The document discusses Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP's 2011 Annual Report and focus on providing clear, efficient solutions to client needs through expertise in various legal areas. It emphasizes developing client-centered focus with collaborative culture and accountability. The downturn revealed what is truly important - quality clients, solutions to client needs, and community engagement, as illustrated through examples in the report. The managing partner invites potential clients to consider working with the firm for legal help in 2012.
DMB Financial is the nation\'s largest performance-based debt settlement company and 2-time winner of "Leading Debt Provider" in Forbes Magazine. In November 2009, DMB Financial participated in an FTC Public Forum in response to proposed rulemaking changes by the FTC that would affect how they regulate the industry. In this document, we provide performance and pricing data, as well as success rates and comparisons among the different consumer alternatives to debt settlement.
The board plays an oversight and governance role in M&A transactions, with responsibilities that include approving strategic plans, evaluating proposed acquisitions and assessing resources, overseeing management, and maximizing shareholder value. For significant transactions, the board is highly involved in reviewing financial details, integration plans, and deal execution. In a company sale, the board must ensure it fulfills its duties to shareholders by establishing an process to secure the best available price through a market check and ability to accept superior offers.
Banks want to see 13-week cash flow forecasts, current financial statements including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements, and a turnaround plan with defined milestones and metrics. They want clarity on the issues, full disclosure of financials, and solutions or plans from management rather than just problems. Banks are looking for signs the borrower has "skin in the game" through things like owner capital infusions. Providing these tools and transparency can help banks understand the situation and be more supportive for troubled borrowers.
The document summarizes a platform called Communities for Cause that connects causes, supporters, and local merchants. It allows supporters to earn donations for causes by shopping at participating merchants. Merchants donate a percentage of associated sales and are promoted to cause supporters. The platform has seen growing user adoption and transactions without any promotion. It provides greater value than existing models by focusing on acquiring merchants once and retaining customers, rather than short-term deals.
This document provides supplementary financial information for The Chubb Corporation as of December 31, 2008. It includes highlights of the consolidated balance sheet, share repurchase activity, summaries of invested assets for the Corporate and Property and Casualty segments, and investment income. It also contains information on statutory policyholders' surplus, changes in unpaid losses, and underwriting results for year-to-date and quarterly periods for the Property and Casualty Insurance Group. Key terms are defined at the end.
ERISA Retirement Service Providers November 2012fredreish
This newsletter provides information for service providers to ERISA-governed retirement plans. It focuses on recent legal issues impacting these service providers. Now that service providers have disclosed their services, status, and compensation to plan sponsors, as required under 408(b)(2), plan sponsors must review and evaluate these disclosures. However, many sponsors lack the expertise to properly do this. As a result, service providers will need to help their sponsor clients with this process. Additionally, the Department of Labor recently issued guidance on disclosure requirements for investments made through brokerage windows but then retreated from this position due to criticism. While the guidance was revised, the issue is not fully resolved and plans/providers should consider why the DOL pursued
The document provides a total cost analysis for Donny Osmond comparing multiple mortgage options. It includes:
1) A summary table comparing up to four mortgage programs on key data points like loan amounts, interest rates, and monthly payments.
2) An analysis of the total cost of each program over time, including fees, to help select the lowest cost option rather than just the lowest monthly payment.
3) A mortgage plan to help understand how each option impacts goals like paying off the loan early or increasing equity and savings over time. It also estimates potential tax benefits to factor into the decision.
The analysis is meant to help the homeowner make an informed choice by understanding the true long-term
DMB Financial is the nation\'s largest performance-based debt settlement company and 2-time winner of "Leading Debt Provider" in Forbes Magazine. In November 2009, DMB Financial participated in an FTC Public Forum in response to proposed rulemaking changes by the FTC that would affect how they regulate the industry. In this document, we provide performance and pricing data, as well as success rates and comparisons among the different consumer alternatives to debt settlement.
The board plays an oversight and governance role in M&A transactions, with responsibilities that include approving strategic plans, evaluating proposed acquisitions and assessing resources, overseeing management, and maximizing shareholder value. For significant transactions, the board is highly involved in reviewing financial details, integration plans, and deal execution. In a company sale, the board must ensure it fulfills its duties to shareholders by establishing an process to secure the best available price through a market check and ability to accept superior offers.
Banks want to see 13-week cash flow forecasts, current financial statements including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements, and a turnaround plan with defined milestones and metrics. They want clarity on the issues, full disclosure of financials, and solutions or plans from management rather than just problems. Banks are looking for signs the borrower has "skin in the game" through things like owner capital infusions. Providing these tools and transparency can help banks understand the situation and be more supportive for troubled borrowers.
The document summarizes a platform called Communities for Cause that connects causes, supporters, and local merchants. It allows supporters to earn donations for causes by shopping at participating merchants. Merchants donate a percentage of associated sales and are promoted to cause supporters. The platform has seen growing user adoption and transactions without any promotion. It provides greater value than existing models by focusing on acquiring merchants once and retaining customers, rather than short-term deals.
This document provides supplementary financial information for The Chubb Corporation as of December 31, 2008. It includes highlights of the consolidated balance sheet, share repurchase activity, summaries of invested assets for the Corporate and Property and Casualty segments, and investment income. It also contains information on statutory policyholders' surplus, changes in unpaid losses, and underwriting results for year-to-date and quarterly periods for the Property and Casualty Insurance Group. Key terms are defined at the end.
ERISA Retirement Service Providers November 2012fredreish
This newsletter provides information for service providers to ERISA-governed retirement plans. It focuses on recent legal issues impacting these service providers. Now that service providers have disclosed their services, status, and compensation to plan sponsors, as required under 408(b)(2), plan sponsors must review and evaluate these disclosures. However, many sponsors lack the expertise to properly do this. As a result, service providers will need to help their sponsor clients with this process. Additionally, the Department of Labor recently issued guidance on disclosure requirements for investments made through brokerage windows but then retreated from this position due to criticism. While the guidance was revised, the issue is not fully resolved and plans/providers should consider why the DOL pursued
The document provides a total cost analysis for Donny Osmond comparing multiple mortgage options. It includes:
1) A summary table comparing up to four mortgage programs on key data points like loan amounts, interest rates, and monthly payments.
2) An analysis of the total cost of each program over time, including fees, to help select the lowest cost option rather than just the lowest monthly payment.
3) A mortgage plan to help understand how each option impacts goals like paying off the loan early or increasing equity and savings over time. It also estimates potential tax benefits to factor into the decision.
The analysis is meant to help the homeowner make an informed choice by understanding the true long-term
Myer Family Wealth Goal Achiever - InKnowVision Advanced Estate PlanningInKnowVision
James is 64, and a few years ago started up a Consulting Company (Consulting Corp) with his business partner Dave. They have acquired some lucrative contracts over the last couple of years, and after spending frugally his entire life, James is starting to enjoy his newly created wealth. James is divorced and makes alimony payments in the amount of $100,000/yr. on top of his $500,000/yr. in living expenses. Because the wealth and income generated by the company is recent, James has not accumulated much in the way of liquid assets yet, but the company value is significant and future profits look very promising.
The primary planning goals are to:
Make sure that he has sufficient funds to live on for the rest of his life (approx. $600,000/yr., including alimony, after taxes and gifts).
Reduce income taxes.
Maximize the inheritance that he leaves to his children and grandchildren. Consider passing his business interests to his children involved in the industry while providing an equal inheritance of non-business interests to those that are uninterested.
Assure that he has sufficient liquid assets available at his death to eliminate the forced liquidation of his business assets.
Eliminate or reduce estate taxes.
Myer Family Wealth Goal Achiever- InKnowVision Advanced Estate PlanningInKnowVision
James is 64, and a few years ago started up a Consulting Company (Consulting Corp) with his business partner Dave. They have acquired some lucrative contracts over the last couple of years, and after spending frugally his entire life, James is starting to enjoy his newly created wealth. James is divorced and makes alimony payments in the amount of $100,000/yr. on top of his $500,000/yr. in living expenses. Because the wealth and income generated by the company is recent, James has not accumulated much in the way of liquid assets yet, but the company value is significant and future profits look very promising.
Learn more at www.inknowvision.com
- The document discusses how corporate pension plans can impact stock prices. It analyzes the relationship between pension liabilities and stock performance.
