This text reproduces prof. Dr. Klaus hopt´s lecture at direito gv on september 17, 2007. The author writes about important subjects related to company law from a transatlantic perspective, it means, considering the reciprocal influences between american and european law. He analyses the following themes: diclosure and transparency, different agency problems on corporate relations (shareholders versus managers, minority versus majority, and shareholders versus other constituencies), independent directors, related party transactions, conflict of interest, market law, soft company law, criminal and civil liability of directors and, finally, public and private enforcement.
corporate law; comparative law; usa; europe