Tools to Navigate the Financial Crisis Related to COVID-19 Webinar

By Mark Salzberg on April 2, 2020 Posted in US

Please join the American Bankruptcy Institute’s (ABI) free webinar featuring a distinguished panel of Squire Patton Boggs and FTI Consulting professionals, including former House Speaker John A. Boehner, this Monday, April 6, from 12:00 – 1:15 pm EDT.

These experts will decipher the most recent federal stabilization programs and developments and provide unique and practical advice for business leaders and professionals. The panel will also discuss how best to successfully navigate the liquidity and financial issues arising in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Panelists will include:

Hon. John A. Boehner, Squire Patton Boggs, Washington DC
Karol Denniston, Squire Patton Boggs, San Francisco
Michael C. Eisenband, FTI Consulting, New York
Brian Kennedy, FTI Consulting, Washington DC
Ed J. Newberry, Squire Patton Boggs, Washington DC

Our panel will be moderated by Stephen D. Lerner, Squire Patton Boggs, Cincinnati, Ohio.

To register for this free webinar, please follow this link.

For any questions regarding the registration process, please contact Robin Davis with ABI at rdavis@abiworld.org.

ABI to Offer CLE

One hour of general CLE credit is available in the following pre-approved 60-minute/hour and 50-minute/hour states: AK, AL, AR, CA, DE, GA, IL, MO, NJ, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WI and WV. The following states follow an approved jurisdiction policy: AZ, CO, CT, NH and NY. ABI will submit attendance to DE, IL, NV, PA, TN and TX. Attendees from Illinois claiming credit more than 30 days after an event will be charged the US$25 Illinois late credit claim fee that becomes effective on January 1, 2020. For those jurisdictions not listed, ABI will not seek direct accreditation, lawyers will need to self-submit. Some states may not allow self-submission. ABI will issue certificates for lawyers to self-submit for approval. ABI charges an administrative fee of US$5 for members and US$25 for non-members upon requesting CLE credit for this program. Further details will be provided on the day of the event.

German Law Aspects of Crypto Assets

By Andreas Fillmann on April 2, 2020 Posted in Cross Border, EU, UK

Cryptocurrency concept A major problem to the analysis of the crypto asset and the related blockchain industry has been and still is the lack of clear guidelines and legal definitions. This blog considers how German law approaches crypto assets and how those type of assets are dealt with in an insolvency. Continue Reading

Overview of the EU measures designed to address the economic consequences of Covid-19

By Andreas Fillmann on April 2, 2020 Posted in Cross Border, EU, UK

The European Union (EU) recognized the unprecedented situation, which has arisen as a result of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak and is currently activating measures to help the economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to read out latest alert about these measures.

Directors’ Duties in the context of Covid-19 – UPDATED

By Jon Chesman on April 2, 2020 Posted in UK

This updated note sets out directors’ duties in the context of managing the practicalities that Covid-19 places on business operations.

Which Law Applies When Determining the Validity of an Assignment of Receivables Cross-Border? Update

By Jens Rinze on April 1, 2020 Posted in Cross Border, EU

The validity of an assignment of receivables cross-border depends on the law that applies to the assignment.

What might amount to a valid assignment in one jurisdiction does not mean that it is valid in another, and where there are competing claims to the receivables and competing jurisdictions, the question of which law applies – and therefore whether there has been a valid assignment – significantly affects the ability of the assignee to rely on the assignment.

COVID-19 Poses Acute Boardroom Dilemmas

By Matthew Kirk on April 1, 2020 Posted in Cross Border, UK

Hands over the table as a business concept

COVID-19 poses many acute dilemmas for boardrooms. Directors and executives need to make highly sensitive decisions to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis. Decisions taken now could come under scrutiny and potentially give rise to future litigation and regulatory intervention, so directors should be mindful of their duties and consider how their decisions may look in the future.

Please see our client alert for some guidance on factors directors should be considering when making key decisions.

What should German organisations be doing to mitigate the impact of Covid-19?

By Markus Schmucker and Jens Rinze on April 1, 2020 Posted in Cross Border, EU, UK

What should German organisations be doing to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on their business, staff, supply chains, etc

Here is an overview of the key legal issues for businesses in Germany to consider, together with some practical steps for businesses to take.

Also available in German – click here.

Managing Fiduciary Duties In The Time Of COVID-19

By Stephen D. Lerner, Peter Morrison and Maura McIntyre on March 31, 2020 Posted in US

In light of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting global economic slowdown, many companies—even previously healthy ones—are now faced with difficult decisions regarding investments, loans, employees, and myriad other matters in order to ensure their survival. It is in these times that directors must be especially aware of and abide by their fiduciary duties. Failure to do so may harm the company and may expose the directors to personal liability. Fortunately, while the challenges posed by the COVID-19 virus may be novel, the virus does not alter the standards by which directors’ decisions are measured.

Licensees And Licensors Need To Prepare For Potential Bankruptcies Caused By COVID-19

By Mark Salzberg and Ivan Rothman on March 30, 2020 Posted in US

Patented stamp

We are in unprecedented times. The current COVID-19 pandemic will not only have an impact on the physical health of our country, but the economic health of our country as well. Increased bankruptcy filings are a virtually certainty and this raises concerns of many, including licensors and licensees of intellectual property. What should these parties be thinking about given the coming uptick in bankruptcies?

Which businesses are eligible for the Expanded Business Rates Retail Discount?

By Robert O'Hare on March 30, 2020 Posted in UK

Some of the businesses most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic operate in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector, with many being instructed by the Government to close down. For many of those same enterprises, business rates probably represent a (if not the) major operating cost.

In attempt to alleviate some of the financial damage, one of the first fiscal measures announced by the Government was that retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England would not have to pay any business rates for the 2020-21 tax year. This ‘holiday’ is provided via an expanded, 100%, Business Rates Retail Discount (BRRD).