US companies are turning to their lawyers for help in containing the costs of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on goods from China, looking for legal loopholes to help avoid or reduce duties without shifting production to other countries.

Behavioural economists have in recent years been examining the complex relationship between survey design and the responses that different types of questionnaires can elicit. In this issue of Raising the Bar, A&M’s Tasneem Azad discusses some of the biases that may influence how individuals respond to certain questions and explores survey design best practice tips for framing questions in order to counteract them. A&M has supported clients in the design and execution of surveys, particularly in respect of potentially emotive and polarising subjects - such as personal finances and access to banking facilities - where addressing behavioural considerations can be crucial for ensuring reliable and meaningful results.

The Trump administration’s policies toward Cuba have recently shifted, creating some urgency for U.S. firms that do business with the embattled country and its regional partners. Michael Carter and Drew Marrocco detail what American companies need to do to maintain compliance.

On Friday, June 14 (“Flag Day”), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the Treasury Department issued several pieces of guidance under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). This includes final, temporary, and proposed regulations (collectively referred to as the “Regulations”). The Regulations cover a wide variety of topics affecting U.S. based multinational organizations, private equity funds, U.S. individual owners of foreign corporations, and others.

Alvarez & Marsal Middle East Limited (A&M) is delighted to publish the Q1’19 edition of the UAE Banking Pulse (“The Pulse”). In this quarterly series, we share results from our research examining the 9 largest listed UAE banks, and highlight key performance indicators of the UAE banking industry. The Pulse aims to help banking executives and board members stay current on industry trends.

Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) today released its latest UAE Banking Pulse for Q1 2019, which shows that the UAE banks are generating healthy earnings despite tougher economic conditions. The fundamental theme in the three-month period ending March 2019 is a surge in profitability, underpinned by increase in loans and advances, and a stabilised yield on credit. 

Alvarez & Marsal’s P3 Infrastructure Real Estate Advisory group served as the real estate and transaction advisor to the Travis County Commissioners Court, leading the County through this innovative, $333 million public-private real estate transaction for Travis County’s new 430,000 square-foot civil and family courts facility.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (“PATH Act”) provided a tax exemption from gain or loss on certain dispositions of U.S. real property interests (“USRPIs”) for Qualified Foreign Pension Funds (“QFPFs”) under section 897(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

In a recent article published by Insurance Journal, A&M Senior Director John deCraen examines the background and enforcement of this piece of cybersecurity legislation, and discusses the significance of South Carolina serving as the first state to adopt it.

When assessing the value of stock options, the vesting schedule is often overlooked. During divorce proceedings, timing is an incredibly important factor in protecting a client’s financial position.
In a recent issue of Family Lawyer Magazine, Alvarez & Marsal Managing Director Arik Van Zandt examines key deadlines and pitfalls to mind in the next-to-vest coverture formula for valuing stock options.

Like other sectors within supply management, manufacturing is transforming. Faced with new technologies and changing business models and processes, manufacturers must react more quickly to the changing marketplace and adjust their manufacturing base to support new products and categories, two Alvarez & Marsal managing directors say.

Based on a presentation by Neil Beaton at the BVR-American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers’ National Divorce Financial Conference, we have produced a glossary of financial terms for divorce attorneys covering options, warrants, hybrid securities and dilution.

Jean Chow-Callam joins Alvarez & Marsal as Managing Director in its Disputes and Investigations practice in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Ms. Chow-Callam will serve to expand the group’s investigation capabilities, particularly regarding engagements involving China.

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has expanded its cybersecurity and forensic technology offerings with the appointments of Rocco Grillo in New York, Ken Mendelson in Washington, D.C, Kevin Negangard in Chicago, and Robert DeCicco and Vishal Oza in Los Angeles within the Disputes and Investigations practice.