This episode is a replay of Episode 14 which originally aired on June 9, 2022.   For this episode of French Insider, Jean Hoefliger, noted wine consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of JH Wine Consultants, joins us to discuss French investments in the U.S. wine industry, including the many factors drawing French winemakers to the Napa Valley and how the rise of venture-backed startups has altered the winemaking landscape.   About Jean Hoefliger Born and raised in Switzerland, Jean has decades of winemaking experience and has worked in vineyards worldwide, including California, Bordeaux, Texas, and South Africa. As a wine consultant, he has helped build client wineries across the globe, including Montevereo in Tuscany and Grapeheart in Suisun Valley, as well as AXR and The Debate in Napa Valley, to name a few. His many accolades include two 100-point scores awarded by Jebb Dunnuck and Robert Parker for his Napa-based The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon. Jean's consulting business encompasses everything he loves, from managing farming and crafting world-class wines to advising on business strategies and even building and implementing the sales structure for clients.   What We Discussed in This Episode: What is drawing investors to the Napa Valley?Why are French winemakers coming to the Napa Valley?Who are some of the big players that already have a presence in the Napa Valley?As a winemaker, what's different about doing business in the Napa Valley vs. France?Are other U.S. winemaking regions becoming more significant in the market?How is the growing number of wineries impacting the overall market?Has the rise of venture-backed startups in the industry shifted the dynamic for producers?What should French companies keep in mind as they seek to enter the U.S. wine market?How are winemakers dealing with climate change? Despite the challenges of the last two years, including COVID and wildfires, wineries have continued to grow. Why is that?What are some of the long-term impacts of climate change on wineries in France and across Europe? How can new technology help mitigate these impacts?How does the diverse range of U.S. wine-producing regions act as an additional draw for French investors?   Contact Information Jean Hoefliger JH Wine Consulting Sheppard Mullin French Desk

In this episode of French Insider, Reid Whitten, Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin’s London office, joins host Sarah Ben-Moussa to discuss the U.S.-China trade war, including the conflict’s origins, the Foreign Direct Product Rule, and the tangible steps European companies should be taking in light of the current tensions. What We Talked About in This Episode: What are the origins of the U.S.-China trade war? What measures did the U.S. take in the wake of the 2018 National Position Paper declaring China an adversary? As a practical matter, what do European companies need to look out for? How does the Foreign Direct Product Rule work? What is the U.S. attempting to do to get itself on a technological level where it can compete with China? Do we see China retaliating against some of the measures and heated rhetoric coming out of the U.S.? Can you explain the military end-user concept? What tangible steps should European companies be taking as they attempt to navigate the current U.S.-China tensions?   About Reid Whitten As Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin's London office, Reid Whitten focuses his practice on international trade regulations and investigations. He shares his time serving clients out of the Washington, D.C. office and also leads the firm’s CFIUS Team.   Reid works with clients around the world to plan, prepare and succeed in global transactions. He focuses on cross-border investments, particularly in the technology and aerospace sectors, helping clients navigate the international trade regulations that could disrupt their deals. In the areas of economic sanctions, export and defense exports, CFIUS, anti-corruption and tariffs, he supports clients in detecting and addressing potential compliance issues as well as conducting investigations and defending against enforcement actions. He also advises on U.S. anti-dumping, anti-money laundering and anti-boycott regulations. Reid is a member of Chatham House, the UK's Royal Institute of International Affair. In addition to lecturing at the New College of the Humanities in London, at the Université Catholique de Lille in France, and Wake Forest University in the U.S, he also conducts seminars on regulatory updates for industry groups in the U.S., France, Belgium, Spain and the UK. A thought leader on cross-border business regulation, Reid is frequently called upon to provide commentary and analysis for television news channels, international newspapers, and trade publications. He is also the lead author and editor of The CFIUS Book.    About Sarah F. Ben-Moussa  Sarah F. Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office, where her practice focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm’s French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters. As a member of Sheppard Mullin’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team, Sarah also represents renewable energy companies, borrowers, financial sponsors, portfolio companies, commercial banks and other financial institutions in a variety of financing transactions. Her practice focuses on a variety of transactions in the energy sphere, representing renewable energy companies in project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities. She also serves on the New York office’s sustainability committee. Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in France, becoming fluent in French and focusing on corporate transactions and commercial contracts in Europe and internationally. Sarah is also committed to pro bono work, focusing on cases involving children seeking asylum or other immigration-related relief. Contact Information: Reid Whitten Sarah F. Ben-Moussa   Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

