Sheppard Mullin's French Insider: Recent Episodes

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In the second of this two-part episode of French Insider, host Karl Buhler continues his conversation with Nicolas Nemeth, founder and CEO of Bonne et Filou, the French-inspired luxury "lifestyle" brand for dogs, and co-founder of Dumbo Health, a health tech startup focused on sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. They discuss the mission behind Dumbo Health, the outdated state of sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment in the U.S., how the company is using AI to optimize a process that traditionally takes months into a matter of minutes, and what it means to build an "AI-native" company today.

What we discuss in this episode:

• The mission behind Dumbo Health and the scale of the sleep apnea problem in the U.S.
• Why the current sleep apnea patient journey is slow, fragmented and difficult to navigate
• How Dumbo Health is digitizing diagnosis and treatment, from telehealth to at-home testing and device delivery
• Using AI and patient data to proactively coach patients and improve treatment adherence
• What it means to build an "AI-native" company versus simply integrating AI into existing workflows
• The shift from traditional software development to AI-driven, agent-based building processes
• How AI is reshaping investor priorities
• The cybersecurity risks that come with building fast in an AI-driven world
• The challenges of fundraising as a healthcare company in a market fixated on AI-agentic valuations

About Karl Buhler

As an associate with the Corporate and Securities practice group and French Desk in Sheppard's New York office, Karl Buhler focuses on domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and complex commercial agreements in industries such as technology, communications, life sciences, energy, defense and aerospace. In particular, he advises foreign companies with the installation and development of their operations in the United States.

About Nicolas Nemeth

Nicolas Nemeth is the co-founder of Dumbo Health, a digital sleep clinic that allows patients to skip the sleep lab and bring the entire obstructive sleep apnea journey home, and the Founder & CEO of Bonne et Filou, the first French-inspired luxury "lifestyle" brand for pets in the United States focused on delivering high-quality, luxury and innovative products in the pet industry.

Nico began his career as an investment banker in LBO and M&A with 7 years of previous experience in New York City. He closed dozens of transactions worth a total of $5.0+ billion in secured financing, with a focus on Healthcare and Consumer deals. He is fluent in English and French with international experience gained in NYC, Boston, Paris and Melbourne. He has been living in New York City since 2011.

Contact Information

Nicolas Nemeth

Karl Buhler

Additional Resources

Dumbo Health

Bonne et Filou

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In the first of this two-part episode of French Insider, host Karl Buhler is joined by Nicolas Nemeth, founder and CEO of Bonne et Filou, the French-inspired luxury "lifestyle" brand for dogs, and co-founder of Dumbo Health, a health tech startup focused on sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. They discuss Nicolas' journey to building a distinctive consumer brand from the ground up, the realities of bootstrapping and scaling a niche luxury business, the lessons learned from banking, and what it takes to pivot a company toward sustainability and growth.

What we discuss in this episode:

• The mindset shift required to leave a stable career and take on entrepreneurial risk
• Early go-to-market challenges and how press, trade shows and TV appearances can help build brand visibility
• The business model behind luxury, gift-driven consumer products and the difficulty of scaling profitably in that category
• Lessons learned from raising capital, bootstrapping with personal funds and pivoting toward profitability
• Bonne et Filou's evolution into private-label partnerships with luxury brands and hospitality groups
• How skills from investment banking, such as corporate finance and deal structuring, translate into running a company
• The personal toll of entrepreneurship, including the impact on work-life balance and relationships

About Karl Buhler

As an associate with the Corporate and Securities Practice Group and French Desk in Sheppard Mullin's New York Office, Karl Buhler focuses on domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and complex commercial agreements in industries such as technology, communications, life sciences, energy, defense and aerospace. In particular, he advises foreign companies with the installation and development of their operations in the United States.

About Nicolas Nemeth

Nicolas Nemeth is the co-founder of Dumbo Health, a digital sleep clinic that allows patients to skip the sleep lab and bring the entire obstructive sleep apnea journey home, and the Founder & CEO of Bonne et Filou, the first French-inspired luxury "lifestyle" brand for pets in the United States focused on delivering high-quality, luxury and innovative products in the pet industry.

Nico began his career as an investment banker in LBO and M&A with 7 years of previous experience in New York City. He closed dozens of transactions worth a total of $5.0+ billion in secured financing, with a focus on Healthcare and Consumer deals. He is fluent in English and French with international experience gained in NYC, Boston, Paris and Melbourne. He has been living in New York City since 2011.

Contact Information

Nicolas Nemeth

Karl Buhler

Additional Resources

Dumbo Health

Bonne et Filou

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Swiss-American winemaker Jean Hoefliger joins host Karl Buhler to discuss the latest trends, challenges and global shifts shaping the U.S. wine market. They explore everything from champagne's continued popularity and Napa's reputation to French investment influences and the evolving business models behind American wineries.

Discussion Topics

• Status of the U.S. wine market today
• How the industry is still feeling the aftershocks of COVID-19, from production to sales channels
• U.S. wine's standing in the global market
• Napa Valley's unique place in the U.S. and international wine markets
• Winery valuation and current trends in bottle sales
• Why champagne continues to trend and remain so desirable among American consumers
• What's drawing French investors and wine houses to the U.S. market, and the impact they are having on production, branding and vineyard practices
• Recent collaborations between French investors and American winemakers, and what both sides are learning from each other
• The biggest challenges and opportunities that wineries, importers and investors face in the coming years
• Will new drinking habits persist, or could the industry reinvent itself again

About Karl Buhler

As an associate with the Corporate and Securities Practice Group and French Desk in Sheppard Mullin's New York Office, Karl Buhler focuses on domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and complex commercial agreements in industries such as technology, communications, life sciences, energy, defense and aerospace. In particular, he advises foreign companies with the installation and development of their operations in the United States.

About Jean Hoefliger

Born in Switzerland, Jean Hoefliger worked in vineyards and wineries throughout the world before landing in Napa Valley in 2001. After working for 15 years as a winemaker, he switched to consulting, and today has consulted with over 25 brands spanning the globe—from California, Oregon and Washington to Italy, Switzerland, and Australia.

Contact Information

Jean Hoefliger

Karl Buhler

Additional Resources

JH Wine Consulting

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Melissa Hughes, a senior associate in Sheppard Mullin's Labor and Employment Practice Group and member of the French Desk, joins us to explore the use of AI for automated decision-making throughout the employment life cycle, including the associated risks and how they can be mitigated.

What we discussed in this episode:

• How does AI interact with the workplace?
• From an employment perspective, where does AI carry the most risk?
• Why is the use of AI in employment decisions particularly concerning?
• How can employers mitigate the risks associated with AI tools?
• What should employers consider when selecting an AI tool?
• Does the U.S. have any AI regulations comparable to the E.U.'s AI Act?
• What U.S. trends should employers be aware of?
• What advice would you give companies as they roll out AI tools or increase the use of AI to do business?

Disclaimer: This episode was recorded prior to the signing of Executive Order 14365, "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence." As a result, some discussions may not reflect the policies or guidance established by this order.

About Melissa Hughes

As a senior associate in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's San Francisco office, Mellissa Hughes defends and counsels employers in a range of disputes, involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, failure to accommodate, wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, PAGA actions, and class actions. She also has traditional labor law experience, including arbitration, unfair labor practice proceedings, and litigation under the National Labor Relations Act.

Melissa represents employers of all sizes in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, and every phase of litigation, from pre-suit strategy through post-trial motions. She also serves as a trusted advisor on day-to-day workplace issues, including disability accommodations, leaves of absence, performance management, workplace investigations, and compliance with California's complex wage and hour laws.

As a member of Sheppard Mullin's French Desk, Melissa advises French companies and groups operating in or expanding to the U.S. on a full range of employment and personnel matters in both French and English.

About Inès Briand

Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin's Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm's Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

As a member of the firm's French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, and general corporate matters, including the expansion of French companies in the United States.

Contact Information

Mellissa Hughes

Inès Briand

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Sheppard Mullin immigration attorneys Greg Berk and Christine Doyle join host Inès Briand to discuss recent developments in U.S. immigration law and their impact on both individuals and employers.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What happened with the recent White House proclamation on H-1B visas?
• How does the White House intend to change wage preferences for the H-1B lotteries?
• How will the new "Gold Card" program impact Green Card applicants and the companies that employ them?
• What are some workplace enforcement trends we're seeing for employers in the U.S.?
• What should individuals know about entering the U.S. for business purposes?
• What should they know about searches and seizures of electronic devices at U.S. ports of entry?
• What are the current trends you're seeing regarding U.S. work visas?
• What options are available to someone interested in obtaining an investor-based visa or Green Card?

About Greg Berk

Greg Berk is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Labor and Employment Practice Group and leads the firm's immigration practice from its Orange County, California office. He is certified as a Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and is the author of Immigration Checklists and Practice Pointers – A Desk Reference, published by the American Bar Association for general counsel and HR managers.

With more than 25 years of experience, Greg advises clients on all aspects of U.S. immigration law. He helps employers across the globe hire and retain foreign executives and other highly skilled professionals critical to their U.S. operations, and also represents investors in E-2, L-1, and EB-5 matters. He also counsels clients on I-9 compliance and a wide range of other immigration-related regulatory issues.

About Christine L. Doyle

Christine L. Doyle is Special Counsel in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm's Orange County office. She focuses her practice on immigration law, advising employers and their employees on a wide range of U.S. and global immigration matters. Christine has extensive experience managing employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions and regularly counsels clients on I-9 compliance and other aspects of workforce mobility and immigration strategy.

About Inès Briand

Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin's Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm's Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

As a member of the firm's French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

Contact Information

Greg Berk

Christine L. Doyle

Inès Briand

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Agathe Benoit, Chief Operating Officer and founding team member of Giftory, joins Sheppard Mullin attorneys Karl Buhler and Inès Briand to discuss the company’s business model and the challenges of launching the “experience gifting” concept in the United States.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is Giftory, what are its core offerings, and where does it operate?
• What motivated the company to expand into the corporate gifting and B2B market?
• What challenges have been faced in bringing the experience gifting concept to the U.S.?
• Given the concept of experience gifting is relatively unfamiliar in the U.S., how did you initially connect with providers, engage customers, and assemble a team?
• Does Giftory offer the same experiences across all locations, or do offerings vary by city and state?
• What criteria does the company use when deciding to partner with a provider?
• How does Giftory ensure a premium experience for both the gift giver and the recipient?
• What are the advantages of purchasing through Giftory, rather than directly from the provider?
• What key achievements and challenges stand out in the process of building and expanding the business?
• What advice would you offer others looking to launch a business in the United States?

About Agathe Benoit

Before co-founding Giftory, Agathe Benoit served as Head of Seller Operations at Back Market, the global leader in refurbished technology. There, she led a team of 20, overseeing critical areas such as sales, seller engagement, support, communications, and partnerships. Her leadership was instrumental in strengthening seller relations and achieving operational success. Previously, she spent six years as a Senior Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, advising clients on complex business challenges and strategic initiatives across multiple industries.

Earlier in her career, Agathe served as Product/Marketing Manager at OMB Labs, Teaching Assistant at Columbia University, Part-time Consultant at PRODIGY NETWORK, and Visiting Student Researcher at the University of California. She also volunteered at ASS INDE ESPOIR.

Agathe was educated at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, specializing in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, before earning an International Baccalaureate from the Centre International de Valbonne. She later attended École Polytechnique, where she earned an Engineering degree in Applied Mathematics. In 2012, she completed a Master of Science in Management Science and Engineering at Columbia University, in collaboration with Columbia Business School.

About Karl Buhler

As an associate with the Corporate and Securities Practice Group and French Desk in Sheppard Mullin’s New York Office, Karl Buhler focuses on domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and complex commercial agreements in industries such as technology, communications, life sciences, energy, defense and aerospace. In particular, he advises foreign companies with the installation and development of their operations in the United States.

