RopesTalk

Ropes & Gray’s podcast series Talkin’ Trade explores the world of Section 337 unfair import investigations at the U.S. International Trade Commission. In this episode, which is part one of a three-part discussion on ITC remedies, Ropes & Gray intellectual property litigators Matt Rizzolo, Matt Shapiro, and Rebecca Gentilli discuss the various types of remedies that the ITC can impose when it finds a violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act, and the unique aspects of these differing remedial orders that ITC litigants and practitioners should be aware of.

In this Ropes & Gray podcast, members of the finance practice group discuss the rise of ESG-linked credit facilities and bonds in the corporate and private fund finance markets, provide an overview of the mechanics of sustainability-linked debt instruments, discuss the forces driving their recent surge in popularity and consider what to expect for them going forward.

In this episode of Women @ RopesTalk, hosted by IP transactions partner Megan Baca, health care partner Torrey McClary interviews Anne Garcia, senior vice president and general counsel of The Ohio State University. Anne talks about how she moved from private practice to in-house roles in universities. In thinking about the last year and a half, Anne discusses how COVID has affected the university and her team. She also reflects on why she is big on incorporating “action” into her office’s diversity and inclusion efforts, and looks forward to some exciting priorities of Ohio State’s president Kristina Johnson.

Ropes & Gray’s podcast series Talkin’ Trade explores the world of Section 337 unfair import investigations at the U.S. International Trade Commission. One way in which ITC Section 337 investigations differ from district court litigation is that the day-to-day activities of ITC actions are overseen not by an Article III judge, but by one of six administrative law judges. In this episode, Ropes & Gray IP attorneys Matt Rizzolo, Matt Shapiro, Brendan McLaughlin, and Mike Morales delve into the role and responsibilities these ALJs play in managing a fast-paced Section 337 proceeding, including how the individual ALJs may differ in presiding over their particular cases.

In the latest installment of our Ropes & Gray podcast series addressing emerging issues for fiduciaries of 401(k) and 403(b) plans to consider as part of their litigation risk management strategy, ERISA and benefits partner Josh Lichtenstein, benefits consulting group principal David Kirchner, and benefits consultant Aneisha Worrell revisit the Department of Labor’s (DOL) regulation of ERISA investment duties and ESG considerations, and in particular, its recently re-proposed rule. As compared to the prior rule passed by the Trump administration at the end of last year, which Messrs. Lichtenstein and Kirchner and Ms. Worrell discussed in the first episode of this series in February, the latest proposal signifies a major shift in the Department’s attitude towards ESG factors, and if finalized, would significantly alter the investment landscape for ERISA plan sponsors and fiduciaries.

The Ropes & Gray Global Health Care Compliance Initiative’s virtual trip around the world podcast series highlights our collaboration with our local counsel contacts, in particular the Local Law Comparison Guide. The Local Law Comparison Guide (the “Guide”) is a resource tool providing country-specific surveys that analyze legal, regulatory and industry requirements governing industry interactions with health care professionals. As part of this series, Ropes & Gray attorneys interview our local counsel partners, who are based around the world and helped develop the Guide. These discussions highlight notable health care regulations and developments impacting compliance in our various countries. In this episode, we are joined by Stéphanie De Smedt, counsel at Loyens & Loeff CVBA in Belgium. Alison Fethke, counsel at Ropes & Gray, discusses with Stéphanie the regulatory framework in Belgium and key risks for life sciences and health care clients. They also discuss emerging trends, such as the new medical device regime and how COVID-19 is changing practices and presenting new challenges.

This installation of Ropes & Gray’s podcast series Non-binding Guidance focuses on the Biden administration's recent proposal to repeal the Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology ("MCIT") final rule, which was published in January 2021 and initially scheduled to become effective on December 15, 2021. This proposed rule, although published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS"), relates directly to FDA regulation of medical devices because it would provide automatic Medicare coverage to products that FDA approves or authorizes under its Breakthrough Device Program. In this episode, Ropes & Gray life sciences regulatory & compliance head, Greg Levine, and health care partner, Tom Bulleit, will discuss the significance of this development—a reversal of what would've been a significant innovation for Medicare coverage and payment of new device technology—and share some pathways manufacturers of breakthrough devices can use to obtain Medicare coverage after approval while FDA and CMS collect comments on a new program to replace the MCIT program.

Ropes & Gray’s podcast series Talkin’ Trade explores the world of Section 337 unfair import investigations at the U.S. International Trade Commission. Historically, challenges to patent subject matter eligibility under Section 101 of the Patent Act have been rare at the ITC, as the Commission’s Section 337 proceedings necessarily involve tangible, physical goods. But recent changes in the case law from the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court have led to a noticeable uptick in the numbers of times the Commission and its ALJs have been forced to grapple with patent eligibility issues. Ropes & Gray attorneys Matt Rizzolo, Matt Shapiro and Brendan McLaughlin discuss how Section 101 challenges have evolved over time at the ITC, and how this issue may be litigated differently before the Commission than in district court patent litigation. They also provide an update on recent proposed litigation that may affect Section 337 proceedings.

In the latest installment of Ropes & Gray’s alumni podcast series, Alumni @ RopesTalk, life sciences and health care partner Michael Beauvais interviews Julie Constable, vice president of legal and compliance at Blackstone. Julie spent almost a decade at Ropes & Gray as an associate before taking a senior legal role at Blackstone. Julie talks about what a typical day looks like in-house as she leads transactions emerging from the Blackstone Life Sciences team. She reflects on how Ropes & Gray prepared her for her position now by training her to think more critically. Julie also talks about the unique pro bono partnership between Ropes & Gray and Blackstone that she helped to develop, benefitting organizations such as The Innocence Project.

The Ropes & Gray Global Health Care Compliance Initiative’s virtual trip around the world podcast series highlights our collaboration with our local counsel contacts, in particular the Local Law Comparison Guide. The Local Law Comparison Guide (the “Guide”) is a resource tool providing country-specific surveys that analyze legal, regulatory and industry requirements governing industry interactions with health care professionals. As part of this series, Ropes & Gray attorneys interview our local counsel partners, who are based around the world and helped develop the Guide. These discussions highlight notable health care regulations and developments impacting compliance in our various countries. In this episode, we are joined by our partner in Mexico, Lourdes Salazar. Lourdes is an attorney at Von Wobeser. Alison Fethke, counsel at Ropes & Gray, discusses with Lourdes the regulatory regime in Mexico, key risks for compliance, and changes in law to be aware of.