In this episode of French Insider, Dan Mackta, Managing Director at Qobuz, joins Sheppard Mullin attorney Alex Akhavan to discuss the history and growth of Qobuz, a high-quality audio commercial music streaming and downloading service founded in France, including its successful expansion into the U.S. market, what sets Qobuz apart from its competitors, and fundamental differences in the U.S. and French approach to IP.   What We Discussed in This Episode: What is Qobuz? How did it start? What sets Qobuz apart from other music streaming services? What was your path to Qobuz? How did Qobuz succeed in France? What drove the decision to expand internationally and bring Qobuz to the U.S.? Can you describe your day-to-day activities? How has it changed since Qobuz launched in the U.S.? What is the Qobuz business model? How does Qobuz partner or collaborate with artists? What's the benefit of commissioning original music? What are some fundamental differences in how the U.S. and France approach IP? What other cultural and business differences have you observed in opening a French company in the U.S.? What are your main takeaways from your time at Qobuz? Where do you see the music industry heading from here? What song or genre would you choose to show off the audio quality of Qobuz?   About Dan Mackta Dan Mackta joined Qobuz in 2018 after spending decades on the label and artist side of the music business. As Managing Director, he oversees the French streaming service's operations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and the Nordics. Dan is responsible for every aspect of the business in those markets, leading a U.S.-based team and overseeing operations, music, marketing, business development and more.   About Alex Akhavan  Alex Akhavan is an associate in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City office, where he also leads the firm’s Disney Television Animation and Amazon Studios’ unscripted teams and serves as the point of contact for the firm’s pro bono client, the Los Angeles Opera.   Alex represents producers, studios, media companies and networks in connection with entertainment productions throughout the United States and around the world. In addition to regularly negotiating development and production agreements on behalf of Disney, Amazon, and Univision, he has advised Gaumont International Television (El Presidente) on clearance and production matters and served as production counsel to Campanario Entertainment for Selena: The Series on Netflix.   Contact Information: Dan Mackta   Alex Akhavan   Additional Resources: Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog   Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

This episode is a replay of Episode 16 which originally aired on October 3, 2022.   In this episode of French Insider, Benjamin Sormonte, co-founder and co-owner of Maman, speaks about building a successful lifestyle brand in North America, including the challenges of bringing a very French experience to a North American audience and the role that Instagram and other social media platforms have played in Maman's success.   What We Discussed in this Episode:   Can you tell us a little about your background and how you arrived at the concept of Maman?What challenges did you face in bringing this very French experience to a North American audience?Maman has grown exponentially since first opening in Soho in 2014. As you choose locations for expansion, what drives your decisions?What made you decide to move into Canada?Did you find many differences between an opening in Canada and the U.S.?Maman has become an incredibly successful lifestyle brand. Can you talk a bit about the strategy that went into building that brand?What role have Instagram and other social media platforms played in your marketing?Did you work with consultants when you first started out?In building your customer base, what has worked and what hasn't?What was your experience hiring staff in the U.S. and Canada? What were some challenges?What advice would you have for managing a large workforce in the U.S.?What surprised you most while building your business in the U.S. and Canada? What resources were helpful to you?Did you ever envision that Maman would become the brand it is today?What's one piece of advice you would offer someone seeking to turn their passion project into a successful brand?   About Benjamin Sormonte A French-born lawyer, Benjamin and his wife, Elisa Marshall, opened the first Maman in 2014. What began as a single, independent Soho bakery and cafe has since grown into a leading lifestyle brand that boasts locations across New York City, Montreal, and Toronto, complete with a line of retail items that allows its loyal following to "take Maman home.”   Maman means "mother" in French and remains a passion project for Benjamin and Elisa, despite the brand's exponential growth. The two have successfully melded their earliest childhood experiences in the kitchen, along with a nod to their mothers from the south of France and North America, into an all-encompassing sensory experience marked by rustic décor at every turn, the aroma and comfort of cuisines inspired by family traditions, and the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients.    Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.   If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.   It helps other listeners find this show. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