Born and educated in France, Karl began his legal career in China, practicing corporate law in both Beijing and Hong Kong, with a focus on mergers, acquisitions, and project finance in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He then relocated to Paris, where he continued to focus on corporate transactions, but also expanded his expertise to international arbitrations and litigations arising from contracts and transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint venture, and infrastructure agreements.

Karl moved to New York to further build his corporate experience in cross-border transactions and disputes at a U.S.-based firm, where he worked closely with French companies implanted in the United States.

About Inès Briand

Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm’s Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

As a member of the firm’s French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

Contact Information

Agathe Benoit

Karl Buhler

Inès Briand

Additional Resources

Giftory

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Anne-Emmanuelle de Boysson, Executive Director of the French-American Chamber of Commerce California and Polina Bogdanovitch, Managing Director of the French-American Chamber of Commerce New York, join host Melissa Hughes to discuss the trends, challenges, and opportunities for French companies looking to expand into the U.S. market.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What are the objectives and recent developments pertaining to both East and West Coast French-American Chambers of Commerce (FACC)?
• How do industry focuses differ between the East and West Coasts?
• What considerations and growing opportunities should French companies looking to expand into the U.S. focus their attention on?
• What practical tips or advice can help French companies successfully market themselves and thrive after entering the U.S. market?
• Given the diversity of the United States, how crucial are tailored, region-specific business strategies?
• Which U.S. visas are most relevant for French businesses seeking to expand, and how do they differ?
• What challenges do local employment laws and immigration requirements pose, and how can businesses mitigate these obstacles?
• What advantages do local networks and regional resources offer when establishing connections in the U.S. market?
• What networking events are available through and provided by the FACC?

About Anne-Emmanuelle de Boysson

Based in San Francisco, Anne-Emmanuelle de Boysson is the Executive Director of the French-American Chamber of Commerce California, a non-profit, non-governmental, member-driven organization seeking to improve the commercial and industrial relationships between France and California.

As Executive Director, Anne-Emmanuelle oversees the FACC California’s dynamic business platform of over 200 companies and network of 5,000 plus contacts. Originally from Paris, she is a dynamic, seasoned professional with over 15 years of expertise spanning marketing and procurement.

Before joining the FACC, Anne-Emmanuelle held the role of Director of Indirect Procurement at the Estée Lauder Companies, where she spearheaded the EMEA procurement strategy for store design and construction. Prior to that, she served as the European Marketing Manager at Dyson, overseeing the launch of multiple products and driving regional marketing initiatives.

About Polina Bogdanovitch

Possessing a rich background in business development across New York and London, Polina Bogdanovitch is the Managing Director of the French-American Chamber of Commerce New York, where she fosters connections that empower French entrepreneurs to grow and prosper in the U.S and is a primary contributor to the FACC-NY’s Committees’ composition and programs.

Before stepping into her current role, Polina served as the Associate Director of Development at FACC-NY, where she led efforts in member recruitment and engagement. During her tenure, which spanned the challenges of the COVID era, Polina collaborated closely with members to enhance their U.S. commercial growth by identifying synergies within the network and fostering meaningful connections.

Prior to her time at FACC-NY, Polina held business development roles, working with technology and startup clients. Born and raised in France, she has spent over a decade living and working in the United States.

About Melissa Hughes

Based in the firm’s San Francisco office, Melissa Hughes is a senior associate in Sheppard Mullin’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, where she defends and counsels employers in a range of employment disputes.

As a litigator, Melissa represents businesses of all sizes, from pre-litigation through post-trial motion practice before state and federal courts, as well as representing employers in connection with administrative proceedings.

Additionally, Melissa serves as a trusted advisor to employers, helping to manage a broad range of employer issues such as disability accommodation, workplace investigations, California wage and hour laws, and employee leaves of absence.

Melissa is a member of the Sheppard Mullin French Desk, where she is a trusted advisor to several French groups and companies operating in or seeking to expand to the U.S. with respect to employment and personnel matters.

Contact Info:

Anne-Emmanuelle de Boysson

Polina Bogdanovitch

Melissa Hughes

Resources:

FACC California

FACC New York

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Sheppard Mullin partners Jonathan Meyer, Liisa Thomas and Carolyn Metnick join host and French Desk Co-Chair, Valérie Demont, to explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and privacy under a new Trump administration.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is CISA and what is its role in cybersecurity?
• What can we expect from the Trump administration regarding cybersecurity?
• Could we see less regulation but greater enforcement?
• Might there be more stringent regulation with respect to cyber attacks and private ransomware?
• Where does the United States currently stand in terms of privacy law?
• What is the current status of state and federal privacy laws in relation to the healthcare industry?
• In terms of privacy, where could enforcement be headed under the incoming administration?
• How do the various state attorneys general and federal agencies coordinate on enforcement?
• What enforcement trends should businesses be aware of, and what do they need to focus on?
• What specific enforcement trends are we seeing in the healthcare space?
• Generally speaking, what types of penalties could result from enforcement actions?
• Could a company’s officers and directors face personal liability, either criminal or civil?
• How might class action litigation originate from a cybersecurity or privacy incident?
• What should businesses prioritize in terms of cybersecurity and privacy compliance?

About Jonathan Meyer

As a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Governmental Practice Group and leader of the firm’s National Security team, Jonathan E. Meyer counsels clients on their interactions with federal and state government, as well as national and homeland security, Congressional oversight, cybersecurity, AI, high tech, and transportation security, among other issues.

Prior to returning to Sheppard Mullin, Jon served as the Sixth General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2021 to 2024. His decades of experience in Congress, the Justice Department and DHS position him to bring an insider’s perspective to interactions between private companies and the government. He has defended scores of Congressional investigations and has prepared witnesses for over 100 hearings, including Supreme Court nomination hearings, impeachment hearings, oversight hearings, high tech and antitrust investigations, and civil rights investigations, among others. He has also represented defendants and witnesses in high-stakes Justice Department criminal investigations.

The media – including CBS News, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Politico – regularly turn to Jon for insight into issues regarding national security, homeland security, government investigations, cybersecurity, immigration, politics and Congress. He has twice been honored with the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Outstanding Service Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by DHS, among numerous other prestigious accolades recognizing his exceptional service.

About Liisa Thomas

Liisa M. Thomas, a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Chicago and London offices, serves as the Leader of the firm's Privacy and Cybersecurity Team and as the Office Managing Partner for Chicago. As a member of the Intellectual Property Practice, she focuses on privacy, advertising, and unfair competition law.

Liisa frequently coordinates global privacy, data security and digital advertising matters for her clients. They value her global insights and familiarity with business systems outside the U.S. With Liisa’s assistance, her clients – including major consumer brands, advertising agencies and consumer research companies – are able to navigate thorny data breach disclosure issues, use emerging interactive advertising techniques and create compliant security programs, all while effectively managing their legal risks. Clients praise Liisa’s ability to add real value to their businesses, and describe her as "keeping [clients] one step ahead of where [they] need to be."

Liisa is the author of two treatises: Thomas on Data Breach: A Practical Guide to Handling Worldwide Data Breach Notification, which has been described as "a no-nonsense roadmap for in-house and external practitioners alike;" and Thomas on Big Data, praised for being a "comprehensive and detailed analysis of the complex and rapidly changing world of privacy law." Recognized as an industry leader in privacy, data security and advertising law, she has been honored by Best Lawyers in America, Leading Lawyers Network, Chambers, Super Lawyers, and The Legal 500, for her "broad depth of privacy knowledge."

About Carolyn Metnick

Carolyn V. Metnick is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group in the firm's Chicago office and a member of the Healthcare and Privacy & Cybersecurity Teams. She represents a range of healthcare industry clients, including hospitals and health systems, physician organizations and digital health companies.

Carolyn’s practice focuses on healthcare regulatory and transactional matters, with an emphasis on health information privacy and security. In addition to providing guidance on various privacy and security laws, including HIPAA and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), she also counsels businesses in data breach investigations and compliance with federal and state breach notification laws. Carolyn also advises healthcare clients on issues related to AI, including governance, contractual matters, and data related issues. Additionally, she represents healthcare industry clients in transactional matters, including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. Her background as a former litigator helps inform her transactional work.

Carolyn is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) and a Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E). She is also the founder and leader of Sheppard Mullin Healthy AI, an initiative focused on legal issues related to the use of AI in healthcare.

About Valérie Demont

Based in the firm’s New York office, Valérie Demont is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group, where she focuses primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters. As a leader of the firm’s French Desk team, she advises foreign companies on the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States, acting as de facto "outside general counsel" for non-U.S. companies in the United States.

Valérie has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe (including France) and Asia (including India).

Not only is she a frequent speaker at events focused on cross-border trade, but she is also an outside pro bono counsel to Girls Who Invest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in portfolio management and executive leadership in the asset management industry.

Contact Info:

Jonathan E. Meyer

Liisa M. Thomas

Carolyn V. Metnick

Valérie Demont

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Reid Whitten, Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin’s London office and leader of the firm’s CFIUS team, joins host and Sheppard Mullin’s French Desk Co-Chair, Valérie Demont, to discuss the incoming Trump Administration’s proposed tariffs and their potential impact on international trade.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• President-Elect Trump has signaled his intention to actively use tariffs as a key tool in trade policy. What has he said on the subject so far, and what can we expect on a general level?
• Where does Europe stand in terms of these tariffs, and will French products be impacted?
• Can we expect a process for tariff exemption under the incoming administration?
• What do we know about the pick for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, and his views on tariffs?
• If these tariff policies are implemented and enforced as planned, what effects could they have on existing multilateral or bilateral agreements, and what global response might we see?
• What should businesses consider as they prepare for these tariffs, and are there any immediate steps they can take to better position themselves?
• Are there any developments within the United States that could make relocating production domestically more cost-effective for businesses?
• What was the outcome of the previous Trump Administration’s tariff policy, and did they accomplish President Trump’s goals?

About Reid Whitten

As Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin’s London office and leader of the firm’s CFIUS Team, Reid Whitten’s practice centers on international trade regulations and investigations.

Reid is a member of Chatham House, the UK's Royal Institute of International Affair, as well as an adjunct lecturer at the New College of the Humanities in London, at the Université Catholique de Lille in France, and at Wake Forest University in the U.S. He also conducts seminars on regulatory updates for industry groups in the U.S., France, Belgium, Spain and the UK.

As a thought leader in cross-border business regulation, Reid is frequently called upon to provide commentary and analysis for television news channels, international newspapers and trade publications. He is also the lead author and editor of The CFIUS Book.

About Valérie Demont

Based in the firm’s New York office, Valérie Demont is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group, where she focuses primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters. As a leader of the firm’s French Desk team, she advises foreign companies on the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States, acting as de facto "outside general counsel" for non-U.S. companies in the United States.

Valérie has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe (including France) and Asia (including India).

Not only is she a frequent speaker at events focused on cross-border trade, but she is also an outside pro bono counsel to Girls Who Invest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in portfolio management and executive leadership in the asset management industry.

Contact Information

Reid Whitten

Valérie Demont

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In this episode of French Insider, Jonathan Meyer, a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Governmental Practice Group, former General Counsel of DHS, and leader of the firm’s National Security team, joins host Valérie Demont, Sheppard Mullin’s French Desk Co-Chair, to discuss anticipated changes under the incoming Trump Administration and its potential impact on business, national security, and other key areas.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is the Trump Administration’s cabinet going to look like?
• Why has President-Elect Trump selected the individuals he has named to lead departments such as the DOJ and DHS, and what might we expect from them?
• What will be the priorities which the new Administration will be focused on in respect of enforcement?
• Will the Trump Administration’s stance on immigration impact the growth of businesses within the country?
• What might CFIUS look like under the incoming administration, and how might the focus on foreign investments change, especially for countries like China?
• Under a Republican-controlled Congress, what can we expect to see from congressional investigations?

