The LAW Podcast Series

Episode 49 of the LAW Podcast Series features Mathilde Croze, co-Managing Partner at Lerins in Paris, France.

She is an experienced French-American attorney specializing in Technology, Innovation, Data Privacy and Intellectual Property as well as Tech M&A and regulated digital matters requiring strong and in-deph technical skills, expertise and industry knowledge. Her work encompasses IT contracting, IP licensing, advice in digital activities and consumer law issues for a wide range of clients from French startups to foreign companies wanting to enter the EU / French market but also including large international groups.

With a strong expertise in data privacy laws, she advises clients on privacy, cybersecurity and regulation compliance. She is an agile high-performing expert used to working in fast-paced dynamic business environments.

Her work highlights include:

• Contract structuring, drafting and negotiating (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, license, maintenance, hosting etc.)
• IP licensing and transfer including Tech M&A
• E-commerce, online activities, apps
• Artificial Intelligence – AI / Big Data
• Strategic legal advice and training
• Legal leadership and support as part-time legal counsel on a daily basis
• Localization of legal documentation and cross-jurisdictional matters
• MedTechs, FinTechs, InsurTechs, FoodTechs, RetailTechs, PropTechs, HRTechs etc.
• Data Privacy compliance programs, assistance to audits, controls and claims.
• Data Privacy Agreements (DPA), Privacy Impact Analysis (PIA), Complex Data Privacy Strategies.
• Acting as Data Privacy Officer and Representative in the EU for foreign companies under GDPR.
• Valuation, protection and defense of intangible IP assets.
• M&A and venture on Tech / IP companies and startups.

Episode 48 of the LAW Podcast Series features Anthony Hunt and Monika Byrska, partners at Howard Kennedy in London, UK.

Anthony Hunt heads the Corporate Real Estate team at Howard Kennedy, which focuses on the real estate sector, acting for domestic and international investors and developers, in particular in the hotel, retail, restaurant and leisure sectors. 

As Head of Corporate Real Estate, Anthony plays a lead role in the operation and development of the firm’s fast growing corporate real estate practice and especially its recognised expertise in the hotels and leisure sector. 

He is also one of the lead corporate partner contacts for M&A, as well as the firm’s international practice and its two referral networks and sits on the Exco of Lawyers Associated Worldwide.

Anthony acts for private and listed companies and entrepreneurs and he works closely with several international high net worth clients. 

He advises clients on all aspects of corporate finance, domestic and international listings, takeovers, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, MBOs and MBIs. 

He also supports clients with turnaround and pre-pack, public and private fund raising, secured lending, acquisition finance, tax-related products and collective investments schemes advice and guidance.

He works on all types of corporate transactions including domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity and venture capital, corporate finance, including AIM, domestic and international wealth protection and private and corporate banking.

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Monika Byrska is a bilingual solicitor specialising in trust, will and estate disputes at Howard Kennedy. 

Monika advises in all types of private client disputes. This includes: will challenges, Inheritance Act claims, disputes relating to the administration of estates, actions against trustees and personal representatives, promissory estoppel claims, trust disputes between co-owners of a property, and application for directions in administration of trusts and estates. As a STEP-qualified practitioner, she is uniquely qualified to assist with both contentious and non-contentious aspects of trust and estate administration. She therefore also represents personal representatives and trustees advising on the administration of trusts and estates, which are complex or entangled in disputes.

As Monika often meets clients when they are going through their most difficult times, she aims to put them at ease with her straightforward and compassionate approach. She has passion and years of experience in resolving what may seem to be the most impossible disputes over wealth.

She is bilingual and able to service clients in Polish. With a background in linguistics and interpretation, Monika also has a working knowledge of a couple other European languages.

She is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and an associate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She holds a STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Estates, Advanced Certificate in Cross Border Estates and Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes. She is also a member of the STEP Contentious Trusts and Estates Special Interest Group and ConTrA, a network for Contentious Trusts Associates.

Episode 47 of the LAW Podcast Series features Ron Xu & Winnie Li, Partners at Sphere Logic Partners in Xiamen, China.

Ron Xu has long provided comprehensive commercial legal consultation to multinational companies and foreign-invested enterprises. He has extremely rich experience in representing and protecting these clients’ legal and commercial interests in China. He also represents and assists Chinese institutions in their cross-border legal affairs all year round. and business matters. Ron has been engaged in intellectual property legal services in multiple dimensions since he started practicing in 1999, from rights acquisition to rights protection, from intellectual property management to intellectual property transactions. He has represented and served multinational companies and other leading enterprises in many industries.

In recent years, Ron has been committed to helping various enterprises plan, design and implement their domestic and international intellectual property strategies, facilitating large Chinese and foreign clients to seek and evaluate cross-border technology and intellectual property transaction opportunities and assisting them in completing transactions, and supporting those who are involved in forward-looking technology fields. The landing and application of breakthrough innovations of start-ups from various countries in the global market.