In this episode of French Insider, Fernando Zanotti Schneider, a partner at the Brazilian law firm of Abe Advogados, joins Sheppard Mullin partner Tony Girolami to discuss the recent Brazilian election, including what the return of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the presidency might mean for the multinational business community, particularly foreign investors.   What We Discussed In Today’s Episode:   What’s the mood in Brazil post-election?What was the Bolsonaro agenda?What does the new Brazilian Congress look like?How will the makeup of Congress influence Lula's presidency and impact his agenda?What should foreign investors expect from the Lula administration?What commercial opportunities might foreign investors find under the Lula presidency?Has Lula given any indication as to how his social agenda will be achieved?What advice would you give to foreign investors regarding the current climate in Brazil?What assistance can you and Abe Avogados provide to foreign investors? About Fernando Zanotti Schneider   Fernando is a partner in Abe Advogados São Paulo office, where he serves as practice group lead in the corporate, M&A, and contracts and complex negotiation areas. For the past few years, he has been representing clients in the acquisition and sale of important corporate entities in several economic sectors, particularly technology, financial services, retail and energy. Fernando has provided consulting services to foreign clients in greenfield transactions, joint ventures, project finance and corporate operations related to the acquisition and sale of enterprises, both in Brazil and abroad.  In 2014, Fernando served as an international associate in Tokyo, Japan, in association with Matsuda & Partners. His years  practicing law have allowed Fernando to acquire significant expertise in deal structuring, due diligence, and mergers and acquisitions. Fernando is a Member of the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance and regularly authors articles covering a diverse range of corporate topics for  Abe Advogados’ blog.   About Tony Girolami   Tony Girolami is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in Sheppard Mullins’ San Diego office, where he also serves on the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance Team and is Co-Chair of the Latin America Group. Tony specializes in corporate and renewable energy-related transactions with an international focus, representing both U.S. and international clients in cross-border business transactions involving the development and financing of renewable energy projects, agricultural developments and basic infrastructure in the United States, Latin America and Asia. He has represented financial institutions, infrastructure developers and renewable energy companies in the formation of joint ventures, project financings, greenfield project developments, construction and supply contracts, off-take agreements and distribution agreements. Tony is also admitted as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Brazil, where he worked as a senior associate in Sao Paulo until 2006.   Contact Information:   Fernando Zanotti Schneider   Tony Girolami    Additional Resources: Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

In this episode of French Insider, Tim Stephen, EVP of Strategy and Head of Business & Legal Affairs at Gaumont Film US, the Los Angeles-based TV production arm of French film studio Gaumont, joins host and Sheppard Mullin attorney Alex Akhavan to discuss the challenges and rewards of internal production and entertainment, including how streaming has changed the business of entertainment, the cultural and legal differences productions typically encounter outside the United States and the various reasons production companies might choose to film in other countries and territories.   What We Discussed in This Episode   What can you tell us about Gaumont Film US and your role there?What are a few projects Gaumont Film US has produced in the United States?How often are you filming outside the United States?How would you describe the relationship between Gaumont Film US and its French parent company?What cultural and legal differences have you encountered, both in the context of Gaumont and while producing elsewhere in the world?Why would Gaumont or another studio choose to film outside the United States?What other changes have you seen in the entertainment industry?What do you enjoy about the work you do? What motivates you, and what are you most excited about?   About Tim Stephen Tim Stephen has more than 20 years of executive experience across a broad range of entertainment-industry disciplines, including business and legal affairs, television development and production and international co-financing. As EVP of Strategy and Head of Business & Legal Affairs, he oversees business and legal matters for film, television, animation and distribution for Gaumont Fim US, a subsidiary of French film studio Gaumont.   Gaumont Film US produces drama and comedy programming for both the U.S. and international markets, including Hannibal, which aired on NBC from April 2013 - August 2022, as well as the Golden Globes-winning drama Narcos, currently airing on Netflix.   About Alex Akhavan Alex Akhavan is an associate in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City, California office, where he represents producers, studios, media companies and networks in connection with entertainment productions throughout the United States and around the world.   In addition to advising Gaumont Film US on matters of clearance and production, Alex has served as production counsel to Campanario Entertainment. He also leads the firm’s Disney Television Animation and Amazon Studios’ unscripted teams and regularly negotiates development and production agreements on behalf of Disney, Amazon and Univision.   Contact Information   Tim Stephen    Alex Akhavan    Additional Resources:   Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog   Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.   If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.   It helps other listeners find this show. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

In this episode of French Insider, Benjamin Sormonte, co-founder and co-owner of Maman, the French bakeries and cafes known for making Oprah’s favorite chocolate chip cookies, speaks about building a successful lifestyle brand in North America, including the challenges of bringing a very French experience to a North American audience and the role that Instagram and other social media platforms have played in Maman's success.   What We Discussed in this Episode:   Can you tell us a little about your background and how you arrived at the concept of Maman?What challenges did you face in bringing this very French experience to a North American audience?Maman has grown exponentially since first opening in Soho in 2014. As you choose locations for expansion, what drives your decisions?What made you decide to move into Canada?Did you find many differences between an opening in Canada and the U.S.?Maman has become an incredibly successful lifestyle brand. Can you talk a bit about the strategy that went into building that brand?What role have Instagram and other social media platforms played in your marketing?Did you work with consultants when you first started out?In building your customer base, what has worked and what hasn't?What was your experience hiring staff in the U.S. and Canada? What were some challenges?What advice would you have for managing a large workforce in the U.S.?What surprised you most while building your business in the U.S. and Canada? What resources were helpful to you?Did you ever envision that Maman would become the brand it is today?What's one piece of advice you would offer someone seeking to turn their passion project into a successful brand?   About Benjamin Sormonte A French-born lawyer, Benjamin and his wife, Elisa Marshall, opened the first Mamon in 2014. What began as a single, independent Soho bakery and cafe has since grown into a leading lifestyle brand that boasts locations across New York City, Montreal, and Toronto, complete with a line of retail items that allows its loyal following to "take Maman home.” Maman is known for its delicious menu of hearty farm fresh salads, quiches, sandwiches, and of course pastries and sweets, including a famous nutty chocolate chip cookie that was named one of ‘Oprah’s favorite things’” in 2017 and one of the best chocolate chip cookies in New York by NY Magazine.    Maman means "mother" in French and remains a passion project for Benjamin and Elisa, despite the brand's exponential growth. The two have successfully melded their earliest childhood experiences in the kitchen, along with a nod to their mothers from the south of France and North America, into an all-encompassing sensory experience marked by rustic décor at every turn, the aroma and comfort of cuisines inspired by family traditions, and the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients.    Contact Information: Benjamin Sormonte, co-founder and co-owner of Maman About Maman Maman in DC   Additional Resources: Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog   Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.   If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.   It helps other listeners find this show. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

