SharkCast

PFAS regulations and litigation continue to evolve, creating new challenges for companies across the food and agribusiness sector. From product manufacturing and packaging to supply chains and environmental compliance, businesses face increasing scrutiny and potential liability.In this episode, Kent Schmidt talks to Dorsey Partner Michael Droke and Associate Nathan Webster. They discuss the current PFAS regulatory landscape, trends, and considerations for food and agribusiness companies seeking to understand and manage these evolving risks.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

Effective collaboration between in-house counsel and outside counsel is essential to managing legal risks, controlling costs, and supporting business objectives. Differing perspectives, pressures, and expectations can create challenges if those relationships are not aligned.In this episode, Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partners Kimberly Neville and Bonnie Paskvan, who bring extensive experience serving both as in-house counsel and outside advisors. They discuss practical strategies for improving collaboration, including managing legal budgets, communicating expectations, reviewing bills, and working proactively to prevent litigation.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

The U.S. and U.K. legal systems share many similarities rooted in their common law heritage. However, important differences have developed over time, including those related to liabilities that arise from employment relationships.In this episode, Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partners Lisa Patmore, based in London, and Matt Durham, based in Salt Lake City. They address employment litigation and discuss how HR professionals, lawyers, and others responsible for managing these claims must understand the distinctions between the U.S. and U.K. legal structures.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

The connection between changes on the regulatory horizon and the creation of new theories of liabilities in civil litigation is well known. A new regulation often creates or expands a standard of care or obligation for a company that a plaintiff, including a consumer in a class action, can point to as a predicate for a tort or other legal theory. The nexus between the regulatory landscape goes even further. In this episode Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partner Seth Goertz on the unconventional mix between cybersecurity standards and False Claims Act, which empowers whistleblowers to bring lucrative claims for even small deviations. This creates a template for whistleblowing and cybersecurity standards even in the private sector, creating a litigation risk even where there has been no data breach.  This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

The creative industries, including music and all forms of publishing, have been disrupted perhaps more than any other in the wake of the AI revolution, as new creative powers are unleased, allowing anyone to generate new content with ease.  With these innovation comes litigation risks of copyright infringement. Courts are keeping pace with these rapid AI advancements, applying well-known principles such as “fair use” and other copyright doctrines. In this episode, Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partner Mike Keyes on one such AI copyright case and what it means for creative industries managing copyright litigation risks in an AI-dominated world.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

In the current volatile environment, societal and political shifts have resulted in increased uncertainty about how employers are to respond to issues ranging from the reversal of DEI standards and norms, changes in EEOC guidance and more claims of reverse discrimination. We are seeing greater division employees on social and political issues with social media providing everyone a platform to speak, espousing diverse viewpoints. In this episode, Dorsey labor and employment partners, Nisha Verma and Aaron Goldstein offer practical guidance on how HR professionals and others responsible for employment claims can address the risks of employment claims in a new era of social backlash.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

Hidden fees that consumers learn about late in the process of completing a transaction are increasingly targeted in state and federal legislation.  Using names such as “junk fees” and “drip pricing”, these laws create new litigation risks for companies. This episode covers the new statutes as well as FTC regulations, application in common scenarios, pending litigation claims, all to better understand how businesses and those who advise them can avoid these lawsuits. SharkCast host Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey attorneys Matt Ralph and Alex Hake on these issues, including what these developments mean for class action risks.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

Consumer litigation risks are a significant concern for companies selling products and services for personal use, including consumer class action lawsuits, as well as scrutiny and enforcement actions from the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and district attorneys. Mitigating these risks requires understanding how self-regulatory organizations (SROs) work. In this episode, Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partner Fara Sunderji on SROs, focusing on the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau, exploring how NAD handles complaints, coordinates with the FTC, and serves as a resource in understanding and defending against consumer litigation risks.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

A key aspect of identifying litigation risks is uncovering where a company deviated from its established practices, best practices, internal guidelines, or stated values. This process often reveals critical issues, making it advisable for companies to engage counsel to conduct an internal review or third-party investigation. In this episode, SharkCast host Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partner Margot Laporte on internal investigations. These investigations aim to determine what went wrong, why it happened, and whether any illegal conduct occurred that may need to be reported to authorities.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

Wage claims make up a significant portion of employment litigation, often presenting unique challenges for companies. In this episode, SharkCast host Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partners Aaron Goldstein and Nisha Verma on wage and hour claims. They discuss effective litigation strategies, common pitfalls for employers, and the distinct issues that arise in these cases. This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.