Articles

Federal Corporate Transparency Regulations Now in Effect, Impacting Many U.S. Companies

Many U.S. companies are now subject to new corporate transparency regulations, note Juan Arau, Andrea Sánchez Tapia, and Robert Brown. It’s important for corporate and business leaders to know if they are subject to the law—which enhances corporate and other business entity transparency to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and tax fraud—and what steps they should take to comply. Learn who must report, what must be reported, the treatment of trusts, the effective dates of obligations, and sanctions for noncompliance.

USPTO Provides Guidance in Light of Amgen v. Sanofi

The USPTO's new patent examiner guidance for Amgen v. Sanofi has been broken down by Erica Spence and Jeff Morton. The SCOTUS decision last year sent shock waves through the patent world, particularly in chem and biotech, due to its invalidation of Amgen patents based on a lack of enablement. Learn more about how patent examiners will be reviewing such applications going forward.

New Year, New Rules: California’s Amended Paid Sick Leave Law Is Here!

California’s amended Paid Sick Leave (PSL) law introduced notable changes for California employers effective January 1, 2024, notes Marie Burke Kenny. Learn about immediate changes to accrual and frontloading and more details on the rate and amount of PSL, reconciling conflicts with local PSL ordinances, employees exempt from PSL, and action items you may need to take.

Unlocking Your IP’s Licensing Potential: Connecting Enterprise Value to Licensing Revenue Streams

Licensing IP can be a game-changer for a company’s commercialization, notes Helen Goldstein, whether creating R&D opportunities, opening new markets or accessing complementary technologies. When negotiating a licensing deal, the difference between success and failure may be failing to consider the different ways in which revenue flows between the owner of the IP and the licensee.

San Diego City Council Takes Action to Support Housing Development

The San Diego City Council has approved several changes to the city’s existing Complete Communities infill development initiative to spur additional construction of projects designed to take advantage of new building incentives. John Nelson and Daniel "Rock" Rockholt break down the changes and explain how they could impact the construction of much-needed housing.

News

Seasoned Leader and Award-Winning Commercial Litigator John D. Alessio Elected Procopio Managing Partner for Third Term

Procopio’s partners have elected commercial litigator John D. Alessio to a third term as Managing Partner, recognizing the firm’s success under his leadership tenure. John’s new term began January 1, 2024, and lasts for three years. He first assumed the Managing Partner role on January 1, 2018, and will continue to lead the firm alongside Procopio’s Management Committee.

“It is an honor to once again be elected by my peers to be Procopio’s Managing Partner,” John said. “I am lucky to be surrounded by extremely competent attorneys and professionals at the top of their game going the extra mile for our clients, day in and day out.  Continuing to work with our Management Committee and my fellow partners to accelerate Procopio’s growth and prosperity is something I am really looking forward to.”

Procopio has thrived under John’s leadership, navigating the firm through the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the firm not only maintained its high level of client service but also saw financial and geographic growth. In his legal practice, John focuses on complex class action, business and employment litigation with particular experience in trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, real estate, banking and lending, shareholder and contractual disputes to include cross-border issues.

Learn more about John and his accomplishments in our press release.

Awards

Procopio Construction Litigator Mary Salamone Again Recognized by Super Lawyers in Southern California

Procopio Partner Mary Salamone has been recognized by her peers as a 2024 Super Lawyer for Southern California (Orange County and Los Angeles). This is her third straight year earning the recognition.

Mary counsels public and private construction industry clients on a full range of construction and infrastructure legal matters. She represents a wide array of large contractors, subcontractors, and designers, as well as counties, municipalities and other governmental agencies both in California and nationally.

Events

Startup Fundamentals #1/3: Start Right, Avoid Common Mistakes & Pitfalls | Palo Alto, CA | 5:00 – 9:00 pm PT

This is the first of three workshops presented by Access Silicon Valley for startup founders, startup executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and developers. This series, led by Procopio Partner and Emerging Growth & Venture Capital leader Roger Rappoport, is designed to optimize the startup stardom journey and avoid common follies that threaten startup success.

Procopio Environmental Breakfast Club | San Diego, CA | 7:30 – 9:00 am PT

This conversation on statewide and local carbon reduction policies and incentive and grant programs will feature California Air Resources Board member Diane Takvorian, Supervising Air Resources Specialist of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District Heidi Gabriel-Pack, and Procopio Partner and Energy and Environmental Law practice leader John Lormon, and will be moderated by Procopio CMO Kevin Wilson.

Client News

Polish Vegan Producer and Distributor Acquired by Leading Consumer Wellness Company

Longtime client and leading consumer wellness company CV Sciences has entered the European market by acquiring Cultured Foods, a Polish producer and distributor of alternative vegan foods. CV Sciences, which specializes in nutraceuticals and plant-based nutrition, has become a leader in the natural health products industry through its commitment to the science behind plant-based wellness products.

Procopio Partner John Cleary led the transaction on behalf of CV Sciences, working with the Polish law firm DZP. Learn more in our client news post.

Social Media

Mark your calendar for Oct. 30-Nov. 1 to attend the 19th annual Procopio International Tax Institute conference. Held once again in San Diego in conjunction with the Graduate Tax Program of Georgetown University, this premier educational and networking event showcases the latest developments in U.S. and Mexican tax law. PITI attracts internationally recognized international tax leaders and is designed for tax practitioners, U.S. and Mexican attorneys, accountants, corporate tax directors, managers, controllers, banking and financial advisors, and executives.

A big congrats to Partner Elaine Harwell, who for 2024 has assumed the Vice Chair role for the Privacy Law Section of the California Lawyers Association! Elaine leads our Privacy & Cybersecurity practice. She has earned the ANSI-accredited Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) and the Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) credentials through the IAPP - International Association of Privacy Professionals.

For the third straight year, Jeff Morton will serve as a director on the Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio) board. Jeff, the leader of our Life Sciences practice and co-leader of our Licensing & Tech Transactions practice and an award-winning IP Partner, is licensed to practice in Arizona, California and British Columbia. You'll find him at our Del Mar Heights (San Diego) office and our Scottsdale office, and occasionally at our Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C., offices, serving clients across the U.S. and abroad.

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