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Nationwide representation of hedge funds, hedge fund managers and investors.

Featured Articles:

Registration and Regulation of Investment Advisers - an overview of the requirements and procedures for registration of investment advisers and hedge fund managers.

Featured Books:

Fund Formation Strategies: Leading Lawyers on Analyzing Fund Structures, Mitigating Risk, and Identifying Tax Issues - an authoritative, insider's perspective on best practices for structuring funds. Featuring partners and chairs from some of the nation's leading law firms, these experts guide the reader through understanding key legal issues, establishing the identity of a fund, and evaluating tax complications. Contains tips for assessing risk, establishing internal controls, and understanding compliance issues. The different niches represented and the breadth of perspectives presented enable readers to get inside some of the great legal minds of today, as these experienced lawyers offer up their thoughts around the keys to navigating an ever-evolving area of law.

The Hedge Fund Compliance and Risk Management Guide- From Wiley Finance, according to Amazon, "The Hedge Fund Compliance and Risk Management Guide provides you with a broad examination of the most important compliance and risk management issues associated with today’s hedge funds. Straightforward and accessible, this invaluable resource covers everything from how hedge funds continue to generate lucrative returns to why some use sophisticated instruments and financial engineering to get around fundamental regulatory laws." Read the entire review here.

US Regulation of Hedge Funds - From the American Bar Association, an analysis of the federal securities laws and rules applicable to the organization, capitalization and operations of private U.S. domestic investment partnerships that invest and trade mainly in the public securities markets.

Hedge Fund Disclosure Documents Line by Line: A User's Guide to Private Placement Memoranda for Funds Formed as Limited Liability Companies

NASDR Notices to Members

10-04 SEC Approves Consolidated FINRA Rules Governing Clearly Erroneous Transactions
On December 1, 2009, the SEC approved FINRA's proposed rule change to adopt a new set of rules governing clearly erroneous transactions in the consolidated rulebook. The new FINRA Rule 11890 Series replaces NASD Rule 11890, IM-11890- 1 and IM-11890-2 and was adopted as part of a market-wide effort by multiple self-regulatory organizations to provide transparency and finality with respect to clearly erroneous executions. Among other things, the new rule series includes a new general rule defining "clearly erroneous" transactions, separate provisions for the determination of clearly erroneous transactions depending upon whether the transaction involves an exchange-listed security or an over-the- counter equity security and procedures for appealing FINRA clearly erroneous determinations. In addition, the new rule series codifies minimum numerical criteria necessary for a transaction to qualify as clearly erroneous.

10-03 FINRA Requests Comments on Proposed Consolidated FINRA Rules Governing Securities Loans and Borrowings, Permissible Use of Customers' Securities and Callable Securities
As part of the process of developing a new, consolidated rulebook (the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook), FINRA is requesting comment on three proposed FINRA rules. Proposed FINRA Rule 4314 (Securities Loans and Borrowings) sets forth the requirements applicable to a member firm that is a party to an agreement for the loan or borrowing of securities. Proposed FINRA Rule 4330 (Customer Protection—Permissible Use of Customers' Securities) sets forth the requirements applicable to a member firm's borrowing or lending of a customer's margin securities that are eligible to be pledged or loaned. Proposed FINRA Rule 4340 (Callable Securities) sets forth the obligations applicable to any callable securities a member firm has in its possession or control.

FINRA Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions for December 2009
FINRA has taken disciplinary actions against the following firms and individuals for violations of FINRA rules; federal securities laws, rules and regulations; and the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB).

09-70 FINRA Requests Comment on Proposed Consolidated FINRA Rules Governing Registration and Qualification Requirements
As part of the process of developing a new consolidated rulebook (the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook), FINRA is requesting comment on a proposal to streamline and amend the FINRA registration and qualification rules.

09-66 SEC Approves Changes to FINRA's BrokerCheck Disclosure Rule to Retain and Make Publicly Available Information About Final Regulatory Actions Against Former Brokers
Beginning November 30, 2009, information concerning final regulatory actions against brokers—as well as certain administrative information (e.g., employment and registration history) and information about qualification examinations, if available, and the broker's most recently submitted comment, if any—will be permanently available in BrokerCheck,® regardless of when they were employed in the securities industry.

News Items

SEC Issues Concept Release Seeking Comment on Structure of Equity Markets SEC Issues Concept Release Seeking Comment on Structure of Equity Markets
The SEC issued a concept release as part of its review of the equity market structure, voting unanimously to issue a concept release seeking public comment on such issues as high frequency trading, co-locating trading terminals, and markets that do not publicly display price quotations.

SEC Announces Initiative to Encourage Individuals and Companies to Cooperate and Assist in Investigations
The SEC announced a series of measures to further strengthen its enforcement program and encourage greater cooperation by individuals and companies in the agency's investigations and enforcement actions.

Past Articles and Commentary
Every month The Securities Law Home Page brings together commentary and updates from securities law practitioners and regulators. Past articles are collected here in chronological order, or simply search for the topic you are interested in.

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