In this episode of the French Insider, we speak with Emma Buttin, General Coordinator of the Residencies at Villa Albertine. Created by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Villa Albertine renews the concept of residence by shifting the center of gravity from the place of residence to the territory of residence and exploring this country-continent from the 10 major cities in the United States where it is present. Led by a team of 80 people spread out in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., the Villa Albertine seeks to accompany French cultural actors with on the ground support in their projects and challenges, through an ambitious, agile system closely connected to the prescribing bodies of the American cultural landscape.   What We Discussed In This Episode   Can you describe the history and mission of the Villa Albertine?The Villa Albertine has just announced its next 70 residencies for 2023. What are the cities in which residents can come to the United States?What is the method for applying for the Villa Albertine residencies?Can you tell us about some of the Villa Albertine residencies?What are the challenges you encounter in bringing residents to the Villa Albertine?The Villa Albertine therefore sees itself as a large community: apart from the residents, who are your French partners?Are you looking for American partnerships too?   About Emma Buttin     Emma Buttin has been the general coordinator of the Villa Albertine residencies since September 2021, overseeing the organization of the residencies and the annual call for applications. Emma is a graduate of Sciences Po Grenoble and ESCP-Europe, specializing in the management of multidisciplinary projects. She led artistic commissions and studies on the integration of cultural dimension in sustainable and urban development at the ARTER cultural production agency and for cities such as Montreal, Lyon and Geneva. She worked for six years on the creation and development of the cultural project of the largest construction site in Europe, the Grand Paris Express. Emma’s passion for cultural engineering and innovation led her to La Gaîté Lyrique. As the head of the residency program, she supported curators, studios and artists on their projects. She was also part of the team of the festival NewImages in Paris, dedicated to immersive experiences. In 2019, she joined the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States as New Media Officer and initiated new programs and cycles of meetings around virtual reality, video games and podcasts. She is a mentor at New Inc, the New Museum's cultural incubator.   Contacts: Villa Albertine Emma Buttin Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog   This podcast was recorded in French.   French Translation   La Villa Albertine :  Un programme d’accueil des acteurs culturels français aux États-Unis   Créée par le ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères et avec le soutien du ministère de la Culture, la Villa Albertine renouvelle le concept de résidence, en déplaçant le centre de gravité du lieu de résidence au territoire de résidence et invite à explorer ce pays-continent à partir des 10 grandes villes des Etats-Unis où elle est présente. Animée par une équipe de 80 personnes réparties à Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, La Nouvelle-Orléans, San Francisco, et Washington, D.C, la Villa Albertine veut accompagner au plus près du terrain américain les acteurs culturels français dans leurs projets et enjeux, à travers un dispositif ambitieux, agile et étroitement connecté aux instances de prescription du paysage culturel américain.   Emma Buttin est la coordonnatrice générale des résidences de la Villa Albertine depuis septembre 2021. Elle supervise l'organisation des résidences et l'appel à candidatures annuel.   La Discussion:   Pour donner un peu de contexte, pouvez-vous décrire l’histoire et la mission de la villa Albertine ?La Villa Albertine vient juste d’annoncer ses 70 prochaines résidences pour 2023. Quels sont les villes dans les résidents peuvent venir aux Etats-Unis ?Quelle est la méthode pour postuler aux résidences de la Villa Albertine ?Pouvez-vous nous parler de quelques résidences de la Villa Albertine ?Quels sont les défis que vous rencontrez pour faire venir les résidents de la Villa Albertine ?La Villa Albertine se pense donc comme une grande communauté : mis à part les résidents, quels sont vos partenaires français ?  Est-ce que vous cherchez des partenariats américains aussi ?   Contacts:   Villa Albertine Emma Buttin Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog   This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs

