RopesTalk

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery speak with Archana Kotecha, CEO of The Remedy Project, about her journey from corporate law to leading human rights initiatives across Asia. Archana shares practical insights on assessing workplace culture, supporting women and migrant workers, and building trust between businesses and NGOs. The conversation explores the challenges of conducting human rights impact assessments, the importance of direct worker engagement, and the role of pilots and feedback in compliance programs. Whether you are a compliance professional, legal advisor, or business leader, this episode offers valuable lessons on aligning purpose with practice, amplifying unheard voices, and finding common ground to create lasting impact. Tune in to explore how culture shapes compliance—and how new perspectives can help your organization to shape solutions to challenges.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, ERISA and benefits partner Sharon Remmer is joined by litigation & enforcement partners, Amy Roy and Dan Ward, to discuss President Trump’s recent Executive Order that directs the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies to expand access to alternative assets for 401(k) investors and what the potential ramifications could be for retirement plan sponsors and asset managers from a litigation risk perspective. We have been closely monitoring the significant increase in lawsuits targeting 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans over the last several years, where plaintiffs have alleged fiduciary defects in the prudence of investment menu design as well as with respect to the monitoring of plan service providers and fees. Using this as a backdrop, our team examines the evolving landscape and how recent case law clarifies key points for plan sponsors to consider should they decide to offer private equity and other alternative assets in their menus. Our speakers discuss practical steps for mitigating risk when offering alternative investments, such as conducting thorough due diligence, providing clear participant disclosures, and maintaining robust documentation of investment decisions.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, Nitish Upadhyaya, director of behavioral insights at R&G Insights Lab, is joined by partners from Ropes & Gray’s global crisis management & investigations practice—Jim Dowden, Laura Hoey, Josh Levy, Amanda Raad, Ryan Rohlfsen, Robert Silvers and Sarah Walters—to unpack the realities of handling complex, high-stakes crises in an era of global uncertainty. Drawing on decades of experience, the team explores why successful crisis management demands more than just legal maneuvering—it requires practical strategies, an understanding of human behavior, and a strong organizational culture. Listeners will gain actionable insights into every stage of a crisis: planning ahead, responding under pressure, managing business continuity, and emerging stronger on the other side. The conversation covers critical topics such as the importance of having a robust crisis plan, the role of organizational culture and communication, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to turn challenging moments into opportunities for long-term resilience.

On this episode of Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab’s multi-part Multidimensional Data Reversion podcast series, Shannon Capone Kirk and David Yanofsky discuss how artificial intelligence and machine learning are being applied to legal investigations and document reviews. They explore the evolution from traditional search term methods to advanced techniques like predictive coding, continuous active learning, and the emerging role of generative AI (“GenAI”) while demystifying what these techniques are actually doing with your data. The conversation highlights the importance of using plain language when describing these technologies, the critical role of human expertise in refining AI tools, and the practical challenges and efficiencies gained when integrating AI into internal investigations and privilege reviews. Tune in to gain insight into how legal teams are balancing innovation, accuracy, and defensibility as they adopt new data-driven approaches.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, litigation & enforcement partner Josh Levy and counsel JR Drabick—both former federal prosecutors—delve into the critical topic of crisis management for organizations and leaders. Drawing on Josh’s unique experience as the former U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, including his leadership during the high-profile resignation of U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins in May 2023 due to an ethical scandal, the conversation offers an insider’s perspective on navigating high-stakes crises in both public service and private practice. Gain insights into the structure and responsibilities of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the immediate challenges posed by unexpected leadership transitions, and the strategies employed to maintain organizational stability and public trust during turbulent times. The discussion highlights the importance of authentic communication, proactive leadership, and thorough preparation—both before and during a crisis. JR and Josh also share practical lessons for advising clients facing government investigations, media scrutiny, and other crisis scenarios, emphasizing the value of trusted advisors, clear processes, and legal protections.

On this special Ropes & Gray podcast, co-hiring partner for the firm and co-managing partner of the firm’s Boston office, Jeff Katz, sits down with three members of the 2025 Summer Associate Program: Ben Haward (Harvard University), Esteban Ortiz (Boston University), and Michelle Yang (Northeastern University). Together, they provide an inside look at the summer associate experience at Ropes & Gray, sharing candid reflections on mentorship, professional growth, and the collaborative culture that defines the firm. The conversation also turns the tables, with the summer associates posing thoughtful questions to Jeff about the skills that have shaped his career, the evolving landscape of legal practice, and the enduring values that have remained constant at Ropes & Gray over his 25-year tenure. Jeff offers practical advice for future summer associates, stressing the importance of engagement, curiosity, and building relationships.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery are joined by Professor Guido Palazzo, co-author of The Dark Pattern: The Hidden Dynamics of Corporate Scandals. Together, they explore why corporate scandals are rarely the result of a few “bad apples” and instead stem from deeper organizational patterns—such as toxic leadership, unrealistic targets, and ambiguous rules—that shape behavior across entire companies. Professor Palazzo shares practical insights on how organizations can recognize and disrupt these harmful dynamics, foster allyship, and build cultures where ethical conduct thrives. Tune in for actionable strategies and a fresh perspective on creating lasting change in compliance and corporate culture.

On this episode of Ropes & Gray's ITC-focused podcast series, Talkin' Trade, IP litigators Matt Rizzolo, Matt Shapiro, and Lara Ameri break down the ITC’s recent decision in Investigation No. 337-TA-1352, a case involving trade secret misappropriation in the pharmaceutical sector. The discussion covers the procedural twists of the 100-day program, the Commission’s findings on domestic industry and threatened injury, and the remedies imposed—including a seven-year limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders. The team also highlights key takeaways for companies navigating trade secret disputes at the ITC, including the standards for proving injury and the impact of competing products in the market.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, licensing and collaboration partner Hannah England and antitrust partner Lisa Kaltenbrunner discuss how EU antitrust rules impact non-competes and other exclusivity provisions in collaboration agreements, license agreements, and asset acquisitions. They explain why these rules apply even to U.S. companies, outline the key differences between collaboration and license agreements, and highlight the risks of non-compliance, such as unenforceability and regulatory scrutiny. The conversation offers practical guidance on structuring non-compete clauses to align with EU competition law.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, health care partner Michael Lampert and counsel Sam Perrone, and litigation & enforcement partner Andrew O’Connor, rejoin to discuss patient assistance programs, recent enforcement actions, and related regulatory considerations. The conversation covers the legal framework governing these programs, including the Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”), Civil Monetary Penalties Law (“CMPL”), and False Claims Act (“FCA”). They focus on recent settlements and agency actions, and highlight key factors that influence regulatory outcomes for patient assistance programs.