Legal Innovators Interview Series

Tom McGough, UPMC

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 11:57:20 -0500

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, host Leslie Gromis Baker of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney talks with Tom McGough, chief legal officer a UPMC.

Tom was a partner at an AmLaw100 firm, where he also served as a member of the executive committee and as chairman of the litigation department.

Tom received his law degree from the University of Virginia and then clerked for Judge Collins J. Seitz of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and Justice William H. Rehnquist of the Supreme Court of the United States. He returned to Pittsburgh in 1980, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania before going into private practice in 1982.

In 1987, Sen. Bob Dole, then minority leader of the U.S. Senate, appointed Tom as associate counsel to the Senate committee investigating the Iran-Contra affair.

To learn more about Leslie Gromis Baker: https://www.bipc.com/leslie-baker

To learn more about UPMC: https://www.upmc.com/?&utm_kxconfid=sws256pg0&utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=71700000037475977&utm_adgroup=58700004164275742&utm_term=upmc&utm_advertiserid=700000001754524&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkL7E2ayd9AIVxNrICh3wSAYREAAYASAAEgJa8vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

And to learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll and Ronney, visit: https://www.bipc.com/

Lauren Dienes-Middlen, WWE

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 15:22:14 -0400

In this episode of Legal Innovators Interview Series, Mark Kornfeld of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney talks with Lauren Dienes-Middlen, a Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Intellectual Property Lead at World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Lauren has been with WWE in various roles for coming up on 20 years. And throughout that time, she has specialized in protecting WWE’s IP, negotiating product agreements, fighting counterfeiting, and everything in between.

To learn more about Mark Kornfeld, visit: https://www.bipc.com/mark-a.-kornfeld/experience

To learn more about the WWE, visit: https://www.wwe.com/

And to learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit: www.BIPC.com.

Gerard Solis, University of South Florida

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, host Hala Sandridge of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney talks with Gerard Solis, general counsel at University of South Florida. Gerard joined USF's General Counsel's Office in 2003 as an Assistant General Counsel and since then, he has worked in multiple practice areas and played a critical role in some of the university’s important growth and strategic investments.

Hala and Gerard discuss how COVID-19, the financial collapse and the Black Lives Matter movement impacted higher institutions like USF. The conversation continues to discuss the differences of working in the legal field at a public institution from working in private practice as well as working in house at a private company or even a publicly traded company.

To learn more about Hala Sandridge, visit: https://www.bipc.com/hala-sandridge

To learn more about the University of South Florida, visit https://www.usf.edu/

And to learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit: www.BIPC.com.

Ashwin Krishnan, Miami Marlins

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 10:23:15 -0400

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, host Gina M. Polo of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney talks with Ashwin Krishnan, Vice President and General Counsel with the Miami Marlins. Ashwin has been with the Marlins for more than 10 years now, starting out as an associate counsel before becoming VP and GC in late 2017. During that time, he’s overseen an ownership change and even went from being on the seller’s side to the buyer’s side overnight.

Gina and Ashwin discuss the challenges and benefits of managing legal with a Major League Baseball team, how to handle M&A in sports, Ashwin's unique role as GC in a business constantly in the news, how COVID-19 impacted his role and the Marlins in general, and much more.

To learn more about Gina Polo, visit: https://www.bipc.com/gina-polo.

To learn more about the Miami Marlins, visit https://www.mlb.com/marlins.

And to learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit: www.BIPC.com.

Francesco Tallarico, Covis Pharma

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 10:49:10 -0400

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, hosts Ed Allera and Matthew Fedowitz of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney talk with Francesco Tallarico, General Counsel at Covis Pharma, a major player in the pharmaceutical space. Covis offers a portfolio of pharmaceutical products providing patients with affordable and therapeutically equivalent medications of select brands.

Ed, Matt and Francesco discuss the world of pharmaceutical approvals not just in the U.S., but around the globe and the legal hurdles that come with that. In perhaps the most highly regulated industry, general counsels face numerous challenges, and Francesco shares his insights on how he's been able to navigate them.

To learn more about Covis Pharma, visit: https://www.covispharma.com/.

To learn more about Ed Allera, visit: https://www.bipc.com/edward-allera.

To learn more about Matthew Fedowitz, visit: https://www.bipc.com/matthew-l.-fedowitz.

And to learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit: www.BIPC.com.

Jordan Isrow, Oxygen Development

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 12:29:46 -0500

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, host Gina M. Polo of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney talks with Jordan Isrow General Counsel at Oxygen Development, a leader in the development and production of high-quality color cosmetics, skin care, hair care, bath & body care, and OTC products. Oxygen Development is an outsourcing partner to major global cosmetics brands and trend-setting players across all distribution channels, from high-end to mass market.

