RopesTalk

On this episode of Women @ RopesTalk hosted by IP transactions and licensing partner Megan Baca, IP transactions partner Emily Karlberg returns for another engaging conversation, this time with Jan Sbarbaro, the chief legal & compliance officer and corporate secretary of Lyric, a platform-based healthcare technology company, committed to simplifying the business of care by preventing inaccurate payments and reducing overall waste in the healthcare ecosystem. They discuss Jan’s impressive 30-plus-year career in the legal field, her transition from litigation to in-house roles, and her current responsibilities at Lyric. Jan shares valuable insights on navigating career challenges, the importance of self-confidence, and balancing a demanding career with family life.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Megan Reitz, founder of Reitz Consulting and an Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, Oxford University. Megan, a renowned thought leader listed on the Thinkers50 ranking and HR Magazine’s Most Influential list, shares insights from her latest co-authored book, Speak Out, Listen Up: How to Have Conversations That Matter. Megan discusses the relational aspects of speaking up, the importance of creating environments that encourage open dialogue, and practical exercises to enhance listening skills. The conversation reveals stories of how organizations have driven value through speaking out and listening up. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for compliance officers, HR professionals, and business leaders looking to foster a culture of transparency and innovation. 

On this episode of Ropes & Gray's ITC-focused podcast series, Talkin' Trade, IP litigators Matt Rizzolo, Matt Shapiro, and Patrick Lavery discuss a groundbreaking Federal Circuit decision in Lashify v. ITC. This pivotal ruling challenges the ITC's longstanding approach to the economic prong of the domestic industry requirement, particularly the treatment of U.S.-based sales, marketing, and distribution activities. Tune in as they explore the implications of this decision for future Section 337 investigations, the potential expansion of complainants eligible to file at the ITC, and the broader impact on patent litigation. 

On this special edition of Ropes & Gray’s Alumni @ RopesTalk podcast series, technology and IP transactions partner Regina Sam Penti is joined by Dr. Vasanth Sarathy, a professor of computer science at Tufts University and a Ropes & Gray alum. Together, they delve into the technical and business implications of DeepSeek, a Chinese app and model that has generated significant buzz in the AI world. They explore whether DeepSeek is a game-changer in AI, its cost advantages, and the potential impact on AI investments and startups. Dr. Sarathy also addresses the privacy and security concerns associated with DeepSeek, especially given its origins in China. Tune in to understand the reality behind the hype and what it means for businesses considering AI adoption.

On this episode of Women @ RopesTalk hosted by health care and data partner Christine Moundas, IP transactions and licensing partner Megan Baca is joined by Katy Motiey, the chief legal, administrative and sustainability officer at Extreme Networks. Katy shares her inspiring journey from her early life experiences during the Iranian Revolution to her multifaceted career in the legal industry. She discusses her new book, Imperfect, which is based on her mother's quest for equality and their family's struggles against the patriarchal customs of Iran. Katy also delves into her role in driving corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives at Extreme, offering valuable insights for aspiring leaders and authors. 

On this episode of Ropes & Gray’s Antitrust Insights podcast series, seasoned antitrust partners and former FTC and DOJ prosecutors Jonathan Klarfeld and Samer Musallam discuss significant changes—and their substantial impact on businesses—to the Hart-Scott-Rodino (“HSR”) rules, which went into effect on February 10, 2025, with private equity transactions partner Chau Le. The discussion covers expanded data and disclosure requirements, enhanced business and competition documents, and increased scrutiny of prior acquisitions. They also offer practical advice on navigating these new rules, emphasizing the importance of early engagement with antitrust counsel and diligent compliance efforts. *Since the recording of this podcast, the new FTC Chair, Andrew Ferguson, has publicly endorsed the new HSR rules. 

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Tal Freilich, the vice president of group governance, risk and compliance at DKSH. The discussion delves into the complexities of managing compliance across diverse markets, the impact of cultural differences on compliance practices, and the innovative use of AI and data analytics in compliance programs. Tal shares his insights on building trust, fostering open communication, and enabling business operations through effective compliance strategies. Tal notes some great examples of both successful initiatives, and ideas that haven’t worked, embracing the idea of learning from failures. 

On this episode of Ropes & Gray’s podcast series Controlling Opinions, life sciences regulatory and compliance partner Josh Oyster and counsel Beth Weinman are joined by health care partner Brett Friedman and litigation and enforcement partner Andrew O’Connor to discuss what’s to come in 2025 under the new Trump administration on key issues relating to controlled substances. The discussion covers: 

• The DEA’s potential rescheduling of cannabis and the ongoing administrative hearing process.
• Updates on telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances, including new rules and proposed regulations.
• Latest enforcement developments from the DOJ related to controlled substance prescribing via telemedicine, including notable cases and implications for the future.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on these critical topics and stay informed about the latest legal and regulatory changes in the life sciences and health care industries. 

On this episode of the R&G Dugout podcast, Ropes & Gray asset management partners Lindsey Goldstein and Jon Rash explore the upsurge of private funds raising capital for investment in sports teams and businesses. They discuss the various structures of sports funds, the challenges of valuing sports assets, and the unique considerations for investing in U.S. sports leagues and teams. Tune in to understand how private capital is navigating this dynamic industry and the innovative fund structures emerging in response.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Letitia Adu-Ampoma, a seasoned compliance professional with extensive experience in designing and implementing ethics and compliance programs across multiple continents. Letitia shares her invaluable insights on the importance of contextualizing and operationalizing global compliance to local cultures. She emphasizes the need for organizations to understand and adapt to cultural nuances, including demographics, linguistic nuances, and technology, to ensure the effectiveness of their compliance programs. Through engaging anecdotes and practical examples, Letitia illustrates how cultural differences can impact compliance outcomes and the importance of localizing training and policies. Tune in to learn how to navigate the complexities of global compliance, the significance of cultural awareness, and strategies for integrating local insights into your compliance framework.