Executive Relationships at work – ban, boundaries or blind eye?

In this episode, Partner Emma Bartlett and Trainee Solicitor Mitchell Blythe are joined by a special guest, Chris Paouros, who is the Co-Chair of Proud Lilywhites, the official Tottenham Hotspur LGBTQ+ Supporters Association, to discuss the following:  1. Methods and initiatives for harnessing and bringing about change within organisations.  2. Chris' love of Tottenham Hotspur and the inspiration behind founding an award-winning Football Supporters Association.  3. The core principles and aims which are fundamental to the success of the Association.  4. The recent 10th anniversary of the Proud Lilywhites and the video released to commemorate this milestone, which can be viewed here.  5. Support from Tottenham Hotspur players past and present and the positive affect that this has on support for the Association.

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a global initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, with the aim to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported. In this podcast, Partner Emma Bartlett speaks to Maisie Lockyer, Associate at leading Family law firm Burgess Mee, about how important adjustments are to ensuring neurodiverse clients can participate in legal proceedings, instruct their lawyers and receive advice in the way that suits them best for their particular needs. In particular, Emma and Maisie discuss: Adjustments throughout the legal process: How adjustments may be required from the outset of an instruction from a neurodivergent client, through to preparation for trial or any hearings/meetings Recognising vulnerabilities: Neurodiverse conditions can result in vulnerabilities for clients that can unfairly count against them when during a trial or meeting Raising awareness in the legal profession: The importance for legal professionals to be aware of the potential need to make adjustments for neurodiverse clients and being proactive in this regard, promoting inclusivity and diversity If you have any questions in relation to neurodiversity or if you wish to discuss any of the topics raised in this podcast, please contact Partner Emma Bartlett.

We are delighted to share with you a podcast focusing on 'Navigating the UK and US Regulatory Terrain of Off-Channel Communications'. Listen to the podcast and see below for further details. Historically, it has been easier for employers to monitor record keeping and the contents of off-channel communications. This has become increasingly important as technology evolves and new platforms become available. In this interesting discussion, Wendi Lazar, C-Suite Strategies LLC (New York, USA), Sebastian Sayer, Fox Williams (London, UK) and Natalie A. Napierala, Carlton Fields (New York, USA), speak with Stuart Smith of CM Murray LLP about the actions taken by both US and UK regulators and the practical steps that firms can take to avoid fines. In particular, the panel discuss: - An overview of the rules and sanctions applied by US regulators (SEC, CFTC and FINRA) and UK regulators (FCA and FSA) relating to violations for engaging in off-channel communications and the purpose of record keeping regulations. - What response from these regulators are we likely to see going forward for breaches of record keeping regulations? - Recommended strategies, procedures, training, and internal policies that can be put in place by employers to comply with the regulations. - What is the best practice for employees and supervisors to comply with regulations and limit their own personal risk?

We are delighted to introduce the sixth episode of our Women in Sport Podcast, where we discuss developments, initiatives, and issues relating to women in sports and the associated legal implications. In this episode, Partner Emma Bartlett and Trainee Solicitor Mitchell Blythe are joined by a special guest, Dee Bright, who is the Chair of SpursAbility, the Tottenham Hotspur Disabled Supports Association, to discuss the following: 1. Dee's background in the world of sport, including how she first became introduced to football by watching Wimbledon F.C., and her personal experience of inequality in the sport of horse racing. 2. What inspired Dee to get involved in with the Tottenham Hotspur Disabled Supporters Association, SpursAbility. 3. The groundbreaking accessibility and inclusivity services at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the user lead strategy as the driving force behind them. 4. The viral press conference moment between Tottenham Hotspur manager, Ange Postecoglou, and Dee's son. 5. The positive affect that the promotion of disability inclusion has on diversity and inclusion more generally in an organisation.

In this podcast recording, Partner Zulon Begum and leading international law firm management consultant, Moray McLaren discuss new research by the IBA's Law Firm Management Committee (LFMC) which explores recent trends in partner profit sharing, remuneration and reward. The research has been published by Harvard Law School and is available here: https://clp.law.harvard.edu/knowledge-hub/magazine/issues/the-perfect-partner/defining-the-perfect-partner/ Key discussion points from this podcast recording: - Is there such a thing as a ‘perfect partner’ and how do you define them? - Gaining a better definition of partner contribution with an increasing adoption of non-financial performance indicators Introducing clearer guard rails and ensuring there is a fair process - Diffusing tensions around partner remuneration discussions and avoiding barriers to change - Providing leadership with “teeth” by revisiting and reinforcing governance - Moving from partner evaluation to partner development - A look to the future – how AI will move the goals posts on partner contribution and remuneration If you have any questions arising from this podcast recording please contact Partner Zulon Begum.

