Disputes in Perspective

Navigating apparent conflicts of interest, with Kasturi Venkatesh

Niyati Ahuja sits down with Kasturi Venkatesh, currently senior consultant for ethics and compliance at WSP USA, to discuss the complexities of conflicts of interest in professional settings. This episode examines the distinctions between real, potential and apparent conflicts, and how these issues can impact organizational trust and integrity. Listeners will gain actionable strategies for navigating ethical dilemmas and mitigating risks with transparency and fairness.

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Looking toward 2025: The future of labor and employment laws and regulations

Reed Smith labor and employment partners Cindy Schmitt Minniti, John McDonald and Mark Goldstein discuss significant employment law updates, including the Department of Labor overtime rule being struck down, future expectations for non-compete agreements, anticipated reversals of National Labor Relations Board decisions and key upcoming Supreme Court cases. The partners also provide guidance on what employers should do before the end of Q1 2025.

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Exploring ADR across borders with Eric Ives

Reed Smith’s Niyati Ahuja interviews Eric Ives – Attorney Advisor, International at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel’s Commercial Law Development Program – about his global work in advancing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Eric shares his journey from private practice to public service, discussing the unique challenges of adapting international ADR standards to diverse markets in Central Asia, Pakistan and the MENA.

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Section 1782 explained: Guidance on a powerful tool for international disputes

In this episode, Ed Mullins and Rebeca Mosquera explore the complexities of section 1782, a powerful tool for obtaining U.S.-based evidence for foreign proceedings. They discuss the various types of evidence that can be requested, the requirements and procedures for filing applications, and how to respond to such discovery orders for the defense. With insights from recent Supreme Court rulings, they analyze the implications for practitioners and offer practical advice on leveraging section 1782 effectively in the evolving legal landscape.

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The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: Extension of corporate criminal liability

There are two new corporate offences under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: the senior manager offence and the failure to prevent fraud offence. London-based Global Regulatory Enforcement partners Rosanne Kay and Patrick Rappo are joined by London senior associate Emma Shafton to discuss the new offences and their relevance to disputes lawyers.

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The evolving landscape of global ESG litigation and regulation

In the U.S. and UK, issues relating to ESG risks are expanding and evolving rapidly and continually for commercial entities. Organizations have a part to play in promoting good ESG conduct, but this comes with the responsibility of managing potential liability and litigation. In this podcast, Tom Webley, partner in our Global Commercial Disputes Group in London, Mark Goldstein, partner in our Labor and Employment Group in New York, and Mark Pring, partner in our Insurance Recovery Group in London, discuss topical issues relating to ESG risks and steps directors can take to mitigate these risks in both the UK and U.S.

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Mediating your dispute: Developments and trends in ADR in England and Wales

Parties have always been encouraged to explore ways to resolve their disputes outside litigation. There has been a significant shift in how litigation is pursued in England and Wales, with the move to integrate alternative dispute resolution (ADR) into the process to help facilitate resolution at the earliest opportunity.

In this podcast, Oliver Rawkins, Catherine Lewis and George Pissarro discuss the recent shift in the move to more formally integrate ADR into the proceedings, including the impact of the Court of Appeal’s decision in Churchill v. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in 2023 and further recent jurisprudence on ADR issues.

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FTC’s proposed nationwide ban on non-compete agreements

Brad Funari, Mark Goldstein, and Michelle Mantine discuss the Federal Trade Commission’s recent proposed rule that would ban employers from imposing non-compete agreements on their workers and what that could mean for worker mobility, wages, and the way future compensation agreements are structured.

18 months later – Emerging themes from the English trial witness statement reforms in practice

Over 18 months has now passed since the introduction of a major reform to the process for preparing trial witness statements in the English Business and Property Courts. Counsel Oliver Rawkins and Knowledge Management lawyer Daniel Newbound explore the key themes emerging now that the reforms have been put into practice, such as: compliance levels by litigants; what sanctions the court will impose in practice; challenging defective statements; and the new approach to documentary evidence.

Biometrics 201: Why it matters and how to safeguard your company

Michael Galibois, Natsayi Mawere, and Ginevra Ventre describe the importance of biometric data and provide an overview of relevant state and federal regulations, including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. They go on to discuss recent litigation in this ever-evolving space.