| 1/13/2010 |
Recent M&A Trends & Developments—December 2009 |
 |
| Recent M&A Trends & Developments—December 2009 more |
|
 |
| 1/13/2010 |
"Top Ten" M&A Deal Insights From Leading CEOs, CFOs and VCs |
|
| Build a Great Company First. Maximize valuation by building a great company (not just a great product) that is the leader in its market segment. more |
|
|
| 12/18/2009 |
SEC Adopts New Public Company Disclosure Requirements About Risk, Corporate Governance and Compensation |
|
| The Securities and Exchange Commission believes that public company investors are increasingly concerned about corporate accountability. To enhance investors' ability to make informed voting and investment decisions, and help them evaluate company leadership, on December 16, 2009, the SEC adopted rules requiring new disclosures about risk, corporate governance and compensation. more |
|
|
| 12/18/2009 |
Executive Compensation Alert: ESPP Final Regulations Issued |
|
| The IRS and Treasury Department recently issued final employee stock purchase plan (commonly referred to as an "ESPP") regulations. The final regulations largely adopt the proposed regulations with a notable clarification, described below. more |
|
|
| 12/3/2009 |
SVAGC 21st Annual All Hands Meeting 2009 |
|
| SVAGC 21st Annual All Hands Meeting 2009 more |
|
|
| 11/24/2009 |
Executive Compensation Alert: Action Required for 2010 162(m) Performance Pay |
|
| Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") denies a tax deduction to a public company if compensation paid to certain individuals (known as "covered employees") exceeds one million dollars for the taxable year. more |
|
|
| 11/20/2009 |
Executive Compensation Alert: Section 409A Error Corrections Before Year End |
|
| IRS Notice 2008-113 (the "Notice") permits employers to correct certain operational errors for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code ("Section 409A") more |
|
|
| 11/17/2009 |
Executive Compensation Alert : IRS Tax Notice – Final Regulations Under Section 6039 |
|
| On November 16, 2009, the IRS issued final regulations relating to the return and information statement requirements under Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") more |
|
|
| 11/10/2009 |
Trends in Terms of Venture Financing In Silicon Valley (Third Quarter 2009) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 103 companies headquartered in Silicon Valley that reported raising money in the third quarter of 2009. more |
|
|
| 8/27/2009 |
Employee Benefits Alert: Another 401(k) Headache: Covering Leased Employees |
|
| In a recent employee benefits alert, we looked at temporary and part-time employees, and the circumstances under which an employer must cover them under its 401(k) plan.... more |
|
|
| 8/7/2009 |
Trends in Terms of Venture Financing In Silicon Valley (Second Quarter 2009) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 89 companies headquartered in the Silicon Valley that reported raising money in the second quarter of 2009. more |
|
|
| 8/7/2009 |
Executive Compensation Alert: 2009 Update on Stock Options in India |
|
| This is an overview of some of the legal and strategic issues related to a U.S. parent company granting stock options to employees of its Indian subsidiary, including consideration of exchange controls, securities laws and tax burdens. more |
|
|
| 8/5/2009 |
Executive Compensation Alert: House Passes Executive Compensation Bill |
|
| On August 3, the House, led by Representative Barney Frank, passed the Corporate and Financial Institution Compensation Fairness Act of 2009 (H.R. 3269), which applies to public companies and would (i) give shareholders a "say on pay" by providing a nonbinding, advisory vote on the company's pay practices for top executives... more more |
|
|
| 7/27/2009 |
Corporate and Securities Update: Compensation and Corporate Governance Disclosure Update |
|
| In a July 10 release, the SEC published proposed rules to expand the level of disclosure in proxy statements, primarily in the areas of executive compensation and corporate governance... more |
|
|
| 7/9/2009 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings in Israel (Fourth Quarter of 2008 & First Quarter of 2009) |
|
| We have analyzed the terms of venture financings for 27 Israeli and Israeli-related technology companies that reported raising money in the fourth quarter of 2008 and in the first quarter of 2009... more |
|
|
| 7/2/2009 |
Employee Benefits Alert: A Trap for the Unwary Employer: Failure to Cover Part-Time and Temporary Employees Under a 401(k) Plan |
|
| Clients often ask us whether certain groups of employees, such as part-time or temporary employees, must be covered under their 401(k) plan more |
|
|
| 7/2/2009 |
Corporate and Securities Update: Major Corporate Governance Proposals Are on the Way |
|
| On July 1 the Securities and Exchange Commission took action on three measures that affect public company compensation and governance more |
|
|
| 6/24/2009 |
Corporate Governance Reforms and Executive Compensation – The Perfect Storm |
|
| Over the next few months we are likely to witness the development of a "perfect storm" of corporate governance reforms and executive compensation changes at U.S. public companies. more |
|
|
| 6/17/2009 |
Federal Initiatives Affecting Corporate Law |
|
| In recent weeks, leading legislators and regulators have announced a series of initiatives arising, in one way or another, out of the recent economic crisis. more |
|
|
| 6/9/2009 |
Corporate and Securities Update: SEC Update—SEC Proposed Rules Would Make It Easier For Stockholders to Nominate Board Members; Compensation Disclosure Changes On The Way |
|
| The SEC announced that it will propose amendments to the proxy rules to facilitate the ability of stockholders to propose nominees for election to a board of directors. more |
|
|
| 5/27/2009 |
Trends in Terms of Venture Financing in the San Francisco Bay Area (First Quarter 2009) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 92 companies headquartered in the Silicon Valley that reported raising money in the first quarter of 2009. more |
|
|
| 5/14/2009 |
Employee Benefits Alert: Update on Health Care Reform: Has San Francisco Finally "Cracked the ERISA Code?" |
|
| The Department of Labor has just released several model notices (including election forms) to reflect the new COBRA subsidy requirements of ARRA, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.... more |
|
|
| 5/6/2009 |
Cleantech Client Alert: Newly-Launched ARPA-E Announces $150 Million Funding Opportunity for "Transformational" Energy Technologies |
|
| On April 27, 2009, the Department of Energy announced the availability of up to $150 million of funding for research and development on transformational energy-related technologies. more |
|
|
| 4/22/2009 |
2009 Update to Guide to Starting a Corporation |
|
| This guide describes certain basic considerations and costs involved in forming a Delaware or California corporation. more |
|
|
| 4/22/2009 |
2009 Update: Raising the Initial Funding for High Technology Companies in the San Francisco Bay Area |
|
| This is a brief summary of the process for raising initial funding in the Bay Area for high technology companies. We hope to help entrepreneurs seeking initial funding understand the alternatives, identify potential funding sources and, most importantly, understand the practical realities of raising initial funding in the Bay Area... more |
|
|
| 4/22/2009 |
Key Service Agreement Issues: Service Providers Checklist |
|
| Outsourcing of technology-related services continues to grow. more |
|
|
| 4/22/2009 |
Legal Resource Guide For Entrepreneurs |
|
| No single factor is controlling in determining the form of business organization to select, but if the business is expected to expand rapidly, a corporation will usually be the best alternative because of the availability of employee incentive stock plans; ease of accommodating outside investment and greater long-term liquidity alternatives for shareholders. more |
|
|
| 4/16/2009 |
Antitrust Alert: Leegin Returns to East Texas to Die: Epic Vertical Price Fixing Case Goes Full Circle |
|
| Earlier this month, the Eastern District of Texas dismissed all claims in an antitrust case that has made history. In 2007, the United States Supreme Court shook the antitrust world with its decision in Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc., 127 S.Ct. 2705 (2007)... more |
|
|
| 4/3/2009 |
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Imminent Funding Opportunities for Clean Tech Companies But Funding Comes with Conditions |
|
| The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 represents the largest government stimulus package in U.S. history. As has been widely reported, President Obama has made the development and adoption of clean technologies a core goal of his policy initiatives. more |
|
|
| 3/24/2009 |
Employee Benefits Alert: New COBRA Subsidy Model Notices |
|
| The Department of Labor has just released several model notices (including election forms) to reflect the new COBRA subsidy requirements of ARRA, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.... more |
|
|
| 2/27/2009 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings in Israel (Second Half of 2008) |
|
| We have analyzed the terms of venture financings for 43 Israeli and Israeli-related technology companies that reported raising money in the second half of 2008....
