Keeping our clients informed of legal issues and developments effecting their organizations or businesses is one of our top priorities. Our attorneys publish relevant and timely practice area advisories and newsletters, as well as contribute to a number of industry and business publications. Our unique joint venture has also been the focus of articles written by journalists in the legal industry.

Upcoming Events

Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) Speaker Series

Thursday, March 11, 2010
New England School of Law
Boston, MA

Pamela Smith Holleman will discuss her practice areas of business bankruptcy and litigation at this program sponsored by the New England School of Law - Jewish Law Students Association.

For more information, visit New England School of Law.

Hot Topics in GSA Contracting

Friday, March 12, 2010
Government Contracts Section of the Federal Bar Association
ZAG/S&W LLP, Washington, D.C.

ZAG/S&W LLP will host a seminar, "Hot Topics in GSA Contracting," sponsored by the Government Contracts Section of the Federal Bar Association on March 12, 2010. The panel will provide a perspective into schedule formation and performance issues, audits and investigations, recent developments, and other pressing schedule concerns.

Featured Speakers:

• David Drabkin, Chief Acquisitions Officer, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
• Robert Bourne, Director, MAS Program Office, Office of Acquisition Management, Federal Acquisition Service
• Carolyn Alston, General Counsel, Washington Management Group
• Susan B. Haeseler, Director, Raytheon IDIQ Team and Service Center
• Raymond C. Moehler, Raytheon IDIQ Team and Service Center

Moderator:

• John A. Howell, Partner, ZAG/S&W LLP

For more information, visit the Federal Bar Association.
 

Comprehensible Communications And More

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The New England Chapter of the ESOP Association
Doubletree Hotel, Westborough, MA

David A. Guadagnoli will be a panelist at this one-day seminar presented by The New England Chapter of the ESOP Association. Mr. Guadagnoli will discuss "Communicating Culture" which will address:

• What makes up a company's ESOP culture, and how does it develop?
• If you already have an ESOP culture, how do you make it grow and thrive for the benefit of new and existing employee-owners?

For additional information and to register for this seminar, please visit the The New England Chapter's Web site.

Life Cycle of a Distressed Asset

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Real Estate Lenders Association
Langham Hotel, Boston, MA

Sander Ash will moderate and Pamela Smith Holleman will speak at the Real Estate Lenders Association's (RELA) Boston breakfast meeting on March 16, 2010. The panel will discuss the "Life Cycle of a Distressed Asset."

For more information, visit RELA.

Establishing International Operations

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Financial Executives International (FEI)
Newton Marriott, Newton, MA

Douglas S. Stransky will be a panelist at "Establishing International Operations," a seminar sponsored by Financial Executives International on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at the Newton Marriott.

For additional information and to register for this seminar, please visit FEI's Web site.

Valuation of Hard-to-Value Securities and Portfolios 2009

Monday, March 22 - Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Financial Research Associates, LLC
New York, NY

Joseph W. Bartlett will be a speaker at "Valuation of Hard-to-Value Securities and Portfolios 2009: Mitigating Operational Risk Associated with the Valuation Process," sponsored by Financial Research Associates, LLC. The two-day conference will discuss issues pertaining to valuation, including:

• Investor due diligence
• Evaluating risk across an entire portfolio
• Recognizing red flags and warning signs at an early stage
• An in-depth look at the valuation committee and each party's roles and responsibilities
• The latest FASB changes including the most recent amendments to ASC-820 (FAS157)
• How auditors deal with different valuations
• The hottest valuation oversight issues from regulatory experts

For more information, visit Financial Research Associates, LLC.
 

Roundtable Discussion: Timber REITs

Thursday, March 25, 2010
REITWise® 2010: NAREIT's Law, Accounting & Finance Conference
Orlando Marriott World Center, Orlando, FL

Ameek Ashok Ponda will participate as a discussion leader of the "Roundtable Discussion: Timber REITs" panel at REITWise® 2010: NAREIT's Law, Accounting & Finance Conference, being held at the Orlando Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida.

For more information, please click here.
 