We are delighted to introduce the fifth episode of our Women in Sport Podcast, where we discuss developments, initiatives, and issues relating to women in sports and the associated legal implications. In this episode, Partner Emma Bartlett and Trainee Solicitor Mitchell Blythe are joined by a special guest, Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year 2020 and rugby player for Richmond Rugby, Zainab Alema to discuss the following: 1. Zainab's ambition of becoming the first Black Muslim woman to play for England Rugby and her progress so far in overcoming stereotypes. 2. The origin and meaning of her nickname 'The Bulldozer'. 3. The importance of representation in sport and Zainab's experience in meeting one of her sporting heroes, former England and Saracens W.R.F.C player, Maggie Alphonsi. 4. The new ground-breaking maternity, pregnant parent, and adoption policy unveiled by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) which seeks to promote the health and safety of rugby players and normalise motherhood in sport. 5. The future of women's rugby and Zainab's involvement in growing the women's game at a grass roots level, including her incredible project Studs in the Mud with the Atlas Charity.

Following the 4th IFSEA International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives & Founders in June 2023, we are delighted to share with you a follow up podcast on the interesting topic of ‘Engaging constructively with the activist workforce’. In this discussion, the IFSEA annual conference panellists explore the prevalence of individual and collective activism amongst employees from a transcontinental perspective. Although this informative discussion focuses on the activism experiences in the United States, United Kingdom, Norway and Spain, the trends discussed are relevant to every jurisdiction: Georgina Calvert-Lee, Bellevue Law, UK Pål Kvernaas, Haavind AS, Norway Carlos Pareja Frade, Augusta Abogados, Spain Chair: Danny J. Kaufer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Montréal, Canada In particular, the panel discuss: • The difference between collective and individual activism. • What is the line to be drawn between personal and professional activism – should employers be responsible for their employee’s social media free speech? • The impact of trade unions on collective and individual activism. • The future of collective and individual activism – should individual activism be regulated internally by employers or more broadly by statute?

Following the 4th IFSEA International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives & Founders in June 2023, we are delighted to share with you a follow up podcast on the session, 'Board Pay: Heightened scrutiny of CEO and executive compensation.' In this podcast between the IFSEA annual conference panellists, this amazing panel discuss whether compensation increases are matched to meeting ESG and other targets. Emma Bartlett, CM Murray LLP (UK) Teresa L. Johnson, Arnold & Porter (San Francisco, USA) Dr Johannes Traut, Seitz (Germany) In particular, the panel discuss: • The pay gap between a CEO/Executive and workers and how this differs between jurisdictions • What factors are taken into account when drafting executive compensation packages? • How important is ESG for firms and is there an incentive for firms to have ESG targets? • Shareholders and customers are driving an increase in ESG and CSR targets within executive compensation packages, but to what extent are executive incentives weighed against these targets? • How firms are balancing ESG targets and financial business targets?

In this discussion between the IFSEA annual conference panellists, this brilliant panel examine the damage that narcissistic leaders can inflict on corporations and explore the potential solutions: Wonu Sanda, CM Murray LLP, UK Lori L. Deem, Hughes Socol Piers Resnick DYM, Chicago, USA Trisha Daho, Empowered Leadership Cultivation, Chicago, USA Kevin Hogarth, Assentar Ltd, UK We also thank Matt Myer of Mishcon de Reya (UK), who was unable to join the podcast, but attended as a panellist on the day of the conference and provided excellent insights. In particular, the panel discuss: The behaviours and qualities that are exhibited by a narcissistic leader - what are the hallmarks and are there any positives? The impact that working for a narcissistic leader can have on the culture of a workforce - is it really an issue or do we have an oversensitive new generation of workers? What are the financial, institutional, and human costs associated with having narcissistic senior leaders and why do some boards continue to tolerate them? Practical strategies for businesses and their advisers to mitigate the risk of hiring and harbouring narcissistic leaders and driving inclusive leadership.

We are delighted to share with you the recording of the recent webinar "How are the UK's Regulators Addressing Sexual Misconduct in their Professions?", in which our expert panel discuss the rules, guidance and approach to sexual misconduct taken by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and General Medical Council (GMC). In this webinar, Carol Davis KC (Littleton Chambers), chair Sarah Chilton (Senior Partner, CM Murray LLP), and speakers Emma Bartlett (Partner, CM Murray LLP) and Andrew Pavlovic (Partner, CM Murray LLP) discuss the following: 1. The steps the SRA has taken to address sexual misconduct and toxic working environments since 2018. 2. The recent FCA consultation and proposed rule changes to address sexual and other forms of non-financial misconduct. 3. The GMC updated Good Medical Practice guidance which specifically mentions sexual misconduct for the first time. 4. Recent cases from each profession, demonstrating the varying approach taken to sanctions where sexual misconduct is established. 5. The SRA’s new rules requiring partners to challenge behaviour, and how this contrasts with the requirement to challenge set out in the GMC guidance. 6. The SRA workplace environment guidance and the potential for action to be taken against firms (both SRA and FCA) where there has been a failure to address toxic working environments. 7. How regulated firms can reinforce good behaviours through training and policies. If you would like to discuss any of the above issues in further detail, please contact Partner, Andrew Pavlovic, who specialises in regulatory law for firms and partners.