more |
|
|
| 2/27/2009 |
Trends in Terms of Venture Financing in the San Francisco Bay Area (Fourth Quarter 2008) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 128 companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the fourth quarter of 2008....
more |
|
|
| 2/26/2009 |
Executive Compensation Alert: Latest Restrictions on Compensation of Executives at Financial Institutions Receiving Assistance Under the Troubled Asset Relief Program |
|
| The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") that became law on February 17, 2009, imposes new restrictions on compensation of certain executives at financial institutions that receive assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP") under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 ("EESA")....
more |
|
|
| 2/18/2009 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: Delaware Supreme Court Confirms Officers' Fiduciary Duties and Refines the Application of the Common Law Doctrine of Shareholder Ratification |
|
| The Delaware Supreme Court's recent decision in Gantler vs. Stephens (Del. January 27, 2009) – where the Court issued a rare reversal of a Court of Chancery decision – contains several noteworthy holdings on core corporate governance principles...
more |
|
|
| 1/21/2009 |
Securities Litigation Update—Must A Corporation Disclose Privileged Information To Avoid Prosecution, And If It Does So, Will It Be At The Mercy Of The Plaintiffs' Bar? – Recent Developments In DOJ Policy And Case Law |
|
| Many boards and executives of corporations subject to criminal and civil regulatory investigations have grappled with the highly charged decision of whether to provide the government with privileged communications and attorney work product....
more |
|
|
| 1/7/2009 |
Executive Compensation Alert: IRS Tax Notice For Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plans |
|
| Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") requires that by January 31, 2009, employers provide certain information to their employees (or former employees) who in 2008 either exercised "incentive stock options" ("ISOs") or transferred shares purchased under an "employee stock purchase plan" (an "ESPP")....
more |
|
|
| 1/7/2009 |
Mergers and Acquisitions Alert: New HSR Thresholds for 2009 |
|
| The dollar thresholds for pre-acquisition filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act will increase mid-February (exact date still pending), due to an annual adjustment mechanism that was created in the last round of amendments to the HSR Act...
more |
|
|
| 12/16/2008 |
Executive Compensation Alert: IRS Program Permits Avoiding Section 409A's 20% Penalty Tax for Certain Unintentional, Operational Violations Under Certain Compensation Arrangements |
|
| On Dec. 5 the IRS announced Notice 2008-113, providing correction methods for certain unintentional, operational failures in relation to non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements and certain equity awards that would otherwise invoke the 20% penalty tax under Section 409A...
more |
|
|
| 12/8/2008 |
Securities Litigation Alert: Ninth Circuit Affirms District Court's Dismissal of Securities Class Action |
|
| On November 26, 2008, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a securities fraud lawsuit brought by Glazer Capital Management against InVision Technologies, Inc. and two of its executive officers....
more |
|
|
| 11/24/2008 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: FINRA Announces Changes to Analyst Rules |
|
| The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, as part of its process of enacting a consolidated rulebook, announced proposed changes to its existing conflicts of interest rules regarding research analysts...
more |
|
|
| 11/24/2008 |
Trends in Terms of Venture Financing in the San Francisco Bay Area (Third Quarter 2008) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 101 companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the third quarter of 2008. There has recently been substantial distress and volatility in world financial markets...
more |
|
|
| 10/22/2008 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: M&A Development—Additional Guidance from the Delaware Chancery Court on MAE Clauses |
|
| Hexion v. Huntsman provides lessons on what constitutes a Material Adverse Effect and the meaning of "reasonable best efforts" and "knowing and intentional breach."...
more |
|
|
| 10/22/2008 |
NASDAQ Temporarily Suspends Minimum Bid Price and Minimum Market Value Requirements |
|
| On October 16, 2008, The NASDAQ OMX Group suspended the bid price and market value of publicly held shares requirements for all NASDAQ-listed companies...
more |
|
|
| 10/2/2008 |
FASB to Reconsider Plan for Sweeping Changes to Contingent Liabilities Disclosures |
|
| On September 24, 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") decided to reconsider its previously-proposed amendments to FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies ("Statement 5"), and FASB Statement No. 141, Business Combinations...
more |
|
|
| 9/2/2008 |
Copyright Alert: Io v. Veoh—DMCA Covers Video Upload Site Charged With Exposing Skin Flicks |
|
| In an important decision with potential implications for the Viacom v. YouTube suit and for every website that hosts user-supplied content, a Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of California has granted summary judgment against a publisher of "adult" films...
more |
|
|
| 8/26/2008 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: Information Management for Mergers and Acquisitions – Wrangling, Lassoing and Roping at the M&A Corral |
|
| When one company acquires some or all of the assets or divisions of another, the acquirer faces a recurring set of issues related to electronic information management. Forethought is necessary to ensure the acquirer follow best business practices and comply with legal obligations when...
more |
|
|
| 8/15/2008 |
Trends in Terms of Venture Financing in the San Francisco Bay Area (Second Quarter 2008) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 108 companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the second quarter of 2008. The results of the 2Q08 survey show that companies raising venture capital in 2Q08 continued to receive higher valuations than in their prior round...
more |
|
|
| 8/11/2008 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: Auction Rate Securities—Recent Settlements with SEC and Other Regulators |
|
| On August 7 and 8, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced settlements with Citigroup Global Markets and UBS Securities and UBS Financial Services Inc....
more |
|
|
| 8/8/2008 |
Litigation Alert: California Supreme Court Settles Law Regarding Enforceability of Non-Competition Agreements, Releases of Claims |
|
| The California Supreme Court has ruled in Edwards v. Arthur Andersen LLP, ___ Cal. 4th ___ , 2008 Cal. LEXIS 9618 (Cal. Aug. 7, 2008) (No. S147190), that non-competition agreements in California are invalid under California Business and Professions Code Section 16600 ("Section 16600")...
more |
|
|
| 7/11/2008 |
SEC Extends Date of Auditor Attestation for Non-Accelerated Filers |
|
| On June 26, 2008, the SEC announced it extended the date for non-accelerated filers to include in Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-KSB the auditor attestation required under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
more |
|
|
| 4/15/2008 |
Section 409A Valuations and Stock Option Grants for Start-up Technology and Life Science Companies |
|
| Federal, and at least one state's, tax laws make it especially important for companies granting stock options as compensation to set the exercise price of the underlying shares at or above the price that can be shown by a reasonable valuation method to be fair market value (FMV) at the time of grant.