About Jonathan Meyer

Jonathan Meyer is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Governmental Practice Group and leader of the firm’s National Security team. Jonathan counsels clients on their interactions with federal and state government, as well as national and homeland security, Congressional oversight, cybersecurity, AI, high tech, transportation security, and more.

Jonathan served as General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2021 to 2024, where he led legal teams, handled Supreme Court cases, and advised on sensitive national security issues. With extensive experience in Congress and the Justice Department, Jon offers an insider perspective on government and private sector interactions.

Jon is a two-time recipient of the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Outstanding Service Medal, along with the U.S. Secret Service Director’s Honor Award, the Customs and Border Protection Commissioner’s Ensign Award, and the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant’s Distinguished Service Medal, among numerous other awards and honors.

About Valérie Demont

In the firm’s New York office, Valérie Demont is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group, where she focuses primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters. As a leader of the firm’s French Desk team, she advises foreign companies on the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States, acting as de facto "outside general counsel" for non-U.S. companies in the United States.

Valérie has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe (including France) and Asia (including India).

Not only is she a frequent speaker at events focused on cross-border trade, but she is also an outside pro bono counsel to Girls Who Invest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in portfolio management and executive leadership in the asset management industry.

Contact Information:

Jonathan Meyer

Valérie Demont

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Jared Nagley, a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Antitrust and Competition Group formerly with the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, joins host Inès Briand to discuss the impact of the upcoming 2024 election on the U.S. antitrust landscape, and potential impacts from both a Democratic and Republican outcome.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• Will the outcome of the upcoming Presidential election have a major impact on antitrust enforcement?
• How do Democrats and Republicans view antitrust enforcement, and what are the similarities and differences between their perspectives?
• How have both parties become more aggressive in their view of enforcement, and which industry sectors are they targeting?
• Given healthcare's significant and public role in the US economy, how does enforcement differ under both political parties, particularly in relation to industry consolidation and drug costs?
• Which party has a more aggressive stance on antitrust challenges and investigations in the Big Tech space, and how will this industry be impacted?
• Which party has adopted a more assertive approach toward antitrust challenges and investigations in Big Tech and what might this industry look like post-election?
• What has been proposed to address serial acquisitions or roll-ups?

About Jared Nagley

Jared Nagley is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office, where he is a partner in the Antitrust and Competition Group. Jared’s practice focuses on complex antitrust matters, including defending clients in litigations and government investigations brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, and state and international enforcement authorities, in addition to advising clients in their mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic business issues. He is a member of the firm’s French Desk and Canada Desk Teams.

Prior to joining Sheppard, Mullin, Jared spent eight years at the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, where he served as the lead attorney in several significant public matters and was the recipient of the Janet D. Steiger Award.

About Inès Briand

Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm’s Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

As a member of the firm’s French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

Contact Information

Jared Nagley

Inès Briand

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In this episode of French Insider, Noel Rimalovski, Managing Director of GH Partners LLC joins host Brian Weimer, Telecom Team Leader of Sheppard Mullin, to discuss cross-border initiatives in the satellite and space industry. These initiatives include France’s CoFace compared to The EXIM Bank in the United States, the emerging small launch industry, and the potential for commercial opportunities on the moon.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• How does working with France's CoFace differ from working with The EXIM Bank in the United States?
• How does The EXIM Bank compare to the way France approaches export credit agency financing?
• Who can access financing from an export credit agency? Can a French company approach The EXIM Bank?
• Aside from SpaceX, who are some of the players in the nascent industry of small launch providers?
• Are the small launch providers that have proliferated in recent years targeting SpaceX's market?
• Is the recent multi-orbit trend lately likely to continue?
• Why is it essential for space and satellite companies to ensure alignment with their government?
• Is there any real potential for large-scale commercial opportunities on the moon?
• Is the space industry transitioning into a more commercial chapter of financing?
• Is there a push for more sustainable projects in the space industry?

About Brian Weimer

Brian Weimer is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington, D.C. office, where he also serves as Leader of the firm's Telecom Team and Co-Leader of the CFIUS Team. Brian provides regulatory and transactional advice across the entire telecommunications ecosystem. As leader of the firm’s Space & Satellite practice, he is perhaps best known as a leading lawyer for the satellite industry.

About Noel Rimalovski

Noel Rimalovski brings a deep background in M&A and corporate finance to GH Partners. Throughout his 20-year career, he has provided advisory services to clients, including sales and acquisitions, restructurings, capital raisings, valuations and fairness opinions to domestic and international clients in the Telecommunications, Media, Technology, Industrial and Consumer sectors.

Before joining GH Partners, Noel served as Senior Vice President at Macquarie Capital (USA), 2007-08, in the Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Technology Group. While at Macquarie, he completed $1.8bn of investments in the telecommunications sector. Prior to Macquarie, he was Director in the Mergers & Acquisition Group of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and its predecessor Wasserstein Perella, where he completed over $20 billion in transactions in the Industrial, Consumer, Technology, Telecommunications and Media sectors. Prior to joining WP, Noel gained experience as a banker on structured financings, securitizations and proprietary investments at Millennium Capital Markets and Lazard Frères.

Contact Information

Brian Weimer

Noel Rimalovski

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This episode is a replay of Episode 30 which originally aired on March 18, 2024.

In this episode of French Insider, Greg Berk, a partner at Sheppard Mullin, joins host Inès Briand to discuss immigration and business travel to the United States, including the particulars of the ESTA visa waiver program, obtaining an O-1 visa, H-1B visa, or green card, and what travelers can expect from the CPB upon entry.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is an ESTA visa waiver?
• How long can you stay in the U.S. on an ESTA waiver?
• How soon can someone come back to the U.S. with an ESTA waiver?
• Who needs a work visa, and what types of work visas are available?
• How specialized must an individual be to qualify for a special talent (0-1) visa?
• What is an H-1B visa?
• When should French entities start planning to send individuals to the U.S.?
• When does someone need a green card? How do they obtain one?
• Are there tax implications when obtaining a green card?
• Can a green card be relinquished if the holder leaves the U.S.?
• Why does the CPB occasionally check social media accounts?
• Can the CPB deny a visa holder entry?
• Why might someone be called in for a secondary inspection? How should they deal with this?
• How can travel to Cuba or another restricted country impact an ESTA? Would it affect other types of visas?

About Greg Berk

Greg Berk, a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, is based in Orange County, California. He heads the firm’s immigration practice and is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

With more than 25 years of experience advising on various U.S. immigration issues, Greg is a trusted resource for global employers seeking guidance on recruiting and retaining foreign executives and top talent for their U.S. operations. He also works with investors on E-2, L-1, and EB-5 matters as well as I-9 and other immigration compliance matters. He is the author of "Immigration Checklists and Practice Pointers – A Desk Reference," a book published by the American Bar Association for General Counsel and HR managers.

About Inès Briand

Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm’s Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

As a member of the firm’s French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

Contact Information

Inès Briand

Greg Berk

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This episode is a replay of Episode 29 which originally aired on February 1, 2024.

On this episode of French Insider, Erik Sloan, Chief Revenue Officer of Cboe Canada and the Global Head of Company Listings for Cboe Global Markets, joins host Andrew Bond to explore how Cboe operates a global network of securities and derivatives exchanges that help companies efficiently navigate global capital markets, including the factors that set the Cboe exchanges apart from other exchanges and the types of companies well-suited to list their securities on one or more of the exchanges in the Cboe network.

What We Discussed In This Episode:

• What led you to Cboe Global Markets?
• What markets is Cboe in? Where might the exchange expand?
• What differentiates Cboe from country-based exchanges like Nasdaq or the NYSE?
• What value would Cboe bring to a French company considering public listings in both Europe and the United States?
• What types of companies do you feel are a good fit for the Cboe marketplace?
• How does the Cboe help companies navigate regulatory hurdles in various jurisdictions?
• After a French company is listed on Cboe in the United States, what is the procedure for expanding its listing to another foreign market?
• What would you consider Cboe’s greatest successes so far?
• What have been Cboe’s biggest challenges?
• What is your best advice for either a private company seeking to go public on Cboe exchange or a publicly traded company considering a move from another exchange?

About Erik Sloane

Erik Sloane has been with Cboe Canada since its inception and helped define and implement its foundational stock exchange and fund distribution platforms. He’s since held several senior roles, including Head of Funds & Trading and Head of Product Management. As Chief Revenue Officer, he is currently responsible for driving growth by working closely with capital-raising companies, asset managers, sell-side firms, buy-side firms and other industry stakeholders.

Erik launched his career at a global business and technology consultancy firm. Prior to joining Cboe Canada, he led project management at the Alpha Exchange, where he previously oversaw delivery of its core technology platform. He’s also chaired several industry advisory groups instrumental in shaping Cboe Canada's strategy and currently serves on the Operations Committee of the Canadian ETF Association (CETFA).

About Andrew Bond

A partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City office, Andrew Bond has a broad-based securities practice. In addition to assisting clients with cross-border mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions, he counsels Canadian clients on listing requirements for the NYSE, NASDAQ, and platforms operated by the OTC Markets Group. Andrew previously practiced in Canada, where he advised both U.S. and Canadian issuers on registered securities offerings, private placements, and Securities Exchange Act compliance.

Contact Information

Erik Sloane

Andrew Bond

Additional Resources

Cboe Canada

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Romain Poirot, Managing Partner of French Morning and Frenchly, joins host Karl Buhler of Sheppard Mullin to discuss the French Morning Media Group, from its inception to where it is today, and how it creates a sense of community for francophone people away for home. This episode was recorded in French.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• French Morning’s history - the premises and its development in the United States, Canada and in the UK
• Local news and creating a community
• The impact on Covid and French Morning’s media diversification through webinars.
• Topics covered and events organized
• French elections coverage - live debates and streaming
• Sports events - football, rugby… gatherings behind « Les bleus »
• French Morning Media Group and its different subsidiaries
• Growth strategy of the magazine and plan for the future

About Romain Poirot

Romain Poirot has a diverse work experience spanning multiple industries. Romain started his career in 2010 as an Assistant of Sales and Purchases in the Back Office at Magirus. In 2011, they worked as a Sales and Marketing Assistant at Inlingua and also served as a Team Manager for Street-marketing events at France Prestige. From 2012 to 2016, he worked at ALTIOS International, where they were involved in International Business Development activities, including researching and prospecting the US market, qualifying potential clients, and assisting in trade show preparations. In 2009, he joined Red Bull as a Student Brand Manager.

In 2016, he became a Managing Partner at Frenchly, a leading publication for Americans traveling or living in France. In 2017, they joined Maudits Français as a Managing Partner. Since 2013, they have been the Managing Partner and Head of Revenue at French Morning USA, the leading publication for French expats living in the United States & UK.

Romain Poirot attended Pace University in 2012 for a brief period, although the degree and field of study are unspecified. From 2009 to 2012, they studied at EM Strasbourg Business School, where they earned a Bachelor of Marketing and International Business. Additionally, in 2010, Romain studied Spanish and business in Spanish at Universidad de Alicante for a short duration.

About Karl Buhler

Karl Buhler is an associate in the Corporate and Securities Practice Group and French Desk in the firm's New York Office. Karl focuses his practice on domestic and cross-border transactions. He handles in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and complex commercial agreements in industries such as technology, communications, life sciences, energy, defense and aerospace. In particular, he advises foreign companies with the installation and development of their operations in the United States.

Karl was born and educated in France. He began his legal career in China, practicing corporate law in both Beijing and Hong Kong with a focus on mergers, acquisitions, and project finance in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Karl then relocated to Paris, where he continued to focus on corporate transactions, but also expanded his expertise to international arbitrations and litigations arising from contracts and transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint venture, and infrastructure agreements.

