Venable attorneys produce periodic alerts and newsletters covering a variety of topics and practice areas. For your convenience, we have assembled below a collection of the latest alerts and newsletters from August 2014.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Legal 500 Ranks Venable's Corporate Group Top Nationally for Middle Market M&A
Venable's national Corporate Group continued to earn high marks in the latest edition of Legal 500, leading the way with a Tier 1 ranking in the M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m) category. The group also received high marks in the Technology: Outsourcing, Technology: Transactions, and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) categories. Corporate Practice Co-Chair Charles J. Morton, Jr. and partner William T. Russell received special recognition as Leading Lawyers for M&A: Middle Market (Sub $500m) Technology: Transactions respectively.
Venable's Corporate Group Attorneys Recognized in 2015 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America
For more than three decades, Best Lawyers has earned the respect of the legal profession, the media, and the public, as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere. This year, 95 Venable attorneys, including 13 members of the Corporate Group, were recognized in 49 categories in The Best Lawyers in America. Selections are made by attorneys' peers and feature a broad cross section of Venable practices and attorneys from the firm's Baltimore, MD; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Towson, MD; Tysons Corner, VA; and Washington, DC offices.
ARTICLES
Regulatory Update on Recent FinCEN Anti-Money Laundering Developments
This alert by Venable attorneys D. E. Wilson, Jr., Ralph E. Sharpe, and Andrew E. Bigart provides a brief update on recent developments involving the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau within the U.S. Treasury responsible for developing anti-money laundering (AML) requirements for financial institutions.
CFPB Issues Consumer Advisory Concerning Virtual Currency
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently issued a Consumer Advisory about virtual currency. The Bureau, write Venable attorneys Allyson B. Baker, Suzanne Fay Garwood, and D. E. Wilson, Jr., also announced that its consumer complaint database is now accepting complaints about virtual currency. The Bureau, of course, uses its consumer complaint database as a way to prioritize its regulatory and policy-making activities – and virtual currency may soon be on the Bureau's priority list.
Click for a summary of the Consumer Advisory Notice.
Mortgage Lending: Important Lessons about Advertising, Affiliates, and Authorizations
On August 12, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) entered into a consent order with an online mortgage company, its affiliated appraisal company, and its chief executive officer; they agreed to pay $20.8 million to settle allegations of deceptive advertising and illegal lending practices. This particular action, write Venable attorneys Suzanne Fay Garwood, Allyson B. Baker, and Jonathan L. Pompan, reflects the CFPB's continued focus on mortgage lending and online advertising practices.
Ready for Comment: FWS Proposal Encourages Voluntary Conservation Measures for At-Risk Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed a new policy that would give landowners credit for undertaking voluntary conservation measures for imperiled species prior to their listing under the Endangered Species Act, write Venable attorneys Margaret N. Strand, Gregory S. Braker, Kathryn Kusske Floyd, Jay C. Johnson, and Laura E. Boorman. The proposed policy was published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2014. Interested parties may provide comments to the FWS during the 60-day comment period which ends September 22, 2014.
Click to find out why you should comment and for additional information on the new policy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Venable LLP's 2014 Intellectual Property Symposium
September 10, 2014 | 12:30 - 6:30 p.m. ET
We invite you to join us for our inaugural Intellectual Property Symposium, a half-day event in our Washington, DC office.
We have designed this informative program to help in-house counsel and other IP professionals successfully navigate the challenges of an ever-changing environment. Following a keynote luncheon, distinguished guest panelists with a wide range of IP experience will join attorneys from Venable's global practice for interactive panel discussions. We will end the day with a networking reception on our rooftop.
The event is complimentary and CLE will be available.
Click here for more information and to register.
What's Ahead for 2015: Preparing Your Nonprofit's Group Health Plan for the Employer Mandate
September 16, 2014 | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
This past spring, the IRS issued final regulations relating to the employer mandate under the Affordable Care Act. If your nonprofit organization has not done so already, it is time to prepare for 2015. These "play-or-pay" rules come with a series of complicated decisions and potential pitfalls for plan sponsors to consider. Please join us and learn how your nonprofit can avoid costly mistakes with proper advance planning.
Click here for more information and to register.
Best Practices for Effective Fund Lifecycle Management: Maintaining Alignment in Mature Funds for GPs and LPs
September 30, 2014
Venable LLP, Newport Board Group LLC, and AccuVal Associates, Inc. will host a webinar on September 30th that will examine the life cycle of a fund for LPs and Fund Managers of later stage private equity and venture funds.
Second Annual Nonprofit Executive Summit: Bringing Nonprofit Leaders Together to Discuss Legal, Finance, Tax, and Operational Issues Impacting the Sector
October 2, 2014 | 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Following a successful inaugural event last fall, Venable and CliftonLarsonAllen are hosting the second-annual Nonprofit Executive Summit, a complimentary full-day symposium bringing leaders together to explore a wide range of critical issues impacting the sector. This invitation-only event promises to be a valuable educational and networking opportunity.
CAE credit is available for this event.
Click here for more information and to register.
Bridging the Gaps: An Advertising Law Symposium
October 20, 2014 | 8:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. PT
Please join us for an invitation-only Advertising Law Symposium at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis on Monday, October 20, 2014. This all-day MCLE-accredited program will provide an opportunity for guests to exchange ideas and network with Venable attorneys, regulatory insiders, and top advertising law thought leaders. Key topics to be addressed include challenging competitor advertising, social media and ethics requirements, branded entertainment, digital media, gaming, health related marketing claims, and FTC and CFPB regulations.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Ross Hoffman, Director of Brand Strategies US, Twitter (Keynote Speaker)
- Sheila Jambekar, Senior Counsel, Zynga
- Yan Fang, Senior Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, Western Regional Office
- Gabriel Martinez, Advertising Counsel, The Clorox Company
- Laura Brett, Staff Attorney, National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus
- Judge Marilyn Patel (retired), U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Click here for more information and to register.
Venable's San Francisco Office Celebrates One Year
October 20, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. PT
Please join us for cocktails & hors d'oeuvres as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of our San Francisco office. The anniversary celebration will be held at the Press Club in San Francisco on October 20, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. This invite-only event will provide an opportunity for guests to network and learn more about Venable's efforts and achievements on the west coast. Venable attorneys from San Francisco and other offices will be in attendance as well.
Click here for more information and to register.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
