The North Dakota Publicly Trade Corporations Act: A Branding Initiative Without a (North Dakota) Brand

25 Pages Posted: 11 Jun 2009 Last revised: 26 May 2012

See all articles by Joshua P. Fershee

Joshua P. Fershee

Dean & Professor of Law; Creighton University School of Law

Date Written: June 9, 2009

Abstract

Any time a new market is entered and a new brand is created, whether it is the market for corporate governance laws or consumer electronics, it is essential to understand the market and have a clear vision of what the brand is supposed to be. When the North Dakota Publicly Traded Corporations Act (Act) became law on July 2, 2007, the state of North Dakota officially entered (or tried to enter) the corporate governance market. Rather than adding to the already significant debate about the value of increased shareholder rights or arguing that the Act was bad (or good) for North Dakota, this Article argues that there were, and are, legislative and public relations options that are necessary if North Dakota is to reap any lasting benefit from passage of the Act. After reviewing the Act and discussing the expected impacts, the Article explains that North Dakota already had plenty to offer corporations and shareholders, and that measures other than the Act are more likely to entice new organizations (or reorganizing companies) to the State. Although North Dakota has gained some national recognition for taking innovative and unique (if largely ineffective) measures in an area traditionally dominated by Delaware, additional steps are needed if the Act is to have more than fleeting significance.

Keywords: corporate governance, North Dakota Publicly Traded Corporations Act, reincorporation, shareholder rights

JEL Classification: K22, M30

Suggested Citation

Fershee, Joshua P., The North Dakota Publicly Trade Corporations Act: A Branding Initiative Without a (North Dakota) Brand (June 9, 2009). North Dakota Law Review, Vol. 84, No. 4, p. 1085., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1416836

Joshua P. Fershee (Contact Author)

Dean & Professor of Law ( email )

2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
United States
402-280-2348 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.creighton.edu/faculty-directory-profile/2522/joshua-fershee

Creighton University School of Law ( email )

2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
United States
402-280-2348 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.creighton.edu/faculty-directory-profile/2522/joshua-fershee

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
90
Abstract Views
1,556
Rank
510,934
PlumX Metrics