Contact Information

French Morning

Roman Poirot

Karl Buhler

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

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In this episode of French Insider, Greg Berk, a partner at Sheppard Mullin, joins host Inès Briand to discuss immigration and business travel to the United States, including the particulars of the ESTA visa waiver program, obtaining an O-1 visa, H-1B visa, or green card, and what travelers can expect from the CPB upon entry.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is an ESTA visa waiver?
• How long can you stay in the U.S. on an ESTA waiver?
• How soon can someone come back to the U.S. with an ESTA waiver?
• Who needs a work visa, and what types of work visas are available?
• How specialized must an individual be to qualify for a special talent (0-1) visa?
• What is an H-1B visa?
• When should French entities start planning to send individuals to the U.S.?
• When does someone need a green card? How do they obtain one?
• Are there tax implications when obtaining a green card?
• Can a green card be relinquished if the holder leaves the U.S.?
• Why does the CPB occasionally check social media accounts?
• Can the CPB deny a visa holder entry?
• Why might someone be called in for a secondary inspection? How should they deal with this?
• How can travel to Cuba or another restricted country impact an ESTA? Would it affect other types of visas?

About Greg Berk

Greg Berk, a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, is based in Orange County, California. He heads the firm’s immigration practice and is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

With more than 25 years of experience advising on various U.S. immigration issues, Greg is a trusted resource for global employers seeking guidance on recruiting and retaining foreign executives and top talent for their U.S. operations. He also works with investors on E-2, L-1, and EB-5 matters as well as I-9 and other immigration compliance matters. He is the author of "Immigration Checklists and Practice Pointers – A Desk Reference," a book published by the American Bar Association for General Counsel and HR managers.

About Inès Briand

Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm’s Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

As a member of the firm’s French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

Contact Information

Inès Briand

Greg Berk

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

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On this episode of French Insider, Erik Sloan, Chief Revenue Officer of Cboe Canada and the Global Head of Company Listings for Cboe Global Markets, joins host Andrew Bond to explore how Cboe operates a global network of securities and derivatives exchanges that help companies efficiently navigate global capital markets, including the factors that set the Cboe exchanges apart from other exchanges and the types of companies well-suited to list their securities on one or more of the exchanges in the Cboe network.

What We Discussed In This Episode:

• What led you to Cboe Global Markets?
• What markets is Cboe in? Where might the exchange expand?
• What differentiates Cboe from country-based exchanges like Nasdaq or the NYSE?
• What value would Cboe bring to a French company considering public listings in both Europe and the United States?
• What types of companies do you feel are a good fit for the Cboe marketplace?
• How does the Cboe help companies navigate regulatory hurdles in various jurisdictions?
• After a French company is listed on Cboe in the United States, what is the procedure for expanding its listing to another foreign market?
• What would you consider Cboe’s greatest successes so far?
• What have been Cboe’s biggest challenges?
• What is your best advice for either a private company seeking to go public on Cboe exchange or a publicly traded company considering a move from another exchange?

About Erik Sloane

Erik Sloane has been with Cboe Canada since its inception and helped define and implement its foundational stock exchange and fund distribution platforms. He’s since held several senior roles, including Head of Funds & Trading and Head of Product Management. As Chief Revenue Officer, he is currently responsible for driving growth by working closely with capital-raising companies, asset managers, sell-side firms, buy-side firms and other industry stakeholders.

Erik launched his career at a global business and technology consultancy firm. Prior to joining Cboe Canada, he led project management at the Alpha Exchange, where he previously oversaw delivery of its core technology platform. He’s also chaired several industry advisory groups instrumental in shaping Cboe Canada's strategy and currently serves on the Operations Committee of the Canadian ETF Association (CETFA).

About Andrew Bond

A partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City office, Andrew Bond has a broad-based securities practice. In addition to assisting clients with cross-border mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions, he counsels Canadian clients on listing requirements for the NYSE, NASDAQ, and platforms operated by the OTC Markets Group. Andrew previously practiced in Canada, where he advised both U.S. and Canadian issuers on registered securities offerings, private placements, and Securities Exchange Act compliance.

Contact Information

Erik Sloane

Andrew Bond

Additional Resources

Cboe Canada

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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This episode is a replay of Episode 23 which originally aired on June 30, 2023. It was recorded in French.

In this episode of the French Insider, Didier Choix, Founder and Managing Partner, and Jean-Damien Perrier, Partner of the DDA & Company group, a Franco-American investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions in France and the United States, join Valérie Demont, Partner at Sheppard Mullin, to discuss M&A transactions between France and the United States, including how to choose the right target, the differences between French and American deals, and how to best prepare to conquer the American market.

What We Discussed in this Episode

• How can one best prepare to acquire a company in the United States?
• Screening
• Definition of objectives

• Proficiency in English

• How to find a United States target?

• What are the challenges faced?
• Is networking working?
• The approach of the American leader
• What are the major differences between a deal in the United States and a deal in France?
• Limited access to information
• Valuation
• Funding
• Working Capital v. lock box
• Vendor due diligence
• GAAP accounting v. IFRS
• Lack of audit of financial statements

• Salaries of officers and employees in the United States

• What are the common mistakes of French companies in their first acquisitions in the United States?

• “Bridging the gap”: how can French companies put together a competitive offer compared to American buyers (auction process, etc.)?
• Timeline of an acquisition
• Main advice for an entrepreneur looking to acquire a target in the United States

Contact Information

Inès Briand

Karl Buhler

Didier Choix - Founder and President - DDA & Company, LLC | LinkedIn

Jean-Damien Perrier - New York, New York, United States | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

Valérie Demont | Sheppard Mullin

DDA & Company, spécialiste conseil en corporate finance (ddacompany.com)

France Attorneys | Sheppard Mullin

Additional Resources

French Insider Episode 23: M&A in the US: How French Businesses Can Find a Target & Seal the Deal | Sheppard Mullin

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Stitcher, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Victoire Lester, CEO of Coucou, joins host Sarah Ben-Moussa to discuss the experience of building a company in the United States from the ground up, including Coucou’s approach to hiring and training native-speaking French language instructors, its strategy for attracting American customers, and their experience recruiting and managing a mixed-nationality workforce.

What We Discussed in this Episode

• Can you tell us a bit about your background?
• How did you become involved with Coucou?
• What was behind the founding of Coucou? Where did the idea come from?
• How does Coucou go about hiring and training instructors?
• How does Coucou’s approach to hiring impact the learning experience?
• What was it like coming to the U.S. and building a company from the ground up?
• What motivated Coucou to expand its offerings?
• What was Coucou’s experience during COVID? Where did the company come out on the other side?
• Can you tell us a bit about the streaming platform being developed by a Coucou founder?
• What was Coucou’s strategy for attracting U.S. customers?
• Can you speak to the experience of recruiting and managing a mixed-nationality workforce of French and American people?
• What were some resources Coucou utilized during the last 10 years of growth?
• Would you recommend companies retain a public relations agency?
• What’s one piece of advice you’d offer a French entrepreneur seeking to launch a company in the U.S.?

About Victoire Lester

Victoire Lester is CEO of Coucou, a New York City and Los Angeles-based language school offering culturally savvy, native-taught French classes, in person or online. A Paris native, she joined Coucous as a part-time French instructor in 2016 and was promoted to director of operations just three years later. As CEO, Victoire handles marketing, product development, and operations. She was also responsible for Coucou’s successful transition to an online program in 2020, which has been instrumental in the company’s growth.

When she’s not helping Coucou grow, Victoire enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and indulging in her love of wine, cheese, and oysters.

About Sarah F. Ben-Moussa

Sarah F. Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office, where her practice focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm’s French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters.

As a member of Sheppard Mullin’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team, Sarah also represents renewable energy companies, borrowers, financial sponsors, portfolio companies, commercial banks and other financial institutions in a variety of financing transactions. Her practice focuses on a variety of transactions in the energy sphere, representing renewable energy companies in project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities.

Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in France, focusing on corporate transactions and commercial contracts in Europe and internationally. Sarah is also committed to pro bono work, focusing on cases involving children seeking asylum or other immigration-related relief.

Contact Information

Victoire Lester

Sarah F. Ben-Moussa

Additional Resources

Coucou

Coucou on TikTok

Coucou on Instagram

Coucou on Facebook

Coucou on YouTube

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Stitcher, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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This episode is a replay of Episode 11 which originally aired on March 2, 2022. It was recorded in French.

What are the best strategies for setting up a business in the United States? Valère Horath, vice president of global sales and co-founder of Quipment SAS, has direct experience with this question. In this episode, he discusses his personal experience with the decision of developing in the US, the strategy for coming to the US, and the challenges of starting and growing a business in the US. He also explains some of the differences between running a business in France and the United States, including the importance of contracts in relationships with customers.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• About Valère Horath and Quipment;
• The decision to set up in the United States;
• The strategy for starting a business in the United States;
• The main differences between American and non-American clients;
• How to be successful in the U.S. market.

About Valère Horath

Valère Horath is the vice president of global sales and co-founder of Quipment SAS. Quipment is a company specializing in the provision of medical and laboratory equipment. The equipment and supplies provided by Quipment make it possible to measure the effectiveness and side effects of drugs before they are put on the market. Quipment's customers are mainly pharmaceutical companies, Biotechs and CROs that must carry out very rigorous clinical trials in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of drugs. For this, they need to equip doctors with calibrated equipment, the reliability of which is indisputable. In addition, these studies are international: Quipment therefore has equipment in all continents and in >60,000 hospitals globally. It has warehouses in France, USA and Japan. To date, the company is in the 100-500 employee range.

Contact Information:

Valère Horath

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Jim Gatto, a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington D.C. office and co-chair of its AI team, joins host Sarah Ben-Moussa to discuss what companies should know as they embrace generative AI, including key legal issues, the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, and unique due diligence concerns when acquiring or investing in companies that develop or use generative AI.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is generative AI, and why has it become so newsworthy?
• What are the key legal issues raised by AI?
• Who is liable if the output produced by generative AI infringes?
• Can you provide a broad overview of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act?
• How does the EU compare to the current landscape in the U.S.?
• Is it legal for companies to use your output to train their own AI models?
• What unique issues should be considered when conducting diligence for acquisitions or investments in companies using or developing generative AI?
• What are some of the most important things companies should do to minimize the risk when using AI?

About James G. Gatto

James G. Gatto is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington, D.C. office, where he also serves as Co-Leader of the firm’s Artificial Intelligence Team and Leader of the Open Source Team.

Jim’s practice focuses on AI, blockchain, interactive entertainment and open source. He provides strategic advice on all aspects of intellectual property strategy and enforcement, technology transactions, licenses and tech-related regulatory issues, especially ones driven by new business models and/or disruptive technologies.

Jim has over 20 years of experience advising clients on AI issues and is an adjunct professor who teaches a course on Artificial Intelligence Legal Issues. He is considered a thought leader on legal issues associated with emerging technologies and business models, most recently blockchain, AI, open source and interactive entertainment.

About Sarah F. Ben-Moussa

Sarah F. Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office, where her practice focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm’s French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters.

As a member of Sheppard Mullin’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team, Sarah also represents renewable energy companies, borrowers, financial sponsors, portfolio companies, commercial banks and other financial institutions in a variety of financing transactions. Her practice focuses on a variety of transactions in the energy sphere, representing renewable energy companies in project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities.

Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in France, focusing on corporate transactions and commercial contracts in Europe and internationally. Sarah is also committed to pro bono work, focusing on cases involving children seeking asylum or other immigration-related relief.