more |
|
|
| 3/24/2008 |
SOX Litigation-Hold Triggers — Public and Private Companies Susceptible to Criminal Prosecution for Obstruction of Justice |
|
| Years after passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, many companies still believe the Act applies uniquely to public companies.
more |
|
|
| 3/19/2008 |
2007 Silicon Valley Life Science VC Survey |
|
| The results of our fourth annual San Francisco Bay Area Life Science Venture Capital Valuation Survey show a continuation of the positive trend in the life science venture environment.
more |
|
|
| 3/4/2008 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (Fourth Quarter 2007) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 103 companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the fourth quarter of 2007.
more |
|
|
| 2/22/2008 |
Executive Compensation Alert: IRS Releases Guidance for 162(m) Compensation |
|
| On February 21, 2008, the IRS released Revenue Ruling 2008-13, confirming the position taken in PLR 200804004 that compensation intended to qualify as deductible performance-based compensation pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986...
more |
|
|
| 2/18/2008 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: Delaware Supreme Court Confirms Officers' Fiduciary Duties and Refines the Application of the Common Law Doctrine of Shareholder Ratification |
|
| The Delaware Supreme Court's recent decision in Gantler vs. Stephens (Del. January 27, 2009) – where the Court issued a rare reversal of a Court of Chancery decision – contains several noteworthy holdings on core corporate governance principles...
more |
|
|
| 2/14/2008 |
Executive Compensation Alert: Performance Based Compensation is Non-Excludible Under 162(m) If Also Payable Under An Employment Agreement As Severance |
|
| We alerted you on January 31, 2008 (and provided a further update on February 8, 2008), that the IRS now takes the position that compensation intended to qualify as deductible performance-based compensation pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended...
more |
|
|
| 2/12/2008 |
2008 Update: Raising the Initial Funding for High Technology Companies in the San Francisco Bay Area |
|
| This is a brief summary of the process for raising initial funding in the Bay Area for high technology companies.
more |
|
|
| 2/8/2008 |
Executive Compensation Alert: Payments Do Not Qualify as Performance-Based Compensation Under 162(m) Where Payments are Permitted Under a Severance Arrangement |
|
| The Internal Revenue Service published a private letter ruling on January 28, 2008 (PLR 200804004) holding that amounts paid to a recipient under an incentive compensation plan intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") will not qualify as performance-based compensation...
more |
|
|
| 2/6/2008 |
2008 Update to Guide to Establishing a Subsidiary in India |
|
| Although the current dollar-rupee exchange rate is causing more consideration of other locations, many businesses in the U.S. continue to move a portion of their development, support and other operations offshore to India, primarily for cost-saving reason.
more |
|
|
| 1/30/2008 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: Securities and Exchange Commission Adopts Amendments to Rules 144 and 145 |
|
| For the first time since 1997, the SEC has made significant amendments to Rules 144 and 145 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act").
more |
|
|
| 1/28/2008 |
Securities Litigation Alert: The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: The Next Corporate Scandal? |
|
| As the stock option backdating cases wind down, what will be the next corporate scandal to gain widespread notoriety?
more |
|
|
| 1/25/2008 |
A Summary of the Labor Contract Law of the People's Republic of China |
|
| Thirteen years ago, the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China ("Labor Law") was released, which is a fundamental law to govern employment relationships between employers and employees in China.
more |
|
|
| 1/24/2008 |
2008 Update to Doing Business in China via the Cayman Islands |
|
| Many companies doing business in China are using a structure which includes a company formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands ("CI").
more |
|
|
| 1/18/2008 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: New HSR Thresholds for 2008 |
|
| The dollar thresholds for pre-acquisition filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act will increase at the end of February (exact date still pending), due to an annual adjustment mechanism that was created in the last round of amendments to the HSR Act.
more |
|
|
| 1/16/2008 |
Corporate and Securities Alert: eProxy Rules Are Now Effective for Large Accelerated Filers |
|
| The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted an amendment to its proxy statement rules in July 2007 regarding electronic availability of proxy materials.
more |
|
|
| 1/3/2008 |
2008 Update to Guide to Establishing a Subsidiary in China |
|
| As China's strength in the global economy continues to grow, businesses need to consider the prospect of establishing operations within its borders.
more |
|
|
| 1/3/2008 |
2008 Update to Implementing Share Incentive Schemes in China |
|
| This memorandum is an overview of the legal and strategic issues related to implementing share incentive schemes in China, including understanding Chinese cultural views of employment and compensation, structuring share incentive schemes to comply with applicable Chinese currency controls and securities law restrictions and the tax consequences of options to the employees.
more |
|
|
| 1/3/2008 |
2008 Update to Investment and Operating in Restricted Industries in China |
|
| There are a number of business sectors in China such as telecommunications services, online commerce and auction in which direct foreign investment is restricted.
more |
|
|
| 12/6/2007 |
Executive Compensation Alert: IRS Proposes Correction Program for Certain Unintentional, Operational Violations under Deferred Compensation Plans Subject to Section 409A |
|
| On Dec. 3 the IRS released Notice 2007-100, providing temporary correction methods for certain operational failures of non-qualified deferred compensation plans that would otherwise invoke the penalty taxes under Section 409A ("Section 409A") of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (California, which has enacted a parallel penalty tax may, in light of this notice, announce their own correction program).
more |
|
|
| 10/22/2007 |
Executive Compensation Alert: IRS Extends Section 409A Remedial Amendment Period to December 31, 2008 |
|
| On October 22, 2007 the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") issued much anticipated guidance in the form of Notice 2007-86 that extends the remedial amendment period with the final regulations under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A ("Section 409A") from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008.
more |
|
|
| 10/10/2007 |
Securities Litigation Alert: Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC v. Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. |
|
| On October 9, 2007, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in Stoneridge Investment Partners, LLC v. Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., which centers on how wide a net plaintiffs may cast in securities class action suits.
more |
|
|
| 10/4/2007 |
M&A Developments-Deal Process and Protections (Netsmart, Lear and Topps) |
|
| Micro-cap public targets with limited analyst coverage and trading volume should conduct a pre-signing market check rather than relying on a post-signing market check, at least where a private equity buyer is involved.
more |
|
|
| 9/11/2007 |
Executive Compensation Alert: IRS Extends Section 409A Amendment Period 1 Year, Announces Voluntary Correction Program Likely |
|
| On April 10, 2007, the IRS issued final regulations under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Section 409A").
more |
|
|
| 9/6/2007 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (Second Quarter 2007) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 126 companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the second quarter of 2007.
more |
|
|
| 9/4/2007 |
Securities Litigation Alert: Insider Trading Is Back |
|
| Most of the SEC enforcement actions brought this year against Wall Street professionals and corporate executives involve insider trading in advance of mergers and acquisitions.
more |
|
|
| 7/23/2007 |
Tax Alert: IRS Targeting Backdating Issue |
|
| On July 11 the IRS released an internal Industry Director Directive memorandum dated June 15, 2007 (the "Directive"), which designates transactions involving backdated stock options as a "Tier I Issue" for IRS agents.
more |
|
|
| 7/11/2007 |
Executive Compensation Alert: California Eases Rules for Stock Option Plans |
|
| Effective July 9, 2007, California liberalized its regulations concerning the permissible provisions of stock option plans. Practically every stock option plan of a privately-held company that has employees in California that participate in the plan can take advantage of this liberalization
more |
|
|
| 6/28/2007 |
Antitrust Alert: Supreme Court Overrules Per Se Rule Against "Vertical" Minimum Price Agreements between Manufacturers and their Distributors |
|
| On June 28, 2007, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc., No. 06-480, addressing the proper antitrust analysis of resale price maintenance under Section 1 of the Sherman Act, one of the most important federal antitrust statutes.
