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Delaware’s Corporate Law in the Culture War: What It Means for Startups and Founders
Controversial rulings—combined with high-profile criticism from high profile figures like Elon Musk—have sparked a broader debate about whether companies should explore alternatives…
A New Era for Crypto Regulation & Innovation? The Crypto Executive Order, a Rebooted SEC Crypto Task Force & the Journey Ahead
Recent regulatory developments in the crypto asset and financial technology space suggest that US regulators may be shifting toward a more balanced approach — one that prioritizes clearer regulations while fostering innovation over a more enforcement-driven strategy. President Trump’s recent executive order on this topic reshapes the Biden administration’s approach to crypto assets by eliminating many of the prior administration’s policies on crypto and establishing the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets (Working Group).
The State of the Funding Market for AI Companies: A 2024 - 2025 Outlook
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as an influential technology, driving notable investments across various industries in recent years. In 2024, venture capital (VC) funding for AI companies reached record levels, signaling ongoing interest and optimism in the sector’s potential. Looking ahead, 2025 is anticipated to bring continued innovation, with promising funding opportunities and a growing IPO market for AI-driven businesses.
Key Considerations for the Prospective Blockchain Investor
Prospective purchasers of blockchain assets can now navigate through global exchanges (i.e., Coinbase or Kraken) to invest in various forms of tokens. Investments in tokens, however, are only the tip of the iceberg for those who are interested in undertaking financial exposure in blockchain projects. Here, we will provide a high-level overview of common forms of securities that blockchain investors may choose to acquire.
USPTO Issues Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in intellectual property is as big – and as fast-changing – a topic as ever. On January 14, 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published an Artificial Intelligence Strategy (“USPTO’s AI Strategy”) document which discusses how the USPTO “aim[s] to address AI's promise and challenges across intellectual property (IP) policy, agency operations, and the broader innovation ecosystem.”
Trump Executive Order Takes on DEI in the Workplace: Practical Considerations for Private Employers
President Trump has issued a flurry of wide-ranging executive orders intended to shake up the employment landscape. One of those orders, entitled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (the “Executive Order”), takes aim at non-compliant DEI programs and policies. But as we’ll discuss more, these developments do not compel private employers to rescind their DEI programs and policies entirely; instead, employers should use the Executive Order as an opportunity to review their existing programs and policies to ensure that they (i) continue to align with their mission and organizational goals, (ii) are legally compliant in light of the change in administration, and (iii) whether subsequently modified or not, thereafter are effectively communicated to stakeholders.
Early- and Growth-Stage Companies in Distress: What Directors Need to Know about their Fiduciary Duties
In this article we provide practical guidance for directors of Delaware corporations in these moments of distress, including an overview of how fiduciary duties change as a company approaches or enters insolvency. Our advice is targeted to early- and growth-stage companies, but the principles here will apply to all Delaware corporations, regardless of size.
VC Funds Warehousing Investments: Traps for the Unwary
One of the challenges facing venture capital firms is how to handle investments in portfolio companies prior to the initial close (“Initial Close”) of a new fund (“New Fund”). Typically, the investment advisor (“VC Advisor”), or a person wholly owned or controlled by the VC Advisor, will make such investment, “warehouse” it, and then transfer such investment to the New Fund promptly after the Initial Close. This strategy has been very effective for many fund managers as it enables them to commence the creation of a diversified portfolio of interesting companies for its future limited partners prior to the time of the Initial Close. While this is an effective strategy for fund raising purposes, VC Advisors should be aware of some of the pitfalls with warehousing investments.
Tech Funding, IPOs are Less Frequent in 2024
The number of venture capital dollars flowing to Greater San Diego technology companies is becoming less frequent in 2024, a trend mirroring national investment activity that appears to favor bigger bets at the expense of more frequent ones.
Checklist for Foreign Companies Expanding into the US
You’re a foreign company looking to set up shop in the United States. You have weighed the pros and cons of expanding your business into the United States, confirmed the compatibility of any products or services you offer with the US market, and have a team ready to expand your business in the United States. All you need now is to make sure you have checked all the legal and regulatory boxes. We’ll walk you through those boxes, like choosing a business structure, navigating laws and regulations concerning immigration, employment, and taxes, securing funding and real estate, and more. With smart planning and preparation, your company can thrive on this side of the pond.
