Corporate

Expert Analysis

• Need Litigation Finance? Don't Skip These 5 Steps

  

  The process of applying for litigation financing isn’t difficult, but few do it right the first time. Following five steps in your application process will help make sure litigation funders are convinced of the value of your company's legal claims, says Molly Pease of Curiam Capital LLC.

• ​Are You Ready For Your Congressional Investigation?

  

  ​The Democratic Party is ​expected to take control of the House of Representatives next year,​ ​which​ will dramatically increase the congressional investigations risks for ​the ​private sector.​ Prime targets include pharmaceutical, financial services and technology ​companies, says Brian Smith of Covington & Burling LLP.

• Pros And Cons Of California’s New Corporate Blockchain Law

  

  A new California law will allow privately held companies to use blockchain technology for stock issuance and other corporate records. However, corporations should be cautious about moving into this relatively uncharted territory, say Sara O’Connell and Riaz Karamali of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

• 9th Circ. Decision Poses Employer Tip Credit Challenges

  

  The Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Marsh v. J. Alexander’s may significantly impair the ability of companies in the hospitality industry to pay a reduced wage to tipped employees. As a result, employers will need to be cautious when applying a tip credit toward minimum wages, says Margaret Grover of Wendel Rosen Black & Dean LLP.

• Are You An Inadvertent US Shareholder In A Foreign Corp?

  

  Attorneys at Eversheds Sutherland LLP provide a practical approach to evaluating ownership of non-U.S. entities under the new Subpart F rules and to dealing with the consequences of becoming a U.S. shareholder in a CFC in which you have no control.

• The A-List For Managing Employment Law Risks And Costs

  

  For most employers, the value of a class action waiver far outweighs the negatives of arbitration, but proactive in-house lawyers can do more than simply avoid class actions. The risk and cost of individual arbitration cases can be managed effectively with early case assessment and alternative fee arrangements, says Brendan Sweeney of Jackson Lewis PC.

• 9 FAQs About De Minimis Doctrine After Troester V. Starbucks

  

  In Troester v. Starbucks, the California Supreme Court recently held that the federal de minimis doctrine does not apply to claims for unpaid wages under the California Labor Code. Attorneys with Payne & Fears LLP take a deeper dive into some lingering employer questions related to the ruling.

• A Holistic Approach To Client Retention

  

  In an era when law firms are fighting for business and clients can dictate the terms of the relationship, "value" has become a moving target. Firms that take a proactive approach by using strategies designed to articulate value over time will gain the competitive advantage, says Dan Tacone at Intapp Inc.

• Q&A

  A Chat With Allens Pricing Chief Pier D'Angelo

  

  In this monthly series, Amanda Brady of Major Lindsey & Africa interviews management from top law firms about the increasingly competitive business environment. Here we feature Pier D'Angelo, chief pricing and practice officer at Allens.

• Data Privacy Vs. Cybersecurity At Your Company

  

  ​Which is more important — data privacy or cybersecurity? ​M​ost in-house counsel know the answer depends on which receives the limited available compliance budget.​ But companies should think about the issue from a broader trade secret perspective, says Scott Warren of Squire Patton Boggs LLP.