Contact Information:

James G. Gatto

Sarah F. Ben-Moussa

Additional Resources:

Copyright Office Artificial Intelligence Initiative and Resource Guide | Law of The Ledger

Training AI Models - Just Because It’s Your Data Doesn’t Mean You Can Use It | Law of The Ledger

Solving Open Source Problems with AI Code Generators – Legal Issues and Solutions | Law of The Ledger

Congress Proposes National Commission to Create AI Guardrails | Law of The Ledger

Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog

Sheppard Mullin Launches Artificial Intelligence Industry Team | Sheppard Mullin

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Caroline Faucher-Winter, Co-President at La French Tech NYC, joins host Valérie Demont to discuss the French Tech 2030 program, challenges that French start-ups looking to secure funding and establish themselves in the United States may face, and how these start-ups can navigate and prepare for the U.S. market.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• How would you describe the French Tech 2030 program?
• What are the DO’s and DONT’s to keep in mind for a French entrepreneur looking to set up in the United States?
• What are common mistakes French start-ups make in their first steps in the United States? How can they best prepare for this endeavor?
• What does the financing environment for French tech companies look like in the United States?
• What are the most effective ways to raise funds in the United States?
• What can French tech companies do to better position themselves to raise funds in the United States? How many succeed?
• Is it better to raise funds in Europe and then launch in the United States?
• What do you think of the role and impact of social media on start-up marketing and PR in the United States?
• What is the main advice you would give to a start-up looking to expand in the United States?

About Caroline Faucher-Winter

Caroline Faucher-Winter is a Senior Strategic Public Relations Advisor at Kalamari and has been involved in the French Tech New York ecosystem since 2018. Since then, she has actively participated in the development of French Tech, and was named co-president in 2022. Caroline thrives on contact with others and is committed to diversity and inclusion, in particular through the French Tech NY program aimed at helping French entrepreneurs to settle in the U.S.

Caroline has built her career around start-ups and innovation, first covertly and later openly, acting as a relay and link between business owners, VC funds, and government agencies. She is also the director of the Galion Project, a think tank for creative business people.

Through the course of her career, Caroline has established connections across ecosystems, guided many transatlantic participants (FrenchTech, BusinessFrance, FrenchFounders, The Galion Project, etc.), and helped connect, decode, and promote the production of synergies and value.

About Valérie Demont

In the firm’'s New York office, Valérie Demont is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group, where she focuses primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities offerings and corporate governance matters. As a leader of the firm’s French Desk team, she advises foreign companies on the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States, acting as de facto "outside general counsel" for non-U.S. companies in the United States.

Valérie has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe and Asia (including India). She also represents U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and underwriters in a wide range of primary and secondary capital markets and securities offering financing transactions involving equity, debt, convertible and hybrid securities. These transactions include IPOs, private placements and offshore securities offerings and the establishment of American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programs.

Furthermore, Valérie regularly advises companies on their reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws as well as corporate governance and other compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and stock exchange regulations.

Not only is she a frequent speaker at events focused on cross-border trade, but she is also an outside pro bono counsel to Girls Who Invest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in portfolio management and executive leadership in the asset management industry.

Contact Information:

Caroline Faucher-Winter

Valérie Demont

Additional Resources:

Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of the French Insider, Didier Choix, Founder and Managing Partner, and Jean-Damien Perrier, Partner of the DDA & Company group, a Franco-American investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions in France and the United States, join Valérie Demont, Partner at Sheppard Mullin, to discuss M&A transactions between France and the United States, including how to choose the right target, the differences between French and American deals, and how to best prepare to conquer the American market.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• How can one best prepare to acquire a company in the United States?
• Screening
• Definition of objectives

• Proficiency in English

• How to find a United States target?

• What are the challenges faced?
• Is networking working?
• The approach of the American leader
• What are the major differences between a deal in the United States and a deal in France?
• Limited access to information
• Valuation
• Funding
• Working Capital v. lock box
• Vendor due diligence
• GAAP accounting v. IFRS
• Lack of audit of financial statements

• Salaries of officers and employees in the United States

• What are the common mistakes of French companies in their first acquisitions in the United States?

• “Bridging the gap”: how can French companies put together a competitive offer compared to American buyers (auction process, etc.)?
• Timeline of an acquisition
• Main advice for an entrepreneur looking to acquire a target in the United States

Contact Information:

Didier Choix - Founder and President - DDA & Company, LLC | LinkedIn

Jean-Damien Perrier - New York, New York, United States | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

Valérie Demont | Sheppard Mullin

DDA & Company, spécialiste conseil en corporate finance (ddacompany.com)

France Attorneys | Sheppard Mullin

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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This episode is a replay of Episode 16 which originally aired on June 9, 2022.

For this episode of French Insider, Jean Hoefliger, noted wine consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of JH Wine Consultants, joins us to discuss French investments in the U.S. wine industry, including the many factors drawing French winemakers to the Napa Valley and how the rise of venture-backed startups has altered the winemaking landscape.

About Jean Hoefliger

Born and raised in Switzerland, Jean has decades of winemaking experience and has worked in vineyards worldwide, including California, Bordeaux, Texas, and South Africa. As a wine consultant, he has helped build client wineries across the globe, including Montevereo in Tuscany and Grapeheart in Suisun Valley, as well as AXR and The Debate in Napa Valley, to name a few. His many accolades include two 100-point scores awarded by Jebb Dunnuck and Robert Parker for his Napa-based The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jean's consulting business encompasses everything he loves, from managing farming and crafting world-class wines to advising on business strategies and even building and implementing the sales structure for clients.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is drawing investors to the Napa Valley?
• Why are French winemakers coming to the Napa Valley?
• Who are some of the big players that already have a presence in the Napa Valley?
• As a winemaker, what's different about doing business in the Napa Valley vs. France?
• Are other U.S. winemaking regions becoming more significant in the market?
• How is the growing number of wineries impacting the overall market?
• Has the rise of venture-backed startups in the industry shifted the dynamic for producers?
• What should French companies keep in mind as they seek to enter the U.S. wine market?
• How are winemakers dealing with climate change?
• Despite the challenges of the last two years, including COVID and wildfires, wineries have continued to grow. Why is that?
• What are some of the long-term impacts of climate change on wineries in France and across Europe? How can new technology help mitigate these impacts?
• How does the diverse range of U.S. wine-producing regions act as an additional draw for French investors?

Contact Information

Jean Hoefliger

JH Wine Consulting

Sheppard Mullin French Desk

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In this episode of French Insider, Reid Whitten, Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin’s London office, joins host Sarah Ben-Moussa to discuss the U.S.-China trade war, including the conflict’s origins, the Foreign Direct Product Rule, and the tangible steps European companies should be taking in light of the current tensions.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

• What are the origins of the U.S.-China trade war?
• What measures did the U.S. take in the wake of the 2018 National Position Paper declaring China an adversary?
• As a practical matter, what do European companies need to look out for?
• How does the Foreign Direct Product Rule work?
• What is the U.S. attempting to do to get itself on a technological level where it can compete with China?
• Do we see China retaliating against some of the measures and heated rhetoric coming out of the U.S.?
• Can you explain the military end-user concept?
• What tangible steps should European companies be taking as they attempt to navigate the current U.S.-China tensions?

About Reid Whitten

As Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin's London office, Reid Whitten focuses his practice on international trade regulations and investigations. He shares his time serving clients out of the Washington, D.C. office and also leads the firm’s CFIUS Team.

Reid works with clients around the world to plan, prepare and succeed in global transactions. He focuses on cross-border investments, particularly in the technology and aerospace sectors, helping clients navigate the international trade regulations that could disrupt their deals. In the areas of economic sanctions, export and defense exports, CFIUS, anti-corruption and tariffs, he supports clients in detecting and addressing potential compliance issues as well as conducting investigations and defending against enforcement actions. He also advises on U.S. anti-dumping, anti-money laundering and anti-boycott regulations.

Reid is a member of Chatham House, the UK's Royal Institute of International Affair. In addition to lecturing at the New College of the Humanities in London, at the Université Catholique de Lille in France, and Wake Forest University in the U.S, he also conducts seminars on regulatory updates for industry groups in the U.S., France, Belgium, Spain and the UK.

A thought leader on cross-border business regulation, Reid is frequently called upon to provide commentary and analysis for television news channels, international newspapers, and trade publications. He is also the lead author and editor of The CFIUS Book.

About Sarah F. Ben-Moussa

Sarah F. Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office, where her practice focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm’s French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters.

As a member of Sheppard Mullin’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team, Sarah also represents renewable energy companies, borrowers, financial sponsors, portfolio companies, commercial banks and other financial institutions in a variety of financing transactions. Her practice focuses on a variety of transactions in the energy sphere, representing renewable energy companies in project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities. She also serves on the New York office’s sustainability committee.

Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in France, becoming fluent in French and focusing on corporate transactions and commercial contracts in Europe and internationally. Sarah is also committed to pro bono work, focusing on cases involving children seeking asylum or other immigration-related relief.

Contact Information:

Reid Whitten

Sarah F. Ben-Moussa

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Dan Mackta, Managing Director at Qobuz, joins Sheppard Mullin attorney Alex Akhavan to discuss the history and growth of Qobuz, a high-quality audio commercial music streaming and downloading service founded in France, including its successful expansion into the U.S. market, what sets Qobuz apart from its competitors, and fundamental differences in the U.S. and French approach to IP.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is Qobuz? How did it start?
• What sets Qobuz apart from other music streaming services?
• What was your path to Qobuz?
• How did Qobuz succeed in France?
• What drove the decision to expand internationally and bring Qobuz to the U.S.?
• Can you describe your day-to-day activities? How has it changed since Qobuz launched in the U.S.?
• What is the Qobuz business model?
• How does Qobuz partner or collaborate with artists?
• What's the benefit of commissioning original music?
• What are some fundamental differences in how the U.S. and France approach IP?
• What other cultural and business differences have you observed in opening a French company in the U.S.?
• What are your main takeaways from your time at Qobuz?
• Where do you see the music industry heading from here?
• What song or genre would you choose to show off the audio quality of Qobuz?

About Dan Mackta

Dan Mackta joined Qobuz in 2018 after spending decades on the label and artist side of the music business. As Managing Director, he oversees the French streaming service's operations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and the Nordics. Dan is responsible for every aspect of the business in those markets, leading a U.S.-based team and overseeing operations, music, marketing, business development and more.

About Alex Akhavan

Alex Akhavan is an associate in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City office, where he also leads the firm’s Disney Television Animation and Amazon Studios’ unscripted teams and serves as the point of contact for the firm’s pro bono client, the Los Angeles Opera.

Alex represents producers, studios, media companies and networks in connection with entertainment productions throughout the United States and around the world. In addition to regularly negotiating development and production agreements on behalf of Disney, Amazon, and Univision, he has advised Gaumont International Television (El Presidente) on clearance and production matters and served as production counsel to Campanario Entertainment for Selena: The Series on Netflix.

Contact Information:

Dan Mackta

Alex Akhavan

Additional Resources:

Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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This episode is a replay of Episode 16 which originally aired on October 3, 2022.

In this episode of French Insider, Benjamin Sormonte, co-founder and co-owner of Maman, speaks about building a successful lifestyle brand in North America, including the challenges of bringing a very French experience to a North American audience and the role that Instagram and other social media platforms have played in Maman's success.

What We Discussed in this Episode: * Can you tell us a little about your background and how you arrived at the concept of Maman? * What challenges did you face in bringing this very French experience to a North American audience? * Maman has grown exponentially since first opening in Soho in 2014. As you choose locations for expansion, what drives your decisions? * What made you decide to move into Canada? * Did you find many differences between an opening in Canada and the U.S.? * Maman has become an incredibly successful lifestyle brand. Can you talk a bit about the strategy that went into building that brand? * What role have Instagram and other social media platforms played in your marketing? * Did you work with consultants when you first started out? * In building your customer base, what has worked and what hasn't? * What was your experience hiring staff in the U.S. and Canada? What were some challenges? * What advice would you have for managing a large workforce in the U.S.? * What surprised you most while building your business in the U.S. and Canada? What resources were helpful to you? * Did you ever envision that Maman would become the brand it is today? * What's one piece of advice you would offer someone seeking to turn their passion project into a successful brand?