- The study found empirical evidence that stocks of companies with large pension liabilities relative to their market cap (over 25%) underperformed during the 2007-2009 financial crisis but then outperformed during the recovery from 2009-2010.
- The analysis also found that stocks of companies with larger pension liabilities tend to have higher betas, meaning their prices are more volatile, and the difference in volatility between pension-heavy and non pension-heavy stocks grew after the financial crisis began.
This document summarizes a discussion between Greg Walker of UBS AG and Bill Mariano regarding proposed and recently passed litigation and regulations affecting the financial industry. Some key points discussed include:
1) UBS has been working to reduce risk-weighted assets and improve its capital ratios in anticipation of the Basel III regulations.
2) Recent regulations like Rule 15Ga-1 require more disclosure around repurchase demands, which UBS has complied with through a robust filing.
3) The uncertainty around pending regulations like risk retention has negatively impacted the market, as participants find it difficult to set strategy without knowing the final rules.
4) UBS monitors proposed regulations closely and engages counsel for advice,
Super Start for Century 21 Real EstateMatt Gentile
- Century 21 aired its first ever Super Bowl commercial on February 5th to kick off the busy spring home buying season and promote its network of real estate agents.
- The commercial featured real estate mogul Donald Trump, NFL star Deion Sanders, and Olympic skater Apollo Ohno involved in both buying and selling homes.
- While lower interest rates and home prices haven't boosted the housing market yet, a positive message in the Super Bowl may help improve seller sentiment and increase home sales this spring.
August 2012 Just Out Of Reish Plan Sponsorfredreish
1) Past 401(k) litigation has involved company stock cases where large losses occurred and revenue sharing cases where excessive fees were paid from mutual funds.
2) Future litigation risks include unfair allocation of plan expenses among participants and fiduciaries failing to properly evaluate and make prudent decisions about revenue sharing amounts.
3) Litigation risks increase when money is moving between parties without clear disclosure and oversight by fiduciaries.
TORONTO – The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) released a seminal report
– The Value of Advice: Report - which provides a clear, unbiased view of what advice means to
the financial well-being of Canadians and how it builds their confidence in their financial future.
The document summarizes M&F Worldwide's proposed acquisition of Harland Corporation. Some key points:
- M&F Worldwide is seeking an acquisition opportunity and Harland is one of the three major players in their industry.
- The acquisition would create a new $1.7 billion revenue entity with $508 million in adjusted EBITDA and over $175 million in projected free cash flow.
- Significant cost synergies of $112.6 million are projected from the acquisition through cost cutting, improved efficiency, and other measures.
- A valuation of Harland Corporation is presented, with the proposed purchase price per share of $49 to $61 representing a premium to the market and supporting
This document provides information about MassMutual's focus on quality and performance in 2009. It discusses MassMutual's long history of over 158 years demonstrating qualities like strength, experience, and stability. It also discusses MassMutual's commitment to helping customers build a secure financial future through reliable, steady products and a nationwide network of financial professionals. The document is intended to provide confidence in MassMutual's ownership structure, diversification, financial strength, quality, and historical dividend performance.
This document provides a summary of financial information for The Chubb Corporation as of March 31, 2007. Some key highlights include:
- Total invested assets were $38.7 billion as of March 31, 2007, with fixed maturities making up the majority.
- Statutory policyholders' surplus for Chubb's property and casualty insurance group was estimated at $11.95 billion as of March 31, 2007, with a ratio of statutory net premiums written to surplus of 1.00 to 1.
- For the three months ended March 31, 2007, Chubb's worldwide property and casualty underwriting results showed a total underwriting income of $202 million for personal insurance and $144 million
The document describes the Bethpage@Work program which allows hundreds of Long Island companies to provide banking benefits to their employees through Bethpage Federal Credit Union at no cost. It highlights some of the benefits Bethpage offers employees such as better rates on savings, loans, and CDs as well as convenient access through many branches and ATMs. The document also includes testimonials from various Long Island companies praising Bethpage's services.
This document provides supplementary financial information for The Chubb Corporation as of December 31, 2007. It includes highlights of consolidated balance sheets, share repurchase activity, summaries of invested assets, investment income after taxes for corporate and property/casualty divisions, statutory policyholder surplus, changes in unpaid losses, and underwriting results by line of business for 2007 and 2006.
United Stationers Inc. reported an increase in long-term debt from $113.2 million in 2007 to $541.9 million in 2008, and a decrease in accounts receivable sold from $250 million to $185 million over the same period. This resulted in total adjusted debt increasing by $363.7 million to $726.9 million. The company's adjusted debt-to-total capitalization ratio consequently increased from 33.1% in 2007 to 58.1% in 2008.
Professional v. Practice Goodwill - Professional Practice Valuations for Mari...DecosimoCPAs
The document discusses the differences between personal goodwill and enterprise goodwill in the context of valuing professional practices for marital dissolutions. It defines personal goodwill as being associated with an individual, while enterprise goodwill is associated with the business entity. Most states consider enterprise goodwill a marital asset but not personal goodwill. The document summarizes several precedent-setting court cases in Tennessee that demonstrate its courts moving toward only considering enterprise goodwill and not personal goodwill as a marital asset.
Blake Lapthorn’s green breakfast seminar on Social Finance - 27 March 13Blake Morgan
On Wednesday 27 March 2013, Annika Tverin of Social Finance joined Blake Lapthorn's Climate Change group for a green breakfast seminar on social Finance.
This business plan proposal seeks participation to address issues of high youth unemployment and homelessness through a social enterprise focused on green construction and renovation. The plan involves training homeless youth in renovation skills while providing transitional housing, with the goal of obtaining living-wage jobs and permanent supportive housing. Profits would be reinvested to continue the cycle of purchasing, renovating, and selling residential properties to build equity for youth and improve neighborhoods.
The document summarizes BankAmerica Corporation's annual report for 1998. Some key points:
- Operating earnings were $6.49 billion in 1998, down from $6.81 billion in 1997, due to higher provision expenses and weaker trading revenues from market turbulence.
- The provision for credit losses was $2.92 billion in 1998, up from $1.90 billion in 1997, largely due to losses associated with the company's lending relationship with D.E. Shaw.
- Nonperforming assets were $2.76 billion, or 0.77% of net loans and leases at the end of 1998, up from $2.42 billion, or 0.71% a year earlier.
Myer Family Wealth Goal Achiever - InKnowVision Advanced Estate PlanningInKnowVision
James is 64, and a few years ago started up a Consulting Company (Consulting Corp) with his business partner Dave. They have acquired some lucrative contracts over the last couple of years, and after spending frugally his entire life, James is starting to enjoy his newly created wealth. James is divorced and makes alimony payments in the amount of $100,000/yr. on top of his $500,000/yr. in living expenses. Because the wealth and income generated by the company is recent, James has not accumulated much in the way of liquid assets yet, but the company value is significant and future profits look very promising.
The primary planning goals are to:
Make sure that he has sufficient funds to live on for the rest of his life (approx. $600,000/yr., including alimony, after taxes and gifts).
Reduce income taxes.
Maximize the inheritance that he leaves to his children and grandchildren. Consider passing his business interests to his children involved in the industry while providing an equal inheritance of non-business interests to those that are uninterested.
Assure that he has sufficient liquid assets available at his death to eliminate the forced liquidation of his business assets.
Eliminate or reduce estate taxes.
Myer Family Wealth Goal Achiever- InKnowVision Advanced Estate PlanningInKnowVision
James is 64, and a few years ago started up a Consulting Company (Consulting Corp) with his business partner Dave. They have acquired some lucrative contracts over the last couple of years, and after spending frugally his entire life, James is starting to enjoy his newly created wealth. James is divorced and makes alimony payments in the amount of $100,000/yr. on top of his $500,000/yr. in living expenses. Because the wealth and income generated by the company is recent, James has not accumulated much in the way of liquid assets yet, but the company value is significant and future profits look very promising.
Learn more at www.inknowvision.com
- The document discusses how corporate pension plans can impact stock prices. It analyzes the relationship between pension liabilities and stock performance.
- The study found empirical evidence that stocks of companies with large pension liabilities relative to their market cap (over 25%) underperformed during the 2007-2009 financial crisis but then outperformed during the recovery from 2009-2010.
