Stephen Keen, Counsel, ReedSmith LLP to Speak at KC’s Sweeping Changes to the Credit Rating Provisions of the Investment Company Act Live Webcast

New York, NY, June 03, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Knowledge Group/The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, the leading producer of regulatory focused webcasts, has announced today that Stephen Keen, Counsel, ReedSmith LLP will speak at the Knowledge Congress’ webcast entitled: “Sweeping Changes to the Credit Rating Provisions of the Investment Company Act.” This event is scheduled for July 20, 2011 at 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET.

For further details, please visit:
http://knowledgecongress.org/event_2011_Credit_Ratings.html

Event Synopsis:

In the first quarter of 2011, the SEC has proposed to remove references to credit ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating agencies (NRSROs).The proposal calls for the amendments of certain rules and forms under the Investment Company Act. This proposal, if approved, will no doubt change the approach of the financial industry with regard to securities, credit quality standards and other issues related to credit ratings.

The proposal to revise the guidelines governing credit ratings and investments will make structured finance especially challenging. In this live webcast, a panel of thought leaders and key regulators organized by The Knowledge Group will provide an overview to help you understand the most critical elements of the proposal and its potential effects on companies’ investment practices.

About Stephen Keen

Stephen Keen is Counsel to Reed Smith LLP and a member of its Financial Industry Group, practicing in the area of Investment Management. Prior to joining Reed Smith in 2005, he was General Counsel of Federated Investors, Inc. A nationally known Investment Company Act lawyer with over twenty years of experience, Steve has written extensively on the regulation of money market funds and other securities related topics. Steve is also a frequent panelist at industry conferences. Steve was named one of the Best Lawyers in America for Mutual Funds in 2010. He graduated from the University of Chicago Law School with honours in 1984.

About ReedSmith LLP

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,600 lawyers in 22 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, technology and media, shipping, energy trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education.

For more information about Stephen Keen and ReedSmith LLP please visit: http://www.reedsmith.com.

About The Knowledge Group, LLC/The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series

The Knowledge Congress was established with the mission to produce unbiased, objective, and educational live webinars that examine industry trends and regulatory changes from a variety of different perspectives. The goal is to deliver a unique multilevel analysis of an important issue affecting business in a highly focused format. To contact or register to an event, please visit: www.knowledgecongress.org.

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