more |
|
|
| 6/21/2007 |
Securities Litigation Alert: A Major Victory for Defendants in Securities Class Actions: Tellabs, Inc. v. Makor Issues & Rights, Ltd. |
|
| On June 21, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision that provides welcome news to any public company, officer or director facing the prospect of a securities class action lawsuit.
more |
|
|
| 6/20/2007 |
U.S. Supreme Court Reconciles Antitrust Law and Securities Regulation |
|
| On June 18, 2007, in Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC v. Billing, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an important decision about the relationship between the federal antitrust laws and the federal securities laws
more |
|
|
| 5/30/2007 |
2007 Update on Granting Stock Options in India |
|
| This is an overview of some of the legal and strategic issues related to a U.S. parent company granting stock options to employees of its Indian subsidiary, including consideration of exchange controls, securities laws and tax burdens.
more |
|
|
| 5/24/2007 |
Antitrust Alert: Beware of HSR Filing Requirements for Option Exercises or Vesting of Restricted Stock |
|
| This week the Federal Trade Commission obtained a $250,000 civil penalty against James Dondero, the operator of the Highland Capital hedge fund and a director of Motient Corporation, for making a late Hart-Scott-Rodino Act filing in connection with his 2005 exercise of options to acquire 10,000 Motient shares.
more |
|
|
| 5/24/2007 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (First Quarter 2007) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 117 companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the first quarter of 2007.
more |
|
|
| 5/16/2007 |
Intellectual Property Strategy and Best Practices for R&D Services in China |
|
| China's Ministry of Commerce issued guidelines in March on attracting foreign investment in 2007.
more |
|
|
| 4/16/2007 |
Executive Compensation Alert: IRS Issues Final Regulations Under Section 409A |
|
| On April 10, 2007, the IRS issued final regulations under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Section 409A).
more |
|
|
| 4/12/2007 |
Northern District of California Dismisses Shareholder Derivative Stock Options Backdating Case: In re CNET Networks, Inc., Shareholder Derivative Litig. |
|
| In a detailed and thoughtful decision—and one that is certain to be cited frequently in the months ahead—Judge William Alsup has dismissed a shareholder derivative complaint against various officers and directors of CNET Networks, Inc...
more |
|
|
| 4/12/2007 |
Securities Litigation Alert: Northern District of California Dismisses Shareholder Derivative Stock Options Backdating Case: In re CNET Networks, Inc., Shareholder Derivative Litig. |
|
| In a detailed and thoughtful decision—and one that is certain to be cited frequently in the months ahead ? Judge William Alsup has dismissed a shareholder derivative complaint against various officers and directors of CNET Networks, Inc...
more |
|
|
| 3/30/2007 |
Securities Litigation Alert: Tellabs, Inc. et al. v. Makor Issues & Rights, Ltd., et al. |
|
| On March 28, 2007, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in Tellabs, Inc., et al. v. Makor Issues & Rights, Ltd., et al., a case that promises to resolve a significant and long-standing disagreement among courts on interpretation of the requirement that plaintiffs in securities fraud actions plead a "strong inference" of scienter.
more |
|
|
| 3/14/2007 |
2007 Update to Guide to Establishing a Subsidiary in India |
|
| Businesses in the U.S. continue to move a portion of their development, support and other operations offshore to India, primarily for cost-saving reasons. Venture capital investors may require such outsourcing in order to reduce a company's burn rate.
more |
|
|
| 3/12/2007 |
Executive Compensation Alert: India Proposes that Employers Pay a 35% Tax on Stock-Related Compensation |
|
| The Government of India's proposed budget for 2007-2008 (commencing April 1, 2007) includes extending the 35% fringe benefit tax imposed on employers to the income their employees in India recognize on exercise of compensatory stock options.
more |
|
|
| 2/28/2007 |
2007 Update to Structuring Venture Capital and Other Investments in India |
|
| Many U.S. and other foreign investors are evaluating alternatives for structuring investments into software development, business process outsourcing, drug discovery and other tech and non-tech companies based in India.
more |
|
|
| 2/21/2007 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (Fourth Quarter 2006) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 113 technology companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the fourth quarter of 2006.
more |
|
|
| 2/12/2007 |
Securities Litigation Alert: First Delaware Decisions on Option Grant Dating: Ryan v. Gifford and In re Tyson Foods, Inc. Consol. Shareholder Litig. |
|
| In two separate decisions issued on February 6, the Delaware Chancery Court weighed in for the first time on issues directly relating to the current wave of stock option matters.
more |
|
|
| 2/5/2007 |
2007 Update to Granting Stock Options in China |
|
| This memorandum is an overview of the legal and strategic issues related to granting stock options in China, including understanding Chinese cultural views of employment and compensation, structuring option grants to comply with applicable Chinese currency controls and securities law restrictions and the tax consequences of options to the optionee.
more |
|
|
| 2/1/2007 |
2007 Update: Raising the Initial Funding for High Technology Companies in the San Francisco Bay Area |
|
| This is a brief summary of the process for raising initial funding in the Bay Area for high technology companies.
more |
|
|
| 1/19/2007 |
2007 Update to Investment and Operating in Restricted Industries in China |
|
| There are a number of business sectors in China such as telecommunications services, online commerce and advertising in which direct foreign investment is restricted.
more |
|
|
| 1/19/2007 |
2007 Update to Guide to Establishing a Subsidiary in China |
|
| As China's strength in the global economy continues to grow, businesses need to consider the prospect of establishing operations within its borders.
more |
|
|
| 1/19/2007 |
IP Law in China: Works for Hire |
|
| The work made for hire (sometimes abbreviated to work for hire or "WFH") doctrine is an exception to the general copyright rule that the person who actually creates a work is the legally-recognized author of that work.
more |
|
|
| 1/19/2007 |
2007 Update to Doing Business in China via the Cayman Islands |
|
| Many companies doing business in China are using a structure which includes a company formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands ("CI"). more |
|
|
| 1/16/2007 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - New HSR Thresholds and Waiting Periods Effective February 2007 |
|
| The dollar thresholds for pre-acquisition filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act will increase effective February 16 or 19, 2007 (depending on publication date), due to an annual adjustment mechanism that was created in the last round of amendments to the Act.
more |
|
|
| 1/5/2007 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - SEC Adopts FAS 123R Practice for Disclosure of Share-Based Executive Compensation |
|
| To close out 2006 the SEC has issued a welcome amendment of its Executive Compensation Disclosure Rules (adopted in July 2006) so that the calculation and reporting of the compensation from equity awards will be easier to compare with the values reported in the company's financial statements.
more |
|
|
| 11/16/2006 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (Third Quarter 2006) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 120 technology companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the first quarter of 2006.
more |
|
|
| 11/7/2006 |
Form 8-K Summary Chart |
|
| An at-a-glance chart that outlines the Form 8-K disclosure items, corresponding items from the prior Form 8-K, relation to safe harbor provisions and Form S-3 eligibility, updated.
more |
|
|
| 11/7/2006 |
Form 8-K Reference Chart |
|
| A detailed reference chart that highlights event triggers and disclosure requirements for each section of the Form 8-K, updated.