For this episode of French Insider, Jean Hoefliger, noted wine consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of JH Wine Consultants, joins us to discuss French investments in the U.S. wine industry, including the many factors drawing French winemakers to the Napa Valley and how the rise of venture-backed startups has altered the winemaking landscape.   About Jean Hoefliger Born and raised in Switzerland, Jean has decades of winemaking experience and has worked in vineyards worldwide, including California, Bordeaux, Texas, and South Africa. As a wine consultant, he has helped build client wineries across the globe, including Montevereo in Tuscany and Grapeheart in Suisun Valley, as well as AXR and The Debate in Napa Valley, to name a few. His many accolades include two 100-point scores awarded by Jebb Dunnuck and Robert Parker for his Napa-based The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon. Jean's consulting business encompasses everything he loves, from managing farming and crafting world-class wines to advising on business strategies and even building and implementing the sales structure for clients.   What We Discussed in This Episode: What is drawing investors to the Napa Valley?Why are French winemakers coming to the Napa Valley?Who are some of the big players that already have a presence in the Napa Valley?As a winemaker, what's different about doing business in the Napa Valley vs. France?Are other U.S. winemaking regions becoming more significant in the market?How is the growing number of wineries impacting the overall market?Has the rise of venture-backed startups in the industry shifted the dynamic for producers?What should French companies keep in mind as they seek to enter the U.S. wine market?How are winemakers dealing with climate change? Despite the challenges of the last two years, including COVID and wildfires, wineries have continued to grow. Why is that?What are some of the long-term impacts of climate change on wineries in France and across Europe? How can new technology help mitigate these impacts?How does the diverse range of U.S. wine-producing regions act as an additional draw for French investors?   Contact Information Jean Hoefliger JH Wine Consulting Sheppard Mullin French Desk

For this episode of French Insider, Reid Whitten joins host Julien Banquart to discuss the impact of sanctions imposed against Russia in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. Topics addressed include the current and potential impacts of the sanction regime on companies doing business in or with Russian and Ukraine (including French multinationals), factors businesses should bear in mind as sanctions are announced and implemented, and whether or not the sanctions will be effective against Russia.   Reid Whitten is the Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin's London office, practicing in international trade regulations and investigations. He also shares his time serving clients out of the Washington, D.C. office and is the Leader of the firm's CFIUS Team. In the areas of economic sanctions, export and defense exports, CFIUS, anti-corruption, and tariffs, Reid supports clients in detecting and addressing potential compliance issues, conducting investigations, and defending against enforcement actions. He also advises on U.S. anti-dumping, anti-money laundering, and anti-boycott regulations.   Julien Blanquart is an International Trade associate in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's Brussels and London offices. His practice focuses on compliance counseling, training, and investigations in the areas of export controls, economic sanctions, anti-corruption (FCPA and Sapin II), customs, and foreign investment reviews (CFIUS). Julien advises clients on all aspects of European and French competition law, including mergers, cartels, abuse of dominance, as well as State aid across all sectors and industries. What We Discussed in This Episode:   What are some specific sanctions enacted since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict?How have those sanctions impacted the firm's clients doing business in Russia and Ukraine?What should companies with business ties to Russia or Ukraine bear in mind as sanctions are being discussed and implemented?Which specific industries have been particularly impacted by the sanctions?Have any restrictions been enacted on trade with Ukraine?Is there any specificity businesses should keep in mind regarding the individual sets of sanctions enacted by the U.S., U.K., and E.U.?Other than expanding the war, what options does Russia have to retaliate or counter the sanctions?Could cryptocurrency allow individuals or entities to evade sanctions against Russia?What makes sanctions effective? Will the current sanctions actually be effective against Russia? Contact Information: Reid Whitten Julien Blanquart Sheppard Mullin French Desk  Co-Chair - Valérie Demont Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade Thank you for listening!   LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Sheppard Mullin French Desk website This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs

