This guide provides a high-level explanation of Delaware law regarding director independence, including the types of relationships and circumstances that might raise questions of director independence./1 - Why is DirectorIndependence Important?
A court's conclusion regarding whether the majority of a company's board is independent could affect:
The Standard of Review Applicable to a Challenged Transaction
- If independent directors approve a transaction, a stockholder challenge likely will be subject to the "business judgment rule," which presumes the directors acted on an informed basis, in good faith, and in the best interest of the company.
- A plaintiff may rebut the presumptions under the business judgment rule by showing that most of the directors approving the challenged transaction were either interested in the transaction or not independent of a person with an interest in the transaction.
- If a majority of directors are not independent, the entire fairness standard of review would apply, which is far more difficult for the company to satisfy.
In March 2025, the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) Section 144 was amended to provide clearer "safe harbor" provisions for transactions involving directors or officers who are not independent or disinterested. The amended statute also creates a rebuttable presumption that directors are disinterested when the director is not a party to the transaction.
Safe Harbor Provision: Depending on the type of transaction, courts will give a transaction the protection of the business judgment rule, as opposed to the entire fairness standard, if the transaction is approved by either:
1. An informed majority of the corporation's disinterested directors acting in good faith.
2. An informed majority of the corporation's disinterested stockholders.
Presumed Independence: The presumed disinterestedness of public company directors is rebuttable only with "substantial and particularized facts" proving that the director has either a material interest in the transaction or a material relationship with a person that has a material interest. DGCL Section 144(e)(4).
Evaluating Special Committees for Controlling Stockholder Transactions
- Whenever a special committee of disinterested and independent directors negotiates and approves a transaction with a controlling stockholder, it becomes the plaintiff/stockholder's burden to prove the deal was unfair.
- If the company and its directors are unable to establish the independence of the special committee, the company should evaluate whether another statutory safe harbor is available. If not, it remains the company's burden to prove the entire transaction was fair.
- For a special committee to be independent, every member of the committee should be independent.
- Caveat: In Rutledge v. Clearway Energy Grp. LLC, the Delaware Supreme Court stated that Section 144(b)(1) departs from Match's holding that all directors serving on the committee must be disinterested. 2026 WL 548504 at */7 (Del. Feb. 27, 2026). There, the court found that under the amended statute, if a board determines at the outset that each committee member is disinterested, a safe harbor may still be available even if a court later disagrees as to one or more members' disinterestedness, as long as a majority of the members are found by the court to be disinterested and that majority approved the transaction.
**/ Note: It is best practice to have a fully disinterested and independent special committee with full powers to evaluate, negotiate, reject, and approve the transaction, and should retain independent legal and financial advisors.
A Stockholder's Entitlement to Pursue Derivative Litigation on Behalf of a Corporation Against Its Directors
The court will consider whether a majority of the board:
1. Received material personal benefit from the challenged transaction.
2. Has a substantial likelihood of liability for approving the challenged transaction.
3. Lacks independence from someone receiving a material benefit from the challenged transaction, or who themselves would face substantial likelihood of liability for the challenged transaction.
The Court's Decision to Reject a Special Litigation Committee's Recommendation to Dismiss Litigation Brought on Behalf of the Company
If a special litigation committee moves to dismiss a derivative action, the court must investigate the independence of the committee members and the reasonableness and good faith of the committee's investigation.
How Does the Law Define an Independent Director?
It is important to note that whether a director is deemed independent depends on the specific situation and requires a detailed examination of the facts. A director's independence may be questioned if he or she receives material benefits from someone interested in the underlying transaction, and the loss of those benefits is likely to compromise the director's ability to make unbiased decisions about the company.
A director is considered independent if:
- That director's decisions are based on the corporate merits of the subject before the board rather than external factors or influences.
- The director has no economic or personal interest in the corporate transaction or action that requires board approval.
- The director is not financially or personally "beholden" to an interested party./2
Disinterested Director vs. Independent Director
While the concepts of disinterested and independent directors overlap, they are distinct in nature.
A director is "disinterested" if the individual does not have a financial interest in the specific corporate transaction under consideration. An independent director is, as a matter of amended definition, presumed disinterested.
To overcome this presumption, a stockholder must plead substantial and particularized facts demonstrating that the director has either:
- A material interest in the transaction, or
- A material relationship to a person with a material interest in the transaction.
Not all disinterested directors are independent. For instance, a CEO -- who is dependent on another director with a financial interest in the transaction -- could be considered a disinterested director and vote on a transaction, but the dependent nature of the CEO director likely will taint his vote on the transaction.
Ideally, directors should be both independent and disinterested.