more |
|
|
| 10/27/2006 |
Early Stage Financing Term Sheets — Zero2IPO Workshop, Beijing, China |
|
| Assumes Caymans, BVI, US or other non-domestic China Corporation / Seed Financing Terms / Issues in China Venture Capital Deals / Venture Capital Financing Terms
more |
|
|
| 10/5/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - Extension of Required 409A Compliance Date |
|
| The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department issued Notice 2006-79 (the "Notice") on October 4, 2006.
more |
|
|
| 9/27/2006 |
D&O Liability Insurance—Coverage Risks for Innocent Directors and Officers |
|
|
|
|
| 8/22/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - SEC Adopts Sweeping Changes to Executive and Director Compensation Disclosure Rules |
|
| On July 26, 2006, the SEC adopted sweeping changes to its rules for disclosing compensation of executive officers and directors of public companies, information about related person transactions, director independence and other corporate governance matters.
more |
|
|
| 8/14/2006 |
Don't Try This on Your Site: Changing Contracts via Website Notice Alone |
|
| On July 18, 2007, the Ninth Circuit issued its decision in Douglas v. United States District Court for the Central District of California, No. 06-75424, which addressed whether a service provider may change the terms of its service contract by posting a revised contract on its website without providing additional notice.
more |
|
|
| 8/1/2006 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (Second Quarter 2006) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 90 technology companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the first quarter of 2006.
more |
|
|
| 7/6/2006 |
2006 Update to Structuring Venture Capital and Other Investments in India |
|
| Many U.S. and other foreign investors are evaluating alternatives for investments into software development, business process outsourcing, drug discovery and other services companies based in India.
more |
|
|
| 5/2/2006 |
2006 Update to Granting Stock Options in India |
|
| This is an overview of the legal and strategic issues related to a U.S. parent company granting stock options to employees of its Indian subsidiary, including consideration of exchange controls, securities laws and obtaining possible tax benefits for an optionee.
more |
|
|
| 4/19/2006 |
Trade Secret Identification Rule |
|
| Trade secret misappropriation litigation presents a paradox. To mount a defense, a defendant must be apprised of what the plaintiff asserts was misappropriated.
more |
|
|
| 4/17/2006 |
Comments on the SEC's Proposed Changes to Executive Compensation and Related Party Disclosure Requirements |
|
| The Release requests comment as to changes that could be made to the proposal to avoid boilerplate disclosure in the proposed Compensation Disclosure and Analysis.
more |
|
|
| 4/12/2006 |
2006 Update to Doing Business in China via the Cayman Islands |
|
| Many companies doing business in China are using a structure which includes a company formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands ("CI").
more |
|
|
| 4/5/2006 |
Putting the "Co" in Development and Promotion: The New Biotech-Pharma Collaborations |
|
| A number of strategic reasons exist for partnering among life sciences companies.
more |
|
|
| 3/28/2006 |
2005 Trends in Life Sciences Partnering and Collaborations |
|
| Ten years ago, when a biotech company needed to raise capital, the avenue most frequently sought was the capital markets. Today, rising drug development costs can approach $1 billion, making a biotech's need for capital more intense than ever.
more |
|
|
| 3/23/2006 |
2006 Update to Granting Stock Options in China |
|
| This memorandum is an overview of the legal and strategic issues related to granting stock options in China, including understanding Chinese cultural views of employment and compensation, structuring option grants to comply with applicable Chinese currency...
more |
|
|
| 3/20/2006 |
Legal Issues for Entrepreneurs - Formation and Founders Issues |
|
| This guide describes certain basic considerations and costs involved in forming a Delaware or California corporation.
more |
|
|
| 3/10/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - Determining Filing Deadlines for Periodic Reports |
|
| In December 2005, the SEC adopted new filing deadlines for Forms 10-K and 10-Q, creating three tiers of filing deadlines based upon the filing company’s market capitalization.
more |
|
|
| 3/7/2006 |
Life Sciences Companies Face Special Disclosure Challenges |
|
| Life sciences companies face difficult disclosure issues because they operate in a particularly complex and financially sensitive regulatory environment.
more |
|
|
| 2/14/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - SEC Rule Proposal Creates Current Action Items |
|
| As we described in previous alerts, the SEC has proposed sweeping new rules governing public company disclosure of executive and director compensation arrangements and related party transactions.
more |
|
|
| 1/31/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - SEC Proposes New Rules for Executive Compensation Disclosure—The Details Emerge |
|
| The SEC has now made available the text of its rule proposals covering executive compensation and related party transaction disclosure.
more |
|
|
| 1/24/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - M&A Development: SEC Proposes to Amend Tender Offer Best-Price Rule |
|
| In recent years cash mergers have been used more frequently than cash tender offers, in part due to concerns that target employment, severance or other compensatory arrangements might be deemed to violate the SEC's "best-price" rule, requiring that equal consideration be paid to all tendering security holders.
more |
|
|
| 1/19/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - Recent Developments in Majority Voting for Directors |
|
| Over the past year, the concept that majority votes should be required for the election of corporate directors has emerged as one of the top issues being focused upon by investors, public company boards and shareholder advisory firms.
more |
|
|
| 1/18/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - SEC Proposes New Rules for Executive Compensation Disclosure |
|
| At its open meeting yesterday, January 17, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved for comment sweeping new rule proposals that would dramatically alter many public company disclosure practices.
more |
|
|
| 1/9/2006 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - New Compensation and Other Disclosure Requirements Expected |
|
| On Tuesday, January 17, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission will hold an open meeting to consider proposing major changes to public company disclosures of compensation and governance information.
more |
|
|
| 1/9/2006 |
Executive Compensation and Benefits Update - Notice 2006-4: Interim Guidance on Private Company Stock Valuation |
|
| On December 23, 2004, the IRS issued interim guidance in the form of Notice 2006-4 regarding stock valuation for privately-held companies pending the finalization of the proposed regulations under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
more |
|
|
| 11/15/2005 |
Executive Compensation and Benefits Update - 409A Action Steps to Take Prior to December 31, 2005 |
|
| In late 2004 the IRS released Notice 2005-1 (the "Notice") which provided initial guidance on then newly enacted IRC Section 409A.
more |
|
|
| 10/24/2005 |
Executive Compensation and Benefits Update - Internal Revenue Code Section 409A: Severance Guidance |
|
| This is a brief summary addressing severance compensation (and certain restricted stock unit payments upon termination of employment) in the context of Section 409A and the Proposed Regulations.
more |
|
|
| 9/30/2005 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - Sweeping New Rules Apply to Securities Offerings by Technology and Life Science Companies |
|
| A major modernization of federal regulations that apply to registered securities offerings takes effect December 1, 2005.
more |
|
|
| 9/30/2005 |
Executive Compensation and Benefits Update—Publication of IRC Section 409A Proposed Regulations |
|
| On September 29, 2005, the Treasury Department released the much anticipated Proposed Regulations to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Proposed Regulations").
more |
|
|
| 9/29/2005 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - Good News for Potential IPOs |
|
| Late last week the SEC announced the extension of compliance dates for Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 reports by non-accelerated filers until their first fiscal year ending after July 15, 2007. This is welcome news for smaller public companies. In addition, the announcement has special significance for private companies contemplating the possibility of an initial public offering within the next 15 months.