Joining host Sarah Aberg is Jim Gatto. Jim joins us today to discuss the metaverse, the technology and business models involved in these virtual worlds, the role of NFTs and cryptocurrency in the digital economy, and the legal, regulatory, and governance issues that can arise when companies seek to enter that space. Jim Gatto is a Partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington, D.C. office, where he leads the  Blockchain & Fintech Team, Social Media & Games Team, and Open Source Team. Jim’s practice focuses on blockchain, interactive entertainment, digital art, AI, and online gambling. He advises clients on IP strategies, development and publishing agreements, licensing and technology transaction agreements, and tech regulatory issues. Jim has been involved with blockchain since 2012 and has been recognized as a thought leader by leading organizations including as a Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech Trailblazer by the National Law Journal.  Sarah Aberg is special counsel in the White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office. Sarah's practice encompasses litigation, internal investigations and white collar defense.  Her areas of focus include financial services and securities, as well as corporate fraud in a variety of industries, including technology, construction, and non-profits.  Sarah’s regulatory practice encompasses market regulation, foreign registration and disclosure requirements, supervisory procedures, and sales practices.  Sarah represents corporations, financial services companies, and associated individuals in connection with investigations and regulatory matters before the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, FINRA, the New York Stock Exchange, the New York State Department of Financial Services, and the New York Attorney General’s Office. What We Discussed in This Episode:       What is the Metaverse?      How Do Metaverses Differ from Earlier Virtual Worlds?      What Role Do NFTs Play in the Digital Economy?      Investing in a Metaverse: What are the Risks?      What are Legal, Regulatory, and Tax Considerations?      What Governance Issues Exist for Brands Operating in a Metaverse?      What are the Inflationary and Deflationary Aspects of the Virtual Economy?      How Might Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Alter International Financial Transactions?      Is the World Moving into a Virtual/Digital Economy? Connect with Jim Gatto: Email: jgatto@sheppardmullin.com https://www.sheppardmullin.com/jgatto  Connect with Sarah Aberg: https://www.sheppardmullin.com/saberg  Sheppard Mullin Address & Phone Number 2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 100 Washington, DC 20006-6801 Phone: 1.202.747.1945 Website: https://www.sheppardmullin.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sheppard-mullin-richter-&-hampton-llp/   This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

Valère Horath is the vice president of global sales and co-founder of Quipment SAS. Quipment is a company specializing in the provision of medical and laboratory equipment. The equipment and supplies provided by Quipment make it possible to measure the effectiveness and side effects of drugs before they are put on the market. Quipment's customers are mainly pharmaceutical companies, Biotechs and CROs that must carry out very rigorous clinical trials in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of drugs. For this, they need to equip doctors with calibrated equipment, the reliability of which is indisputable. In addition, these studies are international: Quipment therefore has equipment in all continents and in >60,000 hospitals globally. It has warehouses in France, USA and Japan. To date, the company is in the 100-500 employee range. Valère joins us today to discuss his personal experience with the decision of developing in the US, the strategy for coming to the US, and the challenges of starting and growing a business in the US. He also discusses some of the differences between running a business in France and the United States, including the importance of contracts in relationships with customers. What We Discussed in This Episode: About Valère Horath and Quipment;The decision to set up in the United States;The strategy for starting a business in the United States;The main differences between American and non-American clients;How to be successful in the U.S. market .   Connect with Valère Horath : LinkedIn : https://fr.linkedin.com/in/val%C3%A8re-horath-52040522   Quipment : Address & Phone number :  132 Rue André Bisiaux54320 Maxéville03 83 56 76 58 Web site : https://www.quipment.fr/ LinkedIn : https://fr.linkedin.com/company/quipment-sas   This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

Joining the podcast is David Gallagher. David is a partner with the firm's D.C office. He specializes in all aspects of public contracting, including advising domestic and foreign companies on issues relating to compliance with U.S government procurement regulations such as subcontract and supply chain management, country of origin requirements under the Buy America Act, and other infrastructure projects and requirements unique to small businesses selling to the federal government. He also regularly teaches training courses and conducts internal compliance reviews to help companies know and understand the regulatory requirements, including whether their manufacturing process has satisfied the various Buy America regimes.    What We Discussed in This Episode:   What do we mean when we talk about the Infrastructure Bill?What are Buy America provisions, and what is their purpose in the Infrastructure Bill?What are things that foreign companies need to keep in mind regarding these provisions when wanting to invest or develop a project in the U.S?If a company is looking for a traditional transaction or project development what are some factors they should consider in relation to the Buy America provisions?Has the Biden administration discussed the long term effect this may have on the supply chain issues?What is the long term trend we’ll see with the Biden administration? Do you see this as a springboard for other initiatives?   Contact Information:   David Gallacher  https://www.sheppardmullin.com/dgallacher Hosted by: Sarah Ben-Moussa Sheppard Mullin French Desk  Co-Chair - Valérie Demont  Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade

French Insider will be back with new episodes starting February 1, 2022.

