Category Archives: Corporate Law

Treatise Update – Technology Transactions:  A Practical Guide to Drafting and Negotiating Commercial Agreements

Technology Transactions enables practitioners to draft, review, and negotiate technology transaction agreements. Readers will encounter a trove of sample forms and best practices for negotiating some of the most common and sophisticated types of technology transactions. The book specifically covers issues relevant to software license, technology escrow, non-disclosure, domain name transaction, and cloud computing agreements. It also discusses the relevant privacy and intellectual property regulations lawyers should consider when drafting transactional documents.

Highlights of the new release include:

  • Chapter 4: A new section discusses the increasing adoption of sovereign cloud solutions and industry-specific clouds (see section 4:2.2[G]).
  • Chapter 5: Updated content discusses ICANN’s proposal of the new WHOIS Disclosure System which would facilitate access to nonpublic registration data associated with generic top-level domains (gTLDs) (see section 5:2.1[A]).
  • Chapter 11: New content discusses the increased use of efforts provisions in commercial agreements, the variants of the clauses that have been introduced, and issues litigated (see section 11:4), including the enforceability of such clauses (see section 11:4.1), efforts hierarchies in determining whether the standard was met (see section 11:4.2), and defining efforts standards (see section 11:4.3).
  • Chapter 19: Updated discussion describes the nine new elements that an information security program must include (see section 19:4.2).
  • Chapter 20: New content previews California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act which will take effect in 2024 (see section 20:7).

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Free Legal Form of the Month

PLI PLUS offers unlimited electronic access to more than 4,500 downloadable, searchable, and editable legal forms and checklists ready for use in your practice. In an effort to highlight this unique content type, we’ve selected one form per month and made it available for anyone to download for free – no subscription required.

June’s free form:

List of Steps to Take to Ensure Compliance with Data Protection Laws

More information about Legal Forms & Checklists:

  • Forms & Checklists Flyer – This flyer provides an overview of the forms & checklists on PLI PLUS and highlights a handful of popular examples.
  •  Popular PLUS Forms – This flyer provides a list of the top five most downloaded forms in prominent practice areas on PLI PLUS.

Send us an email at plus@pli.edu to learn more.

Treatise Update – International Corporate Practice: A Practitioner’s Guide to Global Success

International Corporate Practice provides guidance on building a comprehensive global legal department, including advice on structuring, staffing, and budgeting, as well as the use of foreign legal consultants and outsourcing. It also includes helpful case studies, checklists, and sample documents.

This release features new material designed to enable lawyers, whether in-house or outside counsel, to operate efficiently on the global stage.

Topics discussed include the following:

  • Global Law Department Management: New data on the number of CLOs that report directly to the CEOs of global companies (see § 1:3.1).
  • International Attorney-Client Privilege: Updated sections discuss the privilege in Australia (§ 2:2.2), Austria (§ 2:2.3), and Switzerland (§ 2:2.28).
  • Crisis Management: Chapter 8 now considers the scenario in which war and/or invasion occurs in a country where the company has employees, offices, and facilities (see § 8:2 and § 8:8.3).
  • Litigation Management and Discovery: Chapter 10 now describes two September 2022 decisions by the Southern District of New York which apply the factors set forth in Iragori v. United Technologies Corp. when ruling on defendants’ motions to dismiss on forum non conveniens grounds (see § 10:5.1[C]).
  • Mergers and Acquisitions: Revisions to Chapter 17 identify the drivers behind cross-border M&A and discuss the advantages that cross-border M&A have over domestic M&A (see § 17:4.1). A new section discusses diligence issues in international M&A (see § 17:5.4).
  • Export Control Laws: Chapter 25 contains updated appendices which provide revised provisions of U.S. export control and sanctions laws (App. 25A) and expanded guidance on the steps to take in implementing an export compliance program (App. 25B).
  • The Index has also been updated for this release.

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Treatise Update – Doing Business Under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (Second Edition)

Doing Business Under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (Second Edition) highlights recent enforcement actions under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and guides readers on developing internal compliance programs that detect and prevent illegalities, drafting compliant business agreements and contracts, satisfying the FCPA’s complicated accounting standards, and avoiding RICO violations, wire and mail fraud, and other legal missteps. It is an invaluable resource for corporate counsel, corporate executives and managers, and anyone who is responsible for business relationships with overseas partners or customers.

Key updates in the new release include:

  • “Agency” Under the FCPA: The scope of the term “agent” as applied to a foreign national has received a lot of attention in recent cases such as United States v. Hoskins and United States v. Rafoi-Bleuler. See chapter 4 and chapter 11 for discussion of the reach of the FCPA with respect to foreign nationals operating outside the territory of the United States.
  • ALJ Adjudications in FCPA Cases: In Jarkesy v. SEC, the Fifth Circuit held that the practice of imposing civil monetary penalties in administrative proceedings is unconstitutional. While not an FCPA enforcement action, the decision directly challenges the SEC’s reliance on ALJ adjudications in FCPA cases. See chapter 8.

In addition, the updated treatise offers information on the latest cases, enforcement actions, and settlements and provides several adaptable forms and templates (see the Related Items tab under “Forms”).

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Treatise Update – Business Taxation Deskbook: Corporations, Partnerships, Subchapter S, and International

Business Taxation Deskbook is a guide to a wide range of domestic and international business tax issues under the federal income tax law as it exists subject to the Internal Revenue Code after the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCAJA). The book provides a brief introduction to state law issues in business taxation. It also addresses the life cycle of the three principal business entities (that is, C corporations, partnerships, and S corporations), and inbound and outbound cross border transactions.