Gina and Jordan discuss the unique complexities of managing legal and regulatory affairs for an international cosmetics manufacturer, including the challenges of M&A overseas. Additionally, the two talk about Jordan’s career going from government, to a private firm, to an in-house role. Plus, Jordan mentions his rebirth into the world of politics in his newly elected role in local government.

To learn more about Gina Polo, visit: https://www.bipc.com/gina-polo.

To learn more about Oxygen Development, visit: http://www.oxygendevelopment.com/.

And to learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit: www.BIPC.com.

Ama Romaine, G6 Hospitality

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 09:17:17 -0400

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, host Amy Miller talks with Ama Romaine, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at G6 Hospitality. The company is most well known for its biggest brand, Motel 6, with more than 1,500 properties in 49 states, and internationally in Canada, India, and Latin America. Amy and Ama discuss what litigation and brand issues a hospitality company faces in the world of COVID-19 and how G6 has navigated them. Beyond her professional life, Ama also talks about an organization she's the Co-Founder of called “The Initiative: Advancing The Blue & Black Partnership,” which focuses on building better relationships between communities and their police departments.

Kelly Lefferts, Bloomin' Brands, Inc.

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 13:26:09 -0500

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, Craig Mills talks with Kelly Lefferts, Group Vice President, US General Counsel and Secretary at Bloomin' Brands, Inc. Bloomin' Brands is one of the largest casual dining companies in the world with more than 1,400 restaurants in 49 states and 21 countries and territories. Their brands include restaurants many of you have surely visited, such as Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse. Craig and Kelly discuss the move from working at a firm to in-house counsel, her favorite Bloomin’ restaurant, and what the challenges are of managing legal for a nationwide brand.

Rob Edmund, K-Force

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 13:21:28 -0500

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, Craig Mills talks with Rob Edmund, Chief Legal & Talent Officer at K-Force, one of the nation’s leading professional staffing firms. K-Force specializes in providing strategic partnership in technology and finance & accounting services and they serve about 70 percent of the Fortune 100. Craig and Rob discuss the increasing role of in-house counsel, bringing experience from one company to another, and some of the challenges on the legal side of a company that specializes in talent.

David Kerstein, Bentham IMF

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 10:12:40 -0400

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, Craig Mills talks with David Kerstein, Investment Manager and Legal Counsel at Bentham IMF, a litigation finance company that provides funding to plaintiffs and law firms for large legal disputes. Bentham is the U.S. arm of IMF Bentham Limited, one of the oldest and most experienced commercial litigation funders in the world. Craig and David discuss how exactly litigation finance companies work, whether they’re something companies should be afraid of or embrace, and some of the challenges that Bentham IMF faces.

Janet Lee, ANSYS

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 12:11:14 -0400

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, Craig Mills talks with Janet Lee, general counsel at ANSYS. Craig and Janet discuss the importance of having a deep understanding of your company’s industry; diversity issues in the legal industry; and how GCs are increasingly playing the role of business advisors for their companies.

Joe Nauman, Acushnet Company

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 09:33:40 -0400

In this episode of The Legal Innovators Interview Series, Craig Mills speaks with Joe Nauman, EVP and Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at Acushnet Company (maker of golf equipment and apparel) about balancing the use of in-house teams and outside counsel; his company's unique partnership with other golf manufacturers to fight the production and sale of conterfeit clubs; and his unique experience of being involved in Acushnet's IPO proceedings in 2016.

Anne Robinson, Vanguard

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 09:32:06 -0400

In this episode of the Legal Innovators Interview Series, Craig Mills, speaks with Anne Robinson, the General Counsel and Managing Director of Legal and Compliance at Vanguard, one of the world’s largest investment management companies. Robinson was Vanguard's GC in July 2016. In this episode Craig and Anne discuss transitioning to a new organization as a GC; the increasing role GCs play in making not only legal decisions, but also important business decisions; Anne’s personal journey to becoming a GC, and the importance of diversity in the legal profession.

John Hall, Implus LLC

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 09:30:31 -0400

In this episode of The Legal Innovators Interview Series, Craig Mills interviews John Hall, vice president and general counsel of Implus LLC, an innovative manufacturer of more than a dozen footwear and recreational accessory products. During the conversation, we discuss some of the unique legal challenges of managing so many different brands, how Hall built the Implus legal department from the ground-up, and how he has handled the company’s aggressive merger and acquisition strategy.