Haynes and Boone, LLP

Haynes and Boone, LLP is one of the largest and fastest-growing law firms in the U.S. Our firm believes that the world of business belongs to companies keen to compete, quick to adapt, eager to listen and learn and resolved to continually challenge themselves. We measure ourselves by the same standards. Our teamwork culture, our willingness to change quickly to meet the demands of the marketplace and our drive to be the best have been the key factors behind our success. We have grown from a handful of lawyers in 1970 to more than 500 lawyers today, have added more than 35 practice specialties, have expanded to twelve offices worldwide and have become a national leader in the use of technology to deliver legal services. Our reputation in the business world has likewise grown.

We serve a diverse group of clients in a wide array of domestic and global business transactions and litigation matters. Our client base reflects virtually every business industry and includes more than 100 Fortune 500 companies, many major foreign companies and large financial institutions.

We have long served our clients' global business activities by building cross-border practice capabilities, strategically adding international legal expertise and establishing working relationships with leading law firms throughout the world. Haynes and Boone lawyers are fluent in more than 15 foreign languages. Our Mexico City office, opened in 1994, has grown to be one of the three largest in Mexico among U.S. law firms, and our Moscow office was opened in 2005. Our global reach has included more than 100 foreign countries where we assisted clients in cross-border matters ranging from acquisitions and financings to dispute resolution.

Can We Have that in Writing? Clear Reservation-of-Rights Saves Company from ERISA Class Action over Change in Retiree Benefits
Aaron Epstein, Lawrence Morales, Dean J. Schaner, Jonathan C. Wilson, November 18, 2009
Can an employer modify or terminate the medical benefits of retired employees? The answer depends on the language in the employer's medical benefit plan. A recent federal court ruling highlights the importance of medical benefit plans unambiguously reserving the right to modify or terminate plan...

SEC to Allow More Shareholder Proposals Related to Risk Management and CEO Succession Planning
Arthur S. Berner, James F. Brashear, Rick A. Werner, November 18, 2009
On October 27, 2009, the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance ("Staff") of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14E, which provides guidance about how the Staff will consider under the SEC's proxy rules shareholder proposals...

Special New Tax Election to Carry Back Net Operating Losses for up to 5 Years
Kenneth K. Bezozo, Brandon S. Jones, Jeffrey M. Slade, November 18, 2009
On November 6, 2009, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 (H.R. 3548) (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act provides taxpayers (including corporate and non-corporate taxpayers) with a special election to carry back net operating loss (“NOL”)...