Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) Looks Ahead To 2011 and Identifies the Top
Five Issues Expected to Affect Corporate Boards in the New Year

-- BLG Lawyers Available to Provide Comment--

TORONTO, Nov. 30 /CNW/ - What topics will be top of mind for C-level executives and corporate boards in 2011? BLG, Canada's largest law firm, anticipates the top five issues affecting corporate boards in 2011:

1. Shareholder activism: Pressure from activist shareholders will continue into the new year as equity shareholders test the strength of their boards. Executives and board members will need to better anticipate activist shareholder reactions before announcing plans.
   
   
2. The evolving regulatory landscape: When Magna International collapsed its dual share class structure at an unprecedented premium this summer it made corporate boards question the level of disclosure now required. Boards will need to figure out how to navigate their way through the increasingly evolving regulatory landscape.
   
   
3. New tax rules on stock options: The 2010 budget changes to the taxation of employee stock options will have an effect on how corporate boards calculate and distribute compensation. Executives will need to understand the changes and how they impact their organizations.
   
   
4. Raising capital in Canada - The new year is set to be a challenging one for issuers, investors and their advisors, due to the uncertain future of the economy.  Despite concerns, opportunities remain for board members looking to raise debt or equity in the capital markets.
   
   
5. Adapting to securities law - Social media will continue to play a role in the financial services industry. Board members will be looking at ways to take advantage of the immediacy and ubiquity of the various forms of social communication in the new year.

About Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

With more than 750 lawyers, intellectual property agents, and other professionals working in six major Canadian cities, BLG is the largest Canadian full-service law firm focusing on business law, litigation and intellectual property solutions.  BLG provides bilingual services in virtually every area of law, and represents a wide range of regional, national and multinational organizations.For further information, visit www.blg.com.

For further information:

or to schedule an interview, please contact: Nicole Leaver, Ketchum Public Relations Canada (For BLG), [email protected] [phone].