- The analysis also found that stocks of companies with larger pension liabilities tend to have higher betas, meaning their prices are more volatile, and the difference in volatility between pension-heavy and non pension-heavy stocks grew after the financial crisis began.
This document summarizes a discussion between Greg Walker of UBS AG and Bill Mariano regarding proposed and recently passed litigation and regulations affecting the financial industry. Some key points discussed include:
1) UBS has been working to reduce risk-weighted assets and improve its capital ratios in anticipation of the Basel III regulations.
2) Recent regulations like Rule 15Ga-1 require more disclosure around repurchase demands, which UBS has complied with through a robust filing.
3) The uncertainty around pending regulations like risk retention has negatively impacted the market, as participants find it difficult to set strategy without knowing the final rules.
4) UBS monitors proposed regulations closely and engages counsel for advice,
Super Start for Century 21 Real EstateMatt Gentile
- Century 21 aired its first ever Super Bowl commercial on February 5th to kick off the busy spring home buying season and promote its network of real estate agents.
- The commercial featured real estate mogul Donald Trump, NFL star Deion Sanders, and Olympic skater Apollo Ohno involved in both buying and selling homes.
- While lower interest rates and home prices haven't boosted the housing market yet, a positive message in the Super Bowl may help improve seller sentiment and increase home sales this spring.
August 2012 Just Out Of Reish Plan Sponsorfredreish
1) Past 401(k) litigation has involved company stock cases where large losses occurred and revenue sharing cases where excessive fees were paid from mutual funds.
2) Future litigation risks include unfair allocation of plan expenses among participants and fiduciaries failing to properly evaluate and make prudent decisions about revenue sharing amounts.
3) Litigation risks increase when money is moving between parties without clear disclosure and oversight by fiduciaries.
TORONTO – The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) released a seminal report
– The Value of Advice: Report - which provides a clear, unbiased view of what advice means to
the financial well-being of Canadians and how it builds their confidence in their financial future.
The document summarizes M&F Worldwide's proposed acquisition of Harland Corporation. Some key points:
- M&F Worldwide is seeking an acquisition opportunity and Harland is one of the three major players in their industry.
- The acquisition would create a new $1.7 billion revenue entity with $508 million in adjusted EBITDA and over $175 million in projected free cash flow.
- Significant cost synergies of $112.6 million are projected from the acquisition through cost cutting, improved efficiency, and other measures.
- A valuation of Harland Corporation is presented, with the proposed purchase price per share of $49 to $61 representing a premium to the market and supporting
This document provides information about MassMutual's focus on quality and performance in 2009. It discusses MassMutual's long history of over 158 years demonstrating qualities like strength, experience, and stability. It also discusses MassMutual's commitment to helping customers build a secure financial future through reliable, steady products and a nationwide network of financial professionals. The document is intended to provide confidence in MassMutual's ownership structure, diversification, financial strength, quality, and historical dividend performance.
This document provides a summary of financial information for The Chubb Corporation as of March 31, 2007. Some key highlights include:
- Total invested assets were $38.7 billion as of March 31, 2007, with fixed maturities making up the majority.
- Statutory policyholders' surplus for Chubb's property and casualty insurance group was estimated at $11.95 billion as of March 31, 2007, with a ratio of statutory net premiums written to surplus of 1.00 to 1.
- For the three months ended March 31, 2007, Chubb's worldwide property and casualty underwriting results showed a total underwriting income of $202 million for personal insurance and $144 million
The document describes the Bethpage@Work program which allows hundreds of Long Island companies to provide banking benefits to their employees through Bethpage Federal Credit Union at no cost. It highlights some of the benefits Bethpage offers employees such as better rates on savings, loans, and CDs as well as convenient access through many branches and ATMs. The document also includes testimonials from various Long Island companies praising Bethpage's services.
This document provides supplementary financial information for The Chubb Corporation as of December 31, 2007. It includes highlights of consolidated balance sheets, share repurchase activity, summaries of invested assets, investment income after taxes for corporate and property/casualty divisions, statutory policyholder surplus, changes in unpaid losses, and underwriting results by line of business for 2007 and 2006.
United Stationers Inc. reported an increase in long-term debt from $113.2 million in 2007 to $541.9 million in 2008, and a decrease in accounts receivable sold from $250 million to $185 million over the same period. This resulted in total adjusted debt increasing by $363.7 million to $726.9 million. The company's adjusted debt-to-total capitalization ratio consequently increased from 33.1% in 2007 to 58.1% in 2008.
Professional v. Practice Goodwill - Professional Practice Valuations for Mari...DecosimoCPAs
The document discusses the differences between personal goodwill and enterprise goodwill in the context of valuing professional practices for marital dissolutions. It defines personal goodwill as being associated with an individual, while enterprise goodwill is associated with the business entity. Most states consider enterprise goodwill a marital asset but not personal goodwill. The document summarizes several precedent-setting court cases in Tennessee that demonstrate its courts moving toward only considering enterprise goodwill and not personal goodwill as a marital asset.
Blake Lapthorn’s green breakfast seminar on Social Finance - 27 March 13Blake Morgan
On Wednesday 27 March 2013, Annika Tverin of Social Finance joined Blake Lapthorn's Climate Change group for a green breakfast seminar on social Finance.
This business plan proposal seeks participation to address issues of high youth unemployment and homelessness through a social enterprise focused on green construction and renovation. The plan involves training homeless youth in renovation skills while providing transitional housing, with the goal of obtaining living-wage jobs and permanent supportive housing. Profits would be reinvested to continue the cycle of purchasing, renovating, and selling residential properties to build equity for youth and improve neighborhoods.
The document summarizes BankAmerica Corporation's annual report for 1998. Some key points:
- Operating earnings were $6.49 billion in 1998, down from $6.81 billion in 1997, due to higher provision expenses and weaker trading revenues from market turbulence.
- The provision for credit losses was $2.92 billion in 1998, up from $1.90 billion in 1997, largely due to losses associated with the company's lending relationship with D.E. Shaw.
- Nonperforming assets were $2.76 billion, or 0.77% of net loans and leases at the end of 1998, up from $2.42 billion, or 0.71% a year earlier.
To excel in graphic design, big picture thinking is a must. It's not just about making things beautiful. The best graphic designers play an active role in shaping game-changing ideas that can grow businesses and create new categories. The next generation of the most influential business leaders will exhibit design thinking in the way they guide their organizations to success. This webinar will present a framework for disruptive design thinking that allows designers to have a greater impact.
Sohu is a Chinese internet company with several business units including a portal, online gaming, online video, and search. The document argues that Sohu is severely undervalued based on a sum-of-the-parts valuation of its business units compared to relevant competitors. It values Sohu's business units between $1-2 billion each for a total above its current market cap. While Sohu faces risks from its different businesses, the document believes opportunities like subsidiaries' IPOs could help unlock value.
[안드로이드 마켓 주간 인기 앱]
“블레이드 for Kakao (개발사: 4:33)”가 지난주에 이어 2주 연속 안드로이드 무료 앱 부문의 1위 자리에 올랐으며, “Minecraft - Pocket Edition (개발사: Mojang, \6,420)”는 몇주만에 다시 안드로이드 유료 앱 부문 1위 자리에 올라섰습니다.
[아이폰 주간 인기 앱]
“퍼즐버블 for Kakao (개발사: gumi Inc.)”가 새롭게 아이폰 무료 앱 부문 1위 자리에 올랐으며, “Maximus™ (개발사: Mooff Games, $1.99)”도 아이폰 유료 앱 부문의 새로운 1위가 되었습니다.
[아이패드 앱 주간 인기 앱]
“섀도우 파이트 2 (개발사: Nekki)”가 아이패드 무료 앱 부문의 새로운 1위자리를 차지했으며, “AVPlayerHD (무인코딩 속도조절 자막지원 플레이어) (개발사: EPLAYWORKS, $2.99)”는 아이패드 유료 앱 부문에서 3주연속 1위에 올랐습니다.
- [엔터테인먼트] GOM Player
- [게임] 섀도우 파이트 2
- [게임] 벌루니멀 베이비
- [시뮬레이션] 프린세스메이커 for Kakao
- [게임] 퍼즐버블 for Kakao
본 발표에 사용된 데이타는 모두 캘커타랭크에서 직접 구축한 글로벌 앱랭킹정보시스템입니다.