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the highly anticipated $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Among other infrastructure-related incentives, the bill includes billions in funding to help fight climate change and support clean energy technologies. In this episode, we speak with Tony Toranto and Bill Rappolt and they help us dive into some of those initiatives and what these changes will mean for energy companies looking to invest in the U.S. market.  Tony is the team leader of the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance Team as well as a partner in the Real Estate, Corporate and Finance Practice Groups in the firm’s Del Mar and San Francisco offices, specializing on conventional and renewable projects.   Bill is a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, and a member of the Energy Industry Team, Renewable Estate, Land Use and Environmental Practice Group. He represents clients in the natural gas, electric and oil/liquids industries in commercial transactions and before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state utility commissions and appellate courts. What We Discussed in This Episode: What are the main components of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill devoted to climate change and clean energy technologies? What can companies look forward to regarding the changes to the power infrastructure in the U.S., specifically what does this mean for the electric grid? What does “infrastructure” mean in the context of this bill? How did the passage of this bill change the role for Department of Energy in upcoming transmission projects? Is there anything in this bill that foreign companies looking to invest in the renewable energy market in the U.S. make note of? Has there been any discussions by the administration regarding the financing of other developmental clean energy technologies (i.e., clean hydrogen and expansion of electric vehicle use)? Where are we in terms of the reconciliation process? As the reconciliation bill continues to be debated, what additional programs will make it to the forefront of the discussion? Contact Information: Tony Toranto Bill Rappolt Sarah Ben-Moussa Sheppard Mullin French Desk  Co-Chair - Valérie Demont  Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade

Romain Poirot is the Advertising Director of French Morning. French Morning is the first e-magazine in the United States directed to the French- speaking community living in the U.S. , as well as French people traveling to the U.S. . Created in 2007, it is a local service for a global community, with more than +180,000 visitors per month and +90,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram. Romain joins us today from New York to discuss the challenges, advice, do's and don'ts and everything that every French relocating to the U.S. should know before making the move . Romain shares his experience of over 10 years living in the U.S. and talks about the cultural, professional and financial similarities and differences between living in France and living in the U.S. . What We Discussed in This Episode: International relocation: Do's and don'ts;How to get hired in the US;Private retirement plans;Health insurance in the U.S. ;Navigating cultural differences between the French and the Americans; Romain Poirot: rpoirot@frenchmorning.com Karl Buhler: https://www.sheppardmullin.com/kbuhler Check out French morning: Website : https://frenchmorning.com/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/FrenchMorning/ email : info@frenchmorning.com Instagram : @french.morning Connect with the French Desk:  Sheppard Mullin French Desk: https://www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com/  Co-Chair - Valérie Demont  Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade   This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

As the North American labor market experiences new challenges, shifts, and changes, HR professionals and recruiters are looking to stay informed on how to differentiate themselves in the market. Alongside these shifts, differences between French and North American markets bring unique perspectives and differences in workplaces. In this episode, we dive into the realities of the North American workforce from an HR perspective in 2021. Joining the podcast is Wendy Alderdice, Chief Human Resources Officer at Socomec Group. With over 25 years of business experience aligning HR strategy, Wendy has expertise in all aspects of Human Resource Management within a global context, including development and implementation of HR strategy, organizational development, change management, strategic communications, and more. What is your perspective on the North American labor market?What are some of the challenges related to the North American labor market?With all these challenges with the labor market, how do you attract talent, especially as a new-comer to the market?How do you differentiate your offer, especially when you are not the highest paying one?How is the HR function important to the growth of North America?What do you think are the skills and attributes of a strong HR professional?How important is it to set the tone at the top with management for the North American workforce?How important are company values to a business?What are some of the cultural differences that exist when you compare French and North American workplaces?What are some of the difficulties that have arisen working with both the French and North American workforce?What programs have you implemented while trying to navigate COVID-19 in the workplace? Contact Information: Wendy Alderdice, Chief Human Resources Officer, Socomec, North America Sheppard Mullin French Desk  Co-Chair - Valérie Demont  Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade

For subsidiaries of U.S. companies looking to establish and/or grow their presence in an EU Member State and are perhaps seeking financial assistance from one of the Member States, it’s important to be aware of the European Union’s regulation of State aid. What is State aid and how does it impact U.S. companies with subsidiaries in the European Union, including France? We’re discussing the latest updates to EU State aid and discussing these controls vis-à-vis COVID-19.  Joining the podcast is Jacques Derenne, the Co-Leader of Sheppard Mullin’s Antitrust and Competition Group and the head of the EU Competition & Regulatory practice at Sheppard Mullin’s Brussels office. He is a member of the Brussels and Paris bars. He is also a Professor at the University of Liège and at the Brussels School of Competition. The co-hosts for this episode are Valérie Demont and Sarah Ben-Moussa. Valérie Demont is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York Office and the Co-Chair of Sheppard Mullin’s French Desk. Valérie focuses her practice primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities offerings and corporate governance matters. She has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe and Asia (including India). In particular, she routinely advises foreign companies with the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States. Sarah Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office and is a member of the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team. Sarah focuses her practice on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm’s French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters. What We Discussed in This Episode: What is European Union (EU) State aid and why does it exist?What are the cumulative criteria that must exist to justify the existence of a State aid?What is the process of seeking State aid approval from the European Commission?Can a U.S. company with a foreign subsidiary benefit from State aid?If a French business wanted to set up a company in the U.S., can they apply and receive assistance from the French government? If so, how?Is any COVID-19 financial assistance to companies considered State aid?Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what guidelines did the European Commission provide regarding the issuance of State aid?How are block exemption regulations allowing companies to avoid the State aid prior notification requirement?What can companies learn from State aid-related litigation in the airline industry?How the proposed EU regulation on the control of foreign subsidies is likely to impact non-EU companies, such as U.S. companies, investing in the EU? Resource: The European Commission Adopts a Proposal for a Regulation on Foreign Subsidies Distorting the Internal Market, by Jacques Derenne  Contact Information: Jacques Derenne - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/jderenne  Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com Co-Chair - Valérie Demont –  https://www.sheppardmullin.com/vdemont  Co-Chair - Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/choefliger  Sarah Ben-Moussa - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/sbenmoussa   Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to FOLLOW to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin French Desk website This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

