Member News

Corporate Transparency Act: A New Regulatory Requirement for Business

By Stuart M. Saft, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 (HR 2513) by a vote of 249-173, including 25 Republicans, on Oct. 22, 2019. A companion bill is being reviewed by the Senate. The purpose of HR 2513 is to create a national database of the beneficial owners (Beneficial Owners) of corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) in the United States "to assist law enforcement in detecting, preventing, and punishing terrorism,...

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Brexit News, Chapter News, News

A ‘Brexit’ General Election kicks off in the UK

On Tuesday afternoon the European Council President urged the United Kingdom to ‘please make the best use of this time’ as it officially entered the first day of the 2019 General Election. The outcome of the upcoming election remains unpredictable at best, as the disruptive force of Brexit continues to plague British politics. The Conservatives have been eager to call an election for months as they are threatened by the Brexit Party and fear that the longer leaving the European...

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Member News, News

It Isn’t about Money—Employee Activism Is Gaining Traction as Workers Speak out Against Employers

By Joanna Massey, President & CEO, JDMA Inc. Labor unions in the United States are almost as old as the country itself. Having started as early as 1778, labor unions protect workers from abusive conditions, demand better pay, benefits, hours and safety. However, it was unthinkable—even just a few years ago—that individuals would speak out against their employers about business practices other than labor issues. Yet, that is exactly what is happening. With a hyper focus on issues—such as, climate change, equality...

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Member News, News

How To Properly Fire An Employee

Termination should not be the first thing to come to mind when an employee is not entirely working out, but sometimes it does become necessary. When termination is the only option, make sure to handle the situation properly: Document Everything If you’re continually having to correct the same behaviors, you need to have a record showing this. The first time should be just a warning, but it should still be properly documented for future reference. Enforce Disciplinary Action Simply warning...

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Member News, News

5 Techniques to Get You Ransomware-Ready

Most of us have heard of “ransomware,” but what is it? Who does it impact? How can you protect your business? Think of ransomware as the smoke and mirrors of cyber attacks; the last ditch effort to take as much loot and valuable intel as possible before heading to the next victim. It’s an incredibly effective and popular way for cyber attackers to distract their victims from another covert attack, which may occur simultaneous to the ransomware. In fact, ransomware is...

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Chapter News, News

A Conversation with EU Ambassador to the US Stavros Lambrinidis

Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis represents the interests of the European Union in Washington, DC. Ambassador Lambrinidis has held previous positions as the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the Greek Foreign Minister, and Vice-President of the European Parliament. In our discussion, Ambassador Lambrinidis provides insights into the EU’s relationship with the US, the positive contributions of the EU to European prosperity, and some of the challenges of “dual citizenship” within EU member states. Click here for the video: A Conversation with EU...

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Chapter News, News

Equal Pay Day: Joint Statement by First Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioners Thyssen and Jourová

Women in the European Union still earn on average 16% less than men, a slight improvement from last year's 16.2%. This year the European Equal Pay Day falls on 4 November. It marks the day when women symbolically stop getting paid compared to their male colleagues for the same job. Ahead of this symbolic day, First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen and Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Věra Jourová...

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Chapter News, News

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists – 2nd November 2019

Freedom of expression, in all its forms, is the very essence of democracy. Only with a thriving, free and independent media landscape, we can hold governments, businesses and society at large accountable. And precisely for this fundamental right, far too often, journalists and media workers are attacked, persecuted, harassed, or intimidated for carrying out their work. Most journalists are not wounded in the heat of war coverage, but suffer violence in our immediate surroundings. In 2018 alone, 94 journalists...

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Brexit News, Member News

Vulcan Insight | Analysis of the latest EU Developments 28 October – 1 November 2019

Key Events This Week Brexit is just a stage This week the European Council opted to extend Article 50 until 31 January 2020 to allow more time for the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement. If the UK Parliament passes the Withdrawal Bill, Brexit could take place earlier on 1 December 2019 or 1 January 2020. In Brussels Michel Barnier called for a close partnership between the EU and UK after Brexit, acknowledging that peace in Ireland must remain a priority and that...

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Brexit News, Member News

Brexit Update: U.K. General Election Set for 12 December 2019

By Huw Beverley-Smith, James Ellis-Rees, Christopher Jefferies | The Faegre Baker DanielsThe United Kingdom's (U.K.) exit from the European Union (EU) has been delayed until 31 January 2020, prolonging uncertainty for individuals and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. The U.K. Parliament has decided to use this time to hold a general election in December.The 'Flextension' As discussed in our update last week, the U.K. Prime Minister was required by Parliament to seek an extension to the Brexit process.Yesterday, the EU...

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