The SEC brought a record number of enforcement actions against investment advisers in 2015, resulting in approximately $4.2 billion in sanctions. This alert highlights current issues for private equity, venture capital and hedge fund managers and also summarizes certain key required annual filings.

One of the major immigration developments for 2016 is a proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would allow certain F-1 students to extend their period of “optional practical training” (OPT) if they have degrees in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) from US schools.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on January 21, 2016 increased jurisdictional thresholds for premerger notification filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the HSR Act). The FTC revises the thresholds annually based on changes in the gross national product.

2016 promises to be another very good year to invest in start-ups because of the extension of significant tax breaks for investors who invest in early stage companies. Investors who invest in small businesses can exclude capital gains realized on the sale of stock in such businesses if they choose the right type of company.

On December 17, 2015, the Federal Circuit issued a precedential decision affirming a determination by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) that patent claims related to methods of treating elevated homocysteine levels were invalid as obvious. In Mer