Choice of Entity under the New Tax Act Business lawyers are often asked to advise clients on what type of entity they should form for their business transactions. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which became effective for tax years commencing after December 31, 2017, corporate and individual tax rates were changed and a new deduction under Code Section 199A was implemented for owners of certain pass-through entities. Consequently, the analysis for determining what entity is most advantageous from a tax standpoint has changed. The IRS recently issued final regulations and other guidance under Section 199A which shed light on the provisions of this new law. The program will discuss the changes made by the TCJA that influence the selection of business entities, as well as touch on the non-tax issues that may be relevant. Alternative Financing Entrepreneurs and cash-starved and growth companies are turning to non-traditional financing methods to grow. This program will have a panel of lawyers and business people who have successfully navigated these alternative financing methods. Some of the financing methods discussed will include the y-combinator (safe instrument), kick-starter (rewards-based crowd funding), peer to peer lending networks, and equity crowd funding. Employment Law Update for Business Lawyers Overview of the Maryland State Legislature’s 2019 Legislative Session including a close examination of employment laws considered, passed and their impact on private employers. Anticipated areas of activity include raising Maryland’s Minimum Wage, Amendments to the Healthy Working Families Act and Expungement of Convictions for Nonviolent Crimes. New legislation, emerging legislative trends and the impact of the Maryland General Contractor Liability for Unpaid Wages Act (2018), Maryland Disclosing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act (2018) and Maryland Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (2016) will be examined. Leasing-Issues and Strategies Business Lawyer’s Need to Know Business Lawyers negotiate a few leases a year. Some issues such as relocation and assignment require careful planning and strategy. This program will be presented by an attorney whose practice is devoted to leasing representation and Mr. Hirschel will address the successful strategies to use to protect your client be it the Tenant or the Landlord.