How (and Whether) to Take Your Company Public

Public Companies and Securities Partner David Cole sees smaller companies shying away from the costs of going public, thanks to the financial reforms included in the 2003 Sarbanes-Oxley Act. But if a company decides it can afford to go public, it must consider the current market. Since the market can be risky, going public requires optimal timing. "Dual Track is a nice hedge against market risk," said Mr. Cole. "You never know what is going to happen in the securities market."