Highlights of Release #2 include:

  • New § 1:19 – provides a brief introduction to the taxation of cryptocurrencies.
  • New § 1:21 – discusses some of the Biden administration’s business-related tax proposals.
  • New § 1:22 – briefly introduces the OECD’s Pillars One and Two for avoiding abuse in the international tax system.
  • New § 5:4.1[D][3] – explains a federal district court decision holding that temporary regulations implementing section 245A were invalid because they did not meet the APAs notice and comment requirements.
  • New § 8:6 – addresses a potential change in the definition of control both for purposes of section 351 and the reorganization provisions.
  • New § 21:4 – introduces the OECD’s Pillars One and Two, which are designed, inter alia, to prevent a parent company from avoiding tax on income earned by its foreign subsidiaries.

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New Editions! SEC Compliance and Disclosure Series

PLI Press is proud to announce the publication of the new editions of the three books in the SEC Compliance and Disclosure Series.

The titles in the series are step-by-step guides delivering clear explanations, comprehensive information, and essential practice tips.

Master the 8-K offers updated direction on filing the SEC’s Current Report on Form 8-K. Master the 10-K and 10-Q gives instructions and analysis to ensure accurate and timely filings. Master the Proxy Statement advises companies on year-end disclosures and preparing proxy materials. The series includes sample language, detailed appendices, key regulations, and related forms and checklists.

Some of the highlights from the recently published editions include:

  • The latest guidance alerting users to the potential upcoming new Form 8-K Item for “cyberse­curity incidents” (see Master the 8-K Introduction and Item 1.05);
  • Discussion of the revisions to the redaction process relating to confidential information in exhibits that removed the old “competitive harm” requirement (see Master the 8-K §GP:8);
  • Instruction to users about potential Form 8-K disclosure revisions that could result from the Commission’s proposed amendments relative to SPACs and “de-SPAC” transactions (see Master the 8-K Item 2.01);
  • Explanation of the new requirement to soon submit (on EDGAR) the “glossy” annual report to shareholders required by Rule 14a-3(b) (see Master the 10-K and 10-Q §GP:5.2);
  • Notification on the addition of Item 9C to Form 10-K—“Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections” (see Master the 10-K and 10-Q §GP:2 and §3:9);
  • Communication about the adoption of rules allowing for electronic signatures on SEC filings (see Master the 10-K and 10-Q §GP3:3)
  • Announcement of changes to the rules regarding the furnishing of proxy voting advice (see Master the Proxy Statement General Principles and Appendix 1);
  • Information about the universal proxy rule, which is now effective for contested director elec­tions taking place after August 31, 2022 (see Master the Proxy Statement §21:1);
  • The new exhibit requirement when a fee is required in connection with fil­ing proxy materials (see Master the Proxy Statement §GP2:2).

Order print copies of Master the 8-K, Master the 10-K and 10Q, and Master the Proxy Statement today. 

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New Edition! Corporate Political Activities Deskbook (2022 Edition)

PLI Press is proud to announce the publication of the new edition of Corporate Political Activities Deskbook.

The Deskbook serves as a practical manual for attorneys who advise corporations about involvement in the political process. It provides a thorough grounding in the law of federal and state campaign finance, pay-to-play, lobbying, and gift compliance, along with examples of best practices that can help corporations successfully interact with United States federal, state, and local governments and officials.

The new edition reflects the most current state of the law and includes, for easy reference, updated charts on state and local pay-to-play rules, federal and state lobby laws, and state contribution laws.

Among the developments discussed in the 2022 Edition are:

  • Foreign National Prohibition – Update added about the 2021 SEC ruling regarding whether the ban on foreign national involvement in the financing of any U.S. election extends to include spending relative to ballot initiatives (see Section 1:2.2).
  • FARA Rulemaking – A new section calls attention to the DOJ’s December 2021 advanced notice of proposed rulemaking which solicited comments relevant to an anticipated comprehensive update on the implementing regulations under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) (see Section 7:5).
  • Jurisdictions with Pay-to-Play Rules –A revised table of jurisdictions with pay-to-play rules includes additional cities in Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas (see Section 5:2, Table 5-1).

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Treatise Update – Corporate Legal Departments: Practicing Law in a Corporation

Corporate Legal Departments: Practicing Law in a Corporation provides invaluable guidance on a wide range of responsibilities and dilemmas in-house attorneys face.  It advises on matters such as detecting and preventing internal legal problems, developing corporate business plans, pursuing new business opportunities, using cost-effective litigation strategies, and managing corporate crises.  The treatise features a unique In-House Counsel’s Handbook covering some of the key areas of corporate law and compliance.

Highlights from this expanded and updated release include:

  • Technology management: A new section discusses the role technology plays in promoting remote communications, data privacy, and cyber security, especially in the COVID-19 era, and whether current technology fully supports legal entity management (see section 6:4).
  • Organization: A new section illustrates four types of reporting lines that are critical for promoting communication and transparency between the general counsel and the chief executive officer as well as the board of directors (see section 2:8).
  • Privileged communications: A memo from the Department of Justice in a recent case involving Google explains the need to properly educate in-house counsel and nonlawyer employees on the practice of copying counsel on requests for legal advice where no advice is requested in order to shield business advice in the cloak of legal advice offered by counsel (see revisions in sections 12:1 and 14:15.11).
  • In-House Counsel’s Handbook: This release includes extensive updates to Appendix A, which is designed to help in-house lawyers understand pertinent points in key areas of their practice.

The Index has also been updated for this release.

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