As more companies are having to writedown and restate because of high exposure to collateralized debt obligations and other investments tied to subprime mortgages, it is critical that in-house counsel understand the effects of the subprime mess on business, and how to explain these consequences to investors. Panelists representing mortgage companies, investment banks, and regulators provided a concise but comprehensive “sub-primer” on the origins and potential long-term effects of one of the most expensive financial events in modern times.