About Benjamin Sormonte A French-born lawyer, Benjamin and his wife, Elisa Marshall, opened the first Maman in 2014. What began as a single, independent Soho bakery and cafe has since grown into a leading lifestyle brand that boasts locations across New York City, Montreal, and Toronto, complete with a line of retail items that allows its loyal following to "take Maman home.”

Maman means "mother" in French and remains a passion project for Benjamin and Elisa, despite the brand's exponential growth. The two have successfully melded their earliest childhood experiences in the kitchen, along with a nod to their mothers from the south of France and North America, into an all-encompassing sensory experience marked by rustic décor at every turn, the aroma and comfort of cuisines inspired by family traditions, and the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Fernando Zanotti Schneider, a partner at the Brazilian law firm of Abe Advogados, joins Sheppard Mullin partner Tony Girolami to discuss the recent Brazilian election, including what the return of Ignacio Lula da Silva to the presidency might mean for the multinational business community, particularly foreign investors.

What We Discussed In Today’s Episode:

• What’s the mood in Brazil post-election?
• What was the Bolsonaro agenda?
• What does the new Brazilian Congress look like?
• How will the makeup of Congress influence Lula's presidency and impact his agenda?
• What should foreign investors expect from the Lula administration?
• What commercial opportunities might foreign investors find under the Lula presidency?
• Has Lula given any indication as to how his social agenda will be achieved?
• What advice would you give to foreign investors regarding the current climate in Brazil?
• What assistance can you and Abe Avogados provide to foreign investors?

About Fernando Zanotti Schneider Fernando is a partner in Abe Advogados São Paulo office, where he serves as practice group lead in the corporate, M&A, and contracts and complex negotiation areas. For the past few years, he has been representing clients in the acquisition and sale of important corporate entities in several economic sectors, particularly technology, financial services, retail and energy. Fernando has provided consulting services to foreign clients in greenfield transactions, joint ventures, project finance and corporate operations related to the acquisition and sale of enterprises, both in Brazil and abroad. In 2014, Fernando served as an international associate in Tokyo, Japan, in association with Matsuda & Partners. His years practicing law have allowed Fernando to acquire significant expertise in deal structuring, due diligence, and mergers and acquisitions. Fernando is a Member of the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance and regularly authors articles covering a diverse range of corporate topics for Abe Advogados’ blog.

About Tony Girolami Tony Girolami is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in Sheppard Mullins’ San Diego office, where he also serves on the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance Team and is Co-Chair of the Latin America Group. Tony specializes in corporate and renewable energy-related transactions with an international focus, representing both U.S. and international clients in cross-border business transactions involving the development and financing of renewable energy projects, agricultural developments and basic infrastructure in the United States, Latin America and Asia. He has represented financial institutions, infrastructure developers and renewable energy companies in the formation of joint ventures, project financings, greenfield project developments, construction and supply contracts, off-take agreements and distribution agreements. Tony is also admitted as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Brazil, where he worked as a senior associate in Sao Paulo until 2006.

Contact Information:

Fernando Zanotti Schneider Tony Girolami

Additional Resources:

Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Tim Stephen, EVP of Strategy and Head of Business & Legal Affairs at Gaumont Film US, the Los Angeles-based TV production arm of French film studio Gaumont, joins host and Sheppard Mullin attorney Alex Akhavan to discuss the challenges and rewards of internal production and entertainment, including how streaming has changed the business of entertainment, the cultural and legal differences productions typically encounter outside the United States and the various reasons production companies might choose to film in other countries and territories.

What We Discussed in This Episode * What can you tell us about Gaumont Film US and your role there? * What are a few projects Gaumont Film US has produced in the United States? * How often are you filming outside the United States? * How would you describe the relationship between Gaumont Film US and its French parent company? * What cultural and legal differences have you encountered, both in the context of Gaumont and while producing elsewhere in the world? * Why would Gaumont or another studio choose to film outside the United States? * What other changes have you seen in the entertainment industry? * What do you enjoy about the work you do? What motivates you, and what are you most excited about?

About Tim Stephen Tim Stephen has more than 20 years of executive experience across a broad range of entertainment-industry disciplines, including business and legal affairs, television development and production and international co-financing. As EVP of Strategy and Head of Business & Legal Affairs, he oversees business and legal matters for film, television, animation and distribution for Gaumont Fim US, a subsidiary of French film studio Gaumont.

Gaumont Film US produces drama and comedy programming for both the U.S. and international markets, including Hannibal, which aired on NBC from April 2013 - August 2022, as well as the Golden Globes-winning drama Narcos, currently airing on Netflix.

About Alex Akhavan Alex Akhavan is an associate in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City, California office, where he represents producers, studios, media companies and networks in connection with entertainment productions throughout the United States and around the world.

In addition to advising Gaumont Film US on matters of clearance and production, Alex has served as production counsel to Campanario Entertainment. He also leads the firm’s Disney Television Animation and Amazon Studios’ unscripted teams and regularly negotiates development and production agreements on behalf of Disney, Amazon and Univision.

Contact Information Tim Stephen

Alex Akhavan

Additional Resources: Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of French Insider, Benjamin Sormonte, co-founder and co-owner of Maman, the French bakeries and cafes known for making Oprah’s favorite chocolate chip cookies, speaks about building a successful lifestyle brand in North America, including the challenges of bringing a very French experience to a North American audience and the role that Instagram and other social media platforms have played in Maman's success.

What We Discussed in this Episode: * Can you tell us a little about your background and how you arrived at the concept of Maman? * What challenges did you face in bringing this very French experience to a North American audience? * Maman has grown exponentially since first opening in Soho in 2014. As you choose locations for expansion, what drives your decisions? * What made you decide to move into Canada? * Did you find many differences between an opening in Canada and the U.S.? * Maman has become an incredibly successful lifestyle brand. Can you talk a bit about the strategy that went into building that brand? * What role have Instagram and other social media platforms played in your marketing? * Did you work with consultants when you first started out? * In building your customer base, what has worked and what hasn't? * What was your experience hiring staff in the U.S. and Canada? What were some challenges? * What advice would you have for managing a large workforce in the U.S.? * What surprised you most while building your business in the U.S. and Canada? What resources were helpful to you? * Did you ever envision that Maman would become the brand it is today? * What's one piece of advice you would offer someone seeking to turn their passion project into a successful brand?

About Benjamin Sormonte A French-born lawyer, Benjamin and his wife, Elisa Marshall, opened the first Mamon in 2014. What began as a single, independent Soho bakery and cafe has since grown into a leading lifestyle brand that boasts locations across New York City, Montreal, and Toronto, complete with a line of retail items that allows its loyal following to "take Maman home.” Maman is known for its delicious menu of hearty farm fresh salads, quiches, sandwiches, and of course pastries and sweets, including a famous nutty chocolate chip cookie that was named one of ‘Oprah’s favorite things’” in 2017 and one of the best chocolate chip cookies in New York by NY Magazine.

Maman means "mother" in French and remains a passion project for Benjamin and Elisa, despite the brand's exponential growth. The two have successfully melded their earliest childhood experiences in the kitchen, along with a nod to their mothers from the south of France and North America, into an all-encompassing sensory experience marked by rustic décor at every turn, the aroma and comfort of cuisines inspired by family traditions, and the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Contact Information:

Benjamin Sormonte, co-founder and co-owner of Maman

About Maman

Maman in DC

Additional Resources:

Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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In this episode of the French Insider, we speak with Emma Buttin, General Coordinator of the Residencies at Villa Albertine. Created by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Villa Albertine renews the concept of residence by shifting the center of gravity from the place of residence to the territory of residence and exploring this country-continent from the 10 major cities in the United States where it is present. Led by a team of 80 people spread out in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., the Villa Albertine seeks to accompany French cultural actors with on the ground support in their projects and challenges, through an ambitious, agile system closely connected to the prescribing bodies of the American cultural landscape.

What We Discussed In This Episode

1. Can you describe the history and mission of the Villa Albertine?
2. The Villa Albertine has just announced its next 70 residencies for 2023. What are the cities in which residents can come to the United States?
3. What is the method for applying for the Villa Albertine residencies?
4. Can you tell us about some of the Villa Albertine residencies?
5. What are the challenges you encounter in bringing residents to the Villa Albertine?
6. The Villa Albertine therefore sees itself as a large community: apart from the residents, who are your French partners?
7. Are you looking for American partnerships too?

About Emma Buttin

Emma Buttin has been the general coordinator of the Villa Albertine residencies since September 2021, overseeing the organization of the residencies and the annual call for applications. Emma is a graduate of Sciences Po Grenoble and ESCP-Europe, specializing in the management of multidisciplinary projects. She led artistic commissions and studies on the integration of cultural dimension in sustainable and urban development at the ARTER cultural production agency and for cities such as Montreal, Lyon and Geneva. She worked for six years on the creation and development of the cultural project of the largest construction site in Europe, the Grand Paris Express. Emma’s passion for cultural engineering and innovation led her to La Gaîté Lyrique. As the head of the residency program, she supported curators, studios and artists on their projects. She was also part of the team of the festival NewImages in Paris, dedicated to immersive experiences. In 2019, she joined the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States as New Media Officer and initiated new programs and cycles of meetings around virtual reality, video games and podcasts. She is a mentor at New Inc, the New Museum's cultural incubator.

Contacts:

Villa Albertine

Emma Buttin

Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog

This podcast was recorded in French.

French Translation

La Villa Albertine : Un programme d’accueil des acteurs culturels français aux États-Unis

Créée par le ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères et avec le soutien du ministère de la Culture, la Villa Albertine renouvelle le concept de résidence, en déplaçant le centre de gravité du lieu de résidence au territoire de résidence et invite à explorer ce pays-continent à partir des 10 grandes villes des Etats-Unis où elle est présente. Animée par une équipe de 80 personnes réparties à Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, La Nouvelle-Orléans, San Francisco, et Washington, D.C, la Villa Albertine veut accompagner au plus près du terrain américain les acteurs culturels français dans leurs projets et enjeux, à travers un dispositif ambitieux, agile et étroitement connecté aux instances de prescription du paysage culturel américain.

Emma Buttin est la coordonnatrice générale des résidences de la Villa Albertine depuis septembre 2021. Elle supervise l'organisation des résidences et l'appel à candidatures annuel.

La Discussion:

1. Pour donner un peu de contexte, pouvez-vous décrire l’histoire et la mission de la villa Albertine ?
2. La Villa Albertine vient juste d’annoncer ses 70 prochaines résidences pour 2023. Quels sont les villes dans les résidents peuvent venir aux Etats-Unis ?
3. Quelle est la méthode pour postuler aux résidences de la Villa Albertine ?
4. Pouvez-vous nous parler de quelques résidences de la Villa Albertine ?
5. Quels sont les défis que vous rencontrez pour faire venir les résidents de la Villa Albertine ?
6. La Villa Albertine se pense donc comme une grande communauté : mis à part les résidents, quels sont vos partenaires français ?
7. Est-ce que vous cherchez des partenariats américains aussi ?

Contacts:

Villa Albertine

Emma Buttin

Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs

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For this episode of French Insider, Jean Hoefliger, noted wine consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of JH Wine Consultants, joins us to discuss French investments in the U.S. wine industry, including the many factors drawing French winemakers to the Napa Valley and how the rise of venture-backed startups has altered the winemaking landscape.

