Legal Update

Legal Update / 10.02.2016

In recent years, consumers and investors have demonstrated an increased preference for socially conscious companies. The natural outgrowth of this trend has been the rise of socially conscious companies like Tom's, a shoe company that donates one pair of shoes to those in need for each pair it sells. On January 1, 2016, Indiana entered the fray as the 30th state to enact a benefit corporation statute. Benefit corporations are for-profit corporations formed with the additional purpose of providing a general public benefit. Under the statute, a general public benefit is a benefit creating “material positive impact on society and the environment,” as a whole, through a corporation’s operations.[1] This ambiguous language provides flexibility to benefit corporations that have a variety of benefit interests.
Legal Update / 18.11.2015

The SEC adopted final rules, effective April 27, 2016, known as “Regulation Crowdfunding”, which greatly liberalize the manner by which companies privately raise money in small increments from a large number of investors, using the Internet. Regulation Crowdfunding also creates a regulatory framework for the intermediaries -- broker-dealers and funding portals --which will facilitate the online transactions.
Legal Update / 30.04.2015

The SEC recently adopted final rules amending Regulation A to permit eligible private (i.e., non-SEC-reporting) companies to conduct public securities offerings of up to $50 million in a 12-month period without Securities Act registration. The amendment, known as "Regulation A+", was mandated by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the "JOBS Act") and takes effect on June 19, 2015. Its aim is to promote small company capital formation by increasing the maximum amount which may be raised under Regulation A (from $5 million to $50 million), and by streamlining reporting and disclosure requirements.
Legal Update / 14.04.2015

In December 2014, the National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB") issued what many call the "Quickie Election" Rule or "Ambush Election" Rule. In short, this new rule will decrease the period of time between a union election petition and the election itself from around forty-two (42) days to as few as fourteen (14) days. The rule is set to take effect today (April 14, 2015).
Legal Update / 21.01.2015

Canada recently adopted a new Anti-Spam Law (CASL), which will impact U.S.-based businesses that send electronic messages to recipients in Canada for commercial or promotional purposes. CASL went into effect on July 1, 2014. Unlike the general rule in the U.S., where a sender is free to send an unsolicited email as long as the recipient may “unsubscribe,” now, in Canada, the general rule is that a recipient must proactively “opt-in” prior to the message being sent. Failing to meet the new requirements of CASL can result in a fine of up to $1 million for individuals and $10 million for entities. 
Legal Update / 19.09.2014

US persons and companies are prohibited from doing business with blocked persons. On August 13, 2014 the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control ("OFAC") issued revised guidance on its 50% rule for Entities Owned By Persons Whose Property and Interest in Property Are Blocked. This new guidance dramatically increases the vigilance and diligence necessary to verify that you are not doing business with an entity that is a blocked person.