아이폰앱 아이패드앱으로 직접 원하는 앱의 국내외 정보를 확인 할 수 있습니다.
안드로이드앱 데이타는 별도 문의주세요.
매주 주간리포트를 발행합니다^^ 앱정보가 도움이 되면 좋겠습니다.
해외 마켓용 동향은 문의주세요^^
Contact us. calcutta@calcutta.co.kr
This document contains 4 sentences with underlined portions and multiple choice options to identify errors or improve phrasing. The sentences discuss cola nuts, low-carbohydrate diets, and the notoriously temperamental American actor Edwin Forrest.
Bridging The Gap: Virtual Worlds as a Platform for Knowledge TransferJeroen van Bree
1) The document discusses using virtual worlds to facilitate knowledge transfer between organizations by leveraging their ability to foster intrinsic motivation and support informal social interactions.
2) It hypothesizes that virtual worlds provide higher intrinsic motivation than traditional computer-supported collaborative work tools, and that higher intrinsic motivation better supports social aspects like trust and informal communication that enable knowledge transfer.
3) Virtual worlds stimulate intrinsic motivation through elements like competence, autonomy, relatedness, fantasy, and curiosity according to theories of motivation. This intrinsic motivation may help overcome challenges with knowledge transfer posed by traditional tools.
The document lists various Rotary International groups, clubs, and organizations including official Rotary groups, individual clubs in geographic areas and districts, groups for communicating Rotary information and events, and specialty fellowship groups. It also lists some Rotary-related websites and notes that a new website design and platform is being launched on April 15, 2009 that will be easier to navigate and edit without programming knowledge.
Post it notes style design 2 powerpoint presentation templates.SlideTeam.net
This document provides examples of different styles of Post-It note designs that can be used for slide presentations. It demonstrates arranging text and examples in various orientations on colored sticky notes with the logo placed at the bottom. Instructions are included on how to edit colors by ungrouping objects and changing the fill and gradient options in the format shape dialog box.
The document discusses the technique of integration by parts for evaluating definite integrals. It notes that substitution is used to find missing pieces or terms when evaluating definite integrals. The document suggests using substitution to fill in blanks, make substitutions, resubstitute values, and antidifferentiate in order to evaluate definite integrals where some components may be missing.
15 Insights and Expert Quotes on the Future of Mobileenterprisehead
The document provides 15 insights and expert quotes on the future of mobile. Some key points include:
- Mobile devices have become our primary means of communication, entertainment, and accessing information.
- People are heavily reliant on their mobile devices and check them frequently throughout the day.
- Mobile marketing is important for businesses to reach customers who spend much of their time on mobile.
- Mobile usage is growing rapidly and will become the primary way most people experience and access the internet.
The 7 rules for a successful knowledge-transferStefan Wendel
The document discusses a methodology called Continuous-Knowledge-Exchange for improving knowledge sharing in project teams. It outlines 7 principles: (1) capture knowledge quickly, (2) in small units, (3) across domains not just teams, (4) keep knowledge up-to-date, (5) share within social networks, (6) notify members, and (7) automate reminders. The methodology addresses common problems with knowledge management like time, distribution, and silos. It is influenced by trends in social networks, agile development, and knowledge management best practices. The document recommends a 3 step approach: define requirements, customize processes, and introduce the methodology through a pilot program.
This presentation discusses waste management and proper garbage disposal. It outlines the roles of laborers who work to collect garbage and dispose of it properly in designated areas like gutters or construction waste collection. The presenter thanks the teacher and class for watching the presentation on this important topic.
Our school organizes many extracurricular activities and educational trips for students throughout the year. Some of the events mentioned include an annual Nativity play at Christmas, biannual fitness rallies in the autumn and spring, a trip to Auschwitz to learn about history, and class trips to cities like Warsaw to visit museums. Students also participate in trips to natural areas like Zakopane and Tatra Mountains to experience the landscape. The document provides a lengthy listing of various monthly activities, competitions, workshops, and trips held each school year to enrich students' learning experience outside of the classroom.
The document provides tips and strategies for effective problem solving and consulting based on McKinsey & Company's proprietary methodology. It discusses establishing the right team and approach, finding key drivers, testing hypotheses with facts, tailoring solutions to clients, and presentation skills. The overall message is on employing a structured yet flexible process to efficiently solve business problems through preparation, collaboration, and clear communication.
The document outlines the decision-making process as identifying a problem, gathering information on alternatives, considering the consequences of each, selecting the best course of action, and evaluating the results. It also lists several factors that can influence decisions such as values, peers, habits, feelings, family, risks, consequences, and age.
MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company founded in 1851 and headquartered in Springfield, MA. It provides a range of insurance, investment, and retirement products and services. In 2008, MassMutual had $523 billion in worldwide insurance in force, $363 billion in assets under management, and over 12,000 employees worldwide. It received several awards for customer service excellence and is highly rated by major rating agencies for its financial strength.
State Farm's advertising and marketing team created a campaign targeting 18-25 year olds, called "Convergents", to promote State Farm insurance. Research showed Convergents value simplicity and accessibility. The campaign's tagline, "That's it", positions State Farm as the easy insurance solution. Executions will showcase State Farm's agent-based model and use of technology to simplify the insurance process. The goal is to increase State Farm's brand awareness, auto insurance sales, and renters insurance sales among Convergents.
This document provides information about MassMutual's focus on quality and performance in 2009. It discusses MassMutual's long history of over 158 years demonstrating qualities like strength, experience, and stability. It also discusses MassMutual's mutual ownership structure, which means it operates for the benefit of its members and policyholders rather than shareholders. The document provides information on MassMutual's financial strength, diversification, and historical dividend performance to build confidence in the company.
http://bondsmakeiteasy.org Doorways to Dreams (D2D) Fund 2D explores low to moderate income (LMI) households' receptivity to savings product marketing using a cutting-edge marketing research tool, the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET). ZMET is an innovative research methodology that elicits insights about human decision making through metaphors and storytelling. Using a sophisticated interview technique, researchers encourage consumers to create stories and identify images about their feelings related to a topic of study. The ZMET tool can deepen our understanding of how to increase saving activity among LMI households. As a result, the two ZMET studies D2D has undertaken focused on how LMI consumers approach (1) money and savings, and (2) their children’s financial futures.
Section 1 provides a new segmentation of private banks and wealth management firms into three categories: Factories, Cottages, and Homes. Factories tend to have a high number of clients, focus on advisory services, and offer a wide range of services. Cottages have high net worth clients but a low number of clients and focus on investment services. Homes focus on discretionary clients who tend to be less wealthy, located onshore, and served through smaller offices. This segmentation framework provides new insights into how these firms operate and pursue growth.
From persona pain point analysis, this module will demonstrate the techniques used in making content timely, relevant and useful to your audiences. This module will familiarize you with how to optimize your content for search-ability, mobile browsing and channel fit across your blog sites, social networks and website landing pages. Find out what experts do to ensure their content topics, titles and posts have the greatest opportunity for audience attention and talk-worthiness.
Redington is an investment consulting firm that advises pension funds and insurance companies. It has grown significantly in recent years and now advises on over £230 billion in assets. Redington combines traditional actuarial approaches with investment banking expertise. It focuses on achieving clients' financial goals with minimum risk through a disciplined 7-step framework. Redington aims to provide capital markets expertise, access to networks of experts, and award-winning analytics to give clients a competitive advantage.
Nationwide is one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world, with more than $117 billion in assets. In 2002, Nationwide strengthened its financial foundation by improving statutory net income from a net loss of $295 million in 2001 to a net gain of $252 million in 2002. Nationwide focuses on serving customers, partners, and stakeholders by providing insurance, retirement, and investment products and services while maintaining financial strength and stability.
1) Despite an uncertain economic environment, many private equity firms are raising new funds dedicated to consumer deals in hopes of benefitting from market share gains.
2) However, investors have mixed views on dedicated consumer funds, with some preferring diversification across sectors while others welcome the specialization.
3) Private equity firms will use these new funds to acquire consumer brands, but valuations remain high for quality companies and the sector remains challenging with risks of failures or bankruptcies for certain deals.
