• Examining the rapidly evolving state-by-state regulatory framework governing the manufacturing, production and distribution of food products containing packaging with PFAS
• Understanding how to recognize and account for differences among various state prohibitions and update sourcing protocols to maintain compliance
• Adapting to changing consumer demands for PFAS-free products and satisfying customer demands for assurances of compliance
• Understanding PFAS testing challenges and how companies can better navigate this complex arena
• Assessing how testing/sourcing of packaging and regulatory approval can yield additional defense strategies for PFAS lawsuits
• Examining theories that plaintiffs are relying on in PFAS packaging claims — what defense strategies are proving to withstand the latest plaintiff challenges?

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This is the final session of the year-long Track 1 series addressing SEP licensing issues. The panel discussion will build on discussions this year about successful SEPs licensing, what we have learned from SEP litigation, what policy proposals are being made to streamline SEP licensing (and will they help or hinder), and finally – given the current environment – how can companies and their counsel best manage SEP licensing deals efficiently? These issues have been actively discussed this year and our panel discussion will attempt to make sense of it all!

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In this session, our Partners from McCallister and Quinn (M&Q) will join us to help the attendees understand WHEN these opportunities are available, WHERE you and your organization can find them, and HOW to pursue them. M&Q’s experts are adept at securing Federal funding opportunities for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. This session will dive into all the pre-award activities necessary to support a successful pursuit while avoiding any challenges along the way.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify when opportunities are available, where you can find them, and how you can pursue them
• Familiarize with the pre-award compliance requirements associated with Federal funding opportunities.

Starting July 1, California employers across all industries must have a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan in place. The recently enacted SB 553 established this new requirement, along with mandatory employee training, initial and periodic workplace violence hazard inspections, and maintenance of a violent incident log and other related records.

On May 7th, join Sheppard Mullin attorney Bobby Foster as he presents a practical webinar guiding business owners, HR professionals, and other attorneys through the process of creating a workplace violence prevention plan and complying with the other requirements of SB 553. Richard J. Simmons and Robert K. Foster are the co-authors of Castle’s definitive employment law publication, the Employer’s Guide to Workplace Violence Prevention and Foster will be referencing it throughout the program. The Guide is the first go-to, one-stop book of its kind and includes updates violence prevention strategies and sample forms and policies.

The conference will provide insights into government policies and programs that will shape the future of the procurement landscape in 2024 and beyond as you learn about the nexus between the federal and commercial markets, how government terms and conditions affect access to the market, and opportunities for the government to create increased value for both industry partners and customer agencies. We will continue to feature thought-provoking sessions with government officials, industry experts, and legal minds who will share their expertise and perspectives on the latest procurement topics.

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There is a fundamental tension between IPRs, litigation and the Fintiv decision. When you go to trial, there is still a consideration for IPRs, which can lead to forum shopping. While litigation rates have declined overall, it is increasingly complex due to the various tools that can be used strategically in various scenarios. We will explore developments at the PTAB and share new strategies.

• What is the status of the potential reforms?
• What comments have been provided to the USPTO?
• What can companies expect over the next year?
• How can companies modify their PTAB strategy?

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The speakers will discuss design-build contracts, from the Design-Builders' perspectives. Designers and construction professionals will address issues and concerns on design-build practice in NYC.

Speakers:

• Cesar Pereira, Special Counsel, Sheppard Mullin
• Craig Covil, PE, CEng, DBIA, FASCE, FIEAust, FHKE C2 Consulting (Texas) LLC
• Anthony Tavormina, Railroad Construction Company, Inc.
• Yvi McEvilly, NYC DDC
• Raquel Diaz, Gilbane Building Company

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In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee documents award-winning film maker Deann Borshay Liem’s journey to find answers as to why her identity was switched before being sent to America for her adoption. The movie follows Deann as she returns to Korea to find her “double” and raises questions about the history and ethics of international adoption from South Korea.

After the screening, please join us for a panel discussion, featuring Korean American adoptees, their stories, and our hopes to raise awareness for the Equal Citizenship for Children Act of 2023 / Adoptee Citizenship Act, and South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s investigation into possible human rights violations linked to South Korea’s past military governments, including the widespread falsification of children’s origins to make them “adoptable.”

Only one event brings together a cross section of healthcare real estate — investors, developers, operators and health systems executives — to break down the complexities of the evolving business landscape and develop solutions.

Experience the healthcare real estate industry's most comprehensive professional development event on May 13–15, 2024 in Orlando. Wide-ranging topics cover evolving health system strategies, capital markets trends, innovative design solutions, non-traditional healthcare settings, leasing and management, legal and regulatory issues, developing the next generation of industry leaders, thought-provoking keynotes and much more.

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In the US, DOJ has only brought cartel cases on traditional categories of conduct (price fixing, bid rigging and market allocation) and courts have routinely agreed these should be analyzed under a per se standard. Recent forays into conduct that courts consider more novel or aggressive, have led courts to question whether per se treatment is appropriate, or to allow evidence of purpose, reasonableness and effect into criminal trials that would previously been excluded. In the recent Brewbaker decision, the 4th Circuit ruled that two companies engaged in classic horizontal bid rigging for a government contract did not get to proceed under a per se standard, where the companies were in a vertical relationship. Similarly, the 7th Circuit and lower courts have grappled with what the appropriate standard is to show that an agreement is ancillary to a permissible collaboration and therefore no longer per se. Our panel will debate when and why each standard is likely to apply in cartel cases.