What Types of Relationships Give Rise to Doubt Regarding a Director's Independence?
Importantly, materiality matters. The conduct or relationship that calls a director's independence into question must be material -- meaning that it is reasonably expected to impair the objectivity of the director's judgment in the decision-making process.
- Cursory allegations of friendships, social relationships, or prior business transactions with an interested party are insufficient to establish lack of independence. As a matter of law, the existence of interested directors does not necessarily invalidate a board decision./3
Questions of director independence may arise based on:
Prior Personal Relationships and Communications
- Family relationships. Where material familial interest exists between directors, the directors' independence will be in question./4
- Social or business relationships. The relationship must be more than a thin social connection to raise concerns about independence. That said, financial dependence or significant business relations with a controlling stockholder can suggest a lack of independence.
- Additionally, statements suggesting a close personal relationship can indicate a lack of independence. Broad language that expresses "gratitude," "mutual respect," "loyalty," or "affection" can be interpreted as indicating non-independence.
- Back-channel communications. Informal or undisclosed communications that could influence the director's decisions can undermine director independence.
Compensation
- Pecuniary self-interest. A director has a financial self-interest so significant that it likely affects their ability to prioritize the company's interests over their own personal gain./5
- But, the mere fact that directors received fees for their service as directors is insufficient to compromise independence./6
- Relationship with corporation. An employee relationship with the corporation also raises doubt that a director would act independently, particularly when the income derived from that position is substantial or the director's primary source of income./7
- Financial relationship. A financial relationship between the director's business and the corporation is sufficient to raise doubt regarding that director's ability to remain independent./8
- Donations. Significant donations to a director's charity or charitable cause with which the director is affiliated could call into question the director's independence./9
* * *
1. This guide is limited to Delaware corporate law. Companies may also be subject to other independence standards and related requirements, for example from the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable stock exchange requirements. Those requirements are beyond the scope of this guide.
2. In re Oracle Corp., 824 A.2d 917, 932-39 (Del. Ch. 2003).
3. 8 Del C. Sec. 144
4. Mizel v. Connolly, No. 16638, 1999 WL 550369, at */4 (Del. Ch. July 22, 1999); In re Cooper Cos., 2000 WL 1664167, at */6 (Del. Ch. Oct. 31, 2000) (holding that a director's family relationship with an interested board member created a reason to doubt the director's ability to act impartially).
5. In re General Motors (Hughes) S'holders Litig., 2005 WL 1089021 (Del. Ch. May 4, 2005).
6. Grobow v. Perot, 539 A.2d 180, 188 (Del. 1988) (overruled on other grounds) (holding that allegations that directors were paid for their services do not establish a financial interest sufficient to find that directors lack independence).
7. Rales v. Blasband, 634 A.2d 927, 936 (Del. 1993) ("there is a reasonable doubt that [an employee-director] can be expected to act independently considering his substantial financial stake in maintaining his current offices."); Mizel, 1999 WL 550369, at */3 ("Since [the employee-directors] each derive their principal income from their employment at [the corporation], it is doubtful that they can consider the demand on its merits without also pondering whether an affirmative vote would endanger their continued employment.").
8. In re infoUSA, Inc. S'holders Litig., 953 A.2d 963, 991 (Del. Ch. 2007) ("Plaintiffs contend that infoUSA's payments to Kaplan's law firm are material enough to raise a reasonable doubt as to his lack of interest and independence. I agree... [t]he threat of withdrawal of such business is certain enough, in the case of a legal professional, to raise a reasonable doubt as to a director's independence.").
9. See In re Goldman Sachs Grp., Inc. S'holder Litig., 2011 WL 4826104, at */8-10 (Del. Ch. Oct. 12, 2011).
The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.
* * *
Meet the Authors
Oderah C. Nwaeze
Partner
Philadelphia
Wilmington
+1 215 988 1172
+1 302 467 4268
oderah.nwaeze@faegredrinker.com
* * *
Original text here: https://www.faegredrinker.com/en/insights/publications/2022/2/the-corporate-guide-keeping-board-actions-conflictfree
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Europe Accelerates in AI Race But a Growing Divide Threatens Progress
NEW YORK, June 30 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release:
* * *
Europe Accelerates in AI Race But a Growing Divide Threatens Progress
European companies improved AI readiness faster over the past six months, although North American firms remain ahead overall
-
MILAN - Europe's largest companies are showing early signs of narrowing the AI readiness gap with North America, but a growing divide between large and smaller firms risks holding the region back, according to the inaugural Accenture AI Progress Barometer.
