Coronavirus

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 has quickly evolved from a local issue to a global crisis. In addition to the tragic human loss, the disease is having and will continue to have a profound economic impact. On this page we will be providing regular legal updates on issues affecting our clients’ businesses around the world. Below is a list of our published updates.

 

Coronavirus
Insight
Coronavirus Resource Center: Managing business impact and legal risks
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to escalate, ensuring wellbeing of employees is paramount, but it is not the only challenge. There is a vast sway of operational and legal issues that businesses must address, too.
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COVID-19 – Guidance for International Employers
Coronavirus
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OSHA Issues “Vaccine or Test” Requirement for Large Employers Throughout the US
Insight
French M&A displays optimism
A number of big-ticket deals in high-growth sectors such as telecommunications and renewables signal a bright future for French dealmaking
Stock Market
Insight
Megadeals drive global M&A to 10-year high in Q1 2021
Global M&A value more than doubled YOY to the highest first quarter total on record
buildings
Insight
Global PE deal value jumps to highest quarterly total since 2007
In Q1 2021, private equity activity reached its highest quarterly value in more than a decade
city aerial view
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European Real Estate Finance: Market Update – Q1 2021
building
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President Biden and leveraged finance: Short-term stability, long-term change?
Many leveraged finance dealmakers welcomed the certainty and stability President Biden's election brought to capital markets but attention will now turn to what the new administration means for the markets in the long-term
metal wall
Insight
Clearing the debt maturity wall
COVID-19 disruption has had little impact on borrowers' ability to refinance debt and extend loan maturities
circuit board
Insight
Sponsor and lender demand are back
Jennifer Kloud and Mitchell Kinastowski from BMO Sponsor Finance speak with White & Case partner Jacob Schtevie about BMO’s approach to funding technology credits, the importance of financial sponsor relationships in the mid-market and the growing popularity of recurring revenue financings
Insight
US SPACs look beyond their backyard to Europe
Although most SPAC activity is concentrated in the US, the boom in listings spells opportunities for European firms
Hong Kong city
Insight
Private equity in APAC ready to rebound
After a challenging 2020, APAC private equity dealmakers are forging ahead with deals, and financing markets are well-positioned to support the revival
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Help for Fast Growth Companies in the UK’s 2021 Budget
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Home Office and Mobile Work: Status quo, Corona-ArbSchV and Outlook (Germany)
seoul city image
Insight
South Korean M&A staged Q4 comeback
An active fourth quarter and strong economic fundamentals signal a busy year ahead for South Korean dealmaking
Aviation
Insight
Aviation finance in Russia and CIS countries
Opportunities in uncertain times  
tables outside a restaurant
Insight
Leisure industry readies for distress amid prolonged lockdowns
Despite encouraging signs that economies could reopen as COVID-19 vaccinations are rolled out, additional waves of infections and extended travel restrictions weigh heavily on the leisure and hospitality industry
LED lights
Insight
Chapter 11 cases soared in 2020, with more distress likely in 2021
Commercial chapter 11 filings in the US increased significantly in 2020, but government stimulus measures and widespread availability of fresh capital resulted in fewer corporate restructurings than many anticipated—that could change in the next 12 months
Capital Markets
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Short selling bans and market restrictions – Considerations for investors
This alert reviews the steps taken by the various market regulators across the EU in response to market volatility
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COVID-19 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – An Overview of legislation enacted by Spanish Government during 2020
Shanghai city image
Insight
COVID-19 and trade tensions weighed on Asia-Pacific debt markets
COVID-19 disruption and tension between the US and China saw loan and high yield bond issuance decline across Asia-Pacific in 2020, and borrowers and lenders remain cautious
airport boarding area
Insight
Transportation M&A showed signs of recovery in Q4
Dealmaking is gradually making a comeback in the sector, both as a means to rebuild hard-hit companies and to meet growing consumer demand
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Environmental concerns spur Asia to reduce reliance on coal
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Grants of early termination of HSR waiting period temporarily suspended by DOJ and FTC – merging parties should expect to wait the full 30 days until further announcement
Miami
Insight
Positive outlook: US leveraged finance on solid ground for 2021
In 2020, after a volatile first half, US leveraged finance markets experienced a strong second half and are well-positioned for 2021.
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Corporate Transparency Act and New Implications for US Special Purpose Vehicles, Wealth Structuring and Other Arrangements
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Primer: What Companies in the COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain Need to Know about the Defense Production Act
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Unlucky: Do the recent changes to the Federal Reserve’s powers under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act inhibit future action?
aqueduct with rotating boat lift
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Financial Regulatory and Legislative Dashboard
financial stock display
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Key COVID-19 FAQs for financial institutions: A Cross-border view
Our global team has prepared the following FAQs to provide financial institutions with a cross-border perspective in navigating the governmental/regulatory response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Refinery
Insight
Asian oil and gas M&A hits record high amid uncertainty
In a year that saw global oil and gas M&A drop dramatically amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian region generated record deal value
Riyadh_Hero_1600x600 Saudi Arabia
Insight
Megadeals drive Middle Eastern M&A in 2020
Dealmaking within the region has been driven by activity at the top-end of the market, as the region’s prize assets continue to attract dealmaker attention despite the downturn
Alert
COVID-19 – Key Provisions Tracker for Shelter in Place, Safer at Home, and Other Work Reduction Orders for Key Jurisdictions in the United States
metal wall
Insight
LBO issuance slides on slow buyout activity
Leveraged buyout high yield bond and leveraged loan issuance fell in Q3 2020 as a lack of buyout deals in a still cautious M&A market dampened appetite for financing
Ho Chi Minh city
Insight
Vietnamese M&A ticks higher despite global turbulence
M&A in Vietnam surged in Q3, thanks to an economy that has proved resilient in the face of a global pandemic
office building windows
Insight
Distressed-driven restructurings rise amid COVID-19 fallout
Lockdowns and market volatility have put companies across the board under financial pressure and forced many leveraged finance borrowers into restructurings
Alert
Stakebuilding: A multi-jurisdictional guide for investors
Infrastructure
Insight
Infrastructure M&A remains robust despite COVID uncertainty
The energy transition and a growing need for efficient digital infrastructure are two trends fueling infrastructure dealmaking in 2020
Alert
Managing civil disputes in France during the COVID-19 crisis (III)
mining
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Miners dig deep to weather the storm
Mining companies entered 2020 in good financial shape and have continued to secure finance despite disruption from COVID-19