Sean Keeley was named Associate at Blue Star Strategies, LLC, and will focus on a variety of client issues in Eastern Europe including political analysis, financial services, and energy policy in the region. "We are pleased to announce Sean as the newest addition to our growing team; his professionalism and attention to detail provide critical support to Blue Star," said Sally Painter, COO of Blue Star Strategies. Prior to joining Blue Star Sean worked at the Center for the National Interest as a research assistant...

2015 proved to be a turbulent year for Europe, as the continent was faced with a series of unexpected crises amid political discontent with the status quo in Brussels. Two deadly terrorist attacks in Paris bookended 2015, stoking populist fears and driving opposition to Angela Merkel’s open-door refugee policy. Pushback against the longstanding Schengen free-travel agreement and British threats to leave the EU have also frayed European solidarity at a time when it is needed more than ever. None of...

Thompson Hine LLP announced today that Timothy J. McCarthy and Louis M. Solomon have joined the firm’s Business Litigation practice in New York. They join from Mishcon de Reya New York LLP and Haynes and Boone LLP, respectively. “Tim and Lou are fantastic additions to our New York office,” said Todd E. Mason, partner-in-charge of the firm’s New York location. “Their proven track record first-chairing high-stakes litigation will strengthen both our New York office and the firm’s overall litigation practice....

For investors wondering just how impactful the 2016 sell-off has been on mezzanine CMBS, the answer came on Wednesday. The latest conduit deal to price saw the "high" BBB price in the mid-600 range over swaps and the "low" BBB clear the low-mid 800s over swaps. (The latter put the all-in yield above 10%.) Those numbers were 200 basis points wider than the last BBB high to price in December, and more than 200 basis points wider than the last...

Uniondale, Long Island, New York, January 27, 2016 – Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. announced today that partner Jennifer Hillman, a member of the firm’s Trust and Estates Department, was selected by award sponsor Long Island Business News for inclusion in their elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2016, an annual tribute to Long Island’s best and brightest.   Ms. Hillman’s practice includes all manner of Surrogate’s Court proceedings including accounting proceedings, probate contests, discovery proceedings, and commercial litigation related to estates....

Employers who wish to sponsor H-1B workers for Fiscal Year 2017 can begin filing petitions on April 1, 2016 for a start date of October 1, 2016.  The H-1B visa is used by businesses who wish to employ foreign nationals to work in a specialty occupation requiring theoretical or technical expertise.  For FY 2017, cases will be considered accepted on the date that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) takes possession of the petition, not on the date it...

In a Federal Register notice dated January 12, 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is seeking comments on proposed amendments to its Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries (“Jewelry Guides”). Companies are encouraged to submit comments to the FTC before the changes are finalized as these proposed changes may have a significant impact on current marketing practices. Comments are due by April 4, 2016. In July 2012, the FTC initiated a regulatory review of the Jewelry Guides which yielded...