The Freshfields Podcast

What does BT 21, the EU’s ‘business taxation for the 21st century’ package, mean for US business?

The EU has proposed a sweeping set of measures designed to combat corporate tax avoidance, address the challenges of the digital economy and create a more sustainable and greener EU economy. Here, our transatlantic team – Claude Stansbury in Washington, Leza Bieber in New York, Georg Roderburg in Dusseldorf, Bob van Kasteren in Amsterdam and Léa Bareil in Brussels – discuss what the proposals mean for US corporates.

From growth to maturity: what founders and investors need to know about going public

From IPOs to direct listings and SPAC mergers, there are more ways than ever for tech founders to take their businesses to the next level. In the latest Freshfields TQ podcast, partners Sarah Solum, Mark Austin and Stephan Pachinger give a global perspective on the capital markets and discuss what founders and investors need to know at this critical phase of the corporate cycle.

Essential Antitrust #16: Global merger control: the EU and UK take centre stage

Merger control assessments are becoming less predictable. The European Commission has changed its policy towards Member State referrals. The CMA has been flexing its broad jurisdictional thresholds to call in transactions for review. Driven by a desire not to let any transactions fall through the net, there is a key focus on innovative sectors such as tech and life sciences but the uncertainty extends across industries. Parties must be prepared to deal with the difficulties of navigating this increasingly complex environment.

In this episode, podcast host Jenn Mellott speaks with Alan Ryan, Bertrand Guerin and Megan Yeates to discuss these developments and how merging parties can deal with this increasing uncertainty.  

The keys to successful corporate venture capital investing

Venture investments are an important way for companies to access technology and innovation - and generate financial returns. In the latest episode of the Freshfields TQ podcast, New York Partner Andrea Merediz Basham is joined by senior associates Marcus Wolter (Tokyo) and Saloua Ouchan (Amsterdam) to explore the secrets to successful corporate venture investing – from where the deal team should sit in the business to the structures and processes that are most attractive to founders.

Tax matters: German election – what do the coalition developments mean for global and domestic tax policy?

The German federal election on 26 September 2021 marked the beginning of the end of Angela Merkel’s time as German Chancellor, however, the outcome of the election is still unclear.

No single party has yet been able to claim leadership of the Bundestag – although negotiations have begun between the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals which could result in the so-called “traffic light” coalition.

In our latest podcast, senior knowledge lawyer Alison Dickie speaks to David Issmer, Freshfields’ Head of Public Affairs in Germany, and German tax partners David Beutel, Philipp Redeker and Georg Roderburg to discuss the German election results and what the “traffic light” coalition might mean for both global tax policy and the domestic German tax landscape as well as the potential implications for businesses with presence in Germany.

View from the Valley #7: The future of data privacy in the United States

US data privacy law is evolving fast, with a number of states introducing tough new rules and even talk of a federal privacy regime. In a wide-ranging conversation across the data and cyber frontier, Christine Lyon, co-head of Freshfields’ global data privacy group, joins counsel Brock Dahl and Boris Feldman, Freshfields’ head of US tech, to discuss what’s coming down the track, whether tighter restrictions could stifle innovation, why companies should be wary about using 'black box' AI – and how boards can prepare for a data breach.

Essential Antitrust #15: Focus on fintech deals: navigating a tougher regulatory environment

Fintech M&A is booming, but so is regulatory scrutiny. Competition authorities are increasingly bullish to claim jurisdiction over fintech deals and to pursue novel theories of harm. At the same time, the scope of foreign investment regulation has widened due to the pandemic and ongoing trade tensions, adding yet another piece to the regulatory jigsaw puzzle faced by deal-doers. Getting your fintech deal cleared is no longer a given, and even if you get your merger control and foreign investment clearance, there is still a host of other financial regulation that applies before, throughout and after the deal process. 

In our 15th episode, podcast host Jenn Mellott speaks with Rod Carlton, Christine Laciak and Cyrus Pocha to discuss these developments. 

Essential Antitrust Asia #4: India update with AZB & Partners

This episode features Freshfields partner Alastair Mordaunt and partners from Indian law firm AZB & Partners, Samir Gandhi, Senior Partner and head of the firm's competition practice, and Hemangini Dadwal, who both advise on a broad range of competition and merger control issues in India.

In this session, our experts will discuss:

• An overview of India’s competition regime, including the latest developments and trends in merger control and antitrust enforcement
• Recent cases in the tech sector
• Key tips for merging parties who need to notify their transaction in India

Arbitration Money Matters: The Economics of an Arbitration

In this podcast, we look at arbitration from a different—economic—perspective. Freshfields senior associate Samantha Tan invites Lee & Ko partners, Sanghoon Han and Saemee Kim, and Freshfields partner Nicholas Lingard to discuss the cost-efficiency of running an arbitration.  Our speakers discuss potential “money pits” and explore lesser known, sometimes counterintuitive, ideas for managing costs at the outset of an arbitration.

Arbitration Insider – International arbitration: pathway to success

Arbitration Insider is a podcast series focusing on international arbitration produced by the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. 

In the third episode of Arbitration Insider, co-hosts Rekha Rangachari, Executive Director of NYIAC, and Olivier André, Client Relationship Advisor at Freshfields, chat with four seasoned New York-based international arbitration practitioners on starting and developing a successful career in international arbitration. This episode features Noiana Marigo (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) as a special guest.

Podcast guests include Deborah Enix-Ross (Senior Advisor, International Dispute Resolution Group at Devoise & Plimpton & President-Elect of the American Bar Association), John Fellas (Independent Arbitrator), Louis B. Kimmelman (Independent Arbitrator & Chair of the New York International Arbitration Center), Dana MacGrath (Independent Arbitrator & President of ArbitralWomen) and Noiana Marigo (Partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Head of International Arbitration in the Americas, Co-Chair of the Latin America Practice).

 

Reference materials:

• As ABA's president-elect nominee, Deborah Enix-Ross brings a wealth of experience by Amanda Robert (ABA Journal, June 1, 2021)
• ArbitralWomen president goes solo in New York by Toby Fisher (Global Arbitration Review, August 18, 2021) [paywall]
• NYIAC Puts Ex-Sidley Arbitration Pro At The Helm by Caroline Simson (Law360, January 29, 2021)
• Fellas launches new practice by Jack Ballantyne (Global Arbitration Review, December 16, 2020) [paywall]
• Freshfields wins inaugural GAR Green Arbitration Award by Olivier André and Stephanie Mbonu (July 6, 2021)