Member News, Trade & TTIP Related

Fenwick & West | U.S. Government Intensifies Focus on Russian Sanctions Evasion

The U.S. government is turning up the dial on its efforts to combat evasion of export controls and sanctions against Russia. The severe trade restrictions against Russia (and Belarus) have seen continuous escalation since February 2022. In the latest round of measures, multiple U.S. government agencies took aim at companies that enable the circumvention of trade controls, with an increased focus on evasion tactics in third countries and by non-restricted entities that operate as fronts for sanctioned parties.Anti–money laundering...

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Member News

AlixPartners | How Off-the-Shelf Tech Can Make Factories More Profitable

It’s possible to turn a factory into a smart factory much faster and cheaper than most executives think. When many people imagine a smart factory, they envision something complicated and expensive — the kind of massive “manufacturing execution system,” or MES, that can take more than a year and millions of dollars to implement. If you’re Elon Musk, you can pour money into advanced automation and robotics — and keep pouring. But you don’t need to be Elon Musk. Many...

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Chapter News

European Commission | Digital Sovereignty: European Chips Act Enters Into Force

On September 21, the European Chips Act entered into force. It puts in place a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the EU's security of supply, resilience and technological leadership in semiconductor technologies and applications. Semiconductors are the essential building blocks of digital and digitised products. From smartphones and cars, through critical applications and infrastructures for healthcare, energy, defence, communications and industrial automation, semiconductors are central to the modern digital economy. They are also at the centre of strong geostrategic...

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Member News

CliftonLarsonAllen | Ten Strategies for Using AI in Manufacturing

With no end in sight for labor shortages thanks to pandemic-fueled worker exits, re-shoring, changing workforce demographics, and more—board-level pressure for efficiencies will drive strategic planning well into the next decade. The race is on to embrace new technologies in manufacturing—and all eyes are on AI. On the 19th of September, 100+ senior executives gathered in Milwaukee to discuss “Investments in AI and Digital Technologies to Address Labor Challenges.”  Three CXO executives of manufacturing companies headquartered in Milwaukee offered insight into...

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Member News

AlixPartners | Mid-Market Debt Report H1 2023

At the start of 2023, many industry participants were expecting more stable market conditions in the year ahead, in anticipation of an easing of the pressures applied by soaring inflation. However, continued interest rate rises by central banks to mitigate inflation has ensured a continuation of an uncertain – and in many cases, extremely challenging – outlook for businesses. This has also significantly muted M&A (and therefore LBO lending) activity for a longer period, driven by overall macroeconomic uncertainty and...

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Member News, New York Related News

Littler Mendelson | New York State Proposes Regulations for Pay Transparency in Job Advertisements

Earlier this year, New York State joined a growing number of states and cities that have passed laws mandating salary disclosure when advertising open positions. New York’s salary transparency law requires employers to post salary ranges in job advertisements that promote jobs that will be performed, in whole or in part, in New York State, and in advertisements for jobs that report to supervisors located in New York State.   Although this law went into effect on September 17, 2023, the New...

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Member News

Greenberg Traurig | DHS Announces Changes in Work Authorization Processing

Starting Oct. 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it will implement expedited processing of some Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications and begin issuing some EADs with longer validity times in an effort to help qualified immigrants gain access to work authorization more quickly. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will prioritize EAD applications filed by parolees who have scheduled an appointment through the CBP One mobile app in an effort to reduce the processing time for these...

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Member News

Wilson Sonsini | UK-U.S. Data Bridge Commencement Date Announced

On September 21, 2023, the UK Government announced the establishment of the “UK-US data bridge” (the Bridge), also known as the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (the DPF). The announcement promises to simplify compliance issues surrounding the transfer of personal data from the UK to the U.S. Key Facts With effect from October 12, 2023, businesses in the UK will be able to rely on the Bridge to transfer personal data to U.S. organizations that have self-certified...

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Chapter News

OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report September 2023: Confronting Inflation and Low Growth

The near-term global outlook is shaped by the increasingly visible impact of monetary policy tightening by most major central banks and stresses in the Chinese economy. Global growth is projected to slow, remaining below trend in 2023-24, while inflation moderates but remains above target. Key downside risks include the possibility of a sharper-than-expected slowdown in China and a continued rise in oil prices. Summary: After a stronger-than-expected start to 2023, helped by lower energy prices and the reopening of...

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Member News

AlixPartners | How Retailers Should Prepare for a Challenging Holiday Season

Economic pressures are forcing consumers to make difficult decisions and budget carefully. As fall arrives, retailers preparing for the holidays should expect an underwhelming season. We are projecting only a 3 to 6% increase in sales over last year, down from 2022’s 6.6% growth. On September 15, we released our annual AlixPartners Holiday Outlook Survey of more than 1,000 American consumers. According to the survey, 26% of consumers plan to spend less this holiday season than last year—a figure that rises to...

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