FREE Networking Golf Tournament

Calling law students!!

Please join us for Womble Carlyle’s 5th Annual Diversity Open on October 4, 2010, at TopGolf Game Center in Alexandria to practice your networking skills, meet local business leaders, and win great prizes!

The Diversity Open offers a unique opportunity for minority law students to mix with local business leaders and Womble Carlyle attorneys in a relaxed setting as they share their real-world experience with you during an afternoon on the driving range. Becoming a savvy business developer may seem intimidating or far off, especially when dealing with the everyday demands of law school. This event is designed to take the pressure off. Click the link for details!

SEC Charges New Jersey Investment Adviser in Multi-Million Dollar Offering Fraud

Ever wonder how “Bernie Madoffesque” schemes get pulled off? It happens when unscrupulous investment advisers prey on unsophisticated investors…and it’s still happening. Here’s another one for you from New Jersey. Meet Sandra Venetis, who is being charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission with operating a multi-million dollar offering fraud involving the sale of phony promissory notes to investors, many of whom are retired or unsophisticated in investments.

The break down of how this N.J. based firm duped their investors of out of millions in order to bankroll new homes, gambling debts and vacations here: http://sec.gov/news/press/2010/2010-163.htm

SEC Approves Rules Expanding Stock-by-Stock Circuit Breakers and Clarifying Process for Breaking Erroneous Trades

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2010-167

Washington, D.C., Sept. 10, 2010 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today approved new rules submitted by the national securities exchanges and FINRA to expand a recently-adopted circuit breaker program to include all stocks in the Russell 1000 Index and certain exchange-traded funds. The SEC also approved new exchange and FINRA rules that clarify the process for breaking erroneous trades.

The circuit breaker pilot program was approved in June in response to the market disruption of May 6 and currently applies to stocks listed in the S&P 500 Index. Trading in a security included in the program is paused for a five-minute period if the security experiences a 10 percent price change over the preceding five minutes. The pause gives the markets an opportunity to attract new trading interest in an affected stock, establish a reasonable market price, and resume trading in a fair and orderly fashion. The circuit breaker program is in effect on a pilot basis through Dec. 10, 2010.

Read the details of the rule at the SEC’s website: http://sec.gov/news/press/2010/2010-167.htm

While the Economy Struggles, Profits Can Be Made

WHILE the slow economy has left many small businesses scraping to get by, some enterprises are finding opportunity in the carnage. They include an entire industry devoted to distressed companies. When things are booming, this sector is like the lonely Maytag repairman, who doesn’t have much work to do.

Other businesses are not as clearly countercyclical, but they offer products or services that are increasingly in demand. And those that are really nimble can capitalize on the sudden needs of consumers or fellow businesses.

Head to NYTimes.com to read stories of five small businesses that are thriving in hard times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/business/smallbusiness/21Thrive.html?_r=1&ref=legal-issues

The Importance of Intellectual Property

The two most precious resources for any small-business owner are time and money. That’s why when the subject of intellectual property comes up, many owners run in the other direction. They see images of expensive lawyers and use that as an excuse to ignore the topic, reasoning that it is a problem for big companies to worry about.

National Bar Association CBC Networking Event

This CBC Weekend the only event that caters to you will be held exclusively this Thursday at Bar 7. Join the National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division as they cater to the young professionals for their official CBC event. Comp Admission before 11pm with RSVP to thenetworkdc@gmail.com

Congressional Encore Networking Opportunity

The Congressional Encore is not just a networking event but an opportunity. An opportunity to run elbows with the beautiful, intelligent, and elite of our Nation’s political rhythm. Network & Indulge in the social heartbeat of The Hill at this intriguing Semi Formal event.

CBC Networking Event

Thursday, September, 16, join legal professionals, law students, and prominent business leaders from the Black Professional Network DC for an evening of networking at District Restaurant and Lounge. 6-9PM. (2473 18^th Street NW)

Banks Get New Restraints – Historic Refashioning of Rules Aims to Trim Risk-Taking, Limit Future Crises

Global regulators pushed through a historic remake of the world’s banking regulations—forcing financial institutions to increase protections against unexpected losses—with the ripple effects likely to impact everything from mortgages to commercial loans to credit cards in coming years.

Congressional Black Caucus in DC