Crisis or Opportunity? M&A and Asset Acquisitions in Times of Crisis: What to Look for When Acquiring and Financing Acquisitions in a Volatile Market

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
American Bar Association, Section of International Law
Grand Hyatt Hotel, 109 East 42nd Street, New York, NY

James R. Silkenat will be a moderator at the American Bar Association's Section of International Law seminar on "Crisis or Opportunity? M&A and Asset Acquisitions in Times of Crisis: What to Look for When Acquiring and Financing Acquisitions in a Volatile Market." The program will feature speakers from The Netherlands, Spain, Argentina and China.

For more information, visit the ABA.
 

The FBA Judicial Reception

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

ZAG/S&W LLP is a proud sponsor of the Federal Bar Association's Judicial Reception honoring Judge Richard G. Stearns.
 

Advanced Forum on Government Contract Cost & Pricing

Tuesday, April 27 - Wednesday, April 28, 2010
American Conference Institute
Marriott Key Bridge, Arlington, VA

John A. Howell will be a co-speaker at the American Conference Institute's "Advanced Forum on Government Contract Cost & Pricing" on April 27-28, 2010. Mr. Howell's topic, "Current Pricing Issues in GSA Multiple Schedule Award Contracts," will discuss:

• Deletion of price reduction clause: Status of recommendations from the MAS Advisory Panel
• Type of pricing data being required by GSA negotiators
• How GSA is approaching time-and-materials (T&M) contracts: What charges from sub-contractors can be passed through to government and the types of permissible mark-ups
• How the Department of Defense is using the GSA schedule
• Justifying government vs. non-government pricing
• Reducing defective pricing risks
• Current bid protest issues being brought to GAO and the courts regarding the GSA program
• Managing GSA defective and price reduction audits
• How defective pricing and price reduction claims can escalate into allegations of fraud under the civil and criminal False Claims Act

For more information, visit the American Conference Institute.
 

Sustainability: Green Leasing & Building

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
MCLE Conference Center
Boston, MA

Victor N. Baltera will chair and Christopher M. Flanagan will speak at a Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) program on "Sustainability: Green Leasing & Building." The seminar will cover the following topics:

• What a sustainable or green building means
• What a green lease means
• Government incentives for green building design and green leasing
• What standards apply to measure green building design
• What lease provisions landlords and tenants seek to assure green building design and how the parties' perspectives differ
• What sustainability provisions are often found in building construction contracts
• What risk allocation provisions are often found in green building contracts and leases

For more information, please visit MCLE.
 

Introduction to U.S. International Tax for Non-International Tax Professionals

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
BNA Tax & Accounting Audioconference

Douglas S. Stransky will discuss U.S. tax issues for companies seeking to expand internationally. The objectives of Mr. Stransky's 90-minute audio discussion will include providing participants with a conceptual understanding and practical application of the following:

• International Tax Overview
• Structuring Foreign Operations
• Foreign Tax Credits
• Controlled Foreign Corporations
• Planning Opportunities

Intellectual Property Group Updates

Monday, May 10, 2010
ZAG/S&W Conference Center
Boston, MA

ZAG/S&W LLP will host a seminar presented by the firm's Intellectual Property Group. This complimentary program, followed by a cocktail reception, will cover:

• The Bilski decision
• USPTO updates
• The threat of patent infringement
• Software licensing pitfalls
• Federal Circuit updates on patent litigation

Click here to RSVP
 

Intermediate U.S. International Tax for Non-International Tax Professionals

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
BNA Tax & Accounting Audioconference

Douglas S. Stransky will discuss U.S. tax issues for companies seeking to expand internationally. This program offers a more in-depth overview of international taxation than the basic "Introduction to U.S. International Tax for Non-International Tax Professionals" and is designed as either a stand-alone program or a continuation of the introductory course.

The objectives of Mr. Stransky's 90-minute audio discussion will include providing participants with a conceptual understanding and practical application of the following:

• Outbound Transfers under Code Section 367
• The Foreign Tax Credit
• Subpart F and PFIC Rules
• Code Section 1248
• Code Section 482 and Transfer Pricing Overview
• Tax Treaties and Code Section 894
• Outbound Tax Planning
• U.S. Taxation of Foreign Persons

Taxation of Distressed Debt (Including Credit Opportunity Funds)

Monday, May 17 - Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Financial Research Associates, LLC
The Princeton Club, New York, NY

Joseph W. Bartlett will be a panelist at "The Private Investment Funds Tax Master Class," a program presented by Financial Research Associates. Mr. Bartlett's topic, "Taxation of Distressed Debt (Including Credit Opportunity Funds)," will discuss:

• Loan origination and "loan-to-own"
• Trade or business issues
• Withholding (portfolio interest exception)
• OID
• Market discount rules
• UBTI/ECI concerns

For more information, visit Financial Research Associates.
 