Ron Xu is currently a part-time tutor for postgraduate students at Xiamen University Law School and teaches there. He co-authored the first English-language legal textbook of its kind in China, "International Business Law" (published by Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press), and co-authored a chapter on intellectual property. He was awarded the title of "U.S.-China Outstanding Youth" by the National Committee on U.S. China Relations and the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, and continues to actively promote Sino-U.S. non-governmental diplomacy.   

Ron can work and speaks in multiple languages including Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Hokkien and English.

Winnie Li joined Sphere Logic Partners right after graduation. She is mainly responsible for all kinds of litigation disputes in the civil and commercial fields and has rich experience in litigation cases. Winnie can also provide clients with all kinds of non-litigation legal services and special legal services related to foreign laws, and serves as a long-term legal adviser for many companies. The companies served by Winnie are mainly manufacturing companies, import and export trading companies, logistics and shipping companies, freight forwarding companies, etc. The services include daily affairs related to production, trade, logistics, and freight forwarding, resolution of foreign-related disputes, and corporate risk prevention and control.

Winnie combines her rich long-term legal consulting service experience and litigation experience, combines law with business, and is committed to providing professional and efficient legal services that promote transactions and prevent and control risks for corporate clients in the supply chain such as shipping, logistics, and trade. At the same time, Winnie is also responsible for handling domestic litigation disputes and foreign-related commercial arbitration for supply chain clients, and safeguarding the commercial and legal interests of clients.

Winnie’s working languages ​​are English & Mandarin.

Founded in April 2000, Sphere Logic Partners (SLP) is headquartered in Xiamen, Fujian Province.

It also has branches in Quanzhou & Fuzhou, Fujian Province. It is a comprehensive law firm that focuses on providing commercial legal services.

SLP focus on routine lawyer business such as litigation and arbitration, corporate, criminal defense & government legal counsel, SLP has also operates in the fields of supply chain, intellectual property, foreign related and cross-border affairs, customs affairs & trade compliance, corporate liquidation and bankruptcy.

Episode 46 of the LAW Podcast Series features Dr Patrizia Chwalisz & Rolf Hartmann, Co-Chairs of the European Employment Group (EEG).

This episode is a celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the EEG. We discuss the reasons why the group was formed, some of the achievements over the past 10 years and what the future looks like for the group.

The LAW European Employment Group is made up of experienced labour and employment lawyers from more than 20 jurisdictions. Working across all industry sectors, our members provide the full range of labour and employment law services.

Visit https://europeanemploymentlaw.eu/ for more information.

Episode 45 of the LAW Podcast Series features Pierre Chauvette, managing partner at TCJ in Montreal, Canada.

Pierre practices in the field of real estate. He is involved in various projects concerning expropriation, municipal taxation and property assessment, areas in which he has developed a particular expertise. He advises clients on leases, commercial transactions and landlord/tenant relationships.  

Pierre also works in commercial law, and more specifically international affairs.  He assists Canadian clients doing business abroad as well as European and African companies doing business in Canada. He is also competent to act in international arbitration (ICC).
Thanks to his experiences and his numerous business trips on the African continent since 2004, he supports companies of all kinds in their projects including local implementation, negotiation of contractual agreements, infrastructure construction, real estate and institutional development.

He is committed with his team to deploy with integrity all his efforts to the satisfaction of his clients.  His goal is to support them in their growth throughout their active life and the life of their company.

Enjoy episode 45 of the LAW Podcast Series with Pierre Chauvette.

Episode 44 of the LAW Podcast Series features Bill Savarino, partner at Cordatis Law in Washington D.C.

Bill has been practicing law since 1983 where he commenced his career in Kentucky.

He works in the areas of:

He is a member of both the Virginia and District of Columbia Bars.

Enjoy episode 44 of the LAW Podcast Series with Bill Savarino.

Episode 43 of the LAW Podcast Series features Skyler Stuckey, partner at Gray Reed in Dallas, Texas.

Bringing a distinct, client-first mindset and innovative perspective to every legal matter, Skyler’s work is focused on commercial litigation and appellate practice, from briefing through oral argument.

In his litigation practice, Skyler uses a highly collaborative approach to help businesses and individuals resolve conflict. He has achieved successful outcomes in a wide variety of commercial litigation matters in Texas state courts, federal courts nation-wide and in foreign jurisdictions. With clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies, closely-held businesses and municipalities to banks, startups and individuals, he has worked on a full-range of commercial matters including fiduciary litigation, contract disputes, partnership and governance disputes, defamation, and complex torts. He also focuses on cutting edge areas of modern business and its related legal developments, including e-commerce and developing technology, internet and new media, data privacy regulation at the national and international level, and developing regulations and governance of environmental, societal and governance (ESG) matters.

In his appellate practice, Skyler provides support to the firm’s other trial lawyers, researching complex issues, ensuring the preservation of appealable error, drafting dispositive motions and appellate briefing, and arguing appeals. Given his background as a trial lawyer, he is able to approach appellate matters holistically, and has a deep understanding of appellate needs from inception through verdict at the trial level.   

