RopesTalk

On this episode of Ropes & Gray’s Alumni @ RopesTalk podcast, M&A counsel Sarah Davis is joined by alums Jenn Borggaard and Rob Shapiro to discuss the rewarding experience of serving on boards. Rob, a retired partner, and Jenn, a former associate and now a co-founder and partner at AlderBrook Advisors, share their personal journeys to board membership and the impact it has had on their careers and communities. They offer valuable advice for those considering board service, highlighting the importance of passion for the mission, the balance of time, talent, and treasure, and the unique perspective lawyers bring to board seats.

Ropes & Gray is pleased to introduce our latest podcast series, Health Care Transaction Laws Unwrapped, which continues our exploration of critical developments in health care regulation of health care transactions. In this six-part series, our team will delve into the evolving landscape of state health care transaction laws and their implications for health care entities and private equity investors.   In this introductory episode, Ropes & Gray health care partners Debbie Gersh, Tim McCrystal and Jenn Romig analyze the current regulatory climate and its implications for investments in health care, including: Federal oversight: recent federal initiatives, including the FTC’s workshop and the impact of new legislation targeting private equity.State regulations: an overview of expanding state-level health care transaction laws, including notable developments in Massachusetts, California, New York and the Midwest.Enforcement trends: insights into how these regulations are being enforced, and their impact on deal timelines and administrative costs.Strategic implications: how investors can navigate these new requirements, potential challenges, and strategies for adapting to this regulatory environment.

On this episode of the R&G Tech Studio podcast, host Andrew Radsch, intellectual property litigation partner and lead of Ropes & Gray’s semiconductor sector, sits down with Rachael Bacha, counsel in the firm’s IP litigation group. Rachael, who boasts a dual background in genetics and computer science, discusses her evolution within the firm and her specialized focus on intellectual property damages. The conversation covers the intricacies of damages in patent litigation, the effects of globalization on IP infringement cases, and some of the landmark court decisions that have helped shape the practice. Additionally, Rachael offers insights into the use of AI in legal processes and the future of technology in IP law. 

Stephanie Niven, a portfolio manager at Ninety One, dives into the crucial link between corporate culture and investment returns. She emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving performance and explores how traditional metrics often miss the value of a positive culture. Niven also discusses the structural best practices that foster a supportive work environment and the need for a blend of qualitative and quantitative methods to measure culture effectively. The conversation highlights corporate culture as a competitive advantage in the evolving landscape of sustainable investing.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, asset management partners Chelsea Childs and Catherine Skulan discuss considerations for private fund managers seeking to explore the expansion of their business into alternative retail products. They share insights on the benefits of accessing a broader investor base, highlight alternative fund types—interval funds and tender offer funds—that are more suited to private investment strategies and discuss key considerations for managers looking to break into the registered funds space. 

Join Deb Lussier, partner and co-leader of the sponsor solutions practice at Ropes & Gray, on the latest episode of A Word for Our Sponsors. On this podcast, the second in a two-part series, Deb and Marc Migliazzo, counsel in the sponsor solutions practice, continue their in-depth conversation with Jon Costello, founder and managing partner of Devon Park Advisors, about the dynamic GP-led secondary market. They delve into the role of new entrants, the impact of single-family offices and sovereign wealth funds, and the future of continuation funds. The discussion also explores the trends affecting management teams and the potential for sponsors to hold assets long-term. 

Join Deb Lussier, partner and co-leader of the sponsor solutions practice at Ropes & Gray, and Marc Migliazzo, counsel in the sponsor solutions practice, as they delve into the dynamic world of GP-led secondary transactions with special guest Jon Costello, founder and managing partner of Devon Park Advisors, a boutique investment bank with a core focus on continuation fund transactions. On this episode of A Word for Our Sponsors, the first in a two-part podcast series, they discuss the current market trends, the history and future of continuation fund transactions, and the perspectives of both sponsors and limited partners. Gain valuable insights into the strategic considerations for executing successful GP-led secondaries and the importance of early engagement and clear communication in these deals. 

On this episode of the R&G Tech Studio podcast, Steve Pepe, chair of the intellectual property litigation practice at Ropes & Gray, sits down with IP litigation counsel Matt Shapiro to discuss the latest trends in technology litigation, focusing on the automotive industry. They delve into the impact of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, electric vehicle (EV) technologies, and autonomous driving on leading technology companies. They also discuss the global implications of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and standard essential patent (SEP) litigation.

In this discussion, Ryan Rohlfsen, a partner at Ropes & Gray and former DOJ prosecutor, shares his insights on the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA). He explains how FEPA could transform anti-corruption enforcement and corporate compliance, highlighting risks for businesses operating internationally. The conversation dives into the cultural nuances of bribery perceptions across different jurisdictions, and the role of whistleblowers in shaping compliance practices. With a blend of legal expertise and practical challenges, Rohlfsen provides a compelling look at the future of anti-corruption strategies.

On this episode of Women @ RopesTalk hosted by IP transactions partner Megan Baca, litigation & enforcement partner Helen Gugel returns for another engaging conversation, this time with Neena Reddy, general counsel of Blue Owl Capital, an alternative asset manager with nearly $200 billion in assets under management. Neena shares her journey from private practice to in-house counsel, detailing the exponential growth of Blue Owl, the challenges and strategies of managing legal affairs for a global firm, and her role in fostering a culture of women supporting women. The conversation also delves into Neena's multifaceted role, her approach to leadership, and her personal insights on work-life balance and the importance of networking in the legal industry.