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Article Excerpts Quoting Sheppard Mullin

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).

Mette Kurth Quoted in The Recorder on Hospital Insolvency Increase

Mette Kurth, a Los Angeles-based bankruptcy specialist, was quoted in an article in The Recorder on a rise in Southern California hospital bankruptcies: "We've seen a number of them this year, and it seems to have become a regular part of the California insolvency background. You are going to see firms across Southern California continue to be involved, because it's a big issue down here." ("Hospital Need Lawyers -- Stat!," December 10, 2007)

Ted Max Comments on Specialty Practices in IP Law & Business

Ted Max, a New York-based partner in the firm's Entertainment and Media and Intellectual Property practice groups, was quoted in an article in IP Law & Business concerning "micro-specialties." Max, who represents fashion and luxury goods clients in copyright and trademark matters, comments in the article on Sheppard Mullin's Fashion and Apparel law blog: "It raises your profile with your clients and also alerts those who might not be familiar with you that you have a particular expertise." ("Doctors Aren't the Only Ones Who Specialize," November 2007).

Larry Braun Profiled as Corporate Rainmaker in the Daily Journal

Larry Braun, a Los Angeles-based Corporate partner, was featured in the Daily Journal's annual Rainmaker supplement.  The detailed profile covers Braun's successful career as a prominent dealmaker.  A client of Braun's comments "The business issues and decisions drive the legal work rather than (the)other way around (with Larry).  He really understands the process and our point of view."  Colleague Jon Newby, who is also a Sheppard Mullin Corporate partner, says "Larry is absolutely committed to the client first.  He makes himself available at all hours of the day.  He really understands a client's business and what's important to them, and negotiates and structures the deals according to them instead of just on a theoretical basis."  ("Sneaking Up to Big Deals," October 25, 2007).

Marty Katz Quoted in The Recorder on Entertainment-Related Insurance Disputes

Marty Katz, co-chair of the firm's Entertainment, Media and Communications practice group, said that while many of his cases involving entertainment insurance recovery don't go to litigation, he's worked on cases ranging from set fires to a star's questionable back injury. He once represented a radio station when a DJ named "Mancow" stopped a station van — and all traffic — on the Golden Gate Bridge. The deejays were making fun of Bill Clinton's alleged on-the-runway haircut stalling air traffic at Los Angeles International Airport, but not every stalled driver on the bridge found it funny: It led to a class action against the radio station. Katz was able to point to a "false imprisonment" provision in the station's insurance policy to secure coverage and settle the case. ("Break A Leg," September 12, 2007).

Ed Komen Comments on Film Copyright Matter in Daily Journal

Ed Komen, a partner in the firm's Entertainment, Media and Communications practice group, was quoted in an article in the Daily Journal concerning a Digital Millennium Copyright Act provision being used in a residual payment dispute. In the article, Komen comments "The provision has largely been forgotten because it doesn't have anything to do with the digital era. Once people become aware of these dormant provisions, it might have a significant impact on how we conduct our business practices and structure our distribution agreements." ("Film Producer Goes After Residuals Under Digital Copyright Act," August 13, 2007).

John Chierichella Quoted in Washington Business Journal on Major Bid Protest Decision 

John Chierichella, a partner in the firm's Government Contracts practice group, was quoted in an article in the Washington Business Journal on a bid protest dispute between Quanta Systems Corp. and Johnson Controls Security Systems LLC. In the article, Chierichella notes " Quite frankly, it somewhat typifies the extent to which agencies will go to confirm its initial award decision . . . [regardless of] the extent to which its initial decision had defects" ("Quanta Systems Has Tenuous Grip in Contract Battle," July 2, 2007).

Ben Mulcahy Comments on Wireless Spam in The National Law Journal 

Ben Mulcahy, a partner in the firm's Entertainment, Media and Communications practice group, was quoted in an article in The National Law Journal on wireless spamming lawsuits. In the article, Mulcahy comments "First, it violates [Federal Communications Commission] regs if it's done without the informed consent of the recipient.  Second, it violates the Mobile Marketing Association's code of conduct. Third, it's just bad for business to irritate customers." ("Texting Spam Leads to New Round of Suits," June 25, 2007).

Bob Darwell Quoted in The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. on Cannes Deals

Bob Darwell, co-chair of the firm's Entertainment, Media and Communications practice group, was quoted in an article in The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. on recent entertainment company mergers. In the article, Darwell comments "I think the Hanway/Celluloid Dream merger foreshadows the beginning of a number of combinations that will take place in Europe, particularly with territorial distribution operations." ("New Era for Cannes Sales Landscape," May 15, 2007).

John Stigi Comments on Securities Matter in Compliance Week

John Stigi, a partner in the firm's Business Trial practice group, was quoted in an article in Compliance Week concerning the Tellabs case. In the article, Stigi comments "From the SEC’s perspective, if the Supreme Court was to come out in Tellabs in a way that would be perceived as opening the door to more of these cases, perhaps Congress would react more strongly and swing the pendulum even further [against shareholders]," Stigi suggests. "Maybe the SEC is being strategic in trying to forestall more pro-defendant legislation." ("Eyebrows Raised By SEC’s High Court Brief," March 6, 2007).