RopesTalk

On this retrospective episode of the Culture & Compliance Chronicles podcast, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, reflect on the key themes and insights from season one. They emphasize the importance of culture in driving compliance and regulatory practices, highlighting discussions with various guests who shared their experiences and strategies. Key themes include the significance of contextualizing culture, humanizing compliance, and using data intentionally to inform decisions. The hosts also share practical tips and exercises for maintaining focus and creativity in the compliance space. As they look forward to the next season, they challenge the community to bring new ideas and perspectives to the conversation. Tune in to hear their reflections and stay curious about the evolving landscape of business, compliance and culture.

Michelle DiMartino, a cultural psychologist newly at the Insights Lab, discusses the intricacies of AI adoption in corporate environments. She highlights how high-pressure situations push people towards mental shortcuts, impacting decision-making. The conversation delves into the technological foundations of generative AI and the biases it can carry from historical data. DiMartino emphasizes the importance of a supportive organizational culture for effective AI rollout, balancing risks with opportunities while addressing legal implications.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, health care partner Michael Lampert and counsel Sam Perrone are joined by litigation & enforcement partner Andrew O’Connor for a two-part discussion, with this first episode focused on recent enforcement activity and broker arrangements in the Medicare Advantage (“MA”) space. They delve into the Oak Street settlement, the Office of Inspector General’s (“OIG”) Special Fraud Alert, and a recent Department of Justice (“DOJ”) False Claims Act (“FCA”) suit against major Medicare Advantage plans and brokers. The conversation covers the complex regulatory framework governing broker arrangements, the implications of recent enforcement actions, and practical takeaways for providers. Listen in for an insightful analysis of these critical issues affecting the health care industry, and stay tuned for part two, where the focus will shift to enforcement in the patient assistance program space.

On this episode of the R&G Dugout podcast, Ropes & Gray intellectual property transactions partner and a leader of the firm’s sports industry initiative Erica Han is joined by tax attorneys Gil Ghatan, Kendi Ozmon and Franziska Hertel, who lead the firm’s tax-exempt organizations practice. Together, they discuss the tax implications of the House v. NCAA settlement, including the rules that permit colleges and universities to pay student athletes for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Tune in to understand the compliance challenges for schools seeking to create opportunities for their student athletes and athletics programs through NIL deals.

On this episode of Ropes & Gray’s Alumni @ RopesTalk podcast, employment, executive compensation, and benefits partner Megan Bisk is joined by alum Dan Krockmalnic, chief operating officer and general counsel at Boston Globe Media. Dan shares his journey from Big Law to his current leadership role, discussing his transition from litigation associate to COO and GC, his experiences producing award-winning content like Murder in Boston, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Tune in to hear Dan's insights on career development, the importance of mentorship, and his advice for young lawyers.

Nicole Rose, a compliance specialist and creative artist from Australia, shares her innovative strategies for tackling compliance challenges. She emphasizes the power of 'moneyballing' by leveraging data-driven insights to create effective controls. Nicole advocates for humanizing compliance training, making it engaging and relevant for employees. She also discusses the importance of simplicity and nurturing relationships in compliance, reinforcing that creativity can significantly enhance the effectiveness of compliance approaches.

On this episode of Fully Invested, Ropes & Gray asset management partner Jessica Marlin and capital markets counsel Marc Rotter discuss ’34 Act Registered Private Funds. These funds register under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and disclose information publicly, while remaining exempt from the Investment Company Act of 1940. Jessica and Marc explore the funds’ features and differences in comparison to traditional private funds.

The discussion dives into the complexities of analyzing unstructured text, emphasizing the unique challenges it presents. Methods like sentiment analysis and self-scoring are explored, highlighting the need for emotional understanding in data collection. The speakers advocate for interactive data visualization that reflects emotional impact, promoting a deeper connection to the analysis. They also dissect the role of generative AI in legal document reviews, balancing the cost benefits against the necessity for precision and human oversight.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, Alyssa Horton and Colleen Meyer, both counsel in the private funds regulatory group, explore the recent SEC staff guidance on the Marketing Rule. They discuss the new FAQs issued on March 19, 2025, which address the presentation of investment-level returns and investment characteristics. Colleen and Alyssa provide a comprehensive overview of the history behind these FAQs, the operational challenges faced by advisers, and the significant changes brought by the new guidance. Listen in to gain valuable insights on how to effectively implement these updates in your marketing materials and ensure compliance with the Marketing Rule.

Dina Denham Smith, an accomplished leader and executive coach, shares her insights on emotional leadership. She discusses the demands of leading in today's emotionally charged environment, highlighting the concept of emotional contagion and its effects on teams. Dina emphasizes the importance of compassionate detachment, balancing empathy with objective decision-making. She encourages leaders to share personal mental health stories to foster connection and psychological safety, while also addressing the need for self-care in maintaining effective leadership.