more |
|
|
| 9/19/2005 |
Executive Compensation and Benefits Update - Now We Are Making Sense — Revised Grant Date Rulesfor Options |
|
| At a meeting earlier this year, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) announced that, pursuant to FAS Statement 123(R), the grant date of an option would not occur until the employee had been notified of the material terms of the option grant.
more |
|
|
| 8/29/2005 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (Second Quarter 2005) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 92 technology companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the second quarter of 2005.
more |
|
|
| 8/22/2005 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - California Supreme Court Decision Reduces Risk of Personal Unpaid Wage Liability for Officers and Directors of Troubled Companies |
|
| The California Labor Code provides employees with a private right of action to recover unpaid wages against their employer. However, the relevant provisions of the Labor Code do not define who is an "employer."
more |
|
|
| 8/18/2005 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - New Accounting Valuation Rules for Option Grants — Definition of Grant Date |
|
| Under FAS Statement 123(R) options granted to employees are valued based on their fair value as of the "grant date" of the option.
more |
|
|
| 8/10/2005 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - Pre-Dispute Contractual Waivers of Trial by Jury Ruled Unenforceable under California Law |
|
| The Contract Language / The Decision / Arbitration Agreements / Practical Impact
more |
|
|
| 8/4/2005 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - Section 16 Update |
|
| On August 3, 2005, the SEC adopted long awaited amendments to Rules 16b-3 and 16b-7 under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
more |
|
|
| 6/16/2005 |
Start-up Legal Resource Guide: Prepared for the TiE Early Stage Financing Workshop |
|
| Seed and VC Financing / Sample Series A Term Sheet / VC for High Tech Companies / Raising Initial Funding in the San Francisco Bay Area / Venture Financing Terms Survey - 1st Quarter 2005 / "Shaking the Money Tree" / Patent Portfolio Strategy for Start-ups
more |
|
|
| 5/25/2005 |
Corporate and Securities Law Update - Regulation FD Enforcement Actions |
|
| This memorandum summarizes the fact patterns of actions to present the application of Regulation FD in practical terms.
more |
|
|
| 5/19/2005 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (First Quarter 2005) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 89 technology companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the first quarter of 2005.
more |
|
|
| 4/22/2005 |
Recent Mergers and Acquisitions |
|
| 10 Acquisitions Announced and/or Closed in 2005: Combined Value in Excess of $4.5 B.
more |
|
|
| 2/18/2005 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings in Israel (Second Half of 2004) |
|
| We have analyzed the terms of venture financings for 63 Israeli and Israeli-related technology companies that reported raising money in the second half of 2004.
more |
|
|
| 2/14/2005 |
Guide to Establishing a Subsidiary in China |
|
| As China's strength in the global economy continues to grow, businesses need to consider the prospect of establishing operations within its borders.
more |
|
|
| 2/14/2005 |
Recent Trends In Securities Litigation: Perspectives From Plaintiffs And Regulators |
|
| The 2005 D&O Liability and Insurance Symposium in New York, sponsored by the Professional Liability Underwriting Society, featured a panel of top plaintiffs' lawyers,
more |
|
|
| 2/1/2005 |
InVision Non-Prosecution Agreement with DOJ and Proposed Settlement with SEC Demonstrate Importance of Compliance with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act |
|
| On December 3, 2004, the U.S. Department of Justice entered into a non-prosecution agreement relating to a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigation of InVision Technologies, Inc.
more |
|
|
| 1/11/2005 |
Executive Compensation and Benefits - January 11, 2005 |
|
| Treasury Department Issues Guidance under IRC Section 409A in Notice 2005-1
more |
|
|
| 11/30/2004 |
SEC Issues FAQ Release on Form 8-K Filings |
|
| The SEC Division of Corporation Finance issued a "Frequently Asked Questions" release on November 23, 2004, regarding the Current Report on Form 8-K rules that became effective August 23, 2004.
more |
|
|
| 11/29/2004 |
Legal Structures for Outsourcing |
|
| Business in the U.S. continue to shift a portion of their development, support and other operations offshore to countries, such as India or China, that offer a lower cost structure and a qualified labor pool.
more |
|
|
| 11/22/2004 |
An Update on Structuring Venture Capital and Other Investments in India |
|
| Many U.S. and other foreign investors are evaluating alternatives for investments into software development, business process outsourcing ("BPO"), drug discovery and other service companies in India.
more |
|
|
| 11/22/2004 |
An Updated Guide to Establishing a Subsidiary in India |
|
| Businesses in the U.S. continue to move a portion of their development, support and other operations offshore to India, primarily for cost-saving reasons.
more |
|
|
| 11/18/2004 |
Intellectual Property Strategy and Best Practices in China and India Life Sciences Business Transactions |
|
| This paper is based on a presentation made at the Asia America Multitechnology Association ("AAMA") Conference on October 8, 2004.
more |
|
|
| 11/18/2004 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings in Israel (Second & Third Quarters of 2004) |
|
| We have analyzed the terms of venture financings for 58 Israeli and Israeli-related technology companies that reported raising money in the second and third quarters of 2004.
more |
|
|
| 11/18/2004 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (Third Quarter 2004) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 113 technology companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the third quarter of 2004.
more |
|
|
| 11/16/2004 |
Time to Consider Revising Compliance and Ethics Programs in Light of New Federal Sentencing Guidelines |
|
| Recent amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines applicable to organizations went into effect on November 1, 2004.
more |
|
|
| 11/9/2004 |
M&A Development: Court Finds Financially Sophisticated Director Personally Liable for $77 Million |
|
| The price and process fairness of business combinations are increasingly challenged in litigation.
more |
|
|
| 11/3/2004 |
Proposed New "Quiet Period" Rules, Shelf Registration Procedures |
|
| SEC Proposes Rule Changes to Ease "Quiet Period" Restrictions and Change shelf Registration Procedures.
more |
|
|
| 10/26/2004 |
Executive Compensation and Benefits - October 26, 2004 |
|
| Taxation of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans.
more |
|
|
| 9/21/2004 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings in Israel (First Half of 2004) |
|
| We have analyzed the terms of venture financings for 50 Israeli and Israeli-related technology companies that reported raising money in the first half of 2004.
more |
|
|
| 9/15/2004 |
Raising Initial Funding for High Technology Companies in the San Francisco Bay Area |
|
| This is a brief summary of the process for raising initial funding in the Bay Area for high technology companies.
more |
|
|
| 8/13/2004 |
Trends in Legal Terms in Venture Financings In the San Francisco Bay Area (Second Quarter 2004) |
|
| We analyzed the terms of venture financings for 112 technology companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising money in the second quarter of 2004.
more |
|
|
| 8/6/2004 |
Final Regulations on ISOs and ESPPs |
|
| On August 2, 2004 the IRS published final regulations (the "Final Regulations") on incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and purchase rights under 423 of the Code ("ISO" and "ESPP Right" respectively, and "SSOs" collectively).
more |
|
|
| 8/5/2004 |
FAQ: Form 8-K Disclosure Requirements and Practical Implications for Technology Companies |
|
| Effective August 23, 2004, every public company must comply with new Form 8-K disclosure requirements.
more |
|
|
| 7/23/2004 |
Investment and Operating in Restricted Industries in China |
|
| There are a number of business sectors in China such as telecommunications services, online commerce and advertising in which direct foreign investment is restricted.
