Thought Leadership - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Michael, Bach to Moderate Panels at LA Games Conference 2024

Manatt Ventures Partner Thomas Michael and Manatt Entertainment Partner Nathaniel L. Bach will moderate panels at the LA Games Conference on May 6, 2024.

There’s Nothing Weak About the SEC’s “Weakened” Climate Disclosure Mandate

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released its long-awaited climate disclosure mandate for publicly traded companies (Final Rule).

Advancing Women’s Reproductive Health Access: Medicaid Should Be a Part of Your Growth Strategy

Medicaid is a critical source of health care coverage for women in their childbearing years, covering 1 in 5, or 13 million, women of reproductive age.

Climate Disclosures: California Mandates Advance in Legislature with Modest Reprieve

Two proposed California laws that would mandate disclosure of climate-warming emissions and organizational “risk” related to climate change moved closer to Governor Newsom’s desk.

2023–24 California State Budget Finalized—At Least for Now

After around-the-clock weekend negotiations between Democratic legislative leaders and Governor Gavin Newsom, working against a looming June 30 constitutional deadline, leaders announced a budget agreement late Monday night.

Cash is King: How A Capital Strategy Can Enable Today’s Startups to Survive

2023 has proved to be challenging for many cash-conscious startups, especially those that anticipated raising venture capital in the first half of the year.

Manatt Ventures VC Market Update - June 2023

The Manatt Ventures team constantly evaluates changes in the market, both for our clients and for the Manatt Venture Fund, our internal venture capital (VC) fund.

Startup Financing: When Is a SAFE Not So Safe?

Startups have been raising money using the Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) since it was first introduced by Y Combinator in 2013.

Startups, SAFE Act, Financing, Entrepreneurs

Kraken Crypto Staking Program for U.S. Investors Shut Down in Aggressive Expansion of the Howey Test

Payward Ventures, Inc., d/b/a Kraken, the cryptocurrency exchange, has entered into a $30 million settlement agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations the company failed to register its cryptocurrency staking program, in violation of U.S. securities laws.

Manatt Represents Skybound Entertainment in Mega Cat Studios Investment Deal

A Manatt team led by Venture Capital and Emerging Companies Partner Richard McDerby and including Associate Darren Bartlette successfully represented Skybound Entertainment in its investment in Mega Cat Studios, an independent video game development studio.