Thought Leadership - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

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.

NYS Governor Hochul Delivers 2023 State of the State Address

On January 10, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her second State of the State address, outlining her policy and fiscal agenda for the upcoming year.

Governor Newsom Proposes FY 2023–24 Budget

Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his fifth January budget proposal, which would authorize $223.6 billion in general fund spending, a 3.6% decrease from current-year spending.