Media Highlights
Sheppard Mullin Ad Campaign
Article Excerpts Quoting Sheppard Mullin
Ben Mulcahy Comments on N.F.L. Antitrust Case in The New York Times
Ben Mulcahy, a partner in the firm's Entertainment, Media & Technology practice group and co-chair of both the Sports and Advertising industry teams, was quoted on antitrust issues connected to a N.F.L. matter: "The biggest story coming out of that case is not the immediate implication for the parties and whether American Needle can get a headwear contract, but the downstream repercussions that would treat the league as anything but a single entity." ("Antitrust Case Has Implications Far Beyond N.F.L., January 7, 2010).
Stephanie Brecher Quoted in California Lawyer on Clean-Tech Deals Being Done
Stephanie Brecher, a partner in the firm's Corporate practice group and co-chair of the Climate Change and Clean Technology practice, discussed the current state of clean-tech ventures and transactions: "Certain areas, especially solar, will see more mergers and acquisitions. It makes sense to consolidate—for companies with more money to acquire smaller ones with great technology but with fewer chances of getting funds." (Green Deals in a Dry Season," October 2009).
Robert Darwell Comments on Film Finance in The Hollywood Reporter
Robert Darwell, head of the firm's Entertainment, Media & Technology practice group, commented on the challenges often experienced by filmmakers looking for financial backers: "There has been an adjustment in the marketplace, and likely necessary one. maybe there were too many movies made. Hopefully a bit of Darwinism will help in that stronger projects will survive." ("Queasy Money, August 28, 2009).
John Chierichella Quoted in Federal Times on Large Contracts Being Sidelined
John Chierichella, a partner in the firm's Government Contracts practice, was quoted on the issues associated with large contracts being delayed: "In this economy, if you are going to be excluded from a widely defined business opportunity for 10 years, it's almost incumbent upon you to challenge that. They owe it to the people in their companies whose jobs are at stake." ("The Rising Problem of Bid Protests," April 6, 2009).
Jim McGinnis Comments in The National Law Journal on DOJ Price-Fixing Prosecutions
Jim McGinnis, a partner in the firm's Antitrust practice group, was quoted on the DOJ's new Antitrust Division's potential for prosecutions: "Cartel and amnesty prosecutors have been extraordinarily successful. I don't think that will change with administrations." And the potential for antitrust to be a growth business: "The current conditions are particularly conducive to breaking antitrust law. Cutting back production as an independent decision is not an antitrust violation, but combining with competitors to agree to cut back is. The motivation is to prop up prices for everyone." ("DOJ's 'Trust Busters' Ring up $3.5B in Price-Fixing Fines in Past Eight Years, January 30, 2009).
Bill Wyatt Comments in the International Financial Law Review on the SEC Clarification to Fair Value Accounting
Bill Wyatt, a partner in the firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practice group, questioned the elimination of mark-to-market accounting standards because of lack of transparency about in-house valuations in the International Financial Law Review: "Accountants will be forced to put prices on the bonds that are level one, those that are selling regularly and have an obvious market value. The level two and level three assets, those that aren't selling right now, will be harder to evaluate. Accountants could easily hide things there." (U.S. Mark-to-Market Changes Will Repair Trust, October 3, 2008).
James Chadwick Quoted in The Recorder on High Profile Access Case
First Amendment litigation partner James Chadwick's representation of UCLA School of Law professor Richard Sander, former State Bar governor Joe Hicks and the California First Amendment Coalition in a case involving access to historical bar exam data was covered in a Recorder story, which quotes him: "We've made the argument that they can't just any it without comment because that would arguably deprive us of due process. They should either take it and hear it on the merits, or to take it to the superior court." ("Researcher Turns to Calif. Supreme Court in Pursuit of State Bar Data on Race, August 11, 2008).
David Geneson Quoted in The New York Times on the Representation of Former AOL CFO in Fraud Case
David Geneson, a partner in the firm's White Collar Defense practice, was quoted concerning client Joseph A. Ripp, former America Online CFO: "Mr. Ripp is a straight shooter who consistently uncovered fraud and did not commit it. When Mr. Ripp was named CFO of the AOL division, he quickly discovered serious problems. He launched an investigation and hired outside auditors and revealed fraud that triggered two federal prosecutions." ("From a Whistle-Blower to a Target," June 9, 2008).
Don Pelto Quoted in Life Sciences Law & Industry Report on Life Science Issues To Watch in 2008
Don Pelto, a partner in the firm's Intellectual Property practice group, was quoted in an article in the Life Sciences Law & Industry Report regarding two developments that could affect the life sciences industries in 2008. The first is a Supreme Court antitrust decision to be decided in 2008. Pelto said, "In Joblove v. Barr Laboratories Inc. (U.S., No. 06-830), the Supreme Court will decide whether a settlement where an accused infringer receives substantial consideration and agrees not to market a generic version of the patented item violates federal antitrust laws." A second issue is President Bush's 2007 executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services and NIH to ensure that any human pluripotent stem cell lines produced in ways that do not create, destroy, or harm human embryos are eligible for federal funding (1 LSLR 282, 6/22/07). Said Pelto, ‘‘Specifically, the order expands the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry to include all types of ethically-produced human pluripotent stem cells. The order invites scientists to work with the NIH to add new ethically-derived stem cell lines to the list of those eligible for federal funding.’’ ("Experts Predict Which Life Sciences Issues Will Predominate in 2008," January 4, 2008).