Firm Insights

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced revised thresholds that determine whether companies are required to notify federal antitrust authorities about a transaction under Section 7A of the Clayton Act. The FTC also revised the thresholds that trigger prohibitions on certain interlocking directorates under Section 8 of the Clayton Act. Premerger Notification Thresholds Pursuant to […]

Shortly after Pres. Barack Obama unveiled his latest tax proposal during the recent State of the Union Address, financial services industry participants, republican lawmakers and top lobbyist on Wall Street have all voiced their criticisms of the would-be policy. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association contended that the new tax, which would place a […]

Electronics retailer RadioShack is considering a move that would see it selling assets out of bankruptcy. Radioshack is preparing to file for protection under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy law as early as next month, according to Bloomberg. It is also in talks with Sprint Corp. to sell the leases on some of its stores. […]

In the wake of President Barak Obama’s announced policy shift towards Cuba, several government agencies have begun to amend their regulations to reflect the diplomatic and economic changes. In regards to the policy shift toward Cuba, below are several significant amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations, which may be […]

Pres. Barack Obama proposed a new tax on financial institutions during his State of the Union Address earlier in January. The new tax policy, which would levy a seven-point basis fee on the total liabilities of roughly 100 financial firms with more than $50 billion in assets, would generate an estimated $110 billion in tax […]

A federal judge may have just dealt a fatal blow to Caesars Bankruptcy Plan. Caesars bankruptcy was filed on January 15, 2015.  However, in August, Caesars’ allegedly transferred a number of its assets to related business entities out of reach of creditors, according to Bloomberg. The company then canceled certain of its guarantees, so that holders of […]

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that courts should apply traditional contract principles to determine whether retiree health benefits survive the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The decision in M&G Polymers v. Tackett expressly rejected the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals’ long-standing decision in International Union, United Auto, Aerospace, & Agricultural Implement Workers […]

Don’t say you haven’t been warned! In January, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its 2015 exam priorities for the coming year. In regards to the 2015 exam priorities, the report should be required reading for all investment professionals under the agency’s purview, most notably investment advisers, broker-dealers, and transfer agents. “We share our […]

As the prevalence of Internet-connected devices continues to grow, companies need to be proactive in addressing the consumer privacy attendant risks. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a report on the Internet of Things, which includes steps that New York and New Jersey businesses can take to protect consumer privacy and security. The term […]

For years, the in-flight catalog SkyMall was synonymous with flying. Times have changed, however, and shifting consumer trends and airline rules have seriously cut into the magazine’s business model. As a result, the company behind SkyMall recently filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy law, ending 25 years of selling oddball products, according […]

The tides may be changing in regards to medical device tax in Obamacare… On Jan. 7, a bipartisan group of lawmakers forecast the U.S. House of Representatives would finally succeed in its efforts to repeal the medical device tax component of Obamacare, after pushing this agenda for years. New bill wins support of House The […]

Amid the declining profitability of shopping mall chains across the U.S., retailer Wet Seal appears to be poised on the brink. The Foothill Ranch-based company announced Jan. 7 that it will close 338 stores and lay off close to 3,700 employees, according to The Los Angeles Times. This represents approximately two-thirds of the retailer’s locations. The […]