5-1-2020 Update: We plan to provide an update later today to reflect the Fed’s April 30, 2020 release of the new terms sheets and FAQs.

On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve took additional actions to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to support the economy.  This blog focuses on the Main Street Lending Program, which is a $600 billion loan program, that will include $75 billion capitalized by the Treasury Department under the $454 billion Congressional appropriation of Section 4003(b)(4) of Title IV of the CARES Act.   The loans will target mid-sized companies, defined as having less than 10,000 employees or $2.5 billion in 2019 annual revenue, and will be made by banks and other eligible lenders, with the government then purchasing  95% of the lenders’ interest in the loans.Continue Reading Main Street Lending Program Summary

With annual reports on Form 10-K publicly filed and first quarter earnings releases getting underway, proxy season – the annual practice of filing and distributing proxy statements, reserving meeting venues and courting shareholders – is now in full effect.
Continue Reading Virtual and Hybrid Shareholder Meetings in the Era of COVID-19: What Public Companies Need to Know

In Chufen Chen v. Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., No. 18-CV-3087, 2020 WL 1522826 (2d Cir. Mar. 31, 2020), the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that the act of registering as a foreign corporation under Section 1301 of the New York Business Corporation Law (“BCL”) does not constitute consent to general personal jurisdiction in the courts of the State.  In reaching its holding, the Court held that the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Daimler AG v. Bauman, 571 U.S. 117 (2014), effectively overruled the New York courts’ long-held interpretation that registering under BCL § 1301(a) constituted consent to general personal jurisdiction.  This decision provides clarity to companies doing business in New York but headquartered and incorporated outside the State that they will not ordinarily be subject to personal jurisdiction in New York state and federal courts.
Continue Reading Second Circuit Holds that Registering to do Business in New York Under Section 1301 of the Business Corporation Law Does Not Constitute Consent to General Personal Jurisdiction in New York Courts

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted publicly traded companies that provide information to trading markets, shareholders and to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Companies need to be mindful with respect to disclosures in annual and quarterly reports, earnings releases, current reports, and public and private securities offering documents.
Continue Reading Coronavirus and Guidance on SEC Disclosures

Major economic stabilization funds are made available to U.S. businesses (including nonprofits), states and municipalities under Title IV of the CARES Act. Title IV itself is titled the “Coronavirus Economic Stabilization Act of 2020” (referred to in this summary as “CESA”).[1]
Continue Reading Funds Available to Businesses Under the Coronavirus Economic Stabilization Act (CARES ACT Title IV)

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the “CARES Act” to provide nearly 2 trillion dollars in aid and relief to individuals, businesses, and other entities in the wake of the spread of COVID-19.  Included in the CARES Act are tax and loan provisions intended to provide financial relief to people and businesses suffering as a result of the disease.

The following summarizes certain key tax-related provisions in the CARES Act.
Continue Reading The CARES ACT – Tax Relief

On March 25, 2020 the Senate passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill “[p]roviding emergency assistance and healthcare response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.”  The House and the President are both expected to approve the Bill in short order.  The Bill contains many provisions important to all companies, including government contractors.  Sheppard Mullin’s Government Contracts, Investigations and International Trade Practice Group prepared a summary of the Bill, available here.  In addition, for your reference, we are providing a section-by-section analysis from Capitol Hill, as well as the text of the bill itself.  Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions about the legislation or its implementation.
Continue Reading Key Provisions in the Senate Stimulus Bill

As we all learn to cope with the unprecedented changes to our daily lives imposed by the COVID-19 crisis, we want to assure you that the Sheppard Mullin estate planning team is thinking of you and stands ready to assist you in any way possible.

These uncertain times have caused many of us to think about steps we might take to confirm that our affairs are in order and that we have prudently provided for our family members and other loved ones.  To assist with that review, we provide the following tips:
Continue Reading Estate Planning In Turbulent Times