A consortium of buyers has announced plans to privatize Minnesota-based utility company Allete in a transaction pegged at $6.2 billion. The move marks a major step in the recent surge of interest and investment within the clean energy sector, much of which has been greatly propelled by the Inflation Reduction Act. The consortium in question…
US Senate candidate David McCormick, previously of Bridgewater Associates, is facing criticism for the hedge fund’s significant investments in Chinese companies. Under McCormick’s leadership, the firm directed millions into enterprises involved in China’s military-industrial complex, such as producers of fighter jets, bombers, jamming aircraft, and carriers. This information comes from documents examined by Bloomberg Government…
As recently reported by Bloomberg Law, Katten has successfully enlisted key members from Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle’s London Investment Management Team: Thomas Laurer and Ryan Hansen joined as financial markets and funds partners, while Daniel Lewin joined as a tax planning partner. This team has an outstanding track record of advising UK, US, and…
As business complexities continue to grow in the face of Brexit, economic challenges, and sweeping reforms, law firms are reacting accordingly by bolstering their rosters of legal experts. Among the leading firms in this trend, Dentons, DLA Piper, Squire Patton Boggs, and Paul Hastings have made a series of strategic hires in tax partnership roles…
Big Law firms based in Europe, such as Dentons, DLA Piper, Squire Patton Boggs, and Paul Hastings, have seen a surge in the hiring of tax partners, specifically those with expertise in international investment funds and litigation, during the first two months of 2024. This demand has been triggered by a combination of Brexit, economic…
Law firm Boies Schiller Flexner has welcomed a new partner, Kristen Young, into its international arbitration group based in Washington, D.C. The information was made public on the firm’s official website. Young is a specialist in international investment and commercial arbitration matters. In her capacity, she has represented both respondent states and claimant investors. Her…
In a recent verdict, a federal appeals court ruled that a Florida law, which prohibits real estate purchases by Chinese citizens, can’t be enforced against two particular plaintiffs while their case is in progress. This decision marks a significant point in the ongoing legal tussle surrounding international property acquisition. The law, which was originally intended…
Reports indicate that Donald Trump, the current Republican frontrunner, has declared that he would inhibit the Nippon Steel Corp.’s transaction to acquire United States Steel Corp., should he succeed in the upcoming November elections. Trump’s statements underline how his economic nationalism could potentially jeopardize international investments in the US. This declaration came to light after…
The former top criminal official of the Justice Department, Kenneth Polite Jr., will be undertaking a review of corporate compliance programs at the international investment firm, Tavistock Group. This development comes following the charging of Tavistock’s founder by the Department of Justice last year over insider trading allegations. Polite, who resigned his role as the…
As we understand the global interconnectedness of modern economies, there is a growing recognition that far-off happenings can significantly impact businesses at home. A relevant example would be the current situation in Ukraine, where opportunities for international investment are potentially pivotal in helping the country rebuild and stabilize its economy. Canada, with its robust economy…
On 19th October 2023, the European Commission (EC) unveiled its third Annual Report on the monitoring of foreign direct investments (FDI) into the Union. The report, which encompasses data gathered in 2022, marks the EC’s continued adherence to the European Union’s Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regulation that officially came into effect in October 2020. The…
In a critical development that is likely to cause ripples in the regulatory landscape, the Cayman Islands have been successfully removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list. The decision was announced on October 27, following the conclusion of FATF’s plenary meetings held in Paris, France. FATF’s decision reflects the fact that the…
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), controlling nearly $1 trillion in assets, has become a pivotal player in the acquisition of Telecom Italia’s landline network. The sovereign wealth fund’s involvement marks its continued positioning in major global investments. As acknowledged in documents filed by Telecom Italia, ADIA is amongst the chief investors in the acquisition…
In a striking development in the arbitration world, the English Court has upheld a challenge to an enormous arbitration award against Nigeria, estimated at US$11 billion, on the grounds of it being fraudulently procured. The judgment, which aimed to rectify what English judge referred to as “the most severe abuses of the arbitral process”, offers…
Continuing to exert its influence on the world stage, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) made a landmark ruling on the limits of foreign direct investment (FDI) screening. In what is its first decision on this matter, the court has minimized the scope of the EU FDI Screening Regulation. In essence, national…
As we close the books on a tumultuous 2023, it’s an opportune time to reflect on some significant arbitration rulings from the past year and what these trends may signal for 2024. With the UN Member States adopting a Code of Conduct for Arbitrators in Investor-State disputes, the legal scene in international trade law has…
In a considerable move concerning mergers and acquisitions, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco has conducted a speech revealing the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) latest Safe Harbor measures in the sphere of the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (FCPA). The announcement took place at the 2023 SCCE Compliance and Ethics Institute. The clarification on the DOJ’s position…
The United Kingdom (UK) government has delivered an ultimatum regarding its relationship with the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) – an international agreement that provides a framework for cross-border cooperation in the energy industry. The announcement stipulates that the UK will reevaluate its ECT membership if comprehensive modernisation of the Treaty is not agreed upon by…
Given the dynamic nature of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) market, the fourth edition of the guide titled “Doing Business in the UAE: A Guide to the Financial, Business, and Legal Considerations for Navigating the UAE’s Dynamic Market” provides an in-depth overview for foreign investors who are eyeing business opportunities in the Gulf nation. Presented…
On September 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) conducted its Second Annual CFIUS Conference. This conference, concerning the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”), was headlined by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Paul Rosen. Full Coverage Here. The conference’s agenda encompassed discussions…
In a step forward for international arbitration, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) adopted a Code of Conduct for Arbitrators in International Investment Dispute Resolution on 21 July 2023, during its 56th annual session in Vienna. The adoption of this Code signals a refinement in practice and approach for international arbitrators. Notably,…
In recent years, Africa has emerged as a formidable player in the global market, bringing to the forefront an investment case that cannot be ignored. Its rapidly growing population and bustling economic activity are factors that make the continent exceptionally compelling for international investors and law firms. According to recent projections, Africa’s population, which currently…
Following a prolonged period of discussion and deliberation, a significant milestone has been reached in the realm of international investment laws, as the much-anticipated outbound investment program was discussed in detail on August 9, 2023. The discussions were prompted by an Executive Order issued by President Biden, labelled “Addressing United States Investments in Certain National…
Switzerland is considering the implementation of tougher anti-money laundering laws, according to a report by Hugo Miller and Bryce Baschuk of Bloomberg. The Swiss government has initiated consultations on a draft bill aimed at enforcing the “integrity and competitiveness” of Switzerland as an investment hub. The consultations are planned to remain open through November 29,…
New developments in control on outbound investments hold potential implications for investors, as President Biden’s recently signed executive order lays out regulations on American investments in certain national security technologies and products in countries of concern. The executive order, both eagerly anticipated and hotly debated among international investment circles, was signed into law by the…