Business Better

On this episode of Sustainability Spotlight, Saint-Gobain's Dennis Wilson, Vice President of Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) and Managing Director of Circular Economy Solutions, discusses this global building products company's goal to be the world leader in light and sustainable construction, and how that commitment manifests itself in operations and investments. Dennis also talks about one...

This episode is part of our Sustainability Spotlight series, which highlights the sustainability efforts that businesses are making to combat climate change and other environmental challenges. This episode features a discussion with John Walsh, Senior Vice President of Investor and Government Relations, and Ali Snyder, Director of Sustainability and Marketing at Chart Industries, Inc. Chart Indust...

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we consider the importance of advanced planning in relation to labor, employment, and benefits, to comply with legal obligations and navigat...

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we discuss rapidly evolving state privacy laws, and compliance regulations such as FERPA and GLBA, that are creating a complex landscape in...

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on intellectual property developed at and managed by systems of higher education. We discuss how universities can best manage and l...

This episode is part of our "Manufacturing Moment" series, where we discuss important developments in the manufacturing space, and provide insight on how these major changes will affect the industry. In today's episode, we're joined by two special guests; Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, and Angela Wilhelms, President and CEO of Oregon Business...

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we discuss financial challenges facing many colleges and universities, such as declining enrollment, decreased funding, and restrictions tha...

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on real estate and tax in education consolidation. We discuss the value and marketability of excess real estate, and factors to con...

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. To kick-off this series, we focus on mergers and acquisitions, and antitrust considerations in the higher education industry. We explore obstacles that i...

This episode is an introduction of our new series "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation," where we will discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on key factors driving these trends, including declines in demographic and enrollment, and the outline t...

This episode is part of our new series "Manufacturing Moment," where we will discuss important developments in the manufacturing space, and provide insight on how these major changes will affect the industry. Today, we're taking a look at the Trump administration and his manufacturing priorities. This episode features a discussion with Charles Crain, Managing Vice President of Policy at the Nation...

In light of recent executive orders, today's podcast focuses on what organizations can expect with the new administration's promises on immigration, as well as what employers can do when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrives to the workplace. We discuss which documents need to be in order, protocols that employers should have in place in case of a raid, and what to do in the after...

In this episode, we discuss the impacts of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (a.k.a. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)) on U.S. infrastructure on its third-year anniversary. While the IIJA/BIL has unlocked significant funding for major projects, it has also highlighted afresh important questions about the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure investments. We explore the...

This episode features a discussion with Nick St. John, Director of Federal Compliance at America's Credit Unions. We discuss the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by FinCEN and federal banking regulators regarding the enhancement and modernization of anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism ("AML/CFT") compliance programs under the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA"). This discussion fo...

This episode is part of our Sustainability Spotlight series, which highlights the sustainability efforts that businesses are making to combat climate change and other environmental challenges. This episode features a discussion with Matt O'Malley, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Jeannie Morris, Vice President of Government Affairs at Vicinity Energy. Vicinity Energy is the largest owner and oper...

This episode is part of our Cyber Adviser series, where we discuss emerging issues in the world of privacy and data security. Today, we're joined by Paolo Sbuttoni, a partner at Foot Anstey with years of experience specializing in technology and data. We compare the AI regulatory landscape in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We also provide insight on the scope of rec...

This episode is part of our Cyber Adviser series, where we discuss emerging issues in the world of privacy and data security. Today, our lawyers discuss new state consumer health data laws in Connecticut, Nevada, and Washington, highlighting the laws' scope, obligations for regulated entities, and enforcement mechanisms. Greg Szewczyk, Leader of Ballard Spahr's Privacy and Data Security Group, and...

This is the first episode in our new Sustainability Spotlight series, highlighting the sustainability efforts that businesses are taking to combat climate change and other environmental challenges. This episode features a discussion with Alan Horowitz, Vice President of Sustainability at Aramark, a leading global provider of food and facilities services. Alan provides insight on Aramark's "Be Well...

In this episode, we are joined by Special Agent Jonathan Schnatz, Senior Analyst with IRS Criminal Investigation. Special Agent Schnatz will discuss his work with an international law enforcement and tax compliance group, and how that work directly impacts U.S. businesses and individuals. Peter Hardy and Chris Jones, co-leaders of Ballard Spahr's Tax Controversy team, are joined by team member Sia...

In today's episode, we're joined by D.J. Lipke, a Principal at Prairie Capital. Prairie Capital is a private equity firm that has provided businesses with thought partnership and strategic guidance for over two decades. Jeffrey Fickes, Co-Leader of the Private Equity Group, hosts the discussion.

This episode is part of our Cyber Adviser series, where we discuss emerging issues in the world of privacy and data security. The privacy and cybersecurity landscape is evolving in the financial sector, from more specific data security reporting requirements, to potential data subject rights and the use of artificial intelligence. Today, our lawyers will highlight key developments and provide prac...

In today's episode, we're joined by Meahgan O'Grady Martin, Head of Business Development at Palladium Equity Partners. Palladium is a private investment firm that targets opportunities in the middle-market, with a focus on companies in the U.S. Hispanic market, founder- and family-owned businesses, and companies with accretive M&A opportunities. Jeffrey Fickes, Co-Leader of the Private Equity Grou...

Realigning an underperforming property and its attendant financing takes a high degree of detailed knowledge not only of the particular building, but the market and industry as a whole. In this episode, five members of our national Distressed Office Buildings team share their perspectives on the key considerations office building owners and their lenders should focus on as they take stock of their...

In this episode, we're joined by Porter Hall, a Principal at SBJ Capital. SBJ Capital is a private investment firm with a focus on lower middle-market consumer, business services, and healthcare services companies. They provide strategic advice, domain expertise, and flexible solutions to support the value-creation goals of entrepreneurs, owners, and management teams. Jeffrey Fickes, Co-Leader of...