http://www.choate.com en-us Fri, 15 May 2009 20:30:55 UTC Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC Point & Clique 5 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=559 What you need to know:

The Delaware Chancery Court’s decision in CNX Gas heightens the standard for receiving business judgment review in a two-step tender offer and signals a unified approach to judicial review of going private transactions with controlling stockholders.br>
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Special committees of target boards should negotiate for broad mandates and authority similar to the authority of a full board in a third-party transaction. CNX Gas underscores the expectations that Delaware courts have for the authority and conduct of special committees. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=559 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=560 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=560 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=558 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=558 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=555 What you need to know:

Under the Department of Labor’s recently issued administrative interpretation, same-sex couples, extended relatives or employees with other, non-traditional, non-legal and non-biological relationships may be eligible to take FMLA leave to care for a child if the employee is either responsible for the day-to-day care of the child or financially responsible for the child, with eased requirements for documentation substantiating the nature of the relationship.

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Employers are advised to consult their attorneys if they have any questions regarding the eligibility of an employee for FMLA leave and to ensure that their FMLA policy is up to date. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=555 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=556 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=556 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=554 What you need to know:

The Private Fund Investment Advisers Registration Act of 2010 was enacted on July 21 as part of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Act generally requires advisers of private equity funds with more than $150 million of assets under management to register with the SEC as investment advisers by July 21, 2011 and will have other impacts on the private equity industry.

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All advisers of private equity funds should consult with counsel to determine if they will be required to register as an investment adviser with the SEC and, if so required, commence preparations for registration. Among other things, private equity firms should review with counsel their governing documents, offering documents, compensation arrangements, recordkeeping policies and organizational structure to determine what changes will be required to comply with these new legal requirements. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=554 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=553 What you need to know:

The Supreme Court’s recent decision doesn’t change how the USPTO will review claims; the PTO will continue to use the machine-or-transformation test.

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Continue to formulate claim strategies in consideration of the post-Bilski climate. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=553 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=552 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=552 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=551 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=551 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=545 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=545 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=542 What you need to know:

If you or certain of your employees contribute to elected officials or candidates who have influence over public pension or investment funds, you may not receive compensation on capital you raise from those funds for two years.

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Notify your employees of this rule, and establish a policy requiring them to seek your approval before they make or solicit political contributions or payments. Tue, 6 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=542 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=550 Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=550 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=546 Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=546 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=543 Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=543 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=544 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=544 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=541 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=541 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=540 What you need to know:

Despite speculation that Congress would reach an agreement to reinstate the federal estate and GST taxes at 2009 levels, they have yet to do so. .

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In light of this, there are a number of steps individuals can take now to reduce estate taxes. Among those to consider, take full advantage of gift tax annual exclusion, make gifts to pay for tuition and medical expenses and establish a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust. Wed, 9 Jun 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=540 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=547 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=547 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=549 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=549 http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=548 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 UTC http://choate.com/news.php?NewsID=548