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As anticipated at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant uptick in cyber fraud. Cyber criminals are opportunistic and taking advantage of companies at their most vulnerable. This is a result of unique risk factors that have been heightened with the rapid shift to remote working arrangements. In this webinar with accompanying slides, we discuss the steps that can be taken to mitigate the cyber threats and protect your organization during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Select the 'download file' to view the accompanying slides.

The recent wave of protests and civil unrest that has roiled the nation has, in some cases, led to dangerous conditions in major American cities. Damage to business offices, stores, and restaurants has been widespread. Unlike their recent experiences with COVID-19-related claims in which insurers issued blanket denials, business owners are likely to receive insurance reimbursements for losses sustained during the protests.

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped many aspects of life in profound ways, including propelling families onto virtual platforms and social media to work, go to school, and stay connected. Future histories of this extraordinary period of change and resilience will draw heavily on the stories and values you preserve today and the days thereafter. This guide provides tips for families on ways to collect, archive, and share how their lives have been altered or upended during the pandemic. Looking forward and looking back, what will the memories be from your family history?

Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) have been a popular and effective wealth transfer strategy for U.S. families in recent decades. This has been true across various market conditions because their potential upside is so high and downside so low—and GRATs are even more compelling at a time of market volatility. Yet despite their advantages, GRATs cannot achieve their full potential without careful analysis of multiple factors, including structuring and investment considerations.

As family offices have grown in number, size and sophistication, they have increasingly looked to invest directly. Largely, the pursuit of direct investing opportunities has been driven by several factors, including the desire for increased control, better alignment of interests, reduced fees and expenses, and higher returns. While the appeal of direct investing is clear, building a robust investment process and team to successfully source, conduct due diligence, and execute on the opportunities is a challenging endeavor.

Today’s wealthy families feel they are facing the greatest economic and social uncertainty in a generation. Amid the unprecedented challenges, most single family offices are being asked to address the human challenges of serving wealthy families as much as, or more than, the financial uncertainties. In a pulse check survey of 32 single family office leaders, it is clear there is a significant need for help with emotional and family dynamics challenges.

In an industry that relies on speed and innovation to close deals and drive returns for investors, the absence of face-to-face meetings amid the coronavirus pandemic is one reason the M&A activity in the private equity sector has had the most sudden drop-off since the Great Recession. Now private equity firms must transform quickly, and innovative practices are needed to drive more lucrative deals.

Equity markets have priced in an optimistic scenario of earnings recovering to pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of 2021—a V-shaped recovery. While it is within the realm of possibility, there is considerable risk to this scenario. We consider what conditions could support a V-shaped recovery, and circumstances under which other, more gradual recoveries would likely prevail. We also explore some possibilities about how COVID-19 will change behavior and demand preferences over time.

A private family trust company (PFTC) provides families with intergenerational governance over family assets and a private forum for decision-making. Without proper management, however, a PFTC can be exposed to costly litigation and the potential for significant liability. By developing and implementing policies that take into account the expertise and capacity of staff and external vendors, a PFTC can ensure it stays compliant and is able to safeguard the family’s assets well into the future.