more |
|
|
| 6/30/2004 |
Top 10 Recommendations for Creating Enforceable Online Agreements |
|
| Because the law interpreting the enforceability of online agreements continues to evolve, companies that want to create binding agreements with their online customers still face significant challenges.
more |
|
|
| 5/26/2004 |
Mergers & Acquisitions for High Technology Companies |
|
| Fenwick & West LLP provides comprehensive legal services to technology and biotechnology clients of national and international prominence.
more |
|
|
| 5/20/2004 |
India Update: Stock Options for Employees of India Subsidiaries of U.S. Companies |
|
| In early May the Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") eliminated the requirement of granting options at a "concessional" price to employees in India subsidiaries of U.S. companies.
more |
|
|
| 4/8/2004 |
Executive Compensation and Benefits |
|
| FASB Publishes Exposure Draft on Changes to Accounting Rules for Equity Compensation.
more |
|
|
| 3/23/2004 |
SEC Adopts Final Rules Requiring Additional Form 8-K Disclosures and Accelerating the Filing Deadline |
|
| On March 11, 2004, the SEC approved new rules that significantly expand the number of events that public companies must report on Form 8-K and that shorten the filing deadline for most events to four business days after the event.
more |
|
|
| 2/29/2004 |
Outsourcing Alternatives: Building a Subsidiary versus Contracting Virtual Teams |
|
| As more and more businesses are offshoring their non-core and, increasingly, core activities, the debate continues regarding the best working model for offshoring.
more |
|
|
| 1/7/2004 |
SEC Interpretation: Commission Guidance Regarding Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
|
| The Securities and Exchange Commission recently issued an interpretive release providing important reminders and specific new guidance regarding Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
more |
|
|
| 12/11/2003 |
NASDAQ Corporate Governance Standards for Listed Companies |
|
| On November 4, 2003, the SEC approved the final version of The NASDAQ Stock Market's corporate governance rule changes.
more |
|
|
| 12/5/2003 |
Will China Become a Global Power in Biotech? |
|
| There are a number of dimensions in becoming a global power.
more |
|
|
| 11/14/2003 |
SEC Issues Final Rule Regarding Issuer Stock Repurchases (Effective on December 17, 2003) |
|
| On November 10, 2003, the SEC adopted amendments to Rule 10b-18, the safe harbor for issuer repurchases, and adopted explicit disclosure requirements for issuer repurchases, whether or not conducted under Rule 10b-18.
more |
|
|
| 10/27/2003 |
Overview of Stock Option Grants in China |
|
| This memorandum is an overview of the legal and strategic issues related to granting options in China, including understanding Chinese cultural views of employment and compensation, structuring option grants to comply with applicable Chinese exchange control and securities restrictions and the tax consequences of options to the optionee.
more |
|
|
| 10/6/2003 |
Advanced Issues in Outsourcing Agreements |
|
| In recent years, many companies have begun to outsource information systems operations to third party vendors. The outsourcing services may be based on one of two broad types of models.
more |
|
|
| 8/21/2003 |
SEC Rule Proposals would Require Disclosures about Director Nomination Processes and Shareholder Communications with Directors |
|
| On August 8, 2003, the SEC issued for comment proposed rules that would expand disclosures about director nomination processes and establish new disclosure requirements about security holders may communicate with directors.
more |
|
|
| 7/8/2003 |
Shareholder Approval Required for Equity Compensation Plans |
|
| On June 30, 2003 the SEC approved new rules requiring any company listed on NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange to obtain shareholder approval before adopting any new equity compensation plan or materially amending to an equity compensation plan.
more |
|
|
| 6/25/2003 |
NYSE to Implement Shareholder Approval Rules for Equity Compensation Plans |
|
| The NYSE has notified its listed companies that its new expanded rules for shareholder approval of equity compensation plans are expected to become effective June 30, 2003.
more |
|
|
| 6/20/2003 |
SEC Final Rule: Internal Control Reports, Attestations and Certifications |
|
| On June 5, 2003 the SEC adopted rules implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires management of reporting companies to evaluate and report on internal control, and outside auditors to attest to these evaluations.
more |
|
|
| 6/17/2003 |
Alert: Electronic Filing and Website Posting of Forms 3, 4 and 5 Required Starting June 30, 2003 |
|
| On May 7, 2003, the SEC issued its final rule requiring electronic filing of all Section 16 reports by public company insiders and the posting of those reports on the public company's website.
more |
|
|
| 6/16/2003 |
Delaware Court: Inadequate Process May Cost Disney Board Protection of Business Judgment Rule |
|
| In a surprise decision, Delaware's Court of Chancery has concluded that the shareholder derivative lawsuit against Walt Disney Co. and its directors (In Re Walt Disney Co. Derivative Litigation, Del. Ch. C.A. No. 15452, 5/28/03) can proceed on the claim that the board breached its fiduciary duties in approving a lucrative severance package of former CEO Michael Ovitz.
more |
|
|
| 6/3/2003 |
An Updated Look At Doing Business in China via Cayman Islands |
|
| Some Silicon Valley entrepreneurs have used or are considering using a structure for doing business in China which includes a company formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands ("CI").
more |
|
|
| 5/16/2003 |
M&A Development: Court Declares Certain Deal Protection Mechanisms Unenforceable |
|
| In Omnicare, Inc. vs. NCS Healthcare, Inc., the Supreme Court of Delaware effectively warns M&A deal makers that overreaching deal protection mechanisms may be unenforceable.
more |
|
|
| 5/1/2003 |
Acquiring Intellectual Property and Other Assets Out of a Distressed Company |
|
| While there may be bargains when acquiring intellectual property and other assets out of a distressed company, a buyer needs to act carefully in such a purchase.
more |
|
|
| 3/17/2003 |
SEC Issues Final Rule Regarding Disclosure of Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations |
|
| On January 22, 2003, the SEC issued a final rule to implement Section 401(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and to codify earlier SEC statements regarding the transparency and quality of financial disclosure.
more |
|
|
| 3/11/2003 |
SEC Issues Final Rule on Strengthening Auditor Independence |
|
| On January 28, 2003 the SEC issued a final rule implementing several sections of Title II of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding auditor independence.
more |
|
|
| 2/7/2003 |
SEC Issues Final Rule Mandating Disclosure About Audit Committee Financial Experts |
|
| On January 15, 2003, the SEC adopted a final rule to implement Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, requiring public companies to disclose whether their audit committees include at least one member who is a financial expert and defining the term "financial expert."
more |
|
|
| 2/4/2003 |
SEC Issues Final Rule on Furnishing Earnings Announcements to the SEC and on Using Pro Forma Financial Information Generally |
|
| (Effective March 28, 2003) On January 15, 2003, the SEC adopted a final rule designed to implement Section 401(b), and to begin to implement Section 409, of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
more |
|
|
| 11/13/2002 |
SEC Issues Rule Proposal on Filing of Earnings Announcements and Use of Pro Forma Financial Information |
|
| On November 5, 2002, the SEC issued a rule proposal designed to implement Section 401(b), and to begin to implement Section 409, of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
more |
|
|
| 11/12/2002 |
SEC Issues Rule Proposal on Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities |
|
| On November 4, 2002, the SEC issued a proposed rule to implement Section 401(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and to codify earlier SEC statements regarding the transparency and quality of financial disclosure.
more |
|
|
| 11/1/2002 |
A Patent Portfolio Development Strategy for Start-Up Companies |
|
| Successful high technology companies recognize that a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio can be of substantial value.