AI readiness refers to the ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, June 30 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release: * * * Europe Accelerates in AI Race But a Growing Divide Threatens Progress European companies improved AI readiness faster over the past six months, although North American firms remain ahead overall - MILAN - Europe's largest companies are showing early signs of narrowing the AI readiness gap with North America, but a growing divide between large and smaller firms risks holding the region back, according to the inaugural Accenture AI Progress Barometer. AI readiness refers to theessential capabilities that organizations need to maximize the value they derive from AI such as having quality data that is easily accessible, a skilled workforce, and appropriate processes in place.
Accenture's AI Progress Barometer tracks how the AI readiness of approximately 3,000 of the world's largest companies evolves over time, benchmarking each company against peers across industries and regions. Companies are scored on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 represents the highest level of AI readiness among the companies assessed.
According to the Barometer, European companies improved their AI Readiness scores by 1.6 points over the past six months, compared with a 1.1-point improvement in North America. These early signs of improvement for Europe still need to be confirmed in the next edition of the Barometer. However, North American companies continue to maintain a higher overall level of AI readiness on average, with scores of 48.9 out of 100 compared with 43.1 for European companies.
The data also highlights a widening divide within Europe itself. The largest European companies (those with annual revenues above $10 billion) now rank just 2.1 points behind their North American peers (47.4 versus 49.5). Smaller European companies, however, lag comparable North American firms by 7.6 points (40.5 versus 48.1), highlighting a pronounced "long tail" that could weigh on Europe's future competitiveness.
This gap is significantly wider in Europe than in North America, underlining the risk that smaller companies could miss out on the next wave of AI-led productivity and growth unless they accelerate investment in the capabilities needed to scale AI.
Mauro Macchi, CEO for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Accenture, said, "Europe is clearly building real momentum in AI, mainly driven by its largest companies. They understand that for AI to deliver more value, faster, it requires enterprise-wide reinvention, not just plug-and-play adoption. This means rethinking operating models, redesigning how work gets done, strengthening their data and technology foundations, and most importantly ensuring leadership engagement and proper governance and change management. The speed of execution will define Europe's future competitiveness."
The pace of progress varies considerably across countries and sectors. Companies in France (+5 to 43.1), the United Kingdom (+4.8 to 44.5), and Spain (+4.6 to 39.9) recorded the largest improvements in AI readiness.
Ten of the 18 sectors tracked by the Barometer showed overall improvement in AI readiness, with companies in insurance (+8 to 48.6), travel (+5.7 to 46.7) and consumer goods (+5.2 to 43.7) recording the fastest gains compared to their peers globally. Insurance led the sector rankings, reflecting significant work done in transforming processes and modernizing their data foundation.
Gavin Stephenson, Accenture's Data & AI lead for EMEA, said: "This progress reflects a shift from experimentation to execution at scale. A growing number of European companies are beginning to reinvent business processes with AI, while cleaning their data and skilling their people. For instance, insurers are not just deploying AI on top of existing processes but are redesigning how work gets done--straightforward claims can be automated from damage assessment to payment, while complex cases get flagged for a human expert. This redesign is only possible with clean, integrated and accessible data underneath, and with a workforce that is properly trained."
About the AI Progress Barometer
Accenture's AI Progress Barometer tracks the progress organizations are making in building the capabilities required to scale AI and extract maximum value from it. Data is collected every six months to measure progress. The Barometer is a measure of change, with scores showing the progress organizations have made. It covers the largest ~3,000 companies in the world.
Scores are aggregated and averaged by region and industry to enable comparison. The inaugural edition uses H2 2025 as the baseline reference point to show how companies' relative AI readiness positions evolved through H1 2026. Changes in score indicate how companies have moved up or down the AI readiness rankings since H2 2025.
Scores are updated every six months and reflect relative movement against global peers across four pillars:
* Strategic direction: strategic focus on AI, responsible AI and AI investment plans
* Technology foundation: cyber, cloud and data maturity, R&D partnerships
* People and skills: employee reskilling, leadership engagement, workforce adaptation and AI job postings
* Process reinvention: redesign of business processes with AI, and through the adoption of AI agents.
The Barometer combines data from two proprietary Accenture datasets: The AI Index, an outside-in assessment of company abilities to scale with AI, and the Pulse of Change, an inside-out CXO survey conducted three times a year.
* * *
About Accenture
Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 799,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us at accenture.com.
* * *
Original text here: https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2026/europe-accelerates-in-ai-race-but-a-growing-divide-threatens-progress
[Category: BizConsulting]
* * *
Europe Accelerates in AI Race But a Growing Divide Threatens Progress
European companies improved AI readiness faster over the past six months, although North American firms remain ahead overall
-
MILAN - Europe's largest companies are showing early signs of narrowing the AI readiness gap with North America, but a growing divide between large and smaller firms risks holding the region back, according to the inaugural Accenture AI Progress Barometer.
