OnAir with Akin

Akin Gump London-based financial restructuring partner Liz Osborne and finance partners Amy Kennedy and Stephen Peppiatt discuss European bonds, loans and the various flavors of covenants in the current liquidity constrained environment. Among the topics covered: The development of the high-yield bond/leveraged loan market. Investment opportunities within existing covenant structures. EBITDA and f...

In this episode, Akin Gump London-based financial restructuring partners Liz Osborne and Emma Simmonds discuss insolvency and restructuring in the U.K. in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Among the topics covered: ·         Recent trends. ·         Liquidity issues and requests for release and payment holidays. ·         U.K. insolvency and restructuring mechanisms. ·         Proposed reform of...

Akin Gump cybersecurity, privacy and data protection co-heads Natasha Kohne and Michelle Reid discuss the California Consumer Privacy Act and its implications for business in this episode recorded in mid-March. Among the topics covered: ·       California's influence on states' legislation. ·       Private right of action: What does it mean for business? ·       Attorney-client privilege. ·       ...

This episode presents the briefing "Managing the New Reality: Opportunities & Landmines for Energy Companies Right Now," with Akin Gump corporate partner John Goodgame and financial restructuring partners Sarah Schultz, Ira Dizengoff and Michael Stamer. Among the topics covered: ·        D&O duties. ·        Disclosure for energy companies. ·        Liability management. ·        Transactional alt...

In this episode recorded in late February, Akin Gump financial regulatory partners Helen Marshall and Ezra Zahabi, using Akin Gump's recently published  In Principle  annual report as a springboard, discuss what U.K. authorized firms should be thinking about. Among the topics covered: ·       Brexit and contractual implications. ·       ESG considerations. ·       U.K. enforcement trends. ·       ...

In this episode, Akin Gump labor and employment partner Richard Rabin and associate Grace O'Donnell discuss what you need to know about coronavirus' impact on the workplace and employees. Among the topics covered: ·       Business/personal travel and quarantine. ·       Sick leave obligations and state/federal laws. ·       COVID-19 testing and the workplace. ·       Remote work considerations. Fo...

In this episode, Akin Gump litigation partner Mark Dawkins and senior counsel Sheena Buddhdev return to the studio to discuss U.K. dispute resolution in the wake of that country's departure from the EU. Among the topics covered: ·           What has changed post-Brexit? ·           What is expected for the transition period before January 1, 2021? ·           Practical steps and contracts in 2020....

In this episode, Akin Gump international competition and trade partner Davina Garrod and corporate partner Gavin Weir discuss M&A in the U.K., EU, U.S., China and more, its state of health and where it might go in 2020. Among the topics covered: ·         The impact of Brexit. ·         Geopolitical hurdles. ·         The Trump admin, U.S. elections and M&A. ·         China: Hong Kong, coronavirus...

In this episode, Akin Gump international trade partner Nnedi Ifudu and corporate partner Weyinmi Popo give listeners a panoramic view of Africa's business and investment landscapes. Among the topics covered: ·         A region-by-region review ·         Risks attached to investment. ·         The "three Ds" of business opportunity in Africa ·         The impact of U.S. government policies. ·      ...

In this episode, Akin Gump investment management partners Barbara Niederkofler and Jason Daniel discuss the Securities and Exchange Commission's proposed modernization of the advertising and cash solicitation rules under the Advisers Act. Among the topics covered: ·         Redefinition of "advertisement." ·         Case studies guidance. ·         Testimonials and fraudulent statements. ·        ...

In this episode, Akin Gump public law and policy partner Ed Pagano and senior policy advisor Galen Roehl discuss privacy legislation being considered in the U.S. Congress. Among the topics covered: ·         Drivers for new legislation. ·         The leading privacy bills. ·         The impact of state privacy laws. ·         The Trump administration's view. ·         Takeaways for business. For m...

In this episode, Akin Gump international trade partner Steve Kho and public law and policy partner Clete Willems discuss the U.S.-China trade war, where it stands and where it may be going. Among the topics covered: The likelihood of a deal by year's end. What signs to look for regarding progress. China and the WTO. The 2020 elections and the trade war. The trade war's impact on the business commu...

