2021 is going to be an action-packed year in the employee benefits world, with potential retirement plan legislation, significant ERISA guidance, fringe benefit developments, and more. The speakers look ahead to trends and issues that will be most prominent in the coming year.

The latest legal insights from Eversheds Sutherland.

The latest legal insights from Eversheds Sutherland.

Please join Eversheds Sutherland M&A practitioners from around the world and Jinzy Zhu, M&A Legal Integration Lead Counsel at PayPal, for a 60-minute CLE accredited webinar on post-acquisition transaction integration.   Post-acquisition transaction integration is the key to buy-side M&A success. We will be discussing and answering questions on a number of topics, including:  Our top 5 tips to successfully complete post-acquisition transaction integration Developing and executing on the integration plan Legal entity consolidation and restructuring, governance and compliance Tax considerations for the combined operations Workforce and employee benefits Cybersecurity and data privacy Our top 5 post-acquisition transaction integration red flags

The latest legal insights from Eversheds Sutherland.

The latest legal insights from Eversheds Sutherland.

The latest legal insights from Eversheds Sutherland.

The latest legal insights from Eversheds Sutherland.

The latest legal insights from Eversheds Sutherland.

In this program, we discuss the SALT ramifications of the 2020 elections, including: High-impact state ballot initiatives Reactions to potential federal corporate tax rate changes SALT responses to potential changes to TCJA international provisions, such as BEAT, FDII, GILTI and 245A Evolving positions on credits and incentives Future pandemic stimulus spending And more!

This program will examine the intersection of RegTech tools and anti-money laundering (AML) programs for institutions, including banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, securities exchanges, broker-dealers, and investment advisers. As institutions continue to leverage RegTech tools to enhance their AML programs, we discuss the impact of these RegTech tools on customer identification programs and know-your-customer compliance, as well as suspicious activity reporting filing requirements. How should institutions utilize these RegTech tools, and what is their responsibility to supervise them? What if something goes wrong, and how should institutions ensure proper guardrails exist when implementing RegTech tools into their AML programs? We will examine these questions, along with recent AML regulatory guidance, so that institutions are well positioned to understand the risks and rewards associated with these RegTech tools.

In June, the DOL released version 3.0 of its fiduciary proposal, which formally reinstated the investment advice fiduciary definition in effect since 1975 accompanied by new interpretations that extended its reach in the rollover setting, and proposed a new exemption for conflicted investment advice and principal transactions. This proposal would become part of the patchwork of fiduciary and best interest advice regulations that impact banks, broker-dealers, investment advisers, and insurance companies. Join Eversheds Sutherland attorneys Carol McClarnon, Mark Smith, Issa Hanna and Caitlin Naylor for a webcast on what financial institutions should be considering now in anticipation of adoption of DOL's proposal, taking into account the context of broader best interest developments.

All but three states have passed hate crimes laws, which generally provide harsher penalties for crimes motivated by a victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. But how much do you know about how these laws work, who they protect, and why they’re an important tool in the fight against racism? The ACC Georgia Chapter welcomes Eversheds Sutherland's Amanda R. Giffin and John E. Sharpe to present in this engaging discussion.

Eversheds Sutherland Partner Lino Mendiola presents a 60-minute webinar on how to navigate the complex regulatory framework when transacting electric utility assets in Texas.

COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way businesses operate, and how and where employees perform their duties. This webinar will address the U.S. federal, international, and state tax considerations for U.S. multinational and multistate employers facing increased instances of a remote workforce, including discussion of federal income tax and payroll tax considerations; the relevance of income tax treaties; multistate nexus, employer withholding, and unemployment insurance tax considerations; and best practices to manage tax considerations with changing business needs.

The District of Columbia's Council - which serves as DC's legislature - is considering an expansion of DC's sales tax to advertising services, including digital advertising services, and personal information. If enacted, the District of Columbia would become the first jurisdiction to tax sales on personal information and all advertising services, including digital advertising. Nearly every company doing business in DC will bear this tax hike. Join Todd Lard and Charlie Kearns from Eversheds Sutherland and Stephanie Do from the Council On State Taxation (COST) for a webcast discussion on the scope of the proposal and its current status.

Hannah Jones and Katie Taylor take stock on what can be learned from COVID-19 and implementing business continuity plans in a real life scenario. We discuss the lessons learned and practical next steps for financial services in the UK.

Presented by James Veneruso, Senior Vice-President, Callan.

Although fines are not generally deductible, they may be deducted when attributable to restitution, remediation, or paid to comply with the law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act clarified these rules and the IRS has recently proposed regulations that delineate the distinctions between non-deductible fines and deductible government payments. The proposed regulations also describe the conditions and standards of proof for securing deduction as well as the IRS reporting requirements. 

While the current economic environment may force some companies and PE funds to divest assets or businesses, potential buyers will have the opportunity to make smart acquisitions. Cash-stable corporates and well-invested funds alike are already considering consolidation against the backdrop of an emerging ‘new normal’ and the need for some businesses to de-leverage.  For businesses that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19, and for those looking to grow as we emerge from lockdown, we will discuss how to structure the deal terms to ensure getting fair value and closing certainty, including: Limited due diligence Uncertain title to assets Customer and vendor contract defaults Indemnification and rep and warranty insurance Closing conditions The interplay with insolvency proceedings