Armand Perry, partner at Smith Anderson, the largest law firm in the Triangle, always has great hors d'oeuvres and a wonderful selection of beer and wine so you do not want to miss this meeting. 

Topic: The Corporate Transparency Act – Overview and What You Should Be Doing Now

Effective January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act and rules issued thereunder by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) require “reporting companies” to file beneficial ownership information reports with FinCEN disclosing information about companies and their direct and indirect beneficial owners. While the FinCEN rules include a number of exemptions, these exemptions are fact-specific and often will not apply. Failure to file beneficial ownership information reports timely and accurately with FinCEN can result in severe penalties, including criminal penalties and fines. During the presentation Mr. Armstrong will provide an overview of the Corporate Transparency Act, the FinCEN rules and guidance issued thereunder, and steps that companies should be taking to ensure compliance. 

Speaker: Heyward Armstrong  

OVERVIEW

Heyward Armstrong joined Smith Anderson in July 2006, where his practice focuses on corporate and securities law, including advising companies and their officers and directors on public company securities compliance, public and private offerings, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and corporate governance matters. These matters involve a variety of industries, including a focus on the pharmaceutical, biotech and other life sciences areas. Heyward leads Smith Anderson’s Public Companies practice group.

Before joining Smith Anderson, Heyward practiced law at an international law firm in London, England, where his practice focused on advising U.S. and non-U.S. private investment funds and fund managers on a broad range of legal issues arising under U.S. federal and state securities laws and regulations. 

Before working in London, Heyward clerked for the Honorable James A. Beaty, Jr., United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina.

While in law school, Heyward interned with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement, where he assisted in cases involving accounting fraud, insider trading and other securities law violations.

Prior to attending law school, Heyward was employed as a Senior Accountant with a global accounting firm in Raleigh, N.C., in its Assurance and Advisory Business Services group, where he supervised the planning and completion of audits of a number of public and private companies. He is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

CREDENTIALS

Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law (2024)
  • Securities Regulation (2024)
• IFLR1000: The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms, M&A 
  • "Rising Star" (2018-2021)
  • "Notable Practitioner" (2023)
• Silver Medal, North Carolina CPA exam, May 1998

Clerkships

• Clerked for the Honorable James A. Beaty, Jr., United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina

Education

• University of North Carolina, J.D., high honors, 2003
  • Executive Articles Editor, North Carolina Law Review
  • Staff Member, North Carolina Law Review
  • Order of the Coif
• Wake Forest University, M.S. in Accountancy, 1998
• Wake Forest University, B.S. in Accountancy, magna cum laude, 1998

Bar & Court Admissions

• North Carolina

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant

AFFILIATIONS

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Member and Past Chair, Symposium Conference Committee, North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
• Raleigh Chamber, Leadership Raleigh, Class 30
• Immediate Past Chair, Board of Directors, The Center for Volunteer Caregiving
• Former Member, Finance Committee, Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church

For more information about our speaker click here: Heyward Armstrong | Corporate and Securities Lawyer (smithlaw.com)