The 3rd Annual Worldwide Tax Update

Tuesday, May 18 - Wednesday, May 19, 2010
ZAG/S&W Conference Center
Boston, MA and New York, NY

ZAG/S&W LLP is pleased to announce its 3rd Annual Worldwide Tax Update, an annual symposium on international tax developments and tax planning in the United States and throughout the world (this year, the Americas and Spain). This free one-day event — to be held first in Boston and then repeated in New York the next day — will serve as a source of new tax ideas and techniques, as well as a forum to learn about rapidly developing and changing tax rules. In addition to the United States, tax advisors from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Spain will provide updates on current tax law developments.

For more information, contact Douglas S. Stransky or Lewis J. Greenwald.

Click to RSVP.

Marketing to Minors

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Federal Communications Bar Association's Privacy & Data Security Committee / Young Lawyers Committee
ZAG/S&W, Washington, D.C.

Sullivan & Worcester will host a seminar, "Marketing to Minors," sponsored by the Federal Communications Bar Association's Privacy & Data Security Committee and the Young Lawyers Committee. The event will take place on May 19, 2010 in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.
 

Past Events

How to Accumulate and Manage Wealth

Thursday, February 18, 2010
Boston Bar Association, New Lawyers Section
Boston, MA

Amy E. Sheridan was a panelist at "Developing a Road Map for Saving and Investing: How to Accumulate and Manage Wealth," a seminar sponsored by the New Lawyers Section of the Boston Bar Association. The panel discussion focused on saving, investing and wealth management best practices. Topics of review included:

• How to evaluate your financial situation, understand your saving/investing needs and develop a plan of action to reach your goals
• Tax and retirement planning considerations
• Best practices for allocating your investments in accordance with your risk tolerance, time horizon and financial goals

Multi-District Litigation: Boon or Bane?

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Boston Bar Association
Boston, MA

Joshua L. Solomon was a co-speaker at "Multi-District Litigation: Boon or Bane?," sponsored by the Boston Bar Association on February 16, 2010. Mr. Solomon discussed strategic considerations in multi-district litigation proceedings and traps for the unwary at the brown bag lunch.
 

Israel's Economy and Opportunities Presented with the New Administration

Wednesday, January 14, 2009
ZAG/S&W Conference Center
Boston, MA

ZAG/S&W hosted Asaf Vitman, Israel's Minister of Economic Affairs in the United States, at the ZAG/S&W office in Boston. Mr. Vitman presented and discussed Israel's economy and the opportunities that we are presented with the new administration.
 

Israel's Economy - A Vision for the Future

Tuesday, March 4, 2008
ZAG/S&W Conference Center
Boston, MA

Sullivan & Worcester's joint venture law firm (ZAG/S&W LLP) with the Israeli law firm Zysman Aharoni Gayer, was pleased to sponsor and host a reception in honor of "Israel's Economy - A Vision for the Future." The keynote speaker was Yarom Ariav, Director General of Israel Ministry of Finance. Special guest speaker was Timothy Cahill, Treasurer and Receiver General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
 

New Ways to Raise Capital - Recent SEC Reforms
The New Reg. D and Rule 144

Tuesday, January 8, 2008
ZAG Main Office
Tel Aviv, Israel

Howard Berkenblit, Edwin Miller and Oded Har-Even from Sullivan & Worcester's joint venture law firm, ZAG/S&W LLP, with the Israeli law firm Zysman, Aharoni, Gayer & Co., presented on "New Ways to Raise Capital - Recent SEC Reforms." Attendees learned how and why:

• Shelf registrations can be more widely used to raise money more quickly and cheaply
• PIPE transactions are regaining popularity, with more favorable terms for companies
• Alternative strategies such as "registered direct" offerings should always be considered

Israel's Biomedical Industry

Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Boston, MA

ZAG/S&W hosted a breakfast with special guest speaker, Rafi Hofstein, Ph.D, co-chairperson of BioMed Israel. Dr. Hofstein spoke about Israel's biomedical industry and discussed the upcoming BioMed Israel Conference being held June 5-7 in Tel-Aviv, Israel.
 

