On May 4, 2015, Vice Chancellor Travis Laster of the Delaware Court of Chancery issued an opinion providing a thoughtful analysis of when the creditors of an insolvent corporation have the right to bring derivative claims, such as those alleging breach of director fiduciary duties.
Client Alert | May 11, 2015
On March 25, 2015, in a unanimous vote, the U.S.
Client Alert | April 22, 2015
Since January 2012, the U.S.
Client Alert | April 22, 2015
Munich partner Markus Nauheim and of counsel Birgit Friedl are authors of “Germany’s New Hammer to Glass Ceilings,” [PDF] published on April 15, 2015 by Private Funds Management.
Article | April 15, 2015
The new UAE Commercial Companies Law ("New CCL") will come into effect in the next 3 months. Here is a list of 10 things you need to know about the New CCL.
Client Alert | April 7, 2015
On March 24, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its long-awaited decision in Omnicare, Inc. v. Laborers District Council Construction Industry Pension Fund, 575 U.S.
Client Alert | March 25, 2015
In private company transactions, dealmakers often spend significant amounts of time talking about how to treat the cash held by an acquisition target. For example, if the buyer and the seller are negotiating price on the assumption that the target will be sold on a cash-free, debt-free basis, how does the purchase price get adjusted for cash that the target continues to hold at the time of closing? If the deal includes a working capital adjustment, how will cash and cash equivalents be taken into account? What are the procedures for measuring how much cash the target holds at closing? In cross-border deals, the issues about how to deal with target cash often become significantly more complex. Businesses that operate around the world may have cash in seve
Client Alert | March 16, 2015
The following Gibson Dunn alert, which originally was distributed on March 9, has been updated to reflect recent developments announced by the Indian Government.The Government of India had recently promulgated the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014, dated December 26, 2014 ("Ordinance"), which substantially amended the existing Insurance Act, 1938, including in relation to foreign investment in Indian insurance companies.
Client Alert | March 11, 2015
The following Gibson Dunn alert, which originally was distributed on March 9, has been updated to reflect recent developments announced by the Indian Government.The Government of India had recently promulgated the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014, dated December 26, 2014 ("Ordinance"), which substantially amended the existing Insurance Act, 1938, including in relation to foreign investment in Indian insurance companies.
Client Alert | March 11, 2015
Earlier this month, Venezuela announced a new free-floating exchange rate mechanism, which had the effect of massively devaluing Venezuela's bolivar currency.
Client Alert | February 25, 2015
Spin-off transactions require a focused, intensive planning effort. The deal team must make decisions about how best to allocate businesses, assets and liabilities between the parent and the subsidiary that will be spun-off. It must address complex tax issues, securities law questions and accounting matters, as well as issues related to capital structure, financing and personnel matters. In addition, it must resolve a long list of governance issues, including questions about the composition of the spin-off company board, the importance of mechanisms for dealing with conflicts of interest and the desirability of robust takeover defenses. Transaction planners do not always give the governance issues high priority. They may assume that the spin-off company can si
Client Alert | February 5, 2015
On January 23, 2015, the Division of Corporation Finance of the SEC issued a no-action letter permitting issuers (or their parents or wholly-owned subsidiaries) to conduct five business day tender offers for any and all non-convertible debt securities when certain conditions were met.
Client Alert | February 3, 2015
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to present its first year-end Activism Update reviewing shareholder activism involving U.S. public companies during 2014.
Client Alert | January 30, 2015
The Paris office of Gibson Dunn is pleased to provide this legal and regulatory update covering France for the second semester of 2014.
Client Alert | January 23, 2015
On January 19, 2015, the PRC Ministry of Commerce ("MOFCOM") published the draft Foreign Investment Law (the "Draft Law") for public comments, which is intended to replace the existing foreign investment related laws and regulations (the "Existing Laws") and introduce a more market-based regulatory regime for foreign investments into China.Current RegimeChina currently has three major pieces of legislation governing foreign investments: the Sino-Foreign Joint Venture Law passed in 1979 (the "Equity JV Law"), the Foreign Enterprise Law passed in 1986 (the "WFOE Law") and the Sino-Foreign Co-operative Joint Venture Law passed in 1988 (the "Co-operative JV Law"). A particular form of entity is allowed to be set up in Chin
Client Alert | January 23, 2015
On January 12, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued an unprecedented decision holding that a company's failure to disclose a known trend or uncertainty in its Form 10-Q filings, as required by Item 303 of SEC Regulation S-K, can give rise to liability under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Client Alert | January 22, 2015
THE BACKDROPIn May 2014, Pfizer Inc. made certain voluntary public statements in connection with its possible public takeover offer for AstraZeneca plc.
Client Alert | January 21, 2015
The close of 2014 saw the SEC's Division of Enforcement take a victory lap. Following the release of the statistics for the fiscal year ended September 30, Division Director Andrew Ceresney touted a few records -- the largest number of enforcement actions brought in a single year (755); the largest total value of monetary sanctions awarded to the agency (over $4 billion); the largest number of cases taken to trial in recent history (30).