Daymark Advisors presented an overview of their company and the SMART toolkit. Daymark is a consulting firm serving the insurance and benefits sectors [SENTENCE 1]. They described Daymark's services including strategic consulting, M&A advisory services, and an online toolkit called SMART for benefits professionals [SENTENCE 2]. SMART includes strategic planning and sales management tools to help users sell more products and services [SENTENCE 3].
Holistic Solutions for Key Challenges of the Wealth Management Industry Infosys
The document discusses key challenges facing the global wealth management industry and provides holistic solutions. The key challenges are a challenging economic environment, sub-optimal strategies, client and advisor dissatisfaction, and regulatory pressures. Solutions include enhancing business models, improving client experiences, leveraging technology and data, and focusing on compliance. Adopting holistic solutions like these will help firms overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities for growth.
A firm that wants to buy/merge with another to create a new firm or acquire a few or all of its assets will consider the process of Mergers and Acquisitions.
This document discusses disruption in the wealth management industry through three papers. The first paper discusses how major disruption is inevitable due to long periods of inertia in the industry and changing client needs. The second paper emphasizes the importance of institutionalizing data sharing across departments to improve client experiences and business strategy. The third paper discusses how technology can help facilitate more holistic advisory approaches to better meet client needs over time.
MassMutual provides a concise summary of its financial strength and stability in uncertain economic times. It highlights its 157 years of operations, $8.5 billion surplus, diversified investment portfolio, and AAA financial strength ratings from major rating agencies. MassMutual emphasizes that its mutual ownership structure ensures its priorities are aligned with policyholders, and that it is well-positioned to continue honoring its commitments through periods of market turbulence.
These slides were presented during the webinar on "Managing Partnerships in Microinsurance" conducted by the Facility on 1 March 2012. The webinar highlighted the stages of partnership, key points and strategies that can be used per stage, success factors and pitfalls, as well as real cases in partnership management.
This document provides an overview of World Financial Group, which helps clients build and protect wealth through savings, insurance, and investment products. It discusses the company's mission to help families achieve financial security and independence through creating relationships based on trust and referrals. The document also summarizes some basic financial concepts around managing money, such as the power of compound interest over time, understanding risk and return, and reducing taxes.
WFG - Helping People Create Better Financial Futurespetervinhong
This presentation gives an overview of why WFG associates go to work each day: to build and protect wealth for families and individuals. It overviews the six components of WFG\'s financial needs analysis and describes fundamental financial concepts and strategies - such as the rule of 72 - that can help people secure their financial futures.
EXIT REALTY NEXUS, Minneapolis Real Estate, Real Estate information and current topics, homes for sale, twin cities real estate, ECOBroker, green building methods, eco-friendly homes.
Similar to 2011 Stinson Morrison Hecker Annual Report (20)
2. In optics, focus occurs where light passing through a lens converges as much
as possible to present a clear picture at the right point and time. Each focus also
has a depth of field, a spatial area in which things are seen clearly. Better depth
of field means that focus is deeper, extending clarity to a broader range of
subjects in the picture.
So it is in business. Depth without focus doesn’t yield a successful picture. Think
pre-bankruptcy General Motors, with dozens of similar models spread across
a host of brand platforms. Focus without depth is too limiting. Think Polaroid’s
instant photography, great for a market segment as long as it lasted. But, focus
with depth is powerful. Think Apple’s simple focus on intuitive, usable design
elements carefully applied to distinct product segments.
For the last several years, the outward subject of our firm’s strategic plan has
been client-centered focus. Our clients’ legal needs and issues are the lens
Clarity + Depth = Vision through which we focus our attention to find and present solutions as clearly
and efficiently as possible. We do so with a strong depth of field across various
areas of expertise. And we do our best to bolster client focus with a low-friction,
no-distraction culture of internal goodwill, collaborative purpose and supportive
accountability that we believe sets us apart from most other large law firms.
The downturn of the past few years has reduced the margin of error for all
businesses, including law firms, revealing what is really important. For us, our
continued success has turned the lens on the extraordinary quality and loyalty of
our clients, the power of professional focus to find solutions to client needs, and
the continuing rewards of community and charitable engagement. These things
are all illustrated in this report with snapshots from 2011.
If you are one of our current clients, thank you very much. We look forward to
continued service to the best of our abilities. If you are not our current client, we
hope these examples will illustrate the type of deep, crisp client-centered focus
I have described. Please consider giving us an opportunity to make your 2012
legal picture better.
Mark D. Hinderks Managing Partner
Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 1
3. 2011 Annual Report
1
Letter from
4
Division
26
Pro Bono
28
Diversity
29
Green
30
Community
32
Attorney
Managing Highlights Initiatives & Firm
Partner Recognitions
Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 3
4. Division highlights
Small Business Lending
B anking & Financial S erv ices Bankruptc y &
creditor S’ rights (cont.)
Bank purchases/sales Assisted
Fund Helped bank banks and bank holding companies
in the negotiation of 21 purchases
US Protect, Inc. Served as
Chapter 7 trustee in the US
holding companies sell or sales. Protect, Inc. case, which involved a
federal corruption investigation and
upwards of $65 million Failed bank resolution Represented
six buyers in a successful bid to Darrell
adversary proceedings filed against
the government, and resulted in
in preferred stock to the acquire failed banks from the FDIC in
the failed bank resolution process.
Clark
Washington, D.C.
total recovery for creditors in excess
of $20 million. The company,
4
U.S. Treasury under the which provided security guard
Small Business Lending # SNL Financial Rankings According
to SNL Financial’s 2011 U.S. M&A
Legal Adviser Rankings, Stinson
force protection and emergency
preparedness services to federal
government agencies and federal
Fund program. ranked #4 in branch deals among bank
and thrift legal advisors, and ranked
Indemnity action
contractors, ceased operations after
the secured lender refused to fund
#13 based on the number of deals a payroll. The bankruptcy became
(bank acquisitions).
Successfully settled more complex when the principals
were indicted and later convicted
Bob
Raising capital Assisted bank
holding companies in raising a multi-million dollar of federal corruption. The firm’s
experience in government contracts
Monroe
Kansas City
approximately $75 million in capital.
indemnity action for was instrumental in obtaining
payment from the government,
Coffeyville Resources allowing all employees to receive
paychecks, benefits and retirement
against J. Aron, a contributions.
Goldman Sachs Case dismissed Successful trial of
contested confirmation hearing for
affiliate, within 30 a secured creditor client involving
a debtor who attempted to cure
days after filing the
Jeff Ekbom Phoenix default and reinstate a real estate
loan on a large apartment complex
indemnity claims.
in Wichita. The Bankruptcy Court
for the U.S. District of Kansas
Bankruptcy & creditorS ’ rights
Alan rejected the debtor’s Chapter 11
Reorganize and restructure
Meda plan, resulting in the dismissal of
Phoenix the case and the appointment of a
Represented Danny’s Family Companies and 15
receiver in state court.
related entities in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case in
the Bankruptcy Court for the U.S. District of Arizona.
Successfully confirmed Danny’s Family Companies’ plan Relief order Obtained an order for relief from stay in
of reorganization that restructured more than $75 million a bankruptcy proceeding that will permit the secured
of company debt, with three separate bank creditors creditor to proceed with a non-judicial foreclosure on the
that are owed $68 million. The confirmed plan also Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel and Suites located in
restructured about $150 million in debt owed personally downtown St. Louis.
by the owner of the companies. Danny’s employs nearly
1,000 workers and has 13 full-service retail locations Nationwide settlement Arranged a nationwide settlement
throughout Arizona that provide car care and maintenance for a client with the Department of Justice Executive Office
services as well as auto enhancements. for U.S. Trustees regarding “unauthorized practice of law”
issues in bankruptcy courts around the country.
4 2 0 1 1 Annual Report S tt ii n s o n M o rr rr ii s o n H e c k e rr L L P
S nson Mo son Hecke LLP 5
5. Division highlights
Significant transactional USA TODAY Collaborated with
C orporate
Inergy Propane, LLC Lead counsel USA TODAY to analyze employment Patrick
Respeliers
activity Advised clients in for Inergy Propane, LLC in connection contracts and collateral income
with its acquisition of Liberty Propane, arrangements for NCAA college Kansas City
connection with corporate L.P. for $223 million and in connection coaches and athletic directors. Portions
with its purchase of Papco, LLC for of the data collected and analyzed for
finance transactions $14 million. this project are published annually in
print and online, and serve as the seminal
source for numerous reports and articles
involving approximately prepared by USA TODAY as well as
other print, online and broadcast media.
