Posted on March 28, 2007 10:14 AM |Permalink|TrackBacks (0)

by Lisa Fields

When you search for an expert, where's the first place you go? More than likely, you look to web-based databases. Publicly accessible databases can sometimes yield great information, but subscription-based databases often provide invaluable difficult-to-find leads for locating the ideal expert. These subscriptions often provide that "edge" over the opposition.

Round Table Group's search experts routinely work with a number of databases: the firm's comprehensive internal expert database, free database resources available to the general public and many databases that require subscription--and often a hefty fee.

Three of the experts' favorite subscription-based databases are reviewed below.

ZoomInfo's PowerSearch:

By using a service called ZoomInfo PowerSearch, Round Table Group is able to find and extract comprehensive information on over 34 million business professionals and 2 million companies across virtually every industry. ZoomInfo has created this extensive list of professionals by aggregating online sources such as Web sites, press releases, electronic news services publications and SEC filings.

ZoomInfo's database is searchable by a number of criteria, including work history, education level and company name. Of course, the more you narrow your search, the better the results.

"I have heard attorneys have used it successfully for this purpose," Russell Glass, Vice President of Products and Marketing for ZoomInfo. "By categorizing people in certain industries, you can search for exactly the kind of people you need."

The good news is that ZoomInfo's PowerSearch provides contact information for the people it finds, so you won't have to do a second search to locate them. "Other sites will give you all kinds of information about people, but if you can't contact them, it's not useful," says Round Table Group Research Analyst Clark Johnson.

"Consequently, the use of ZoomInfo can often significantly reduce Round Table Group's search time by allowing our team of researchers to communicate more quickly with potential candidates. In fact, when I find experts in Journal articles or similar sources, I often return to ZoomInfo to locate the experts' contact information."

As Glass says, "experience plays a role. We teach people to start broad and narrow their search from there. There's a new development in ZoomInfo's PowerSearch that provides users with keyword suggestions to help tighten their search."

One downside to this service is that it cannot differentiate between a legitimate source (say, an expert on loss prevention) and a person who is identified in articles on the topic (say, someone arrested for shoplifting), says Johnson. "As a consequence, a user of this service may still have to search through numerous names, in order to ensure that the right candidate has been located."

Monster.com:

Round Table Group research analysts often search the resumes listed on Monster.com to find experts for clients. Accessing Monster.com's extensive database of resumes can be an invaluable resource in locating that hard-to-find expert.

"The principal benefit of using Monster.com," says Round Table Group's Mark Swansiger, "is that it provides a user with easy access to the resumes of lots of people who are currently looking for work, even short-term consulting projects."

"It's certainly an innovative way to use Monster," says Steve Sylven of Monster.com. "I assume you would utilize Monster's resume database in a similar way as a hiring manager or recruiter might. But, instead of conducting a keyword search to match a certain amount of experience for a job opening, you would search more broadly to find someone with expertise in a specified area or industry."

One of the best ways to perform a search in Monster.com is by using a combination of keywords and/or geographic, work experience and level of education restrictions in order to narrow a more general search.

Swansiger adds, "Round Table Group's extensive use of Monster.com has taught our team of research professionals to conduct a number of different searches within this database on an individual topic, because the way people enter their data can influence a search's returns."

Of course, Monster.com is not perfect. "The pool of resumes is huge and includes mostly lower-level job-seekers," says Swansiger. "No matter how you search, a lot of extraneous names will come up. But this just means you need to examine credentials of potential candidates very closely. It's a valuable resource if you're willing to put in the effort."

While Monster.com is the largest online resume database, top experts in a number of fields prefer to do their job searching on other, more specialized sites, so you need to be aware of the resources available to the candidates in whom you are most interested.

LexisNexis:

Many attorneys use LexisNexis for case law searches, but Round Table Group research analysts use the same service to find experts. LexisNexis Vice President Tom Hagy explains, "LexisNexis is a must-have resource for finding experts, due not only to its offering of several premier expert witness directories, JurisPro, for example, but also its vast collection of other expert-finding resources, including LexisNexis Jury Verdicts and Settlements reports, Daubert Tracker Case Reports, and more."

LexisNexis' task-based research platform, TotalLitigator, puts these resources at your fingertips. "Once an expert is identified, LexisNexis also offers in-depth background information," Hagy adds. "By performing a single search through over a dozen databases, including case opinions, agency decisions, verdict reports, news, expert directories, and others, LexisNexis Analyzer allows a researcher to conduct comprehensive, yet efficient, investigative research with respect to an expert."

"We search case law that focuses on the subject matter of the litigation, while looking for previous instances where expert witnesses have gone on the record testifying on similar matters," says Round Table Group's Sean Levine. "Often, doing a keyword search using the word 'expert' and descriptive terms about your subject matter will reveal some promising leads." For instance, searching U.S. case law for the word "expert," within seven words of the phrase "smoke detector," should reveal several people who have testified as expert witnesses regarding smoke detectors.