more |
|
|
| 10/30/2002 |
SEC Proposes New Rules To Implement Provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Regarding Service of Financial Experts on Audit Committees, Codes of Ethics and Internal Controls |
|
| On October 22, 2002, the SEC issued proposed rules to implement Sections 404, 406 and 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
more |
|
|
| 10/25/2002 |
California Changes Information Statement Disclosure Rules for Companies Incorporated in or Doing Business in California |
|
| On September 28, 2002, California adopted a new law known as the California Corporate Disclosure Act, which will change the disclosure requirements for information statements that are filed with the California Secretary of State by businesses that are incorporated in California and “foreign” corporations that are qualified to transact business in California.
more |
|
|
| 9/13/2002 |
Faster Filings Required for Forms 10-K and 10-Q; New Disclosures Required About Website Posting of Reports |
|
| On September 5, 2002, the SEC published final rules that shorten the filing deadlines for Forms 10-K and 10-Q and require disclosure of whether these filings are being made available on company websites at the same time as they are filed with the SEC.
more |
|
|
| 9/3/2002 |
New Rules Requiring Additional Certifications by CEO and CFO Under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act Are In Effect |
|
| On August 29, 2002, the SEC issued final rules requiring CEO and CFO certifications of annual and quarterly reports.
more |
|
|
| 9/1/2002 |
Entering the U.S. Market |
|
| Penetrating the U.S. market is an important part of a foreign high technology company’s business strategy.
more |
|
|
| 8/30/2002 |
Mergers & Acquisitions |
|
| This booklet is divided into five sections. The "Introduction" explains why companies merge or are acquired and what factors lead to successful and unsuccessful acquisitions.
more |
|
|
| 8/30/2002 |
Venture Capital |
|
| Founding your own high-growth, high technology company, financing it with venture capital and successfully bringing a product to market is a challenging experience.
more |
|
|
| 8/30/2002 |
Venture Capital for High Technology Companies |
|
| Founding your own high-growth, high technology company, financing it with venture capital and successfully bringing a product.
more |
|
|
| 8/29/2002 |
New Rules Requiring Two-Day Filing of Forms 4 Are In Effect |
|
| On August 29, 2002, new rules went into effect requiring officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders of public companies to file Forms 4 with the SEC within two days of most transactions in company securities.
more |
|
|
| 8/5/2002 |
Sweeping Governance Reforms Adopted for Public Companies: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
| On July 30, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This new law makes sweeping reforms in the laws governing public companies and their boards, audit committees, executive officers and others.
more |
|
|
| 8/2/2002 |
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Requires Certification of August Forms 10-Q |
|
| As you know, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was signed into law on July 30, 2002. The Act contains two provisions requiring CEO and CFO certification of information included in SEC reports.
more |
|
|
| 7/25/2002 |
Nasdaq Proposes New Corporate Governance Rules |
|
| On July 25, 2002, Nasdaq announced that its board of directors has approved wide-ranging corporate governance rule changes that it will submit to the SEC for approval.
more |
|
|
| 7/16/2002 |
SEC Position Allows Stockholders to Make Stock Plan Proposals |
|
| On July 15, 2002, the SEC announced a change in its long-standing policy regarding stockholder proposals relating to equity compensation plans.
more |
|
|
| 7/3/2002 |
SEC Orders Officer Certification of Reports |
|
| The SEC recently announced two actions designed to restore investor confidence in the accuracy of reports filed with the SEC – by requiring CEOs and CFOs to certify the accuracy of public company reports.
more |
|
|
| 6/24/2002 |
SEC Proposes New Rules: New Form 8-K Disclosures and Accelerated Filing Deadlines |
|
| On June 17, 2002, the SEC proposed further changes to the public company disclosure regime.
more |
|
|
| 6/19/2002 |
SEC Proposes New Rules: Officer Certification of Forms 10-Q and 10-K |
|
| On June 17, 2002, the SEC proposed additional changes in the public company disclosure regime.
more |
|
|
| 6/10/2002 |
Weekly Employment Brief - June 10, 2002 |
|
| News Alert: U.S. Supreme Court Allows Employers to Consider Job Danger to Applicant's Health in Refusing to Hire a Disabled Individual/HIV-Infected Dental Hygienist Ruled to be a "Direct Health Threat" to Patients: No ADA Protection
more |
|
|
| 5/22/2002 |
SEC Proposes New Rules: MD&A Requirements Regarding Critical Accounting Policies |
|
| On May 10, 2002, the SEC proposed rules that would require new disclosures in Management's Discussion and Analysis related to critical accounting policies.
more |
|
|
| 4/15/2002 |
SEC Proposes New Rules: Form 8-K Disclosure Of Management Transactions; Acceleration Of Periodic Filing Dates |
|
| On April 12, 2002, the SEC proposed major changes in the public company disclosure regime.
more |
|
|
| 4/10/2002 |
Important Information Regarding New Proposed SEC Rules |
|
| On Thursday, April 11, the SEC will issue proposed rules relating to new disclosure obligations for public companies.
more |
|
|
| 3/25/2002 |
Weekly Employment Brief - March 25, 2002 |
|
| U.S. Supreme Court Invalidates FMLA Regulation That Penalized Employers For Failing To Give Notice/Employer Cannot Require Doctor's Certification after Every Sick Leave
more |
|
|
| 3/21/2002 |
Securities Law and Corporate Governance Developments in the Wake of Enron |
|
| Enron has precipitated a blizzard of SEC and other governmental statements about press releases, enhanced MD&A disclosure and proposed new corporate disclosure and accountability requirements.
more |
|
|
| 3/18/2002 |
9th Circuit Decision in Vantive Case |
|
| Note Friday's 9th Circuit decision affirming a dismissal with prejudice of the Vantive securities class actions because they failed to plead the bases of fraud with particularity as required by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
more |
|
|
| 2/13/2002 |
SEC to Propose New Corporate Disclosure Rules |
|
| The SEC announced today that it plans to propose significant changes in the disclosure regime that applies to public companies.
more |
|
|
| 2/1/2002 |
SEC Focus on MD&A Disclosure |
|
| The SEC has clearly signaled a heightened interest this year in Management's Discussion and Analysis disclosures by public companies.
more |
|
|
| 1/15/2002 |
SEC Brings First Enforcement Action Related to Pro Forma Financial Disclosures; Best Practices for Pro Forma Disclosures |
|
| The SEC has announced its first enforcement action against an issuer for providing misleading pro forma earnings information.
more |
|
|
| 9/20/2000 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Regulation FD |
|
| The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Regulation FD to eliminate selective disclosure of material non-public information by public companies to securities market professionals and to stockholders that are likely to use the information in buying and selling securities.
more |
|
|
| 9/15/2000 |
Structuring Investments in India |
|
| The key factor in determining how to structure India-related investments is the desired location of the primary exit vehicle for investor liquidity.
more |
|
|
| 8/1/2000 |
Corporate Partnering: A Strategy for High Technology Companies |
|
| Corporate partnering and "strategic alliances" are terms used to describe a symbiotic long-term relationship.
more |
|
|
| 2/20/1997 |
How is Electronic Commerce Changing Global Business? |
|
| The international legal rules for electronic commerce are uncertain...
more |
|
|
| 1/1/1996 |
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 |
|
| On December 22, 1995, the Senate overrode President Clinton's veto of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act").
more |
|
|
