Stephanie is a member of our Corporate & Business practice. She is a practical, business-minded attorney whose unique background enables her to better understand her clients and the impact legal issues have on their business as a whole. Stephanie began her career on Wall Street working in interest rate swaps and credit derivatives. She then went on to represent private equity and corporate clients in acquisitions & divestitures, and counseled clients on general corporate matters, including governance and securities law compliance.
Stephanie then moved to in-house counsel representation, most recently as Vice President & General Counsel of Nortek, Inc.’s Security & Control Group. In that role, she led all legal matters related to the business, including acquisitions and divestitures, corporate governance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, product liability, compliance, labor and employment, regulatory and litigation. As a member of the executive leadership team, Stephanie provided strategic advice helping the business grow while at the same time minimizing legal exposure.
Prior to that role, Stephanie was Associate General Counsel for Nortek, Inc., where she was responsible for acquisitions and divestitures, financing activities, corporate governance matters, SEC reporting and providing legal support for Nortek and its 30+ subsidiaries worldwide. Stephanie also has significant experience in process improvement and change management, having designed and implemented global anti-bribery, intellectual property management, and contract management programs for Nortek.
Though her practice has consistently remained primarily focused on transactional work, Stephanie’s varied experience gives her a holistic view of businesses and the issues that really matter to them.
Credentials
Work Experience
- Hinckley Allen
- Partner (2017-Present)
- Nortek, Inc.
- Group Vice President & General Counsel, Security & Control Group (2015-2017)
- Associate General Counsel, Corporate (2012-2015)
- Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP
- Associate (2010-2012)
- Morgan Stanley
- Manager, Credit Derivative Documentation (2005-2006)
- Goldman Sachs & Co.
- Senior Analyst, Credit Derivative and Interest Rate Swap Documentation (2003-2005)
Charitable & Civic Involvement
- The University Club of Providence
Bar Memberships
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
News & Insight
SBA Issues New Guidance on First and Second Draw PPP Loans
January 12, 2021On January 8, 2021, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) issued two Interim Final Rules containing guidance related to the Economic Aid Act signed into law at the end of last year, which provided funds for new first draw Paycheck Protection Progra…
New Coronavirus Relief Package includes Second Draw PPP Loans and Changes to Existing PPP Loans
December 23, 2020This alert was updated on December 28, 2020.Late on December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law a new coronavirus relief bill, which included changes to existing Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans issued under the CARES Act, and the abili…
SBA Seeks Approval of New PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire for Borrowers of $2 Million or More
November 2, 2020On October 26, 2020, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) sought approval from the Office of Management and Budget to require Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) borrowers who, together with their affiliates, received loans of $2 million or mo…
How M&A Activity Will Affect an Outstanding PPP Loan
October 7, 2020On October 2, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) promulgated SBA Procedural Notice 5000-20057 Paycheck Protection Program Loans and Changes of Ownership, that sets forth new guidance requiring Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) borrowe…
SBA Creates Exception to Owner-Employee Compensation Rule, Clarifies Eligibility of Certain Nonpayroll Costs for Forgiveness
August 26, 2020On August 24, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) released a new Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) interim final rule to create a new exception to the owner-employee compensation rule and to clarify whether certain nonpayroll costs are elig…
SBA Releases New FAQs on PPP Loan Forgiveness – Key Takeaways for Borrowers
August 6, 2020On August 4, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) released a new set of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) FAQs focused exclusively on loan forgiveness. This new set of FAQs follows the updated PPP loan forgiveness applications and instructio…
Congress Extends Deadline to Apply for Paycheck Protection Program Loans
July 6, 2020With the deadline for businesses to apply for loans under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) passing on June 30th, Congress voted on Wednesday, July 1st to extend the deadline for submitting PPP loan applications …
SBA Releases Updated PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications and Instructions, Amends Existing Rules Based on PPPFA – Key Takeaways for Borrowers
June 24, 2020This article was updated on June 24, 2020 to reflect changes to the PPP made by the new Interim Final Rule issued by the SBA on June 22, 2020 (the "June 22 Interim Rule"). A borrower may submit a loan forgiveness application before the end of the borrower…
New Paycheck Protection Program Law Provides Greater Flexibility for Borrowers
June 5, 2020Update: On June 5, the President signed the PPPFA into law.Update: On June 3, the PPPFA was passed unanimously by the Senate without amendment. It now goes to President Trump, who has indicated support for the bill’s aims, for signature.On May 28, 2020, …
New SBA Guidance on PPP Loan Forgiveness and Review of Forgiveness Applications