In this episode, Akin Gump health care and life sciences senior counsel Taylor Jones and public law and policy senior policy adviser Julie Nolan discuss draft legislation currently on Capitol Hill focusing on drug pricing and surprise medical billing. Among the topics covered: What's driving legislation? Which draft bills have the most support? What role does the international pharmaceutical marke...

In our second annual SCOTUS review, Akin Gump Supreme Court and appellate practice co-head Pratik Shah analyzes the Court's previous Term and previews the new Term. Among the topics covered: • SCOTUS decisions on census citizenship and gerrymandering. • How Justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch voted. • New hot-button cases: gun rights, DACA, transgender discrimination. • What business should know about...

In this episode, Akin Gump health care and life sciences counsel Taylor Jones and Matt Wetzel discuss the Justice Department's recent guidance on evaluation of corporate compliance programs. Among the topics covered: ·         Incorporating the guidance into risk assessment. ·         Its impact on the health care sector. ·         What it may reveal about DOJ compliance strategy. ·         Top ta...

In this episode, Akin Gump litigation partner Mark Dawkins and senior counsel Sheena Buddhdev discuss Brexit and its possible impact on international dispute resolution in the U.K. Among the topics covered: ·         Brexit state of play ·         international business and the English judicial system ·         governing law of contracts post-Brexit ·         court judgements post-Brexit. For more...

In this episode, demonstrating solutions in fund formation and negotiation, Akin Gump investment management lawyers Jim Deeken and Gechi Tesic perform a mock negotiation between a private equity firm and a pension fund considering an investment in a successor fund. Among the topics covered: management fees and zombie funds side letters distribution waterfalls and clawbacks in-kind distributions. F...

In this episode, Akin Gump health care and life sciences partner Howard Sklamberg discusses the history and status of cannabis regulation and enforcement in the U.S., particularly of cannabidiol, or CBD. Among the topics covered: THC vs. CBD, hemp vs. marijuana CBD and the Controlled Substances Act CBD: supplement, food additive or drug? FDA regulation of  CBD. For more information on Akin Gump's...

This episode debuts a series of conversations between Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith and thought leaders in and around the legal industry. In this episode, she speaks with Patrick Krill, an authority on addiction and mental health in law firms. Among the topics covered: what a 15,000-lawyer survey revealed about mental health distress well-being in the workplace the importance of early inte...

In this episode, Akin Gump public law and policy senior advisor and former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and international trade partner Nnedi Ifudu discuss U.S. sanctions on Venezuela. Among the topics covered: the history of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela the impact of sanctions on business risks in the Venezuela market challenges to the U.S. at the WTO forecast for future sanctions. For more infor...

In this episode, partners and Akin Gump retail initiative co-leaders Gregory Knopp and Meredith Slawe discuss the retail sector, its promises and its pitfalls.   Among the topics covered: technological innovation in retail challenges retailers face in California consumer privacy and the plaintiff's bar Akin Gump's multidisciplinary retail initiative the importance of compliance in risk management....

In this episode, the third of three building on Akin Gump's annual  Top 10 Topics for Directors  report, partner  Michelle  Reed discusses the critical question of cybersecurity and the corporate world. Among the topics covered: the big players and decisions for cyber in 2018 how boards can improve their cyber posture 2019 federal cyber initiatives. For more information on Akin Gump's cybersecurit...

In this episode, the second of three building on Akin Gump's annual Top 10 Topics for Directors report, partner Lauren Leyden discusses the #MeToo movement and its impact on the corporate world. Among the topics covered: corporate culture and #MeToo the paramount importance of preparedness the changing environment for allegations. For more information on Akin Gump's labor and employment work, plea...

In this episode, the first of three building on Akin Gump's annual Top 10 Topics for Directors report, partners Christine LaFollette and Daniel Walsh discuss corporate culture and board diversity, and what boards need to be thinking about them. Among the topics covered: corporate culture and crisis management proxy voting and board diversity a return to a multiconstituency focus for boards. For mo...

In this episode, Akin Gump antitrust partners Gorav Jindal and Corey Roush discuss antitrust developments in 2018 and look at what 2019 may bring.   Among the topics covered: antitrust under the Trump administration major antitrust legislation on Capitol Hill the FTC and big data best practices for engaging with antitrust regulators. For more information on Akin Gump's antitrust practice, please v...