Goodwin CLE Day

Aren’t You Glad 2020 Is Over?

A Look Back  this presentation, hear about the Federal Circuit and Supreme Court patent cases you may have missed.

Andy Ong, Partner, Goodwin

Blockchain + Digital Assets in 2021

The blockchain and digital asset landscape continued to evolve in 2020. DeFi grew exponentially, venture funds are highly active, state and international jurisdictions are vying for crypto business, a crypto lawyer is head of the OCC, and Bitcoin has almost become mainstream. With the SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, DOJ, and the IRS exercising jurisdiction over aspects of blockchain-based businesses, as well as over off-shore companies and individuals, this presentation will address the many issues to consider when deciding how to structure and finance a business, acquire a blockchain company, or assess liability from investing in a blockchain project, as well an overview of the regulatory environment.

Speakers:
Grant Fondo, Partner, Goodwin
Karen Ubell, Partner, Goodwin
Mitzi Chang, Partner, Goodwin

The Pandemic Workforce: Employer Considerations for the Permanent Remote Employee

At the outset of the pandemic, most employers suspended concerns about the legal ramifications of having their workforce working remotely. Now, as we anticipate an extended remote work environment, or even employees seeking to work remotely on a permanent basis, employers must be mindful of potential legal implications of a distributed workforce. With employees spreading out into new jurisdictions, employers need to be concerned about establishing a taxable presence in states in which they now have employees working 6+ months of the year. This presentation will discuss issues contributing to payroll taxes and other state social benefit programs; ensuring that payroll and employment practices comply with state and local law; reimbursing business expenses incurred by employees; mitigating risk of off-the-clock work for non-exempt employees; protecting trade secrets and confidential information; and managing performance.

Speaker:
Koray Bulut, Partner, Goodwin  

Diversity in the Boardroom and Beyond

A great deal of attention has been paid to board diversity — or lack thereof — in recent months. California enacted AB-979, which expanded upon California’s earlier gender diversity law and requires boards to make strides in other types of diversity, including considering racial and ethnic minorities. The law requires every public company with securities listed on a major U.S. stock exchange and that has its principal executive office in California, as listed on its form 10-K annual report, to have at least one director from an underrepresented community on its board by the end of the 2021 calendar year, and upwards of three directors from an underrepresented community on its board by the end of the 2022 calendar year. This presentation will discuss the implications and regulatory consequences of this growing trend and the importance of diversity beyond mandated requirements.

Speakers:
Neel Chatterjee, Partner, Goodwin
David Chun, Founder & CEO, Equilar

The Hollywood Lawyer: How Popular TV Perpetuates the Idea That Lawyers Are Unethical

Lawyers are often represented in movies and television as people who are dealing with depression and anxiety, and often portrayed as unethical and incompetent. In this presentation, we will discuss issues of lawyer ethics and competence using examples from popular movies and television shows. We will decipher fact vs. fiction and how situations might play out in the real world.

Speakers:
Rachel Walsh, Partner, Goodwin
Natasha Daughtrey, Partner, Goodwin

Cannabis Industry Disputes: Litigation Trends and Risk Mitigation Strategies

As a result of the November 2020 elections, the number of states that have legalized cannabis for adult use will increase from 11 to 15 and the number of states with legal cannabis for medical purposes will increase from 34 to 36. With the cannabis industry growing, this presentation will cover the primary litigation risks facing cannabis companies and their investors, and ways to minimize those risks. Topics will include contract cases in federal court, post-transaction disputes, trademark litigation, the TCPA and consumer class actions.

Speakers:
Jennifer Fisher, Partner, Goodwin
Brett Schuman, Partner, Goodwin