2023 and 2024 saw pivotal shifts in data privacy with rapid regulatory advancements in the U.S. and abroad. U.S. state-level privacy laws have more than doubled, presenting both similarities and critical differences that complicate compliance.

This session will explore the current regulatory landscape, its impact on organizations, and potential future legislation. The panel will also examine Europe's growing AI and cybersecurity regulations and their potential influence on U.S. policies and companies.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Discuss key changes in U.S. data privacy laws and their real-world impact on companies.
• Share experiences and strategies for navigating state-by-state regulatory differences and ensuring compliance.
• Explore the global regulatory trends in AI and cybersecurity, and discuss their potential impact on U.S. companies in an interactive, solution-driven environment.

From Czechia to Chile, this session will explore the complexities of global equity compensation, focusing on the challenges and opportunities companies face when designing and managing plans across multiple regions. Experts will provide insights into tax, legal, and regulatory considerations in key markets, including the US, UK, and Europe. 

Attendees will also learn how to align their equity strategies with cultural factors and evolving global compliance requirements.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand the tax, legal, and regulatory requirements for equity plans in key international markets.
• Learn how to address cultural influences on plan adoption and participation.
• Explore strategies for maintaining global compliance while adapting to regional requirements.

Operating a global equity plan in a way that meets the company's incentive and retention goals while complying with a myriad of laws can be challenging, especially when factoring in employment law considerations on a global basis.

This session explores how companies can effectively manage these challenges, both from a legal perspective and in practice, focusing on the latest developments and best practices globally related to termination of employment and retirement, leave of absence, restrictive covenants, clawback enforceability and more.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn best practices for managing equity awards during voluntary and involuntary terminations, ensuring compliance and retention goals are met.
• Understand how different types of leave—such as maternity, medical, or military—affect equity compensation and how to adapt plans accordingly.
• Explore strategies for implementing enforceable clawback policies and effectively navigating non-compete and non-solicitation agreements in a global context.

In this session, the panel will explore the key restrictions impacting equity compensation today, from 'soft' restrictions such as shareholder approval ('say on pay') and progressive tax rates, to reputational risks, disclosure requirements, and litigation (including high-profile cases like the Elon Musk case).

This session will also address how these constraints influence equity plan structuring, and delve into the "hard" restrictions that companies face, especially in today’s evolving political environment.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand the impact of shareholder approval, 'say on pay', and progressive tax rates on equity compensation decisions.
• Explore the risks around disclosure, reputational challenges, and litigation, including implications from high-profile cases.
• Debate the effects of the current political climate on both 'hard' and 'soft' restrictions in equity plan structuring.