RopesTalk

On this retrospective episode of the Culture & Compliance Chronicles podcast, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, reflect on the key themes and insights from season one. They emphasize the importance of culture in driving compliance and regulatory practices, highlighting discussions with various guests who shared their experiences and strategies. Key themes include the significance of contextualizing culture, humanizing compliance, and using data intentionally to inform decisions. The hosts also share practical tips and exercises for maintaining focus and creativity in the compliance space. As they look forward to the next season, they challenge the community to bring new ideas and perspectives to the conversation. Tune in to hear their reflections and stay curious about the evolving landscape of business, compliance and culture.

On this bonus episode of Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab’s Multidimensional Data Reversion podcast series, Shannon Capone Kirk and David Yanofsky are joined by Michelle DiMartino, a cultural psychologist, to discuss the challenges and human factors involved in AI adoption. Michelle provides insights into the psychological responses to AI, explaining how high-stakes, time-pressured environments can lead to mental shortcuts and differing reactions to ambiguity. The discussion covers three critical frames for understanding AI implementation: the technology itself, human interpretation and interaction with AI outputs, and the organizational culture and governance surrounding AI tools. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on how to navigate the evolving landscape of AI, including strategies for effective AI rollout, risk management, and fostering a culture that supports responsible AI use.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, health care partner Michael Lampert and counsel Sam Perrone are joined by litigation & enforcement partner Andrew O’Connor for a two-part discussion, with this first episode focused on recent enforcement activity and broker arrangements in the Medicare Advantage (“MA”) space. They delve into the Oak Street settlement, the Office of Inspector General’s (“OIG”) Special Fraud Alert, and a recent Department of Justice (“DOJ”) False Claims Act (“FCA”) suit against major Medicare Advantage plans and brokers. The conversation covers the complex regulatory framework governing broker arrangements, the implications of recent enforcement actions, and practical takeaways for providers. Listen in for an insightful analysis of these critical issues affecting the health care industry, and stay tuned for part two, where the focus will shift to enforcement in the patient assistance program space.

On this episode of the R&G Dugout podcast, Ropes & Gray intellectual property transactions partner and a leader of the firm’s sports industry initiative Erica Han is joined by tax attorneys Gil Ghatan, Kendi Ozmon and Franziska Hertel, who lead the firm’s tax-exempt organizations practice. Together, they discuss the tax implications of the House v. NCAA settlement, including the rules that permit colleges and universities to pay student athletes for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Tune in to understand the compliance challenges for schools seeking to create opportunities for their student athletes and athletics programs through NIL deals.

On this episode of Ropes & Gray’s Alumni @ RopesTalk podcast, employment, executive compensation, and benefits partner Megan Bisk is joined by alum Dan Krockmalnic, chief operating officer and general counsel at Boston Globe Media. Dan shares his journey from Big Law to his current leadership role, discussing his transition from litigation associate to COO and GC, his experiences producing award-winning content like Murder in Boston, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Tune in to hear Dan's insights on career development, the importance of mentorship, and his advice for young lawyers.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Nicole Rose, a compliance specialist and creative artist based in Australia who shares her unique insights on how creativity helps solve compliance challenges. Nicole discusses the concept of "moneyballing" in compliance, emphasizing the importance of data-driven, effective controls that add value to the business. She also highlights the significance of humanizing compliance training and making it relevant and engaging for employees. Tune in to explore Nicole's innovative approaches, including her experiences with cultural nuances in compliance and the power of simplicity and relationships in driving compliance success.

On this episode of Fully Invested, Ropes & Gray asset management partner Jessica Marlin and capital markets counsel Marc Rotter discuss ’34 Act Registered Private Funds. These funds register under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and disclose information publicly, while remaining exempt from the Investment Company Act of 1940. Jessica and Marc explore the funds’ features and differences in comparison to traditional private funds.

On this third episode of Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab’s four-part Multidimensional Data Reversion podcast series, Shannon Capone Kirk and David Yanofsky discuss the crucial steps in the iterative cycle of data analysis, visualization, and insight. They delve into the complexity of using free text in data analysis, explaining how unstructured text differs from structured data and the challenges it presents. The conversation also covers methods to analyze free text, including the use of rubrics, sentiment analysis, and self-scoring. They highlight the significance of understanding emotions and psychological safety when collecting and analyzing data. Additionally, they address the current limitations and potential of generative AI in data analysis, providing a realistic view of its capabilities and costs.

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, Alyssa Horton and Colleen Meyer, both counsel in the private funds regulatory group, explore the recent SEC staff guidance on the Marketing Rule. They discuss the new FAQs issued on March 19, 2025, which address the presentation of investment-level returns and investment characteristics. Colleen and Alyssa provide a comprehensive overview of the history behind these FAQs, the operational challenges faced by advisers, and the significant changes brought by the new guidance. Listen in to gain valuable insights on how to effectively implement these updates in your marketing materials and ensure compliance with the Marketing Rule.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Dina Denham Smith, an accomplished leader, executive coach, and author, to discuss her new book, Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work. Dina shares insights on the heightened emotional demands on leaders, strategies for managing emotions in the workplace, and the importance of compassionate detachment. They also explore the concept of emotional contagion and how leaders can balance authenticity with the need to maintain team morale (or “with the need to preserve their own self-care”).