Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced last week that it had settled its first lawsuit alleging violations of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). GINA, which was passed by Congress in…more

On February 22, 2013, the Delaware Chancery Court in Meso Scale v. Roche restored a degree of certainty to M&A planning by holding that the acquisition of a company through a reverse triangular merger (RTM) did not constitute an…more

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), on April 2, 2013, outlined a new disclosure position that clarifies that public companies can use social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter to announce key information in…more

Last week, the Second Circuit weighed in again on the enforceability of an arbitration provision in Parisi v. Goldman, Sachs & Co., No. 11-5229-cv (2d Cir. Mar. 21, 2013). The provision at issue required employees to pursue any …more

Recognizing that the requirement to have a detailed written plan document for a 403(b) retirement plan was a new and arduous task for many non-profit entities who sponsored such plans, the IRS has now published favorable…more

In This Alert: - A. What Is The Employer Shared Responsibility Penalty? - What Is The “Failure To Offer Coverage Penalty”? - How Is The “Failure To Offer Coverage Penalty” Calculated? - What Is The…more

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the primary enforcer of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) rang in the new year by issuing new forms for users of consumer reports. Copies of the forms that went into effect as…more

In an important ruling for employers, the Fourth Circuit recently underscored that the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) does not require employers to provide pregnant workers with special accommodations. Young v. United Parcel…more

Last week, the Federal Trade Commission issued its much-anticipated ruling in the agency’s case against POM Wonderful. In a unanimous 5-0 decision, the Commission found that Pom’s advertisements touting the amazing health…more

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued a pair of decisions helping to clarify the limits on employers’ ability to (1) discipline employees for their social media activities and (2) implement confidentiality…more

Earlier this month we notified you that that under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012—i.e., the “fiscal cliff legislation”—Congress extended the ability of employers to pay or reimburse an employee on a tax-free basis for…more

On December 3, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that the First Amendment protects pharmaceutical companies who truthfully promote the lawful, off-label use of prescription drugs from criminal…more

After a last-minute deal to avoid the fiscal cliff was passed by Congress on January 1, 2013, President Obama signed into law the new American Taxpayer Relief Act (“ATRA 2012”) on January 2, 2013. ATRA 2012 extends indefinitely…more

After a last-minute deal to avoid the fiscal cliff was passed by Congress on January 1, 2013, President Obama signed into law the new American Taxpayer Relief Act (“ATRA 2012”) on January 2, 2013. ATRA 2012 extends indefinitely…more

Although the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“Fiscal Cliff Legislation”) passed last week does not contain any sweeping changes targeted at U.S. taxpayers living abroad, a number of provisions are relevant to such U.S…more