Where's the Door?
August 25, 2009
A retail tenant negotiating a new lease should always consider its alternatives for exiting from the lease relationship in the event that circumstances change in the future.
The Impact of the Credit Crisis on DIP Financing
August 24, 2009
Prior to the global credit pandemic, a company in default or that faced a near-term covenant breach could either obtain relief through waivers and amendments, or refinancings. As the availability of credit shrank, the latter choice was no longer a viable solution. Moreover, a by-product of the frozen credit markets was the unexpected contraction of available debtor-in-possession financing (DIP financing).
Update on Climate Risks and Insurer Responses
July 29, 2009
The risks posed by global warming have become a priority for both political and business leaders worldwide. Corporate policyholders and their insurers are facing new disclosure obligations and compliance costs as well as potential first-party losses and third-party liabilities resulting from climate change. This article provides an overview of recent developments of particular interest to corporate policyholders.
Selecting a Leasing Broker
July 28, 2009
In order to assure that a firm chooses the best broker for the job, management should begin by soliciting proposals from a minimum of three or four brokers through an appropriate Request for Proposal process. To be certain that the RFP process provides the firm with relevant information from each broker to reach the best decision, the RFP should request detailed responses to the 10 questions addressed in this article.
Avoid Double Taxation
July 28, 2009
The People's Republic of China has issued two circulars providing detailed compliance requirements aimed at reaching foreign service providers with clients in China. These new provisions will likely cause U.S. and multinational law firms with clients in China to reconsider existing practices and client engagement procedures in order to avoid the possibility of double taxation.
FBAR: Challenges for Clients and Firms Alike
July 28, 2009
The FBAR is not filed with the tax return, discloses no information about the income derived in a foreign account, and is not used for calculating any tax obligations. Yet the IRS has converted the FBAR from a minor information report to a primary tool for pursuing hidden bank accounts.
OPEB, COLI and Post-Retiree Needs
July 28, 2009
The recently passed COLI Best Practices ' 101(j), Deferred Compensation ' 409A and the Medicare Act of 2003 require advisers to review all qualified and nonqualified benefit programs. These legislative changes and the courts' review of COLI provide attorneys with a different approach to help solve their benefits planning problems. While pensions have been codified, limited, and scrutinized since 1974 with ERISA, non-pension post-retiree benefits (OPEB-GASB 45, FAS 106, and IAS 19) have been less regulated ' until now. Judicial action, legislation, and administrative agency action have caused a paradigm shift in benefits planning.
Organizational Risk in an Economic Downturn
July 28, 2009
During turbulent economic times, organizations need to be especially vigilant to minimize potential risks that could ultimately affect the bottom line or shareholder ROI.