Taxes can be complicated. This is especially true in the United States, where not only is there a Federal tax system, but every state has its own tax system as well. Understanding your tax liabilities in the U.S. means understanding the intricacies of the tax system of each state you’re doing business in. How are tax liabilities assessed and what type of taxes can a French company doing business in the U.S. be subject to? In this episode, we’re providing a high-level view of what every French company should know about potential state tax liabilities in the U.S.   Joining host Sarah Ben-Moussa is Justin Hepworth. Justin is a partner in the Tax and Estate Planning Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Orange County office. His practice encompasses a broad range of state and local tax matters, from planning, compliance, and transactional matters to controversy matters in audit and through litigation. Justin regularly advises clients on state and local tax implications of restructurings, mergers, acquisitions, spinoffs, and asset sales. He advises on audit defense, voluntary disclosure, unclaimed property (escheat law), and other controversy and compliance matters. He has extensive experience handling a broad range of multistate issues, including nexus, sales and use tax exemptions, sourcing and characterization, research and development credits, unitary business matters, California Prop. 13 change in ownership issues, and residency planning and audits. Sarah Ben-Moussa is an associate in the corporate practice group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office and is a member of the Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team. As a member of the Sheppard Mullin French Desk, Sarah focuses her practice on domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities, and general corporate matters involving French and American companies. Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in Paris. What We Discussed in this Episode: What type of state and local taxes might French companies doing business in the U.S. be subject to?What is “nexus” and how does it impact a state’s ability to tax a company?Can a company be subject to a state’s taxing system even with no physical presence in that state?What type of activities establish economic nexus in a state so that tax liability is triggered?What type of goods and services are subject to state taxes?Why might it be important to track sales in every state that a company sells goods or services in?How does the France-U.S. tax treaty affect tax liability at the state level?Why it’s important to enlist the assistance of an accounting and/or law firmWhat tax considerations exist in mergers and acquisitions?What type of double taxation issues should a company be familiar with? Resources Mentioned: South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. (2018) Contact Information: Justin Hepworth attorney profile  Sarah Ben-Moussa – Sarah’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile  Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com Co-Chair - Valérie Demont  Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - CHoefliger@sheppardmullin.com Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to FOLLOW to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin French Desk website This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

Expanding your business to another country is not easy: there are cultural barriers and business idiosyncrasies to learn. In this episode, we’re exploring some of the important steps every French company looking to develop, launch, and grow a business in the U.S. should understand. Joining host Valérie Demont is Aurélie Bessière, Venture Partner at Otium Capital, the family office of Pierre-Edouard Stérin. Prior to joining Otium, Aurélie was the CEO for Palais des Thés USA, the US subsidiary of Palais des Thés, a French specialty tea company with operations around the world. In her role she led the establishment and growth of Palais des Thés in the US for over ten years. Valérie Demont is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York Office and the Co-Chair of Sheppard Mullin’s French Desk. Valérie focuses her practice primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities offerings and corporate governance matters. She has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe and Asia (including India). In particular, she routinely advises foreign companies with the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States. What We Discussed in This Episode: How to prepare for the launch and growth of a business in the U.S.?What role do customers play in the development of a project?How can business leaders get feedback from their customers?Should sales and marketing be led by a U.S. workforce or the French team of founders, owners, and business developers?When is using a VIE a good idea?The differences between French customers and U.S. customers and how they vary depending on whether the business is B2B or B2C?How do negotiations differ between individuals doing business in France and individuals doing business in the U.S.?Why it is important to speak with other business leaders in a similar industry as yours who have done what you want to do Contact Information: Aurélie Bessière’s LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aurelie-pasquet-bessiere-7a32041/  Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com  Co-Chair - Valérie Demont –  https://www.sheppardmullin.com/vdemont Co-Chair: Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - CHoefliger@sheppardmullin.com Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to FOLLOW to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin French Desk website This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.