Client Alert | January 12, 2015
The past year marked the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and probably the end of a European dream to continue to entertain smooth and peaceful cooperation with Russia.
Client Alert | January 9, 2015
London partner Nick Tomlinson is the author of "Completion Accounts: Good for Private Equity Buyers?" [PDF] published in the 15 December 2014 issue of Private Equity News.
Client Alert | December 15, 2014
London/Dubai partner Paul Harter is the author of "MENA private equity sees new dawn on littered landscape" [PDF] published in the December 5, 2014 issue of AltAssets.
Client Alert | December 5, 2014
Dallas partner Robert Little and associate Joseph Orien are authors of "More board seats, more problems" [PDF] published in the November 5, 2014 issue of Private Funds Management.
Client Alert | November 5, 2014
On September 22, 2014, the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeal issued an opinion affirming a lower court's decision to impose a California documentary transfer tax (DTT) on the transfer of interests in a legal entity that owned real property indirectly through another legal entity, concluding that a change in ownership of the legal entity that resulted in a change in ownership of the real property for property tax purposes was a taxable event under the Documentary Transfer Tax Act (DTTA).The opinion in 926 North Ardmore Ave., LLC v. County of Los Angeles describes a series of transactions involving, over time, the transfer of an apartment building by a trust (Trust) to a wholly owned limited liability company (Ardmore), a transfer by the Trust of its interest in Ard
Client Alert | October 30, 2014
The wealth of opportunities in emerging markets attracts a significant amount of foreign investment. Making investments in parts of Africa, Latin America, Asia and the former Soviet Union can pay off handsomely if successful. However, those same investments are often exposed to significant political risk.There are ways for investors in emerging markets to limit their exposure to such risk, and counsel can help to identify some of the more compelling options in this regard. Political risk insurance is one well-known option. Another option is to structure (or restructure) an investment, whether in a greenfield project or through an acquisition, to take advantage of the protections offered by a favorable investment treaty. It is the latter option that is the subj
Client Alert | October 6, 2014
On September 10, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced an unprecedented enforcement sweep against 34 companies and individuals for alleged failures to timely file with the SEC various Section 16(a) filings (Forms 3, 4 and 5) and Schedules 13D and 13G (the "September 10 actions").
Client Alert | September 11, 2014
The Luxembourg and French Ministry of Finance signed on September 5, 2014, a fourth amendment to the tax treaty between France and Luxembourg. The amendment, which has been released this morning, gives the State where real estate assets are located the right to tax capital gains on the sale of shares in real estate property companies if the real estate assets are held indirectly by individuals or enterprises of the other State. The purpose of the amendment is to expand France’s right to tax capital gains from the indirect sale of French real estate. Under the current treaty, capital gains from the sale of shares in a French or Luxembourg company holding French real estate are not taxable in France under the treaty, even if those share gains can also benefit fro
Client Alert | September 8, 2014
Les Ministres de l’Economie français et luxembourgeois ont signé un quatrième avenant à la convention fiscale entre la France et le Luxembourg le 5 Septembre 2014. En résumé, l’avenant attribue à l’Etat dans lequel les biens immobiliers sont situés le droit d’imposer les plus-values issues de la vente d’actions ou de parts sociales de sociétés à prépondérance immobilière. Actuellement et sauf cas particulier, ces plus-values ne sont généralement pas imposables en France, tout en pouvant bénéficier sous conditions d’exonérations au Luxembourg en application du droit interne luxembourgeois.A compter de l’entrée en vigueur de l’avenant, la France aura le droit d’imposer les plus-values résultant de l’aliénation (vente, échange, apport
Client Alert | September 8, 2014
While the first year of President Hollande's mandate has been focused on societal reforms (same-sex marriage, immigration, justice, reform of school timetables), his New Year's Address confirmed that the Government's efforts should concentrate on employment and growth for 2014. Pledges to cut public spending, reduce labor costs for businesses and lower taxes have been made.The current Administration is trying to place greater emphasis on social negotiation, which has been the case notably with the "responsibility pact" for business, entered into with French employers' associations. At the same time, faced with the duty to deal with certain controversial public debates, the French Administration has been pressed, in certain circumstances, to take urgent legislation (as
Client Alert | July 22, 2014
Pursuant to a circular dated July 15, 2014 and a notification ("RBI Notification"), the Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") has amended the pricing guidelines that are applicable for the issuance or transfer of equity shares, compulsorily convertible preference shares and compulsorily convertible debentures of unlisted Indian companies.
Client Alert | July 21, 2014
It almost goes without saying that the first half of 2014 brought with it the most significant development in securities litigation in decades: the U.S.
Client Alert | July 15, 2014
The following article written by Gibson Dunn partner Jose W.