$20 billion in value during Inergy Midstream, LLC Represented
2011, including mergers Inergy Midstream, LLC in acquiring the
Seneca Lake natural gas storage facility
and acquisitions, public Vicki Westerhaus Kansas City
in upstate New York from New York
State Electric & Gas Corporation for
and private securities Garmin Served as lead U.S. securities
$65 million.
M&A leader
offerings, private equity counsel in Garmin’s redomestication
from the Cayman Islands to Switzerland.
Missouri coalition Representing a
Missouri statewide coalition opposing Serving as corporate
and venture capital Zave Networks Advised Zave
a repeal of the state income tax.
finance counsel to
transactions, securitization
International joint venture Advised
Networks in connection with its Series
C financing and its subsequent sale to
a national sales representation company more than 35 public
transactions and other
in the structure and formation of five
Google. The sale to Google came on
the heels of Google’s announcement
new businesses to expand its core U.S.
services as well as three international
companies.
financing transactions. to bring its ultra high-speed Google
Fiber network to Zave’s home base of
joint ventures designed to import non-
perishable food products into Asia.
Mergers and acquisitions Nationally recognized
Kansas City, Kan. A
dvised clients in connection N
ationally recognized by
American Optometric Association with a number of cross-border SNL Financial during 2010
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities DeBruce Companies Advised transactions in addition and 2011 for its MA work,
General counsel for the American
Represented many of the nation’s largest DeBruce companies in connection to domestic mergers and ranking in the top 20 in
Optometric Association, providing day-
servicers of commercial mortgage loans in 17 with a transaction in which DeBruce acquisitions and private various industry sectors.
to-day legal, operational and
CMBS securitizations, including the issuance became a wholly owned subsidiary of equity/venture capital
governance advice to AOA, a nonprofit
of more than $16 billion of CMBS. Gavilon, LLC. transactions.
tax-exempt entity. A highly respected
Venture capital financings Advised Kansas counsel for Logan’s national organization, AOA represents
venture capital funds and strategic investors Roadhouse, Inc. with respect to its approximately 36,000 doctors of
in connection with venture capital financings issuance of $355 million of senior optometry, optometric educators,
totaling more than $620 million in 2011. secured second lien notes due in 2017. optometry students, and para optometric
assistants and technicians.
6 2 0 1 1 Annual Report S tt ii n s o n M o rr rr ii s o n H e c k e rr L L P
S nson Mo son Hecke LLP 7
5
6. Division highlights
C orporate (cont. )
Raising a Glass
Northwest expansion Represented
one of the largest U.S. manufacturers
to Growth
and distributors of sign supply products Stinson represented Quality Beers
in several transactions, expanding the of Omaha, LLC in its acquisition of
company’s footprint into the Northwest. Quality Brands of Omaha, Inc. The
acquisition made our client one of
Corizon Retained by Corizon, a the largest beverage distributors
Bob provider of correctional health care in the Midwest, and one of the
Kmiecik solutions, to represent its interests in country’s top 50 family-owned
Omaha the Missouri legislature. distributorships.
Great Range Capital, LLC Lead A team of attorneys from Stinson’s
counsel to Great Range Capital, LLC in Omaha and Kansas City offices
Heartland Automotive connection with the formation of Great
Range Capital Fund, L.P. and its related
represented Quality Beers
throughout the six-month deal.
Assisted Heartland private placement of limited partnership
interests.
Stinson’s representation involved
the acquisition and a lending
Automotive in acquiring facility that includes a syndicated
term loan, a line of credit and a
B
S E R I E S
Entertainment Properties Trust
more than 50 new
secured real estate loan.
Advised Entertainment Properties Trust
in its redemption of 3.2 million shares “This deal required teamwork
stores. The transactions of outstanding Series B preferred stock
valued at more than $80 million.
and expertise in numerous
practice areas,” said Allen Blair,
exceeded more than lead attorney and co-chair of
Stinson’s Real Estate Division.
$20 million in total value. “We have represented this client
for many years and it is great to
see a business grow like it has.
This acquisition brought the next
generation of the Gillick family into
the ownership and management.”
Quality Beers of Omaha, LLC is a
subsidiary of Gillick Enterprises,
Mark Schraier St. Louis Inc., a family holding company
that previously owned the Lincoln
Whistleblower Investigation Response Team SchoolTube, Inc. Served as lead Budweiser distributorship and
Launched a Whistleblower and Investigation Response counsel to SchoolTube, Inc. in now owns the Omaha branch. It
Team, a practice group focused on assisting companies connection with its Series A financing assumed the trade name of Quality
with government compliance, national and international valued at $3 million. Brands of Omaha and continues to
investigations, employee responder training, SEC and be a supplier for Anheuser-Busch
board reporting, and litigation. Lead counsel to an early-stage Companies, Inc. and other brands.
medical device company in preferred The Gillick family operates in
stock and convertible debenture Lincoln under the name of Double
offerings totaling more than $5 million. Eagle Beverage.
Allen Blair
Kansas City
8 2 0 1 1 Annual Report Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 9
7. Division highlights
Energy counsel Western Chemical Pumps Assisted
E nergy En v ironmental
Western Chemical Pumps in response
Carl Icahn Associates Providing
Serving as energy
to whistleblower reports about the
advice to Carl Icahn Associates on illegal burial of hazardous materials.
regulatory issues in connection with
regulatory counsel
In conjunction with the Missouri
energy industry investments, mergers Department of Natural Resources,
and transactions. Stinson filed a conducted a preliminary investigation
to Large Public successful application that enabled
Icahn Associates to acquire a controlling
that utilized ground-penetrating
radar, as well as individual interviews
Power Council, a interest in Dynegy Corporation. The
application was initially filed in support
including the whistleblower. Following
this, the state agency performed one
trade association of a hostile tender offer valued at $630
million and approved by the Federal
additional on-site investigation and
closed its files.
that represents the Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
following a merger agreement. American Laboratories Defended
25 largest state and City of South Daytona Represented
American Laboratories in an EPA
Clean Air Act penalty action for alleged
Edison Electric Institute
municipal utilities the City of South Daytona, Fla., in an
$8 million “stranded generation costs”
hazardous air pollutant violations and air
permit violations.
Serving as Edison Electric
in the nation. dispute regarding the formation of
a new municipal electric utility. In a Solar farm Representing clients in the Institute’s regulatory
landmark ruling, FERC agreed that the
city should not owe stranded costs
negotiation and drafting of operative
agreements (such as letters of intent, counsel on issues related
Parthy
Evans
since it will continue to purchase
wholesale power from the regional
precedent, development, offtake,
interconnection, lease, power purchase, to telecommunications and
Kansas City
utility. and operation and maintenance
agreements) for renewable energy smart grid.
projects, including a Missouri solar farm
and various biofuel projects. These
have involved landfill gas and methane Titan International Inc.
extraction from wastewater treatment Defending two Titan International Inc. companies in a $72
facilities and dairy farms. million lawsuit regarding two Superfund sites.
Colorado Springs Utilities On Cost recovery action Prosecuting a $139 million cost
behalf of Colorado Springs Utilities, recovery action against the United States on behalf of
Stacy Stotts Kansas City secured FERC approval to purchase Kansas State University, the City of Salina, the Salina
all outstanding equity interest in the Airport Authority and Unified School District 305 regarding
Kansas City Board of Public Utilities The Doe Run Company Serving as Front Range Power Corporation for a contaminated military site.
Representing the Kansas City Board of Public The Doe Run Company’s lead counsel approximately $200 million.
Utilities with three generation plants in regulatory to resolve violations alleged by the Interline Brands, Inc. Representing Interline Brands, Inc.,
matters arising under the Clean Air Act, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Flint Hills Resources Alaska, LLC a national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations
Title V permit issuance, acid rain permit renewal, and the State of Missouri pursuant to Represented Flint Hills Resources products, regarding whether its 58 distribution centers
applicability determinations for New Source the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Alaska, LLC in an investigation of a across the U.S. are in violation of Emergency Planning
Performance Standards (NSPS) and Maximum Act, the Resource Conservation crude oil pipeline rate increase filed by and Community Right-to-Know Act requirements under
Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rules, and Recovery Act, the Emergency the Golden Valley Electric Association CERCLA and similar state requirements.
reporting and record keeping. Planning and Right-To-Know Act, and before the Regulatory Commission
the Comprehensive Environmental of Alaska. A favorable settlement was
Response Compensation and Liability negotiated prior to litigation.
