On October 24, Tucker Ellis held the in-person portion of its 10th annual In-House Counsel Summit Series. The series will resume in the coming weeks with three additional virtual sessions. Welcoming in-house counsel to the firm’s Cleveland office for a day of networking and presentations, the in-person program consisted of 10 sessions, which covered the following topics.

1. 2022–2023 Supreme Court Term in Review

Panelists Elisa Arko, Chad Eggspuehler, Mike Ruttinger, Benjamin Sassé, Jeff Sindelar, and Ethan Weber discussed the June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade and other recent SCOTUS decisions that will have a lasting impact going forward, as well as the ethical questions arising from increased attention on Justices’ financial disclosures and personal affiliations.

2. Rise of the Machines: Risks and Rewards of the Use of AI in Employment

Panelists Ariana Bernard and Christine Snyder explored the rapidly emerging use of artificial intelligence in the employment context, including the use of AI in hiring, promotion, and performance assessment; confidentiality and intellectual property concerns for employers associated with the use of AI by employees; recent efforts to regulate the use of AI in employment; and predictions regarding what regulatory requirements will likely be implemented in the near future.

3. Trademarks and the First Amendment

In this presentation, Helena Guye and Steven Lauridsen delved into the landmark Supreme Court decision in the case of Jack Daniel’s Properties v. VIP Products, also known as the “Bad Spaniels” case, which has significant implications for the intersection of the First Amendment and trademark law.

4. State of the Law: Legal Insights into Independent Counsel Appointments in Coverage Disputes

Led by Kristen Chic and Maia Mdinaradze, this session provided valuable insights into the evolving state of the law that governs the duty to defend obligations of insurers. Key discussion points included the state of the law and the basic principles that underpin the decision to appoint independent counsel, issues of privilege and waiver, and practical considerations to effectively navigate the appointment of independent counsel.

5. It’s (Always) a Wonderful Deal Market!

Referencing the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life, this session led by Chris Hewitt, Jayne Juvan, Ludgy LaRochelle, and Dorothy Swagler explored factors that are driving today’s market conditions and identified strategies for achieving success despite current uncertainty and volatility.

6. Injunctions without Due Process: Combatting Anti-Competitive Actions on E-Commerce Platforms

Speakers Mollie Benedict and Sandy Wunderlich examined brand protection programs created by e-commerce sites, the potential for abuse, and how to address an e-commerce site’s anti-competitive actions through the site or in court.

7. Shell (Company) Shock: A Corporate Transparency Act Primer

Corporate Transparency Act thought leaders Kristen Baracy and Grayson Sieg discussed the background and base requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act, provided recent updates on its implementation, and shared practice insights on how a company can reduce its risks of noncompliance.

8. Free Speech Issues for the LGBTQ Community in 2023

Members of Tucker Ellis’s lgbTE inclusion resource group Lisa Carteen, Chad Eggspuehler, and Andrea Przybysz addressed speech issues affecting the LGBTQ community including the SCOTUS decision in 303 Creative LLC (wedding videography company out of Colorado), proposed rules to ban teens from social media, and the effect of the ‘woke wars’ on the social and political landscape.

9. Mindful in the Midst of It: How to Keep the Momentum Mid-Career

Jen Blaga, founder of Your Purple Crayon LLC, joined Madeline Dennis to offer perspectives on the importance of self-care for the mid-career professional and, significantly, how to incorporate it into your already existing routine without adding on.

10. Cracking the CFIUS Code: What Happens to Our Deal?

In this presentation, Bakita Hill and Tod Northman covered the numerous recent changes to the rules governing the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (“CFIUS”) and explored the impact of the current political climate on reportability.