Client Alert | July 15, 2014
New York partner Brian Gingold and Dallas associate Chris Babcock are the authors of "Del. v. N.Y. Law in Determining Liability Under Acquisition Agreements" [PDF] published on June 11, 2014 by the Delaware Business Court Insider.
Client Alert | June 11, 2014
On June 9, 2014, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison, No. 12-1200, 573 U.S. __, (June 9, 2014).In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court removed concerns that proceedings before a bankruptcy court may be later rendered a nullity. Specifically, the Court affirmed the Ninth Circuit's conclusion that claims that are statutorily defined as "core" bankruptcy claims by 28 U.S.C.
Client Alert | June 10, 2014
After a public consultation period of three months, the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange ("SAFE"), China's foreign exchange control authority, issued the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules on Cross-border Guarantees (the "New Rules") on May 19, 2014.
Client Alert | May 20, 2014
On May 14, 2014, the French government extended the blocking power of the French Ministry of Economy with respect to foreign investments regarding six new business sectors.
Client Alert | May 16, 2014
On April 16, 2014, the public comment period for the Federal Reserve's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) relating to the physical commodities activities of U.S.
Client Alert | April 28, 2014
In an effort to further liberalize the approval regime for outbound investments by Chinese companies, the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC"), China's top economic planner, issued the Administrative Measures for Verification and Filing of Outbound Investment Projects (the "New Rules") on April 8, 2014. The Administrative Rules will take effect on May 8, 2014 and are expected to lead to more M&A activities by Chinese companies outside of China. Delegation of AuthorityOutbound investments by Chinese companies require government approval. The approvals are granted by either the central or the local governments, depending primarily on the amount of funds involved in a particular investment. Under the existing rules, for
Client Alert | April 18, 2014
On April 9, 2014, the Department of Defense ("DoD") issued an interim final rule creating a new section of the Code of Federal Regulations ("CFR") covering the National Industrial Security Program ("NISP"). These new regulations are solely focused on the Defense Security Service's ("DSS") evaluation of foreign ownership, control, or influence ("FOCI").
Client Alert | April 11, 2014
Munich associates Marcus Geiss and Katharina Saulich are the authors of “The German KAGB – A New Era for the Alternative Investment Industry?” published on March 24, 2014 in the Bloomberg BNA Securities Regulation and Law Report.Reproduced with permission from Securities Regulation & Law Report, 46 SRLR 558, 03/24/2014.
Client Alert | March 24, 2014
Nearly two years ago, on April 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act ("JOBS Act") into law. As part of the law's effort to encourage U.S.
Client Alert | March 12, 2014
Following an increase in shareholder and investor activism beyond pure executive remuneration issues in the United Kingdom in 2013, this article provides a summary of certain principles of English law and UK and European regulation applicable to UK listed public companies and their shareholders that are relevant to the expected further increase in activism in 2014.
Client Alert | February 18, 2014
On December 31, 2013, in Newco Energy v. Energytec, Inc. (In re Energytec, Inc), the Fifth Circuit ruled that certain rights connected to a gas pipeline--in particular, the right to receive a "transportation fee" based on gas throughput and the requirement that the recipient of the transportation fee consent to any assignment of interests in the pipeline--were covenants running with the land under Texas law.
Client Alert | February 3, 2014
Orange County partner James Moloney and associate Michael Titera are the authors of “Inside the SEC: Highlights from the 41st Annual Securities Regulation Institute” [PDF] published in the February 2014 issue of Aspen's Insights.
Client Alert | February 1, 2014
On 12 November 2013, the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") published a long-awaited statement setting out guidance for investors on shareholder co-operation and "acting in concert" under the European Directive 2004/25/ac on Takeover Bids ("TBD").
Client Alert | January 28, 2014
2013 proved to be a watershed year for securities litigation, and 2014 is shaping up to be a "career killing" year for plaintiffs' lawyers specializing in 10b-5 class actions.
Client Alert | January 21, 2014
Pursuant to a notification dated November 12, 2013 and a subsequent circular dated January 9, 2014 ("RBI Notification"), the Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") has legalized the use of call options and put options as an exit mechanism for foreign investors.
Client Alert | January 16, 2014
Gibson Dunn lawyers provide a comprehensive review of German business law during 2013, in areas including corporate, M&A, antitrust, tax, labor and employment, real estate, IP and data protection.
Client Alert | January 15, 2014
Since his inauguration in December 2012, Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto has moved to liberalize and strengthen his country’s economy, with an emphasis on telecommunications, tax and financial reforms.
Client Alert | January 9, 2014
The South African government may well have been surprised when Italian mining companies launched legal action challenging mining legislation aimed at addressing certain historical injustices in South African society - measures that were taken to promote human rights.
Client Alert | January 8, 2014
Almost three years and five months after the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, and about two years and two months after its implementing proposal was issued, the Volcker Rule is now final.
Client Alert | December 13, 2013