Boston-Haifa Life Sciences Initiative

Sunday, October 15 - Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Boston, MA

ZAG/S&W participated in the Boston-Haifa Life Sciences Initiative (BHLSI), a week-long Israeli BioBusiness Delegation held in Boston (Oct 15-18). ZAG/S&W hosted a full day event with an entrepreneurship seminar in the morning and a BHLSI Angel/Investor Forum in the afternoon. There was also a reception at the Boston Harbor Hotel in the evening bringing together leading scientific and business leaders from the Boston area.

Shmuel Zysman (ZAG/S&W), Erez Aharoni (ZAG/S&W), Robin Blatt (Boston Haifa Life Sciences Initiative), Harvey Bines (ZAG/S&W), Shy Baranov (ZAG/S&W) and Avi Faigenbaum (Mati Haifa).
 

ZAG/S&W LLP sponsors the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Israel

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Sullivan & Worcester's joint venture law firm (ZAG/S&W LLP) with the Israeli law firm Zysman Aharoni Gayer, was a sponsor of the 4th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Entrepreneurs from across Israel gathered at the 4th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards to celebrate entrepreneurial achievement. At this event Ernst & Young honored those who have managed to turn a bright idea into a brilliant business, through passion and perseverance. Categories of achievement included: Technology, Retail & Consumer Products, Industry, Services, Startup Entrepreneur and Social Entrepreneur. In addition to these category awards there was an overall Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented.
 

Investing in Israel

Wednesday, June 1, 2005
A Wall Street Transcript Conference
The Harvard Club of New York
New York, NY

Howard Berkenblit, Partner at Sullivan & Worcester and ZAG/S&W our Israeli/US law firm joint venture, moderated a panel discussing "Current Legal, Accounting and Disclosure Issues Impacting Israeli Companies in the US." The panelists, including Richard Sanders, Chair of the Technology Litigation Group at Sullivan & Worcester and Partner at ZAG/S&W, looked at the investment and offering landscape for Israeli companies in the US, accounting, SEC and tax issues impacting Israeli companies and the US commercial and IP litigation environment.

Despite the enormous geopolitical challenges that it faces, Israel has become a leader in biotechnology, security, semiconductors, telecommunications, software and Internet technologies. This Wall Street Transcript conference was an opportunity to learn about Israel’s competitive advantages, whether these advantages are sustainable and if Israel will become a serious competitor to India and China. There were opportunities to meet some of the Israeli companies that are shifting paradigms with their technologies.

For further details on this conference please visit the Investing in Israel Conference website.
 

The Wall Street Transcript Presents Investing in Israel

Wednesday, June 2, 2004
The Harvard Club
New York, NY

Howard Berkenblit, ZAG/S&W senior associate, was a member of the panel "Legal, accounting and financial issues impacting investing in Israel" and addressed corporate governance issues.
 

American Technion Society - New England Region
2003 Annual Event
"The Middle East Peace Process"

Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Hyatt Regency Cambridge
Cambridge, MA

ZAG/S&W LLP was a proud sponsor of the American Technion Society - New England Region's 2003 Annual Event. The American Technion Society is a non-profit organization established to support the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, in Haifa, Israel. The keynote speaker at this year's event was Ambassador Martin S. Indyk, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and a leading figure in developing and managing U.S. policy in the Middle East over the past nine years.
 

Cooperation for Energy Independence of Democracies in the 21st Century

Tuesday, August 26 - Thursday, August 28, 2003
Inaugural Conference
Jerusalem, Israel

ZAG/S&W LLP sponsored this inaugural program designed to be an interactive forum for participants to define a strategy to strengthen the United States and Israel, to effectuate energy policy and to find ways in which the US and Israel can cooperate in fostering the development of the energy markets.

Attendees were encouraged to participate through five expert panels discussing:

• the state of renewable/sustainable energy
• international considerations
• economics
• the future of transportation
• Israel's R&D capabilities

Stephen L. Huntoon, ZAG/S&W of counsel, moderated one of these panels and Robin Remis, ZAG/S&W senior associate, served on the Conference Leadership Committee and was a participant in the conference.

For more information please go to www.energycooperation.org.