Act (CERCLA), involving 10 operating
facilities in Missouri.
10 2 0 1 1 Annual Report Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 11
8. Division highlights
David
E nergy En v ironmental
( cont. )
Keeping the
D’Alessandro Lights On
Washington, D.C. Insurance coverage action
Defending an insurance coverage Under the Clean Air Act, new EPA
action for environmental claims arising regulations have the potential to
from the operation of approximately 35 dramatically affect the reliability and
concentrated hog farms. Plaintiffs are cost of electricity in Kansas.
seeking coverage of more than $100
Stinson attorneys are representing
million in nuisance and negligence
the Kansas Utilities, a coalition of
claims brought by several hundred
four Kansas electric generation
neighboring property owners and
companies, in a challenge to EPA’s
environmental enforcement actions
Cross State Air Pollution Rule at
brought by the EPA and the State of
the EPA and the federal appeals
Missouri.
court in Washington, D.C. In
December, the court granted a stay
Arizona Public
City of Hastings, Nebraska
of the rule, pending further judicial
Representing the City of Hastings,
review.
Nebraska and Hastings Utilities
Service Company in connection with numerous
environmental sites and a related $55
The issues raised include the
Represented Arizona
EPA’s failure to follow the Clean Air
million environmental coverage lawsuit Act and Administrative Procedures
against 13 insurance companies. Our Act’s requirements for notice and
Public Service representation includes successfully
negotiating a settlement with the
comment, lack of consideration
by the agency regarding the rule’s
Company in a FERC EPA for a fraction of a $32 million
CERCLA dispute regarding a former
effects on electric reliability, and
insufficient time to comply if the
investigation of manufactured gas plant. rule is finalized.
a natural gas pipeline Coal-fired electric generating
utility Representing a state-wide,
“With this rule threatening to make
sweeping changes to the manner
rate increase filed by public coal-fired electric generating
utility with three generation plants
and cost of providing electricity, it
could ultimately lead to blackouts,
the El Paso Natural in permit matters arising under the
Clean Air Act, including Title V permit
job loss and higher utility bills,”
said Dennis Lane, lead litigator on
Gas Company. The issuance, acid rain permit renewal, and this matter and Stinson partner. “A
applicability determinations for NSPS successful resolution is important
presiding judge issued and MACT, and in permitting and for all industry and business
cooling water intake matters under the sectors as well as consumers.”
a decision adopting our
Clean Water Act.
client’s position.
12 2 0 1 1 Annual Report Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 13
#
9. Division highlights
Animal research Launching
Intellectual Property
Technology
a Macy’s
Serving as counsel Iconic brands Manage and maintain
thousands of patents and trademarks
Thanksgiving
for the University of in the U.S. and abroad for a wide
range of clients, from small startup
Day Float
Missouri in the sale of technology companies to some of the
most established and iconic brands in
The Zhu-niverse float made its
debut in the 85th Annual Macy’s
its animal research and the world, including Rawlings Sporting
Goods Company, Inc., Cepia LLC’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade. Stinson
partner Phil Kaplan represented
diagnostic laboratory ZhuZhu Pets® and Cobalt Boats, LLC. Cepia LLC, the creator of ZhuZhu
Pets® and other toys, in contract
business to IDEXX Patents and trademarks Filed negotiations with Macy’s Parade
500
approximately 100 new U.S. and Entertainment Group to secure a
Laboratories, Inc. for foreign patent applications and 400
trademark applications in 2011, and
spot in the 2011 parade.
Negotiations for the float’s creation
$43 million. provided a wide range of monitoring
and enforcement activities for clients and participation in the parade
took place a year in advance.
in this area.
In addition to the parade float,
General counsel Serving as outside the multi-award winning toy
general counsel and patent counsel phenomenon was transformed into
for the KU Center for Technology a video game and two feature-
Commercialization. length films on DVD. The company
also introduced several new toy
concepts in 2011.
Tim Feathers
“It’s fun to work with successful
Kansas City
entrepreneurs like CEO Russ
Hornsby and his team at Cepia,
especially in these tough economic
times,” Kaplan said. “These are the
types of clients and challenges I
love.”
Stinson has represented Cepia
University of Kansas Represented the Applebee’s and IHOP Representing for several years on structure
University of Kansas on collaborative public/ dineEquity, Inc. and its brands planning, contract negotiations,
private research agreements, licensing and Applebee’s and IHOP in connection patent applications, trademarks
sponsored research agreements. with protecting their trademarks and and copyrights, as well as
other intellectual property around the negotiation of its licensing
Exegy Incorporated Handled numerous globe, including prosecution (filing agreements.
technology leasing transactions for and maintenance) and enforcement
Exegy Incorporated in the market data space. (litigation). dineEquity is the largest
full-service restaurant company in the
Technology startups Representing a variety of world with more than 3,300 locations.
technology startups including Tibi.tv,
a finalist in the Google Gigabit Challenge. Cloud computing Negotiated
cloud computing and data center
agreements for Quality Technology
Services and Appistry, Inc.
14 2 0 1 1 Annual Report Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 15
10. Division highlights
Lonnie
Williams
L abor employ ment Misclassification defense Defended
a Missouri nonprofit corporation in a Whistleblower lawsuit
Defended a home lender in
AutoNation, Inc. Representing putative collective and class action
Phoenix AutoNation, Inc. and various individual lawsuit alleging violation of state and
defendants in defense of an alleged
a whistleblower wrongful
federal overtime law by misclassifying
violation of First Amendment rights. caregivers as exempt. The putative
Plaintiff’s harassing actions were limited
termination lawsuit and obtained
class representative voluntarily
by court order and then his claims were dismissed the action prior to filing a
later dismissed with prejudice on a motion to certify a class.
motion to dismiss for legal deficiencies
of the claims. The Ninth Circuit also Chubb Group of Insurance
a defense jury verdict. Retained
rejected the plaintiff’s appeal finding it
to be frivolous.
Companies Representation of Chubb
insureds including local companies and
for appeal and re-trial after the
Service Corporation Civil rights Defending an American
large, national employers in a variety of
matters from charges of discrimination
original adverse jury verdict.
International
direct broadcast satellite service to single and multi-plaintiff lawsuits.
provider in two related breach of The insureds we defend cover a wide
Defending SCI, a
contract and civil rights claims. range of industries, including health
care, education, manufacturing and
Racial discrimination Obtained
cemetery, cremation
professional services.
summary judgment for a local sports
franchise and a major U.S. airline in International airline manufacturer
and funeral home cases alleging racial discrimination
when hiring.
Successfully defended the world’s
largest manufacturer of general aviation
conglomerate, in airplanes for more than 10 years
against employment administrative
FLSA and wage/hour charges, litigation matters and appeals,
including summary judgment in a race
claims in various discrimination and retaliation case in
federal district court.
Rochelle Stringer
Huhtamaki
Sara Welch
Stinson
Amy Peterson
Huhtamaki
multistate and federal Huhtamaki Continued representation of long-time client
jurisdictions. After three Stephanie Scheck Wichita
Huhtamaki, one of the world’s largest packing companies.
Current representation includes the defense of a nationwide
years of litigation, the Health care staffing agency
collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.
class action that was
7
Represented a health care staffing
agency in prosecution of a trade
conditionally certified
secret and employee embezzlement
lawsuit, and in defense of a trademark Tom Brous Kansas City
$ Retirement plans Counseled and advised public and
privately held corporations, partnerships and LLCs on the
creation and operation of retirement plans. These included
was decertified and
infringement case. Obtained favorable pension, profit sharing, 401(K) and employee stock
settlement of both employee and Employee benefits Advised clients on ownership plans (ESOPs) with total net assets exceeding
billion
trademark infringement lawsuits.
the only remaining
benefits issues in mergers, acquisitions $7 billion.
and corporate transactions.
Federal and state agency matters
aspects of the case are
Physician visas Arranged visa status for numerous
Represented clients before the Labor law Advised clients on labor international physicians to practice in designated Health
Internal Revenue Service (IRS), law issues, including maintaining a
individual claims.