About Jean Hoefliger

Born and raised in Switzerland, Jean has decades of winemaking experience and has worked in vineyards worldwide, including California, Bordeaux, Texas, and South Africa. As a wine consultant, he has helped build client wineries across the globe, including Montevereo in Tuscany and Grapeheart in Suisun Valley, as well as AXR and The Debate in Napa Valley, to name a few. His many accolades include two 100-point scores awarded by Jebb Dunnuck and Robert Parker for his Napa-based The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jean's consulting business encompasses everything he loves, from managing farming and crafting world-class wines to advising on business strategies and even building and implementing the sales structure for clients.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is drawing investors to the Napa Valley?
• Why are French winemakers coming to the Napa Valley?
• Who are some of the big players that already have a presence in the Napa Valley?
• As a winemaker, what's different about doing business in the Napa Valley vs. France?
• Are other U.S. winemaking regions becoming more significant in the market?
• How is the growing number of wineries impacting the overall market?
• Has the rise of venture-backed startups in the industry shifted the dynamic for producers?
• What should French companies keep in mind as they seek to enter the U.S. wine market?
• How are winemakers dealing with climate change?
• Despite the challenges of the last two years, including COVID and wildfires, wineries have continued to grow. Why is that?
• What are some of the long-term impacts of climate change on wineries in France and across Europe? How can new technology help mitigate these impacts?
• How does the diverse range of U.S. wine-producing regions act as an additional draw for French investors?

Contact Information

Jean Hoefliger

JH Wine Consulting

Sheppard Mullin French Desk

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For this episode of French Insider, Reid Whitten joins host Julien Banquart to discuss the impact of sanctions imposed against Russia in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. Topics addressed include the current and potential impacts of the sanction regime on companies doing business in or with Russian and Ukraine (including French multinationals), factors businesses should bear in mind as sanctions are announced and implemented, and whether or not the sanctions will be effective against Russia.

Reid Whitten is the Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin's London office, practicing in international trade regulations and investigations. He also shares his time serving clients out of the Washington, D.C. office and is the Leader of the firm's CFIUS Team. In the areas of economic sanctions, export and defense exports, CFIUS, anti-corruption, and tariffs, Reid supports clients in detecting and addressing potential compliance issues, conducting investigations, and defending against enforcement actions. He also advises on U.S. anti-dumping, anti-money laundering, and anti-boycott regulations.

Julien Blanquart is an International Trade associate in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's Brussels and London offices. His practice focuses on compliance counseling, training, and investigations in the areas of export controls, economic sanctions, anti-corruption (FCPA and Sapin II), customs, and foreign investment reviews (CFIUS). Julien advises clients on all aspects of European and French competition law, including mergers, cartels, abuse of dominance, as well as State aid across all sectors and industries.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What are some specific sanctions enacted since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
• How have those sanctions impacted the firm's clients doing business in Russia and Ukraine?
• What should companies with business ties to Russia or Ukraine bear in mind as sanctions are being discussed and implemented?
• Which specific industries have been particularly impacted by the sanctions?
• Have any restrictions been enacted on trade with Ukraine?
• Is there any specificity businesses should keep in mind regarding the individual sets of sanctions enacted by the U.S., U.K., and E.U.?
• Other than expanding the war, what options does Russia have to retaliate or counter the sanctions?
• Could cryptocurrency allow individuals or entities to evade sanctions against Russia?
• What makes sanctions effective? Will the current sanctions actually be effective against Russia?

Contact Information:

Reid Whitten

Julien Blanquart

Sheppard Mullin French Desk

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade

Thank you for listening!

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs

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Joining host Sarah Aberg is Jim Gatto. Jim joins us today to discuss the metaverse, the technology and business models involved in these virtual worlds, the role of NFTs and cryptocurrency in the digital economy, and the legal, regulatory, and governance issues that can arise when companies seek to enter that space.

Jim Gatto is a Partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington, D.C. office, where he leads the Blockchain & Fintech Team, Social Media & Games Team, and Open Source Team. Jim’s practice focuses on blockchain, interactive entertainment, digital art, AI, and online gambling. He advises clients on IP strategies, development and publishing agreements, licensing and technology transaction agreements, and tech regulatory issues. Jim has been involved with blockchain since 2012 and has been recognized as a thought leader by leading organizations including as a Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech Trailblazer by the National Law Journal.

Sarah Aberg is special counsel in the White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office. Sarah's practice encompasses litigation, internal investigations and white collar defense. Her areas of focus include financial services and securities, as well as corporate fraud in a variety of industries, including technology, construction, and non-profits. Sarah’s regulatory practice encompasses market regulation, foreign registration and disclosure requirements, supervisory procedures, and sales practices. Sarah represents corporations, financial services companies, and associated individuals in connection with investigations and regulatory matters before the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, FINRA, the New York Stock Exchange, the New York State Department of Financial Services, and the New York Attorney General’s Office.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

1. What is the Metaverse?
2. How Do Metaverses Differ from Earlier Virtual Worlds?
3. What Role Do NFTs Play in the Digital Economy?
4. Investing in a Metaverse: What are the Risks?
5. What are Legal, Regulatory, and Tax Considerations?
6. What Governance Issues Exist for Brands Operating in a Metaverse?
7. What are the Inflationary and Deflationary Aspects of the Virtual Economy?
8. How Might Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Alter International Financial Transactions?
9. Is the World Moving into a Virtual/Digital Economy?

Connect with Jim Gatto:

Email: jgatto@sheppardmullin.com

https://www.sheppardmullin.com/jgatto

Connect with Sarah Aberg:

https://www.sheppardmullin.com/saberg

Sheppard Mullin

Address & Phone Number

2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Suite 100

Washington, DC 20006-6801

Phone: 1.202.747.1945

Website: https://www.sheppardmullin.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sheppard-mullin-richter-&-hampton-llp/

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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Valère Horath is the vice president of global sales and co-founder of Quipment SAS. Quipment is a company specializing in the provision of medical and laboratory equipment. The equipment and supplies provided by Quipment make it possible to measure the effectiveness and side effects of drugs before they are put on the market. Quipment's customers are mainly pharmaceutical companies, Biotechs and CROs that must carry out very rigorous clinical trials in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of drugs. For this, they need to equip doctors with calibrated equipment, the reliability of which is indisputable. In addition, these studies are international: Quipment therefore has equipment in all continents and in >60,000 hospitals globally. It has warehouses in France, USA and Japan. To date, the company is in the 100-500 employee range.

Valère joins us today to discuss his personal experience with the decision of developing in the US, the strategy for coming to the US, and the challenges of starting and growing a business in the US. He also discusses some of the differences between running a business in France and the United States, including the importance of contracts in relationships with customers.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• About Valère Horath and Quipment;
• The decision to set up in the United States;
• The strategy for starting a business in the United States;
• The main differences between American and non-American clients;
• How to be successful in the U.S. market .

Connect with Valère Horath :

LinkedIn : https://fr.linkedin.com/in/val%C3%A8re-horath-52040522

Quipment :

Address & Phone number :

132 Rue André Bisiaux
54320 Maxéville
03 83 56 76 58

Web site : https://www.quipment.fr/

LinkedIn : https://fr.linkedin.com/company/quipment-sas

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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Joining the podcast is David Gallagher. David is a partner with the firm's D.C office. He specializes in all aspects of public contracting, including advising domestic and foreign companies on issues relating to compliance with U.S government procurement regulations such as subcontract and supply chain management, country of origin requirements under the Buy America Act, and other infrastructure projects and requirements unique to small businesses selling to the federal government. He also regularly teaches training courses and conducts internal compliance reviews to help companies know and understand the regulatory requirements, including whether their manufacturing process has satisfied the various Buy America regimes. What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What do we mean when we talk about the Infrastructure Bill?
• What are Buy America provisions, and what is their purpose in the Infrastructure Bill?
• What are things that foreign companies need to keep in mind regarding these provisions when wanting to invest or develop a project in the U.S?
• If a company is looking for a traditional transaction or project development what are some factors they should consider in relation to the Buy America provisions?
• Has the Biden administration discussed the long term effect this may have on the supply chain issues?
• What is the long term trend we’ll see with the Biden administration? Do you see this as a springboard for other initiatives?

Contact Information:

David Gallacher

https://www.sheppardmullin.com/dgallacher

Hosted by: Sarah Ben-Moussa

Sheppard Mullin French Desk

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade

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French Insider will be back with new episodes starting February 1, 2022.

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On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the highly anticipated $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Among other infrastructure-related incentives, the bill includes billions in funding to help fight climate change and support clean energy technologies. In this episode, we speak with Tony Toranto and Bill Rappolt and they help us dive into some of those initiatives and what these changes will mean for energy companies looking to invest in the U.S. market.

Tony is the team leader of the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance Team as well as a partner in the Real Estate, Corporate and Finance Practice Groups in the firm’s Del Mar and San Francisco offices, specializing on conventional and renewable projects.

Bill is a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, and a member of the Energy Industry Team, Renewable Estate, Land Use and Environmental Practice Group. He represents clients in the natural gas, electric and oil/liquids industries in commercial transactions and before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state utility commissions and appellate courts.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What are the main components of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill devoted to climate change and clean energy technologies?
• What can companies look forward to regarding the changes to the power infrastructure in the U.S., specifically what does this mean for the electric grid?
• What does “infrastructure” mean in the context of this bill?
• How did the passage of this bill change the role for Department of Energy in upcoming transmission projects?
• Is there anything in this bill that foreign companies looking to invest in the renewable energy market in the U.S. make note of?
• Has there been any discussions by the administration regarding the financing of other developmental clean energy technologies (i.e., clean hydrogen and expansion of electric vehicle use)?
• Where are we in terms of the reconciliation process?
• As the reconciliation bill continues to be debated, what additional programs will make it to the forefront of the discussion?

Contact Information:

Tony Toranto

Bill Rappolt

Sarah Ben-Moussa

Sheppard Mullin French Desk

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade

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Romain Poirot is the Advertising Director of French Morning. French Morning is the first e-magazine in the United States directed to the French- speaking community living in the U.S. , as well as French people traveling to the U.S. . Created in 2007, it is a local service for a global community, with more than +180,000 visitors per month and +90,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram.

Romain joins us today from New York to discuss the challenges, advice, do's and don'ts and everything that every French relocating to the U.S. should know before making the move . Romain shares his experience of over 10 years living in the U.S. and talks about the cultural, professional and financial similarities and differences between living in France and living in the U.S. .

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• International relocation: Do's and don'ts;
• How to get hired in the US;
• Private retirement plans;
• Health insurance in the U.S. ;
• Navigating cultural differences between the French and the Americans;

Romain Poirot: rpoirot@frenchmorning.com

Karl Buhler: https://www.sheppardmullin.com/kbuhler

Check out French morning:

Website : https://frenchmorning.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/FrenchMorning/

email : info@frenchmorning.com

Instagram : @french.morning

Connect with the French Desk:

Sheppard Mullin French Desk: https://www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com/

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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As the North American labor market experiences new challenges, shifts, and changes, HR professionals and recruiters are looking to stay informed on how to differentiate themselves in the market. Alongside these shifts, differences between French and North American markets bring unique perspectives and differences in workplaces. In this episode, we dive into the realities of the North American workforce from an HR perspective in 2021.

Joining the podcast is Wendy Alderdice, Chief Human Resources Officer at Socomec Group. With over 25 years of business experience aligning HR strategy, Wendy has expertise in all aspects of Human Resource Management within a global context, including development and implementation of HR strategy, organizational development, change management, strategic communications, and more.

• What is your perspective on the North American labor market?
• What are some of the challenges related to the North American labor market?
• With all these challenges with the labor market, how do you attract talent, especially as a new-comer to the market?
• How do you differentiate your offer, especially when you are not the highest paying one?
• How is the HR function important to the growth of North America?
• What do you think are the skills and attributes of a strong HR professional?
• How important is it to set the tone at the top with management for the North American workforce?
• How important are company values to a business?
• What are some of the cultural differences that exist when you compare French and North American workplaces?
• What are some of the difficulties that have arisen working with both the French and North American workforce?
• What programs have you implemented while trying to navigate COVID-19 in the workplace?

Contact Information:

Wendy Alderdice, Chief Human Resources Officer, Socomec, North America

Sheppard Mullin French Desk

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade

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For subsidiaries of U.S. companies looking to establish and/or grow their presence in an EU Member State and are perhaps seeking financial assistance from one of the Member States, it’s important to be aware of the European Union’s regulation of State aid. What is State aid and how does it impact U.S. companies with subsidiaries in the European Union, including France? We’re discussing the latest updates to EU State aid and discussing these controls vis-à-vis COVID-19.

