RopesTalk

Alexandra Belmonte, the Chief Compliance Officer at A.P. Moller - Maersk, shares her insights on pioneering a global compliance network. She dives into the innovative Business Compliance Ambassadors program, highlighting its role in connecting local intelligence to leadership. Alexandra discusses strategies for building a compliance culture in the logistics sector, emphasizing starting small and leveraging rising stars. She also underscores the importance of senior management support and fostering communication to combat corruption effectively.

On this episode of the R&G Dugout podcast, Ropes & Gray litigation & enforcement partner and lead of the firm’s sports industry initiative, Chris Conniff, is joined by intellectual property transactions partner Erica Han. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) in college athletics, discussing the influx of investments, recent legal developments, and the implications of the House v. NCAA settlement. Tune in to understand the complexities and opportunities arising from NIL deals, compliance challenges for universities, and the future of college sports. 

Shannon Capone-Kirk, Managing Principal and Global Head of Ropes & Gray’s e-discovery and AI strategy group, joins the conversation to dissect the future of legal practices amid technological advances. She highlights the shift from traditional paper trails to electronic data management. The discussion touches on cultivating a disciplined data management culture, challenges in navigating data retention with AI, and the critical need for robust data governance, especially for new ventures facing litigation and cybersecurity threats.

Dan O’Connor, a litigation and enforcement partner at Ropes and Gray and a former SEC trial lawyer, dives into the transformative landscape of whistleblower policies. He discusses the SEC's focused enforcement under the Biden administration and compares it with prior approaches. They explore how potential political shifts could reshape the False Claims Act and whistleblower dynamics. Recent federal laws enhancing protections against workplace harassment are also highlighted, revealing their significance for victims and enforcement practices.

On this episode of Women @ RopesTalk hosted by IP transactions and licensing partner Megan Baca, IP transactions partner Emily Karlberg returns for another engaging conversation, this time with Jan Sbarbaro, the chief legal & compliance officer and corporate secretary of Lyric, a platform-based healthcare technology company, committed to simplifying the business of care by preventing inaccurate payments and reducing overall waste in the healthcare ecosystem. They discuss Jan’s impressive 30-plus-year career in the legal field, her transition from litigation to in-house roles, and her current responsibilities at Lyric. Jan shares valuable insights on navigating career challenges, the importance of self-confidence, and balancing a demanding career with family life.

Megan Reitz, founder of Reitz Consulting and an Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, shares her expertise on fostering a speak-up culture. She discusses the relational dynamics of speaking out, the importance of open dialogue, and practical listening exercises. The conversation reveals how organizations can gain value by encouraging employees to voice their thoughts while also highlighting the role of leadership in creating safe environments for communication. Megan’s insights are a goldmine for anyone looking to enhance transparency and innovation in their workplaces.

On this episode of Ropes & Gray's ITC-focused podcast series, Talkin' Trade, IP litigators Matt Rizzolo, Matt Shapiro, and Patrick Lavery discuss a groundbreaking Federal Circuit decision in Lashify v. ITC. This pivotal ruling challenges the ITC's longstanding approach to the economic prong of the domestic industry requirement, particularly the treatment of U.S.-based sales, marketing, and distribution activities. Tune in as they explore the implications of this decision for future Section 337 investigations, the potential expansion of complainants eligible to file at the ITC, and the broader impact on patent litigation. 

On this special edition of Ropes & Gray’s Alumni @ RopesTalk podcast series, technology and IP transactions partner Regina Sam Penti is joined by Dr. Vasanth Sarathy, a professor of computer science at Tufts University and a Ropes & Gray alum. Together, they delve into the technical and business implications of DeepSeek, a Chinese app and model that has generated significant buzz in the AI world. They explore whether DeepSeek is a game-changer in AI, its cost advantages, and the potential impact on AI investments and startups. Dr. Sarathy also addresses the privacy and security concerns associated with DeepSeek, especially given its origins in China. Tune in to understand the reality behind the hype and what it means for businesses considering AI adoption.

On this episode of Women @ RopesTalk hosted by health care and data partner Christine Moundas, IP transactions and licensing partner Megan Baca is joined by Katy Motiey, the chief legal, administrative and sustainability officer at Extreme Networks. Katy shares her inspiring journey from her early life experiences during the Iranian Revolution to her multifaceted career in the legal industry. She discusses her new book, Imperfect, which is based on her mother's quest for equality and their family's struggles against the patriarchal customs of Iran. Katy also delves into her role in driving corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives at Extreme, offering valuable insights for aspiring leaders and authors. 

On this episode of Ropes & Gray’s Antitrust Insights podcast series, seasoned antitrust partners and former FTC and DOJ prosecutors Jonathan Klarfeld and Samer Musallam discuss significant changes—and their substantial impact on businesses—to the Hart-Scott-Rodino (“HSR”) rules, which went into effect on February 10, 2025, with private equity transactions partner Chau Le. The discussion covers expanded data and disclosure requirements, enhanced business and competition documents, and increased scrutiny of prior acquisitions. They also offer practical advice on navigating these new rules, emphasizing the importance of early engagement with antitrust counsel and diligent compliance efforts. *Since the recording of this podcast, the new FTC Chair, Andrew Ferguson, has publicly endorsed the new HSR rules.