Member News

Pepper Hamilton: Restructuring in the Time of Coronavirus

An increasing number of businesses — even those that have traditionally been financially and operationally sound — are now experiencing unanticipated revenue losses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.  Companies may find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being out of compliance with financial covenants with lenders, unable to meet financial obligations to vendors, in default of contractual obligations, or in need of financial or restructuring/bankruptcy assistance.  If your company has not previously experienced financial distress, you may not...

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Chapter News

Coordinated central bank action to further enhance the provision of US dollar liquidity

Please see below a a press release from the European Central Bank (ECB): • ECB and other major central banks to offer 7-day US dollar operations on a daily basis • Operations with 84-day maturity continue to be offered weekly • New frequency effective as of 23 March 2020, to remain in place for as long as appropriate to support smooth functioning of US dollar funding markets The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank,...

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Member News

NautaDutilh: Investment funds, Recommendations for fund managers

Both the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the Luxembourg financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and have issued recommendations for fund managers. Facilitate the possibility to work remotely The CSSF recently issued a statement emphasizing that financial sector professionals should take reasonable and appropriate measures to ensure the safety of their staff. It is therefore acceptable, as a precautionary measure, to allow employees to work remotely from home, provided...

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Member News

Pepper Hamilton: Recommendations for Coronavirus-Affected Businesses Seeking Government Assistance

In a very short period of time, the unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created extremely difficult economic circumstances for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Federal, state and local governments have moved swiftly to roll out assistance programs to help keep businesses afloat in these trying times. Although there are more programs to come, below is a summary of the existing loan and grant programs of which businesses may consider availing themselves, as well as some practice recommendations for...

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Member News

Faegre Drinker: Form I-9 Update

Department of Homeland Security Introduces Flexibility for In-Person I-9 Rules On March 20, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an announcement that it will relax the requirement for employers to review employee’s identity and work authorization documents in person and complete Section 2 of the Form I-9. Employers may now inspect Section 2 documents remotely (i.e., over webcam, fax, email, etc.) and obtain, inspect and retain copies of the documents within three business days. CONTINUE READING... AUTHORS: • Sari M. Long,...

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Member News

Vulcan Insight: Europe Pledges to do ‘Whatever it takes’ to Protect the Economy

With intra-EU borders closing, whole economies going into lockdown and intricate global supply chains breaking down, EU leaders this week pledged to do whatever it takes to protect the economy and support a rapid recovery.   Following the European Central Bank’s announcement last week that it would significantly step up its asset-purchasing programme to €120 billion by the end of the year and temporarily relax rules to encourage banks to step up lending to the real economy, the Bank’s Governing Council...

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Member News

6 Tips To Work From Home Successfully During Lock Down

I have been working from home since my first corporate job at Accenture in 2010 so I understand the expectations from a organisational and a personal perspective. But there are some of you out there who have never had to work from home and believe me, there is a way to work from home (WFH) successfully.   The difference being, in pre Corona Virus (Covid 19) times many organisations had begun to incorporate WFH into the lives of their employees with...

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Chapter News, New York Related News

NYC Coronavirus Update from NYC Mayor’s Office – March 19

An updated message from NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Office for International Affairs regarding NYC’s response to COVID-19. Thursday, March 19, 2020. Dear Colleagues, As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed on the City’s response to COVID-19, the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs is sharing the following information from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s press conference on Thursday, March 19, 2020: Statistics (as of 10 a.m. Thursday): 3,615 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in NYC              ...

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Chapter News, Member News

The new EU legal framework for State aid to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak: flexibility and efficiency

Following the publication of the proposal a few days ago, on 19 March the European Commission adopted the communication introducing a new temporary legal framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak. The last time the Commission had adopted a similar temporary framework was during the global financial crisis in 2008. The new rules allow national authorities to take urgent and effective measures to help citizens and companies, especially SMEs, to cope with...

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