Joining the podcast is Jacques Derenne, the Co-Leader of Sheppard Mullin’s Antitrust and Competition Group and the head of the EU Competition & Regulatory practice at Sheppard Mullin’s Brussels office. He is a member of the Brussels and Paris bars. He is also a Professor at the University of Liège and at the Brussels School of Competition.

The co-hosts for this episode are Valérie Demont and Sarah Ben-Moussa.

Valérie Demont is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York Office and the Co-Chair of Sheppard Mullin’s French Desk. Valérie focuses her practice primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities offerings and corporate governance matters. She has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe and Asia (including India). In particular, she routinely advises foreign companies with the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States.

Sarah Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office and is a member of the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team. Sarah focuses her practice on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm’s French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is European Union (EU) State aid and why does it exist?
• What are the cumulative criteria that must exist to justify the existence of a State aid?
• What is the process of seeking State aid approval from the European Commission?
• Can a U.S. company with a foreign subsidiary benefit from State aid?
• If a French business wanted to set up a company in the U.S., can they apply and receive assistance from the French government? If so, how?
• Is any COVID-19 financial assistance to companies considered State aid?
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what guidelines did the European Commission provide regarding the issuance of State aid?
• How are block exemption regulations allowing companies to avoid the State aid prior notification requirement?
• What can companies learn from State aid-related litigation in the airline industry?
• How the proposed EU regulation on the control of foreign subsidies is likely to impact non-EU companies, such as U.S. companies, investing in the EU?

Resource:

The European Commission Adopts a Proposal for a Regulation on Foreign Subsidies Distorting the Internal Market, by Jacques Derenne

Contact Information:

Jacques Derenne - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/jderenne

Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont – https://www.sheppardmullin.com/vdemont

Co-Chair - Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/choefliger

Sarah Ben-Moussa - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/sbenmoussa

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to FOLLOW to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

LinkedIn

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Sheppard Mullin French Desk website

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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Taxes can be complicated. This is especially true in the United States, where not only is there a Federal tax system, but every state has its own tax system as well. Understanding your tax liabilities in the U.S. means understanding the intricacies of the tax system of each state you’re doing business in. How are tax liabilities assessed and what type of taxes can a French company doing business in the U.S. be subject to? In this episode, we’re providing a high-level view of what every French company should know about potential state tax liabilities in the U.S.

Joining host Sarah Ben-Moussa is Justin Hepworth. Justin is a partner in the Tax and Estate Planning Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Orange County office. His practice encompasses a broad range of state and local tax matters, from planning, compliance, and transactional matters to controversy matters in audit and through litigation. Justin regularly advises clients on state and local tax implications of restructurings, mergers, acquisitions, spinoffs, and asset sales. He advises on audit defense, voluntary disclosure, unclaimed property (escheat law), and other controversy and compliance matters. He has extensive experience handling a broad range of multistate issues, including nexus, sales and use tax exemptions, sourcing and characterization, research and development credits, unitary business matters, California Prop. 13 change in ownership issues, and residency planning and audits.

Sarah Ben-Moussa is an associate in the corporate practice group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office and is a member of the Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team. As a member of the Sheppard Mullin French Desk, Sarah focuses her practice on domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities, and general corporate matters involving French and American companies. Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in Paris.

What We Discussed in this Episode:

• What type of state and local taxes might French companies doing business in the U.S. be subject to?
• What is “nexus” and how does it impact a state’s ability to tax a company?
• Can a company be subject to a state’s taxing system even with no physical presence in that state?
• What type of activities establish economic nexus in a state so that tax liability is triggered?
• What type of goods and services are subject to state taxes?
• Why might it be important to track sales in every state that a company sells goods or services in?
• How does the France-U.S. tax treaty affect tax liability at the state level?
• Why it’s important to enlist the assistance of an accounting and/or law firm
• What tax considerations exist in mergers and acquisitions?
• What type of double taxation issues should a company be familiar with?

Resources Mentioned:

South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. (2018)

Contact Information:

Justin Hepworth attorney profile

Sarah Ben-Moussa – Sarah’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile

Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - CHoefliger@sheppardmullin.com

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to FOLLOW to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

LinkedIn

Facebook

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Sheppard Mullin French Desk website

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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Expanding your business to another country is not easy: there are cultural barriers and business idiosyncrasies to learn. In this episode, we’re exploring some of the important steps every French company looking to develop, launch, and grow a business in the U.S. should understand.

Joining host Valérie Demont is Aurélie Bessière, Venture Partner at Otium Capital, the family office of Pierre-Edouard Stérin. Prior to joining Otium, Aurélie was the CEO for Palais des Thés USA, the US subsidiary of Palais des Thés, a French specialty tea company with operations around the world. In her role she led the establishment and growth of Palais des Thés in the US for over ten years.

Valérie Demont is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York Office and the Co-Chair of Sheppard Mullin’s French Desk. Valérie focuses her practice primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities offerings and corporate governance matters. She has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe and Asia (including India). In particular, she routinely advises foreign companies with the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• How to prepare for the launch and growth of a business in the U.S.?
• What role do customers play in the development of a project?
• How can business leaders get feedback from their customers?
• Should sales and marketing be led by a U.S. workforce or the French team of founders, owners, and business developers?
• When is using a VIE a good idea?
• The differences between French customers and U.S. customers and how they vary depending on whether the business is B2B or B2C?
• How do negotiations differ between individuals doing business in France and individuals doing business in the U.S.?
• Why it is important to speak with other business leaders in a similar industry as yours who have done what you want to do

Contact Information:

Aurélie Bessière’s LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aurelie-pasquet-bessiere-7a32041/

Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont – https://www.sheppardmullin.com/vdemont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - CHoefliger@sheppardmullin.com

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to FOLLOW to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Sheppard Mullin French Desk website

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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Understanding the nuances of American culture, society, economy, and legal system is imperative to the success of any French company looking to do business in the U.S. From selecting the right location to vetting vendors, hiring and retaining employees to setting a budget, we’re exploring the logistics of what foreign companies need to do prior to coming to the U.S. Joining host Valerie Demont for this conversation is Paula Clozel.

Paula Clozel is the plant manager at Creapharm CS USA. Creapharm Clinical Supplies is a worldwide logistics company providing support to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Paula is responsible for setting up the U.S. branch of the company, including building out operations and hiring employees.

Valérie Demont is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York Office and Co-Chair of Sheppard Mullin’s French Desk. Valérie focuses her practice on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities offerings and corporate governance matters. She has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe and Asia. In particular, she routinely advises foreign companies with the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• Why did Creapharm decide to do business in the U.S.?
• How was Atlanta, Georgia selected as the location for their U.S. logistics facility? What factors were considered in this choice?
• Why is it important for businesses to learn from the mistakes and accomplishments of other French companies establishing operations in the U.S.?
• What steps did Creapharm take to navigate the legal complexities in the U.S.?
• Which partners did Creapharm rely on to set up its business in the U.S.?
• How did Creapharm prepare for setting up in the U.S.?
• What was key to Creapharm’ s success in the U.S.?
• The budget process.
• The lessons learned.

Resources Mentioned:

French-American Chamber of Commerce - https://nationalfacc.org/

Contact Information:

Creapharm Clinical Supplies website - https://www.creapharm.com/clinical-supplies

Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont – https://www.sheppardmullin.com/vdemont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - CHoefliger@sheppardmullin.com

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to FOLLOW and/or SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player.

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Sheppard Mullin French Desk website

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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For U.S. companies looking to hire foreign employees or international businesses looking to invest in the U.S., navigating the ever-changing U.S. immigration landscape can be tricky. This is especially true now that President Biden has taken office and is looking to reset and reshape immigration policies. We’re exploring key immigration challenges facing international companies looking to do business in the U.S.

Joining host Sarah Aberg is the CEO of Guidepost Solutions, Julie Myers Wood. Ms. Wood has more than 25 years of experience in the public and private sector working on regulatory and enforcement issues from many perspectives, including as defense counsel, consultant, government investigator, federal prosecutor, and compliance consultant. Ms. Wood is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Guidepost Solutions, a leading investigations, compliance and security firm with offices throughout the United States, as well as England, Colombia and Singapore. At Guidepost, Ms. Wood focuses on regulatory compliance and investigative work.

Sarah Aberg is special counsel in the White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office. Sarah's practice encompasses litigation, internal investigations and white collar defense, with a focus on financial services and securities. Sarah’s regulatory practice encompasses market regulation, foreign registration and disclosure requirements, supervisory procedures, and sales practices. Sarah represents corporations, financial services companies, and associated individuals in connection with investigations and regulatory matters before the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, FINRA, the New York Stock Exchange, the New York State Department of Financial Services, and the New York Attorney General’s Office.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What impact has the Biden administration had on immigration thus far?
• What categories of visas are now open for applications again following the travel ban instituted by the Trump administration?
• Why is there a huge backlog at the Consulates?
• What is the greatest difference between the current and prior administrations when it comes to business immigration?
• Is a comprehensive immigration bill likely to pass any time soon?
• What type of immigration rules related to Covid restrictions should companies be aware of?
• If a company is bringing talent from overseas into the U.S., what measures should they be aware of?
• How can companies help prepare their traveling employees for their immigration interviews?
• Are immigration applications being scrutinized differently under the new administration?
• Will post-Covid immigration limitations look the same as the Covid immigration limitations?
• How will the new USCIS director impact French businesses?
• How will influx on the border impact international businesses?
• How can French businesses remain in compliance with their visas?

Contact Information:

Julie Myers Wood - https://guidepostsolutions.com/our-people/julie-myers-wood/

Sarah Aberg – Sarah’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile https://www.sheppardmullin.com/saberg

Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont – https://www.sheppardmullin.com/vdemont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - CHoefliger@sheppardmullin.com

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to FOLLOW and/or SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

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Sheppard Mullin French Desk website

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

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After four years of an “America First” trade approach, the new Biden administration is looking to rebalance U.S. trade policies and rebuild international relationships. Will there be a complete return to pre-Trump trade policies? Can businesses expect the new administration to more effectively promote U.S. economic interests while reestablishing the U.S. as a global trade leader? We explore these questions and more in this episode.

Joining host Sarah Ben-Moussa is Reid Whitten. Reid is the Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin's London office, practicing in international trade regulations and investigations. He shares his time serving clients out of the Washington, D.C. office. He is also Leader of the Sheppard Mullin CFIUS Team. Reid is a thought leader on cross-border business regulations. Reid is an Adjunct Professor at the New College of the Humanities in London and at Wake Forest University in the U.S., where he teaches courses on the law of international business. He is the lead author and editor of The CFIUS Book and is the head of the firm's CFIUS Team.

Sarah Ben-Moussa is an associate in the corporate practice group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office and is a member of the Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team. As a member of the Sheppard Mullin French Desk, Sarah focuses her practice on domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities, and general corporate matters involving French and American companies. Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in Paris.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What does the new Biden leadership tell us about the future of U.S. trade policy?
• How are U.S. Consulates and Embassies around the world reacting to the stability of the new administration?
• Are there likely to be unintended consequences of returning to “normal” diplomatic channels?
• What are some practical implications of new international trade policies for companies looking to invest in the U.S.?
• What are the lessons learned from the impact of COVID-19 on businesses?
• How can the government balance an interest in increased globalization with demand for greater domestic economic investment?
• How will foreign companies maneuver the tension that exists between the U.S. and China as the two countries continue to pull apart from each other?

Contact Information:

Reid Whitten – Reid’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile

Sarah Ben-Moussa – Sarah’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile

Sheppard Mullin French Desk

Co-Chair - Valérie Demont

Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - CHoefliger@sheppardmullin.com

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to FOLLOW to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Sheppard Mullin French Desk website

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.