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Womble Bond Dickinson Names Former Proterra SVP Eric McCarthy As Firm’s General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer
Jun 01 2020
GREENVILLE, SC—Veteran in-house counsel and antitrust litigator Eric McCarthy has joined Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP as the firm’s new General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer. Mike Barnhill, who had been serving as the firm’s General Counsel, will resume his practice serving clients as a Partner on Womble Bond Dickinson’s Business Litigation Team.
SEC Simplifies Financial Disclosures for Acquisitions and Dispositions
May 29 2020
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted amendments to the financial disclosure requirements in Regulation S-X for acquisitions and dispositions of businesses. These amendments are part of the SEC’s continuing initiative to improve the quality and efficiency of such disclosure and facilitate more timely access to capital.
Federal Judge Confirms That Syndicated Loans Are Not Securities
May 29 2020
On May 22, 2020, Judge Paul Gardephe of the Southern District of New York held that a syndicated term loan was not a “security” under state securities laws. The ruling confirmed the assumption, which has been fundamental to the growth of the syndicated loan market and has not been contradicted by any judicial decision, that syndicated loans are not subject to registration requirements and antifraud provisions promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Benita Jones Discusses Back-to-Campus Legal Issues for Colleges & Universities in COVID-19 Environment
May 28 2020
After months of adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, college and university leaders are approaching the fall 2020 semester with a combination of optimism and uncertainty. While higher educational institutions hope to resume normal campus operations in the fall, a massive amount of preparation is needed to help ensure a successful transition back to campus. Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Benita Jones spoke at a May 21 webinar on “The Fall 2020 Semester and COVID-19: Do’s, Don’ts, Reputational Risks and the Legal Environment".
Attorney Newt Fowler Moderates CEO Panel on “The Other Side” Beyond the COVID Crisis
May 27 2020
BALTIMORE, MD—On Wednesday, May 6, Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Newt Fowler guided a discussion on CEO’s lessons learned for “The Other Side” Beyond the COVID Crisis. The panelists featured CEOs from Thrive Software, LufCo, RocketDocs, and Apex Physics Partners. Our CEO panelists, with a unique blend of experiences, venture and PE backing, are leading their organizations into the future. This webinar explored lessons learned from prior recessions, how they’re planning for the coming “new normal”, what opportunities and challenges they’ve faced, and how they’re focusing on the future.
Some States Are Opposed to EPA’s COVID-19 Blanket Enforcement Policy
May 27 2020
On March 23, 2020, on behalf of its members and U.S. industry, the American Petroleum Institute sent a letter to the EPA requesting a temporary waiver of non-essential compliance obligations, including recordkeeping, training or other non-safety critical requirements. The letter asked that Federal and State agencies consider using enforcement discretion to provide temporary relief, waivers or revised compliance timeframes when compliance activities become infeasible due to travel restrictions and COVID-19 stay home/shelter in place orders.
Womble Bond Dickinson’s Susan Smythe Honored by the Gibbes Museum of Art with Philanthropy Award
May 26 2020
CHARLESTON, SC—Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Susan Smythe is the 2020 recipient of the James Shoolbred Gibbes Philanthropy Award—the highest honor given by the Gibbes Museum of Art for service to the museum. Smythe’s long-standing relationship with the Gibbes Museum began when she helped negotiate the first memorandum of understanding between the City of Charleston and the non-profit Carolina Art Association (CAA) regarding ownership of the Gibbes Museum facility. This memorandum of understanding led to the museum being awarded $3.9 million from the city for important renovations. She also helped the museum secure a $2.6 million Historic Tax Credit as part of that same capital campaign.
Morris Ellison in Greenville News: Why SC Needs Robust 5G Network Post-Pandemic
May 26 2020
While the debate rages as to when and how to restart our economy, history shows that big data and 5G offer a path to a more robust economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We should take two steps now to assist South Carolina’s “advanced manufacturers” to reopen and be more competitive in a post COVID-19 world.
South Carolina Department of Revenue Offers Clarification Regarding COVID-Related Employment Withholding Requirements
May 26 2020
On May 15, 2020, the South Carolina Department of Revenue published an information letter outlining temporary income tax withholding measures for employers with employees temporarily working remotely as a result of COVID-19. The measures are effective from March 13, 2020, through September 30, 2020. Basically, a COVID Period-based change in an employee’s physical work location will not change the employer’s South Carolina employment tax obligations – regardless of whether the employer’s usual report-to-work location is inside or outside of South Carolina. The apparent intention is for an employer to avoid having to register and/or withhold for a new state based simply upon COVID Period temporary work changes.
