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Article Excerpts Quoting Sheppard Mullin

Anna McLean Comments on a Ninth Circuit Class Action Decision in California Lawyer
Anna McLean, a partner in the Business Trial practice group, commented on the implications of Mazza v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc.: "The appellate ruling follows a general trend away from applying one state’s law nationwide.  Courts will need to look at choice of law in light of other state policy decisions.  Mazza promises to decrease the bet-the-company-size cases.  One jurisdiction, one court, one jury deciding a case can have a profound effect" ("Class Dismissed," April 2012).

Bethany Hengsbach Quoted on DOJ FCPA Guidance in the Daily Journal
Bethany Hengsbach, a partner in the firm's White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations practice, was quoted on forthcoming FCPA guidance: "The pushback from the business community is beginning to reach a bit of a fever pitch.  So maybe this guidance will be useful, maybe instead of amending the law, (the DOJ) will come out with some very clear guidance.” ("White-Collar Lawyers Await New FCPA Guidance,” March 2, 2012).

Richard Simmons Comments on Sexual Harassment Law in The Economist 
Richard Simmons, a partner in the firm's labor and Employment practice group, was quoted on the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace: "The fact that there has been a settlement does not by itself tell you there was any truth to the allegations." ("Nasty, But Rarer," November 12, 2011).  

John Chierichella Quoted in The National Law Journal on Decreased Federal Spending Impacting Government Contracts Practices John Chierichella, a partner in the firm's Government Contracts practice, was quoted on the impending spending cuts enacted by Congress and how the cuts will lead to more work for government contracts practices: "The government contracts practice actually picks up when there are spending cuts.  What happens is that companies have to fight for every dollar.  They protest more frequently and more aggressively at a time when there are not as many pieces of the pie."  (For Contract Players, A Boom," August 15, 2011).

Robert Darwell Comments on Chinese Film Deals in Variety Robert Darwell, head of the firm's Entertainment, Media & Technology practice group, commented at this year's inaugural Beijing International Film Festival: "In terms of co-production, people are turning to China. Everyone is looking for opportunities. I was surprised at how sophisticated the companies here are. The co-production agreements took a while, but not because people were unsophisticated, it had more to do with time difference and the scheduling of calls. These are sharp people who have been involved on global productions. It's just like doing business throughout Europe or North America. Some may even opt to have a separate U.S. counsel. Chinese partners have wanted to have things spelt out as detailed as their U.S. counterparts." ("China Embraces L.A. Law", April 27, 2011).

Dan Yannuzzi Quoted in Law360 on Significant 2010 IP Rulings 
Dan Yannuzzi, co-chair of the firm's IP practice group, discussed ResQNet.com Inc. v. Lansa Inc. There has always been a requirement that experts don't speculate and that the damages inquiry actually focuses on the infringement and is reasonably related to the value of the invention in the marketplace, a requirement that the Federal Circuit affirmed in its decision. Bilski Headlines Influential IP Rulings In 2010," January 1, 2011).

John Tishler Comments on New Proxy Access Rules in Investment Dealers' Digest John Tishler, a partner in the firm's Corporate practice group, was quoted on the SEC's measures concerning "proxy access":  "The wording almost certainly introduces the threat of litigation.  The complicated fact patterns of real-world situations will invite lawsuits challenging the initial motives of dissidents should a transaction emerge after they obtain board seats.  Board turnover, on its own, tends to beckon possible buyers, making such situations likely."  ("Proxy Access Rules Create M&A Uncertainty," October 5, 2010). 
 
Bob Thompson Quoted in The Recorder on Public Sector Real Estate Deals Being Done 
Bob Thompson, a partner in the firm's Real Estate practice group, discussed his slate of current real estate projects (including a $200 million neurosciences facility for UCSF's Mission bay, a MacArthur BART station mixed-use project, Lennar Corp.'s Candlestick Point portion of the Hunters Point redevelopment and a Transbay Terminal project) that have a public, nonprofit component: "Deals that are still happening are these large, overarching deals that are able to bridge a bad economic cycle."  (Real Estate Lawyers Look To Public, Nonprofit Sectors," August 27, 2010).