LexisNexis' biggest flaw as it pertains to locating experts may be that it contains so much information, and can be difficult to navigate as a result. "It is often necessary to get specialized training in order to take advantage of LexisNexis' full capabilities," says Levine. "Fortunately, the LexisNexis customer service team makes it relatively easy to sign up for and receive this type of training."

Comprehensive Searches

Finding the right expert for your case can be a time-consuming, convoluted task. When searching for experts, keep in mind that the most comprehensive search may incorporate all three of these subscription databases, plus a number of smaller, but insightful, niche industry databases. "An appropriate budget for subscription databases for purposes of expert search can easily exceed $10,000 per month," says RTG President Robert Hull. Although access to these databases can be costly, the service they provide is invaluable.

A subscription to these services may not be justified for an attorney or firm locating just one or two experts, though the bigger firms may have some of these subscriptions. So do expert search firms, who can save you the cost, time and effort of subscribing yourself. However, be sure to ask your expert search firm how many subscription databases they utilize in their practice. "If the firm isn't using ZoomInfo, Monster.com, LexisNexis, and other reputable subscription-based search engines, it's cutting corners," says Levine.

For a comprehensive expert search, contact the Round Table Group.

Lisa Fields can be reached at Lisa.F@BeTuitive.com.

©2007 BeTuitive Publishing

Posted on March 28, 2007 9:58 AM |Permalink|TrackBacks (0)

by Lisa Fields

The global energy market is changing. Attorneys who seek witnesses for oil and natural gas litigation, or consultants to help compose jargon-heavy contracts, will need access to experts with up-to-date, specialized knowledge. The Round Table Group can help locate an ideal expert for either situation.

"They're very careful when screening people," says oil and natural gas policy expert Kent Moors, PhD, director of the Energy Policy Research Group at Duquesne University, who has been involved with several Round Table Group projects during the past three years. "Giving attorneys access to experts for ongoing client support services, not just litigation, is filling a real need in particular segments that are expanding quickly."

It is difficult for attorneys unfamiliar with the industry to find advisors who have direct access to relevant energy markets and who can provide timely, accurate intelligence and analysis, according to Moors.

"The expert has to be able to say, 'Based on what happened yesterday, here's what you need to consider in the next two months,'" he says. "Don't rely on someone who gets his information from books instead of the current marketplace." Potential experts should be authorities on the following market changes, says Moors:

• The emergence of a new international oil market: In the last year and a half, there have been significant changes to the oil market, especially how fields are operated, how companies are structured and how finance is secured and packaged.
  
  The holding structures that control all aspects of the oil extraction process, from well heads to refineries and retail markets, are also going through significant changes in a number of jurisdictions worldwide.

• The rise of liquefied natural gas: Recently, in some markets, natural gas has been cooled to a liquid state and put in tankers to be shipped anywhere. Previously, the gas was limited to destinations served by pipelines.
  
  This development has the potential to transform the energy market. Right now, liquefied gas is used most frequently in Japan and South Korea, but there are 18 terminals open or in development in the U.S. In 20 years, 15 percent of our market will likely be devoted to liquefied natural gas.

• Changes to oil financing: For decades, all oil contracts worldwide have been paid in U.S. dollars, but that will soon change. Because the European Union has emerged as a strong player in the world energy market, transactions are expected to soon be paid in euros.

If oil or natural gas companies are among your clients and these changes sound overwhelming, choose the right firm to locate someone who can help: the Round Table Group.

For more of Professor Moors' insights, read his article.

Lisa Fields can be reached at Lisa.F@BeTuitive.com.

©BeTuitive Publishing

Posted on March 16, 2007 9:22 AM |Permalink|TrackBacks (0)

by Kent Moors

The market for legal services in the oil and gas sector is expanding--and not as a result of an increasing number of traditional projects or contracts.

Several significant changes are emerging in the manner whereby parties are designing contract and holdings structures. These developments are certain to increase in the market for a variety of hydrocarbon supply, demand, pricing and sourcing reasons.

In addition, the rise of what I have often referred to as NIOM (the "New International Oil Market") will impact how we service even the traditional oil and gas proprietary, financing, operational and flow-through projects, both upstream (wellhead, field) and downstream (refinery, transport, retail).

All of this directly translates into revisions in how we approach much of the corresponding litigation and contract support demanded.

Three trends that will provide a robust sector requiring a full range of legal services

1. Within the last 18 months, the market has been moving from the well-recognized holdings controlling process and facilities to new approaches controlling product and access.

Intermediary leverage entities, often domiciled offshore, are occupying a greater position in access to crude oil and oil products, tanker leasing, refinery capacity control, hawser management, oil field servicing, and related areas, as well as a range of accompanying finance and fiduciary considerations.

