Sheppard's French Insider

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 pl...

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 Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the presidency might mean for the multinational business community, particularly foreign investors.   What We Discussed In Today's Episode:...

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 cult...

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 hav...

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-c...

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,...

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 Russia n and Ukraine (including French multinationals) , factors businesses should bear in mind as sanctions...

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 lead...

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...

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 p...

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

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 me...

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 joi...

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 work...

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...

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 i...

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-Edouar...

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 fo...

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 busi...

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...