EIGHTH ANNUAL A.A. SOMMER, JR. LECTURE ON CORPORATE, SECURITIES, AND FINANCIAL LAW[dagger], THE

Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law, 2008 by Treanor, William Michael, Indek, Ben A, Fisch, Jill E, Atkins, Paul S

In a September 1973 speech regarding the role of disclosure in the securities markets, Al stated-and I'm quoting-"I, for one, think that it is good that this fundamental premise of our regulatory system be reviewed and criticized."25 Anyone who has heard or read speeches delivered by Commissioner Atkins will know that he, too, does not shrink from careful scrutiny of both new and old securities law initiatives. To cite one example, in his recent remarks before the Security Traders Association of Boston, Commissioner Atkins, in discussing reports critical of the U.S. capital markets, stated his belief-and I'm quoting again-"that the Commission is duty-bound to analyze, understand, and, if warranted, respond to these and other report recommendations that pertain to us."26 In today's Wall Street Journal, as Dean Treanor mentioned, the article that Commissioner Atkins put in an op-ed, the Stoneridge case, is another example of his frank comment on topical issues.27 I am confident that Al would have relished the opportunity to listen to the candid views of Commissioner Atkins tonight.

Al was present at the first two lectures to introduce our speakers, but passed away in 2002, after a long illness. His family continues its close relationship to our firm and to participate in these lectures. As mentioned by Dean Treanor, we are joined here tonight by his wife Starr, his daughter Susan, and his son-in-law Jeff. We are honored that they could attend this lecture.

Al joined our firm twenty-eight years ago to establish and expand the securities regulatory practice. Today we have more than 100 lawyers in seven cities throughout the country devoted to providing advice regarding the securities laws.28 We practice in the regulatory, enforcement, litigation, broker-dealer, investment adviser, investment company, public-company accounting, and corporate governance areas.29 In short, we continue to broaden and strengthen the foundation Al originally built. We are proud of Al's affiliation with Morgan Lewis and delighted to sponsor this annual lecture in his honor.

I am pleased to cede the podium to Jill Fisch, Director of Fordham's Corporate Law Center and our host this evening. Thank you for coming.

INTRODUCTION

PROF. FISCH: Good evening. I'm Jill Fisch and I'm Director of the Fordham Corporate Law Center.

On behalf of Fordham Law School, I want to take this opportunity to thank Ben Indek and to extend a particular thanks to the firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius for establishing the Sommer Lecture and for their continued support and partnership with the law school. I know many alumni of the Morgan Lewis firm are here tonight. The firm has really gone out of its way to help make this a very special event. I am delighted that our good friends, the members of Al Sommer's family, are here and continue to attend this event. It's just delightful to have them. I am pleased that the sec Historical Society continues to come and partner with us. Of course, I want to welcome SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins.