Regulating private equity

Breaking Points podcast correspondent James Li sits down with corporate lawyer, economic analyst and SCP Fellow Rachel Wasserman to discuss Trump's executive order opening up 401k plans to private equity. Trends show that with rising interest rates and frozen exit markets, the private equity investment model could be under serious stress. So, what are the implications of making this type of investment available to retail investors and their retirement plans? Rachel walks James through how private equity works, what's so dangerous about the buyout-PE model and who might get left holding the bag. 

If we allow for private equity ownership of law firms, it isn’t unreasonable to expect a similar result as we are seeing in other professions—lower quality of service and work for clients and lower job satisfaction for lawyers. In an op-ed for Bloomberg Law, SCP Fellow Rachel Wasserman of Wasserman Business Law outlines why law firms should decentralize, not consolidate, to provide good service and keep lower overhead.

CAMP and SCP made a joint submission to the Ontario Securities Commission detailing deep concerns about proposals related to expanding retail investor access to private equity funds. The submission details the risks associated with buyout private-equity funds and the harms they can cause to communities and our broader economy.

SCP Fellow Rachel Wasserman speaks with CBC's Steven D'Souza as part of an investigation into the skyrocketing cost of owning a pet. The documentary reveals how independent vet clinics are being gobbled up by multinational corporations and private equity for profit.

In industries from dentistry to aircraft manufacturing, private equity (PE) is everywhere—some of it intent on rejuvenating flailing businesses, and some of it poised to extract maximum profit at any cost. To demystify this financial tool, CAMP and SCP hosted an expert panel of informed insiders and prominent American critics who have been on the frontlines of fighting PE’s worst excesses.