May 27, 2020On May 22, seven days after releasing the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan forgiveness application and instructions, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) released an Interim Final Rule on Loan Forgiveness (the “Forgiveness Rule”) a…
Increases in Paycheck Protection Loan Amounts for Partnerships and Seasonal Employers
May 22, 2020On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, the SBA released an Interim Final Rule regarding increased loan amounts for partnerships and seasonal employers. This rule allows lenders to make a second disbursement of loan proceeds to a partnership or seasonal employer that …
SBA Releases PPP Loan Forgiveness Application – Key Takeaways and Instructions for Borrowers
May 19, 2020This publication was featured in New England Real Estate Journal on June 16, 2020.On May 15, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) released the much-awaited Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan forgiveness application and instructions (“S…
Paycheck Protection Program: SBA Extends Safe Harbor Deadline to 5/18 and Issues New Guidance on “Necessity of the Loan” Certification
May 14, 2020On May 13, 2020, the SBA issued additional guidance extending the safe harbor period for PPP borrowers’ to make a determination of their “necessity of the loan” certification in light of the newly issued SBA guidance, from May 14, 2020 to May 18, 2…
House Democrats Propose Significant Changes to Paycheck Protection Program in New $3 Trillion Stimulus Bill
May 14, 2020Update: On Friday, May 15, 2020, the House passed H.R. 6800 (the "HEROES Act" for short) by a vote of 208-199.In a new $3 trillion stimulus bill (H.R. 6800) introduced in the House of Representatives on May 12, House Democrats proposed various measures to …
Paycheck Protection Program: Deadline Extended to 5/14, Updated Guidance on Other Sources of Liquidity
May 6, 2020Update: On May 5, 2020, the SBA issued Frequently Asked Question #43 which extended the repayment date for the safe harbor described below to May 14, 2020, and indicated that further SBA Guidance as to how it will review the “necessity of the loan” cer…
SBA Issues New FAQ Clarifying Effect of Employees Who Won’t Return to Work on Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness
May 5, 2020One of the most attractive features of the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans is a borrower’s eligibility for loan forgiveness if loan proceeds are spent appropriately. However, the amount of the l…
New Paycheck Protection Program Rules for Self-Employed Individuals; SBA Announces No More New PPP or EIDL Applications Due to Exhaustion of Funding
April 16, 2020UPDATE – On April 16, 2020, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) announced it is unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) COVID-19 program (including emergen…
SBA Issues Interim Final Rule for Paycheck Protection Program: Key Takeaways for Your Loan Application
April 8, 2020This article was originally published on April 3, 2020 and has been updated based on the April 8, 2020 updates to the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program Loans Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”), found here.On April 2, 2020, the Small Business Adminis…
SBA Issues Affiliate Rules for Paycheck Protection Program
April 6, 2020The SBA has issued guidance on the affiliation rules (the (“Guidance”) applicable to the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). For purposes of determining the number of employees of an applicant to the PPP (which requires an ap…
Payroll Loans and Loan Forgiveness: New Relief Opportunities for Small Businesses under the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program
March 27, 2020This afternoon the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), a nearly $2 trillion stimulus package to help address the economic impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic was signed into law. Included in the CARES Act is a Paycheck …
Who's Who at Hinckley Allen: Stephanie J. Baton
September 9, 2019Stephanie is a practical, business-minded attorney whose unique background enables her to better understand her clients and the impact legal issues have on their businesses. Based in our Providence office, Stephanie’s practice is primarily focused on Cor…
Hinckley Allen's Corporate & Business Group Acquires New Partner, Stephanie J. Baton
February 15, 2017Hinckley Allen is pleased to welcome Stephanie J. Baton as a Partner in our Corporate & Business practice. Stephanie joins our Providence office from Nortek, Inc.’s Security & Control Group, where she served as Group Vice President & General …
Events
WEBINAR: Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly - What Businesses Need to Know about the Paycheck Protection Program
March 11, 2021To register or view the program panelists, please click here.
WEBINAR: Updates Around Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness
August 20, 2020As guidance continues to come out regarding PPP and loan forgiveness, it can be challenging for businesses to keep up with the latest news and updates. Partner Stephanie Baton will be hosting a webinar in partnership with blumshapiro, accounting, tax and b…
WEBINAR: Critical New Guidance on PPP Borrower Certification Requirements; May 7 Deadline to Repay if Ineligible
May 1, 2020NOTE: You must pre-register to attend this webinar. Click here or visit the link below.Join Hinckley Allen as we discuss what borrowers and applicants of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) need to consider in light of the Small Busi…
WEBINAR: COVID-19 Guidance for Employers—What Every Employer Should Know
April 16, 2020NOTE: You must pre-register to attend this webinar. Click here or visit the link below.For businesses of all sizes, COVID-19 has presented a vast number of challenges. Hear from Hinckley Allen attorneys as they discuss the latest legislation, best practice…