Continuing to Evolve: How Public Companies Stay Compliant, Agile, and Ready for What Comes Next
In this final episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn walk through the last step of the Go Public Framework: C – Continuing to Evolve.
Public companies operate in a dynamic environment where regulations shift, risks change, and shareholder expectations intensify. Long-term viability depends on continuous adaptation, disciplined execution, and proactive risk management.
Listeners will learn:
• Why public-company responsibilities continue long after the DESPAC closes
• Why annual risk and insurance reviews are essential for executives
• How litigation trends affect newly public companies
• Why scalable operations and M&A readiness matter
• How to use public currency for strategic growth
• What crypto-involved companies must do to remain compliant as regulations shift
• Why evolving SEC policy requires proactive transparency
• Why long-term success is built on adaptability, not just completion of a transaction
This final episode provides the mindset, structure, and expectations for thriving as a public company in a constantly shifting environment.
Connect With the Guest:
Michael Blankenship, Winston & Strawn LLP
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship
Connect With the Host & The DESPAC Podcast:
Chaz Churchwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chazchurchwell/
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@thedespacpodcast
THE DESPAC PODCAST STANDARD LEGAL DISCLAIMER
The DESPAC Podcast is for informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Smooth Stone Capital, its affiliates, or any sponsoring organization.
Nothing in this podcast should be interpreted as legal advice, investment advice, tax advice, or a recommendation to pursue or avoid any transaction. Discussions may reference SPACs, DESPAC transactions, securities regulations, or public-company readiness frameworks. These conversations are educational in nature and should not be relied upon when making financial or strategic decisions.
Listeners should consult qualified legal, financial, and tax professionals before acting on any information discussed in this podcast. Any examples or scenarios mentioned are illustrative and may not reflect current market conditions or regulatory requirements.
Participation by a guest does not constitute an endorsement of any company, strategy, product, or service. References to specific firms or individuals are for context only.
Smooth Stone Capital and the DESPAC Podcast disclaim all liability arising from the use of or reliance on the information presented.
Chaz Churchwell: Welcome to our final episode of the Go Public Series. I'm your host, Chaz Churchwell, and this is the D SPAC podcast. I have Michael Blankenship from Winston Strom with me. He's one of the top SPAC attorneys in the the United States. If you're considering going public and maybe using a SPAC vehicle to do it, you need to pay attention to what this man has to say.
We've covered everything from getting ready to institutionalized discipline. Today we're wrapping up the series with c. Continue to evolve. Michael, why is a public company's journey never really over?
Mike Blankenship: Well, the market is con constantly changing. Chaz, for instance, you have to review and update all your executive risk coverages annually.
Risks like litigation, activist shareholders are new reality and you have to be prepared for them.
Chaz Churchwell: Uh, I'll tell you what, and here's the crazy thing. Most people don't realize this. 97.3% of all securities litigation globally. Happens in the United States, the risk is. And if you're coming out of a SPAC or an IPO, you've got roughly a 14 to 15% chance that inside the first three years as a public company, you're going to experience securities litigation.
So, but to your point, and it's, you're right, it's all about staying agile.
Mike Blankenship: Absolutely. Uh, you need to invest in scalable operations and m and a readiness. Uh, this means being prepared to grow, adapt, and use your public company and public currency for new opportunities.
Chaz Churchwell: So what about our companies? 'cause we just see it so much that are putting these DAT strategies in.
What about, uh, the digital asset treasuries? What are you seeing for companies that have a crypto treasury?
Mike Blankenship: Yeah, you have to adjust your risk frameworks as regulations shift ensure your re treasury policy remains transparent. Today's SEC may be different than tomorrow's. And so you have to be ready to evolve and have the market evolve rapidly and that your strategy must evolve with it.
Chaz Churchwell: I mean, look at our last SEC under the Biden administration to what we now have under the Trump administration. Wildly different experience, right? So, and then it's not we, we just need to know that it's really not gonna be about a transaction, it's about a commitment to a long-term success. And so the Go Public series.
We've put it together for you to be a blueprint for winning post combination. So we hope that this has been valuable to you companies looking at doing a D SPAC process. We thank you for joining us on this journey. Again, I'm Chaz Churchwell, owner of Churchwell Insurance Agency. I've got Michael Blankenship, partner at Winston Strom.
If we can help you in any way as you look into a SPAC process, please don't hesitate. Reach out. We'd be honored for the opportunity. Again, concluding the D SPAC Podcast Go Public series. I'm your host, Chaz Churchill.