Shearman & Sterling LLP

Shearman & Sterling LLP, founded in 1873, has more than 1000 lawyers in 20 offices throughout the world. The firm's practice encompasses most major areas of business law, including: Antitrust and Trade Regulation; Banking; Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization; Compensation and Benefits; Environmental; Finance (including Corporate Finance, Domestic Private Finance, Financial Institutions, International Private Finance and Project Finance); Individual Clients, Trusts and Estates; Insurance; Intellectual Property; International Trade and Government Relations; Litigation and Arbitration; Mergers and Acquisitions; Oil and Gas; Privatizations; Real Estate; and Tax. The Firm is also engaged in the practice of English, French and German law through its offices in England, France and Germany.

HEART Act Requires Immediate Action by Qualified Plan Sponsors
August 20, 2008
Congress recently enacted the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (the "HEART Act"), which provides enhanced benefits under tax-qualified plans for participants performing military service and their beneficiaries.

SEC Issues Interpretive Release on Use of Company Websites
August 20, 2008
On August 4, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") issued an interpretive release (the "Release") providing guidance on the use of company websites under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), as amended, and the antifraud...

SEC Proposes Amendments to the Exemptions Available to Certain Non-U.S. Broker-Dealers under Rule 15a-6
July 29, 2008
On June 27, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the exemptions from securities broker-dealer registration in the United States available to non-U.S. broker-dealers under Rule 15a-6 of the U.S....