AI readiness refers to the ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, June 30 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release: * * * Europe Accelerates in AI Race But a Growing Divide Threatens Progress European companies improved AI readiness faster over the past six months, although North American firms remain ahead overall - MILAN - Europe's largest companies are showing early signs of narrowing the AI readiness gap with North America, but a growing divide between large and smaller firms risks holding the region back, according to the inaugural Accenture AI Progress Barometer. AI readiness refers to theessential capabilities that organizations need to maximize the value they derive from AI such as having quality data that is easily accessible, a skilled workforce, and appropriate processes in place.
Accenture's AI Progress Barometer tracks how the AI readiness of approximately 3,000 of the world's largest companies evolves over time, benchmarking each company against peers across industries and regions. Companies are scored on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 represents the highest level of AI readiness among the companies assessed.
According to the Barometer, European companies improved their AI Readiness scores by 1.6 points over the past six months, compared with a 1.1-point improvement in North America. These early signs of improvement for Europe still need to be confirmed in the next edition of the Barometer. However, North American companies continue to maintain a higher overall level of AI readiness on average, with scores of 48.9 out of 100 compared with 43.1 for European companies.
The data also highlights a widening divide within Europe itself. The largest European companies (those with annual revenues above $10 billion) now rank just 2.1 points behind their North American peers (47.4 versus 49.5). Smaller European companies, however, lag comparable North American firms by 7.6 points (40.5 versus 48.1), highlighting a pronounced "long tail" that could weigh on Europe's future competitiveness.
This gap is significantly wider in Europe than in North America, underlining the risk that smaller companies could miss out on the next wave of AI-led productivity and growth unless they accelerate investment in the capabilities needed to scale AI.
Mauro Macchi, CEO for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Accenture, said, "Europe is clearly building real momentum in AI, mainly driven by its largest companies. They understand that for AI to deliver more value, faster, it requires enterprise-wide reinvention, not just plug-and-play adoption. This means rethinking operating models, redesigning how work gets done, strengthening their data and technology foundations, and most importantly ensuring leadership engagement and proper governance and change management. The speed of execution will define Europe's future competitiveness."
The pace of progress varies considerably across countries and sectors. Companies in France (+5 to 43.1), the United Kingdom (+4.8 to 44.5), and Spain (+4.6 to 39.9) recorded the largest improvements in AI readiness.
Ten of the 18 sectors tracked by the Barometer showed overall improvement in AI readiness, with companies in insurance (+8 to 48.6), travel (+5.7 to 46.7) and consumer goods (+5.2 to 43.7) recording the fastest gains compared to their peers globally. Insurance led the sector rankings, reflecting significant work done in transforming processes and modernizing their data foundation.
Gavin Stephenson, Accenture's Data & AI lead for EMEA, said: "This progress reflects a shift from experimentation to execution at scale. A growing number of European companies are beginning to reinvent business processes with AI, while cleaning their data and skilling their people. For instance, insurers are not just deploying AI on top of existing processes but are redesigning how work gets done--straightforward claims can be automated from damage assessment to payment, while complex cases get flagged for a human expert. This redesign is only possible with clean, integrated and accessible data underneath, and with a workforce that is properly trained."
About the AI Progress Barometer
Accenture's AI Progress Barometer tracks the progress organizations are making in building the capabilities required to scale AI and extract maximum value from it. Data is collected every six months to measure progress. The Barometer is a measure of change, with scores showing the progress organizations have made. It covers the largest ~3,000 companies in the world.
Scores are aggregated and averaged by region and industry to enable comparison. The inaugural edition uses H2 2025 as the baseline reference point to show how companies' relative AI readiness positions evolved through H1 2026. Changes in score indicate how companies have moved up or down the AI readiness rankings since H2 2025.
Scores are updated every six months and reflect relative movement against global peers across four pillars:
* Strategic direction: strategic focus on AI, responsible AI and AI investment plans
* Technology foundation: cyber, cloud and data maturity, R&D partnerships
* People and skills: employee reskilling, leadership engagement, workforce adaptation and AI job postings
* Process reinvention: redesign of business processes with AI, and through the adoption of AI agents.
The Barometer combines data from two proprietary Accenture datasets: The AI Index, an outside-in assessment of company abilities to scale with AI, and the Pulse of Change, an inside-out CXO survey conducted three times a year.
* * *
About Accenture
Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 799,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us at accenture.com.
* * *
Original text here: https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2026/europe-accelerates-in-ai-race-but-a-growing-divide-threatens-progress
[Category: BizConsulting]