Doing business in the United States
2021
2
Hogan Lovells
Doing business in the United States 2021
3
Contents
Introduction1
I.Openness of U.S. markets to foreign investment
2
II.Direct or indirect market entry and choice of entity
8
III. Commercial contracting
20
IV.Labor and employment law considerations
26
V.Immigration laws
34
VI.Intellectual property laws
40
VII. Export control and economic sanction laws
46
VIII. U.S. antitrust laws
56
The economic outcome from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still uncertain but is likely to remain catastrophic in many respects. Of late popular name brands and companies have filed for bankruptcy as stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements remain largely in effect. Morgan Lewis tax lawyers alert those considering bankruptcy or restructuring to various tax traps that may arise during these processes.
GOVERNANCE & SECURITIES LAW FOCUS
Proxima Nova A ExCn 35pt
MAY 2020/LATIN AMERICA
Below is a summary of the main developments in US, EU, and UK corporate governance and securities law since our last update in February 2020.
Financial regulatory developments are available here.
IN THIS ISSUE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVID-19: Summary of Key Issues.................................................................................... 1
Recently the Victorian Court of Appeal upheld a decision to deny liquidators approval of a proposed settlement in McDermott and Potts as liquidators of Lonnex Pty Ltd (in liquidation) [2019] VSCA 23. The creditors had been opposed to the settlement.
Background
With Commonwealth funding to Medicare Locals ceasing on 30 June 2015, now is the time for Boards of Medicare Locals to ensure that they are, and remain, solvent, now that a substantial part of their revenue flow is being terminated.
The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic will leave in its wake a significant increase in commercial chapter 11 filings. Many of these cases will feature extensive litigation involving breach of contract claims, business interruption insurance disputes, and common law causes of action based on novel interpretations of long-standing legal doctrines such as force majeure.
In 2019, the increased wave of distressed health care companies continued, and with downward pressure on reimbursement rates, regulatory changes, decreased occupancy rates and technological advances, this trend is unlikely to subside in 2020.
Health care providers often are heavily dependent on revenues from government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, accounting for nearly 40% of national health care spending in 2018. Therefore, a Medicare payment suspension could cripple a health care provider.
Two recent decisions involving health care companies demonstrate how reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code1 can be used to manage large liabilities.
A series of decisions over the past year — on issues such as make-whole premiums, intercreditor agreements, backstops for rights offerings and nonconsensual third-party releases — will likely have a significant impact in 2020 on parties involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
Fifth Circuit Reverses Course on the Enforceability of Make-Whole Premiums in Chapter 11