Profession Shortage Areas.
U.S. Department of Labor, Pension union-free workplace, handling union
Benefit Guaranty Corporation and negotiations, arbitrations, petitions and
corresponding state agencies. unfair labor practice charges before the
National Labor Relations Board.
16 2 0 1 1 Annual Report Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 17
5
11. Division highlights
Playtex Products State of South Dakota Represented
L itigation
the State of South Dakota against John
Playtex Products, LLC Munich
Successfully
claims that it had not adequately
Plaintiffs alleged that Playtex failed funded its public schools nor educated St. Louis
to make adequate disclosures about
represented Playtex
its students. The Supreme Court of
certain baby bottles and sippy the State of South Dakota upheld
cups. Stinson’s attorneys convinced a trial court’s 2009 opinion, which
Products, LLC in the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict
Litigation to consolidate the cases
found in the state’s favor on all counts
and rejected plaintiffs’ claims that
more than 40 putative in the District Court for the Western
District of Missouri. Following scores of
the existing funding formula was
unconstitutional. The court also held
consumer class actions depositions and hundreds of pages of
briefing, Playtex convinced the court to
that plaintiffs had failed to link spending
and achievement.
filed in more than 10 deny plaintiffs’ request to certify multi-
state classes. The court also denied Cortez Pipeline Company Obtained
state and federal courts. requests to certify a nationwide issues
class and a statewide Missouri class.
favorable settlement for Cortez Pipeline
Company, co-defendants with Kinder
City of St. Louis Represented the City of St. Louis and the Land Clearance for
Redevelopment Authority in a dispute with Pinnacle Entertainment. Plaintiffs alleged
Morgan CO2 Company, L.P. and Mobil the city breached a $500 million redevelopment agreement relating to Pinnacle’s
Electronic Fund Transfer Act Producing Texas and New Mexico, development and operation of the Lumiere Place Casino and hotel properties. After
class action lawsuits Obtained Inc., in a class action arbitration the trial court denied Pinnacle’s motion for preliminary injunction, Pinnacle appealed
favorable results for several banks
Heather over an alleged underpayment of to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals but later voluntarily dismissed its appeal.
named as defendants in class action
Woodson royalties and overriding royalties in
lawsuits for alleged violations of the which the plaintiff class challenged SEC investigation Represented a public technology company in directors and
Kansas City
Electronic Fund Transfer Act. the deductions of certain pipeline officers (DO) liability insurance issues resulting from an SEC investigation and
expenses. The arbitration panel ruled derivative action based on the CEO’s alleged personal use of corporate assets.
that those charges were proper. When
the plaintiff class again challenged the Angelica Textile Services, Inc. Successfully represented Angelica Textile
deductions, Stinson attorneys showed Services, Inc. in a bid protest involving matters of first impression on a Department
that not only was there no excess of Veterans Affairs contract. The department appealed the decision to the U.S.
revenue, there was actually a shortfall. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, but withdrew its appeal after oral argument.
The arbitration panel-approved
settlement permitted our client to Breach of contract Successfully represented a bank in a breach of contract
recover an additional $90 million. lawsuit in which the bank committed to selling property in a “commercially
Jeff Goulder Phoenix reasonable manner.” After a four-day bench trial, the judged ruled that the bank’s
American Samoa Power Authority sale was fair and complied with the agreement. The case centered on whether
PostRock Midcontinent Production, LLC Legends Bank Successfully Representing American Samoa Power a bank has an obligation to hold repossessed property until market conditions
Representing PostRock Midcontinent Production, represented Legends Bank in a state Authority in an insurance dispute improve.
LLC in defense of a royalty owner class action court lawsuit challenging Missouri’s arising from a series of earthquakes
over the deduction of post-production expenses campaign finance law by asserting a and catastrophic tsunami waves in University of Central Missouri Representing the University of Central Missouri
involving approximately 2,500 oil and gas leases Hammerschmidt challenge. After a trial September 2009. ASPA suffered more over the PGA’s denial of accreditation of the school’s professional golf management
in the southeast Kansas Cherokee Basin. During court victory, the Missouri Supreme than $50 million in damages. ASPA program, which included overcoming three defense-filed motions to dismiss the
a lengthy mediation process, Stinson’s attorneys Court issued a unanimous decision was insured for much of that damage, lawsuit. The case is scheduled to be tried before a jury at the end of 2012.
negotiated a settlement that resolved the claims for striking most of the bill because it but the insurers have paid substantially
past “deductions” and established a methodology violated a requirement of the Missouri less than half the claim. BeautyFirst franchisee Prevailed in a week-long arbitration for a BeautyFirst
for calculating future royalties. The Kansas federal Constitution that legislation not franchisee where the franchisor sought to terminate the franchise agreements and
court approved the settlement agreement. be amended to change its original Missouri Attorney General enforce a non-compete agreement. Our client received a monetary judgment and a
purpose. Persuaded the Missouri Attorney declaration that the non-compete was unenforceable and that the franchisee could
General to take action against a de-identify and compete with the franchisor.
charitable entity that had used more
than $5 million contrary to the donor’s
specified intent.
18 2 0 1 1 Annual Report Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 19
11
12. Division highlights
Sandy
L itigation (cont. )
Preserving
Wunderlich DO liability insurer Won a $1.375 the Brand
St. Louis million judgment for a major DO
liability insurer, who provided one of its Stinson has long represented
Hostess Brands Inc., one of largest
insureds with funding for the defense
and best-known providers of fresh-
and settlement of an intellectual
baked bread and sweet goods in
property-related lawsuit. When another
the U.S. The matters handled by
DO insurer refused to contribute to the firm are as diverse as Hostess’
that funding, Stinson attorneys sued line of iconic brands, which
seeking equitable contribution, and our includes Twinkies®, Ding Dongs®,
client prevailed. The court awarded the Donnettes®, Wonder® Bread and
entire amount of requested damages. Nature’s Pride®.
In 2011, Stinson, on behalf of
Hostess, successfully defended
Multi-million dollar claims appeals of a $100 million
trademark licensing dispute, as
Representing a DO liability well as an Employee Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA) claim
insurer in a lawsuit against affecting many Hostess employees.
The firm also secured an arbitration
another insurer, seeking
award in a multi-million dollar
dispute with a joint venture partner.
Scott Hecht Kansas City
contribution for the defense BayFirst Solutions LLC Successfully
Most recently, Hostess turned
to Stinson to serve as general
and settlement of multi-million represented BayFirst Solutions LLC in a
bid protest case involving a $15 million
corporate and conflicts counsel in
its pending Chapter 11 bankruptcy
dollar claims against a failed
reorganization case, which aims to
government security contract. The U.S. reduce debt, secure new capital
Court of Federal Claims nullified the investments for improvement
bank’s directors and officers. U.S. Department of State contract,
which was awarded to a different
in production capabilities, and
restructure its labor agreements
contractor. and union pension plans.
“It’s been a great pleasure to
McBride Son Homes Inc. Successfully defended Insurance coverage for
represent Hostess,” said Paul
McBride Son Homes Inc. against a claim from a construction defect Represented a
Hoffmann, lead attorney to Hostess
disgruntled home buyer seeking more than $1.5 company involved in the development
and Stinson partner. “While their
million in damages for alleged construction defects and construction of water and challenges are not unique to a
and resulting emotional distress. Following a two-day groundwater systems in securing mature business, we are acutely
arbitration, the arbitrator ruled in McBride’s favor, insurance coverage for a multi-million aware that we are protecting
finding that the claimant failed to present sufficient dollar construction defect dispute. and preserving Hostess’ beloved
evidence to prove that McBride fraudulently induced, products that have treated America
deceived or negligently represented the claimant into Lexapro lawsuits Retained to defend for almost a century.”
signing a contract and purchasing a home. a major pharmaceutical manufacturer
Hostess’s annual sales top $2.5
in more than 45 individual lawsuits
billion and its approximately 19,000
pending in Cole County, Mo., claiming
employees operate 36 bakeries
adverse health effects from Lexapro,
and 570 bakery retail outlets
an antidepressant. nationwide, and run approximately
5,500 delivery routes from 565
distribution centers.
20 2 0 1 1 Annual Report Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP 21
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