You can’t run a business here without caring what’s going on in Tallahassee. Just the leadership names of Crist, Scott, Meek, McCollum, Sink, Nelson, Putnam, LeMieux et. al. provide important topics for a dozen editions. And Florida Trend is the only vehicle that puts it all in statewide perspective.
Ten “Techy” New Years Resolutions Every Company Should Make in 2011
The New Year is a time for celebration and to reflect on the past year, as well as a time for resolutions, new budgets, plans and corporate goals. As you plan for 2011, don’t forget that just like you increasingly rely on tech and IP in your everyday life, companies increasingly rely on their trade secrets, email services, hosted solutions, websites, enterprise software, technology services and loyal employees.
What are your predictions for M&A for 2011?
Although 2010 saw increased levels of M&A activity in the US and abroad, this is hardly surprising given the disaster that was 2009. Given the high levels of liquidity in the capital markets and the relative strength of the debt markets, I expect that 2011 will be a banner year for M&A activity, at least […]
Just Published: Federal Tax Committee Estimates Cost of Federal Tax Laws
On December 15, 2010, the Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) published its Estimates of Federal Tax Expenditures for Fiscal years 2010-2014 (the “JCT Report”). The JTC Report may be especially important in the coming months as the next Congress tackles the growing federal deficit. The reason for this lies in the President’s […]
Another Split Decision in the Battle for Insurance Coverage For Chinese Drywall Losses
On December 16, the federal court in Louisiana overseeing the Chinese Drywall Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”) issued an order dismissing homeowner claims for first-party insurance coverage due to damage caused to their homes by defective Chinese drywall.
How will new tax legislation that Congress passed and the President signed late last week affect my estate planning in 2011 and going forward?
The new tax bill that President Obama signed into law on Friday provides major changes to the estate, gift and generation skipping transfer taxes. Under laws passed in 2001, the estate tax and generation skipping transfer tax were repealed in 2010 but were set to come back on January 1, 2011 with a $1 million […]
Insurance Coverage May Cover Madoff Clawback Settlement Payments
This past Saturday, December 11 was the deadline for Irving Picard, the Madoff trustee, to file fraudulent transfer (“clawback”) lawsuits against Madoff net winners. Several high profile individuals, including Carl Shapiro and Robert Jaffe, recently settled the claims against them.
I am an officer on the Board of Directors of a company which sells and leases apartments in Palm Beach County. As part of the process, Board members review applications and vote to either approve or deny them. Recently, the Board voted to deny the application of a same sex couple. I am concerned about a potential lawsuit against the Board and me personally. I have my own homeowner’s policy and the Board has its own coverage, but I am not sure about whether the coverage is appropriate. What should I do to ensure I am adequately protected?
Your company should have directors & officers liability coverage that would pay for defense costs and indemnify the Board and individual directors and officers such as yourself for the claim. This coverage is referred to as D&O coverage, which generally covers claims alleging wrongful acts by directors and officers. As an officer, you should be […]
Insurance Coverage May Cover Madoff Clawback Settlement Payments
Tomorrow is the deadline for Irving Picard, the Madoff trustee, to file fraudulent transfer (“clawback”) lawsuits against Madoff net winners. Several high profile individuals, including Carl Shapiro and Robert Jaffe, recently settled the claims against them. The clawback litigation is expected to last for many years, and the costs to defend and resolve these lawsuits will be massive and crippling even to the most wealthy individuals and organizations. Defendants may have directors & officers, errors & omissions, or other liability insurance to pay for the cost to defend these lawsuits. Insurance may also cover some or all settlement or judgment payments.
Will Congress authorize internet poker before the end of the year?
As the clock winds down on the 111th Congress, proponents of legal Internet poker are eyeing a last-minute chance to pass a bill creating a licensing system for legal online poker forums. Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), while previously opposed to efforts to legalize Internet gaming, has circulated a draft bill that seeks to legalize and tax the industry which is estimated to include 15 million paying American customers.
