Given the unavailability of H-1B numbers for the next 1½ years what should U.S. employers do immediately?

China is seeking cooperation from foreign law enforcement establishments to help pursue foreign investors who leave the country without properly liquidating their assets and winding up their business operations in China.

On November 15, 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules to modernize and improve the capital-raising, reporting and disclosure requirements for smaller companies in response to recommendations made by the SEC's Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies in its final report.

Employment issues under Sarbanes-Oxley.

It was announced earlier this week that an "all-star" commission is assembling to consider and recommend changes to the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other restrictions applicable to companies that raise money in the US capital markets.

Sweden operates a system under which a company may make a group contribution to another company. The group contribution is deducted from the taxable profits of the contributing company and is accounted for as taxable income by the recipient company.

Two developments were announced this week that will interest brand owners.

A summary of recent action taken by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Last Wednesday, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision ("Braden v. Wal-Mart") that lowers the bar for class action attorneys to bring claims alleging that 401(k) plans charge and improperly disclose excessive fees. This case should prompt employers to review how they administer their 401(k) plans.

The National Bank Act’s preemptive power over state law discrimination claims has been limited.

The United States and Canada have signed an agreement on government procurement, effective February 16th, 2010, allowing companies reciprocal access to participate in government procurement programs.

The Department of Homeland Security recently published an interim final regulation affecting a popular employment authorization program for foreign students.

The Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have extended the deadline by which plan documents are to be in documentary compliance with section 409A and provided other guidance in Notice 2007-78.

California has one of the largest consumer and business markets in the world, with a population larger than all of Canada.

In the prevailing economic conditions tenants will review and consider the terms of their leases more closely than perhaps was the case previously, trying to find ways to reduce liabilities attaching to their occupation of their properties.

The Department of Labor ("DOL") issued new regulations on January 14, 2010 (75 Fed. Reg. 2068) confirming earlier regulations and guidance that plan assets should be contributed to an employee benefit plan on the earliest date the amounts can reasonably be separated from the employer’s general assets. See 29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-102.

SUMMARY. Would-be plaintiffs may have more time to pursue federal securities law class actions against publicly held companies under a new decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tax considerations determine the structure of paper backed by life insurance settlements (“LIS”).

Potential liability for false patent marking significantly increased following a recent court of appeals decision.

At the well-attended argument of In re Bilski before the Supreme Court yesterday, the Justices expressed skepticism over the patent-eligibility of business methods, suggesting that such methods have not historically been considered patentable and should not be now.