Before joining the firm, Skyler served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Ken Molberg in the 95th District Court in Dallas and the Honorable Robert Junell in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Prior to entering the practice of law, Skyler worked as a professional actor in Los Angeles and Europe, and he brings the same creative energy to his practice today.

Episode 42 of the LAW Podcast Series features Matthew Pelkey, managing partner at Colligan Law in Buffalo, New York.

Matthew is a business attorney representing investors, high-growth startups, innovative entrepreneurs, and established public and private businesses throughout New York State. From raising capital, structuring deals, regulatory compliance, and securities offerings, to advising clients on internal investigations, conflict resolution, and crisis management. Clients choose Matthew over competitors because he understands what it is like to launch and grow a business and can navigate complex legal issues with practical business considerations.

Matthew is an active member of the Western New York startup ecosystem dedicating time to helping organizations such as Upstate Venture Connect, TechStars, Startup Grind, Founder’s Institute, LaunchNY, 43North, and Blackstone Launchpad. Outside of the startup community, Matthew is also a strong advocate for sustainable land use and community development where he serves on several boards and committees for local nonprofits dedicated to regeneration of Western New York.

As a faculty member at the University at Buffalo School of Law, Matthew teaches startup law and innovation through the Entrepreneurship Law Center. He is a regular lecturer to faculty, students, and founders on how to start and grow a business, and the various legal issues that can present challenges along the way.

Matthew’s dedication to business and community has resulted in being recognized as the 2019 Buffalo News Next Generation Professional; 2018 Buffalo Business First 40 Under 40; 2018-2019 Super Lawyers Rising Star; 2018 Finalist for Upstate Capital Association of New York Dealmaker of the Year Transactional Professional; Three-time finalist for Upstate Venture Connect Community Catalyst Award; 2016 Emerging Business Leader Award by the Amherst Chamber of Commerce; and the 2014 Young Professional Leadership Award by the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.

Episode 41 of the LAW Podcast Series features Ricardo Lacaz Martins partner at Lacaz Martins, Pereira Neto, Gurevich & Schoueri in São Paulo, Brazil.

Ricardo Lacaz Martins graduated with a law degree from São Paulo university in 1990. He also holds a Masters in tax law and a PhD in tax law which were both also obtained from the same university.

Ricardo's areas of expertise include tax consulting, mergers & acquisitions, structured operations and real estate business, succession planning, corporate and wealth management.

Ricardo speaks three languages including English, Spanish & French and in 2011 he authored the book "Taxation of Real Estate Income".

Episode 40 of the LAW Podcast Series features Anthony Idigbe, senior partner at Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors in Lagos, Nigeria.

Dr. Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe is the Senior Partner at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors. He is also involved with consultancy, business and human capital development through its Canadian affiliate, PUNUKA Consulting Inc. 

He has over 39 years of experience in corporate governance, insolvency, business restructuring, arbitration, dispute resolution, privatization, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, and oil and gas. He has advised clients on several complex transactions. He was licensed to practice law in Nigeria in 1983 and Ontario, Canada, in June 2016, appointed Notary Public in 1989 and elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 2000. He holds a doctorate in cross-border insolvency from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His dissertation was on Norm Life Cycle Theory and the role of INSOL International in shaping the 1997 UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency. 

He is a member of the Board of Directors (Trustees) of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL) and chairs the Board of Trustees of Dominican University, Ibadan. He is a fellow of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD), INSOL International, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) and the International Bar Association (IBA). In addition, he is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria (ICCN), and International Insolvency Institute (III).

He is an experienced corporate director knowledgeable in global capital market operations and business restructuring. He chaired Capital Hotel Plc (2017 – 2022) and currently chairs Ikeja Hotel Plc and The Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc, all listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). He is also a director of Royal Exchange Plc, listed on NGX and chairs the Statutory Audit Committee of Seplat Energy Plc, listed on NGX and the London Stock Exchange (LSE). He was elected the President of the Asaba Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ASACCIMA) in 2022 and is the 1ST Deputy President of the Delta State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA). He holds a Corporate Director Certificate from Harvard Business School, a certificate in Blockchain Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Business from Emeritus Business School. 

Idigbe is the founder of the Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA). He chaired the 2017 Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Legal Profession Regulation Review Committee, which reviewed the regulation of the legal profession in Nigeria. In 2013 he was appointed the National Coordinator for Nigeria, World Bank Global Forum of Law, Justice and Development Project on Treatment of Shareholders' Rights in Insolvency of Companies (2013 to 2014); and in 2012 a Member of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force set up by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

In addition, he chaired the Technical Drafting Committee for the Bill that became the Investment and Securities Act 2007. He recently chaired the review committee for the same law resulting in the Investment and Securities Bill now before the National Assembly. As a consultant to the Bureau of Public Enterprises, he and now Hon Justice Nnamdi Dimgba drafted the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Bill now Act relating to anti-trust and competition law in Nigeria.