After Months of Uncertainty, a Federal Court Has Blocked the FTC’s Non-Compete Rule on a Nationwide Basis
Barring any intervening appellate activity, the FTC’s rule will no longer go into effect on September 4, 2024 (the original effective date), employers will not be required to void employees’ existing non-competes covered by the rule, and employers are no longer required to send employees notices regarding the status of any non-competes.
USCIS Announces Adjustments to Thresholds in International Entrepreneur Parole Rule
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule adjusting the investment and revenue thresholds for International Entrepreneur Parole program (IEP) eligibility, effective October 1, 2024.
Crossing Borders: Key Considerations for International VC Investments
You’re a foreign angel investor or venture fund looking to invest in start-ups located in the United States and are wondering: What are the differences in terms that I can expect? What other considerations should I know about? Well, we are here to outline some of the key considerations for international venture capital investors investing in the US.
Acing Your First Start-up Board Meeting: Board Deck Tips
You’ve worked day and night getting your start-up off the ground and have been fortunate enough to attract investors who have funded your start-up, who now have a seat on your board of directors. Now comes a big milestone: your first board meeting with investor directors. You want to impress them and reinforce their decision to make an investment in your start-up. But how do you pull together a deck that wows without overwhelming them? The key is crafting a clear narrative that quickly gets to the point. In this article, we’ll walk through best practices for creating a compelling board deck — from outlines to visuals — so you can ace that presentation with confidence. With the right preparation, your first board meeting will be a success.
Maryland Enacts Sweeping Privacy Reform
Members Gregg Benson, Daniel DeWolf, and Associate David Salamon co-authored an article in ALI CLE’s The Practical Lawyer discussing the tax implications and strategies for converting a start-up organized as an LLC into a corporation. Their article specifically dives in on the potential benefits of the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) rules under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Qualified Small Business Stock Issues Affecting Conversion Of An LLC Into A Corporation, as published in the practical lawyer
Members Gregg Benson, Daniel DeWolf, and Associate David Salamon co-authored an article in ALI CLE’s The Practical Lawyer discussing the tax implications and strategies for converting a start-up organized as an LLC into a corporation. Their article specifically dives in on the potential benefits of the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) rules under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Preparing a VC-Backed Company for an Exit Event
Initial public offerings (IPOs) and M&A exits are the two most common means of achieving liquidity in a private company. This article addresses an acquisition transaction, which requires preparation and oversight that many founders and managers need to learn as they go. Although getting to an M&A exit event is by no means a guarantee, nor is it the desired path for every founder, there are several things that founders and the company management team can do to ensure that the M&A process goes smoothly.
In Split Vote, FTC Approves Controversial Final Rule Banning Most Post-Employment Non-Competes; Rule Already Subject to Challenge in Court
On April 23, 2024, by a 3-2 margin, the FTC voted to finalize its controversial non-compete rule, which, generally, will prohibit businesses from entering into non-compete agreements with nearly all workers across the U.S. going forward and invalidate the existing non-competes of nearly 30 million workers.
New Jersey Adopts a Comprehensive Data Privacy Law
2023 was a record-breaking year, with legislators in Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas passing comprehensive data privacy laws, joining California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia. Already 2024 is on pace to beat 2023’s record year, as New Hampshire (New Hampshire Privacy Act, SB 255-FN), New Jersey (New Jersey Privacy Act, SB 332) and Kentucky (HB 15) lawmakers have already passed comprehensive privacy laws. This post provides the details and information you and your business need to know about the New Jersey Privacy Act (NJPA), signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy. You can find our discussion regarding the New Hampshire Privacy Act here.
Important Updates to the New York LLC Transparency Act
The New York LLC Transparency Act (NYLTA) has recently been amended. The key take-aways are as follows:
Effective Date has been pushed back a year to January 1, 2026.
Reporting Companies formed or registered in New York prior to January 1, 2026 will have until January 1, 2027 to provide initial reporting information.
Reporting Companies formed or registered in New York after January 1, 2026 will be required to provide initial information within 30 days after formed or registered in New York.
Set forth below in additional detail is an updated Client Alert on the NYLTA.
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