Eastern Daylight Time

On December 18, 2023, the US Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department jointly issued the 2023 Merger Guidelines following a public comment period on a draft released in July 2023. The Guidelines contain 11 principles that describe how the agencies may analyze a merger’s potential to harm competition. Although certain aspects of the final Guidelines are notably toned down compared to the draft, overall they continue to reflect the agencies’ current, aggressive approach to merger review and expansion on traditional theories of harm, and even doubling down on untraditional theories that have failed in court. 

In this webcast, panelists will take a deep dive into the 11 principles outlined in the new Guidelines, offer practical advice on how companies should adjust their transaction strategy to adhere to the new Guidelines, and provide an analysis of what the Guidelines may mean for the future of M&A transactions. 

Presented by John Scribner and Kristin Sanford, Partners at Weil and Troy Cahill, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for LaserShip, Inc. and OnTrac Logistics, Inc.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE pending.

2024 presents itself as a year with some radical changes to employment law. Trends have become reality and the evolution of hot topic issues is upon us. In this program we will examine those issues that cannot be ignored, and how we, as employment lawyers, are working to protect our clients.

Topics will include:

• The future of employment at-will
• Is any restrictive covenant enforceable?
• How COVID reshaped the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act
• The rise of "local laws": Liability from 1,000 needles
• The National Labor Relations Board's pro-employee agenda is here
• Settlement agreements: Do's and don'ts
• Retaliation claims: Avoiding and defending them
• Is there still such a thing as justice from overwhelmed courts?

CLE:

Credits: 1
State: NY
Category: Professional Practice(suitable for transitional and non-transitional attorneys)

AGENDA

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration & Networking

12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Luncheon

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Program 

“Thinking Outside the ADR Box: Neutral Analysis and Mock Exercises”

In this program, Hon. Gregory Sleet (Ret.) will discuss often-underutilized tools in ADR: neutral analysis and mock exercises. Judge Sleet will define Neutral Analysis and explain the different options and processes counsel have (mock trials and arguments, oral or written analysis, one or a panel of neutrals), the benefits of utilizing neutral analysis, and how in-house counsel can engage with their outside counsel to be active participants in the process. This interactive program will give in-house counsel an opportunity to ask questions about the process and learn how it can be used to their advantage for various disputes and in all phases of litigation.

Speaker:

Hon. Gregory M. Sleet (Ret.) joined JAMS after serving 20 years on the bench of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, including seven years as Chief Judge. During Judge Sleet’s tenure on the District Court bench, he gained deep experience in a number of areas of complex commercial litigation, especially patent litigation involving pharmaceutical patents and a wide variety of other technologies. Judge Sleet presided over and resolved by pretrial ruling, trial, or settlement thousands of cases involving a wide variety of subject matter, including: intellectual property, antitrust, bankruptcy, class actions, business/commercial, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, products liability, and securities and tax. Judge Sleet focuses his national practice on mediations, arbitrations and neutral analysis (case evaluation, mock trial).

Before taking the federal bench in 1998, Judge Sleet acquired varied experience in civil and criminal litigation and corporate legal work. He served as the United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, as in-house counsel in the legal department of Hercules Incorporated, and as deputy attorney general handling major civil cases for the State of Delaware .Prior to that, he practiced law in Philadelphia for 14 years, six of those as an assistant public defender with the Defender Association of Philadelphia.

HEALTH, BIOTECH & PHARMA CLE WEBINAR

WEBINAR LINK:

https://accinhouse.zoom.us/j/95607229825
(Same link for both sessions)

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
"Navigating the Generative AI Landscape in Health Care and Life Sciences"
Presented by Troutman Pepper

This session will delve into the real-world application of artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI, in health care and life sciences. Our panel will share their journey of implementing generative AI, focusing on the creation and management of AI use policies. Our panelists will shed light on the critical role of legal departments and other key stakeholders in adapting to the evolving regulatory and legal landscape. They will emphasize the importance of clear AI use policies, covering aspects such as patient data privacy, ethical use, and regulatory compliance.

Speakers:

• Jim Koenig, Partner, Troutman Pepper
• Dean Forbes, Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer, DaVita
• Haris Khan, Manager, Corporate Counsel, DaVita
• Agatha O'Malley, Vice President, Global Privacy Officer, Otsuka Pharmaceutical

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
"Assessing the Practical Impact of Federal Rule Changes"
Presented by Shook Hardy & Bacon

A roundtable discussion of new and proposed changes to the Federal Rules, including the following specific topics:

First, we will discuss the amendment to Rule 702 regarding admissibility of expert testimony, including recent decisions applying and interpreting the change, and also provide thoughts and guidance as to how it can be used by defense counsel.  

Second, we will discuss the proposed amendments to Rule 16.1 concerning Multi District Litigation procedures.  

Finally, we will provide a preview of the ALI May meeting, noting potential developments that may impact the law surrounding medical monitoring and innovator liability.

Speakers:

• Adam Tolin, Partner, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
• Mark Behrens, Co-Chair, Public Policy Practice Group, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
• Phil Goldberg, Managing Partner, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
• Deirdre Kole, Assistant General Counsel, Litigation, Johnson & Johnson

Celebrate Valentine's Day as a volunteer for a Pro Bono Clinic with Legal Services of Northern Virginia 

Topic: LSNV provides free training and clinic organization for the screening and drafting of uncontested divorce documents to LSNV-eligible clients allowing them to file pro se.

Partners: Legal Services of Northern Virginia 

Clients: Low-income and disabled applicants 

When: Wednesday, Feb. 14, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Training begins at 9:30 AM (1 hour) followed by client meetings from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM.

Where: Virtual via Zoom 

Who: In-House Attorneys and Non-Attorneys. Non-Attorneys help draft and edit documents while the attorney conducts the client interview and advises on applicable law.

Experience: No specific training required 

Training: 1 hour live/virtual training session at 9:30 AM (CLE credit pending). 

Support: LSNV representative available for questions throughout the clinic.

Time: Client meeting and preparation of documents generally takes no longer than 2 hours.

Work: Volunteers will work directly with clients to advise them on whether their divorce would be contested and prepare complaints, affidavits, and draft orders of divorce during a 1-2 hour appointment.

Insurance: Provided by LSNV to all volunteers 

*Please respond by February 5th.