2. Arbitraging control of product and market access is intensifying.

This emerges in several distinct ways. We are witnessing acceleration in swap transactions among energy types. This is enhanced in those markets where trading in carbon and other emission quotas is established.

However, the rise of liquefied natural gas (LNG) will have a decisive impact in transforming the market. LNG is the most significant change to occur in global energy in a generation.

As the volume begins to increase over the next several years, it will profoundly change the arbitrage market, the regional swing of contract and deliveries, and the kinds of litigations and recoveries sought.

In addition, arbitrage among traditional energy supplies is on the rise, with profits now often generated more from the price differential or trading spread than from the actual delivery of product.

Finally, with the phase-in of novel sources of crude (oil sands, oil shale), replacements for oil products (e.g., ethanol or biodiesel) or alternative energy sources, the arbitrage market will undergo further change.

3. All manner of oil finance, traditional and new, is about to change.

Apart from the rise of new derivative and mezzanine paper associated with a range of deals, the currency factor is shortly to undergo a fundamental revision. This may well comprise the largest single change in the oil market near-term, and it will have a decisive impact on how we structure legal support in response.

All global oil contracts have been transacted in US dollars. This has meant a considerable amount of US currency at any given time is off the table, remaining in foreign banks as petrodollars to secure consignments and finance future contracts.

This is equivalent to an interest-free loan to the American economy. So long as the dollars remain out of circulation, they cannot contribute to inflation in North America.

But all of this is about to change. Given the weakness of the US dollar and the emergence of the European Union as a major unified energy player, pressures are building to denominate contracts in euros.

Both Iran and Russia have given notice that they will introduce new benchmark crude rates, along with new oil exchanges. Those contracts will be in euros, not dollars. A few OPEC consignments sold on the Dubai Exchange have already gone forward in euros.

A de facto euro discount is already in force. Reviewing the past two years of sales, crude oil has increased 84 percent in dollar terms but only 71 percent in euro terms. The market is already factoring in the strength of the euro and the likelihood of euro-denominated oil contracts.

When these emerge in regular transactions, fewer petrodollars will remain in foreign banks. The dollars will be exchanged back to the US to fuel a significant resurgence of inflation. That inflation, in turn, will affect every energy contract in force or negotiated.

What New Opportunities Require

Providers of legal services need to understand that the oil and gas sector is changing and quickly. The new opportunities require a flexible response that relies upon expert service provisions to support what the law firm provides to a client.

Kent Moors, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert in global oil/natural gas policy and finance, cross-border capital flows, emerging market economic and fiscal development, political, financial and market risk assessment, as well as new techniques in energy risk management. He has been an advisor to the highest levels of the US, Russian, Kazakh, Bahamian, Iraqi and Kurdish governments, a consultant to private companies and law firms in sixteen countries and appeared over 500 times as a featured television and radio commentator in North America, Europe and Russia. A prolific writer and lecturer, his six books, more than 400 professional and market publications, and more than 150 private/public sector policy presentations and workshops have appeared in 38 countries.

Dr. Moors is President of ASIDA, Inc., an international consulting firm specializing in Russian, CIS, Caspian, and other developing market hydrocarbon and financial strategies, and Executive Managing Partner of Risk Management Associates, International, LLP, a full service global management consulting and executive training firm. He is a contributing editor to the two current leading post-Soviet oil and natural gas publications (Russian Petroleum Investor and Caspian Investor), monthly digests in Middle Eastern and Eurasian market developments.

Professor in the Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy at Duquesne University, where he also directs the Energy Policy Research Group, Dr. Moors has developed international educational programs, run training sessions for agencies of the US government, and served as an external implications consultant to ongoing policy areas having high levels of uncertainty.

Posted on March 12, 2007 1:48 PM |Permalink|TrackBacks (0)

If you have an upcoming event that you would like to publicize to our readers, please email us, or call 202-595-2000 ext. 538.

Round Table Group Consultations

Round Table Group representatives are generally available to give complementary expert search consultations in the Washington, DC, and Chicago areas. Additionally, Round Table Group representatives will be in the following locations in the coming months:

Location	Date
Toronto, Canada	April 9-13, 2007
Des Moines, IA	April 13, 2007
Atlanta, GA	April 17-18, 2007
San Francisco, CA	April 19-20, 2007
Dallas-Houston area, TX	May, 2007

Please contact us if you would like to arrange a consultation, or for more information.

Conferences

Corporate Counsel Forum on Wage & Hour Compliance
Wage and hour claims continue to be a red-hot issue. In 2005, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division collected $166 million in back wages, while the number of wage and hour class actions in state and federal courts exceeded all other forms of class actions. Attorneys representing workers continue to launch new and creative actions against employers.

ACI's 4th National Forum on Wage and Hour Claims and Class Actions will give you important insights and practical guidance regarding these significant topics. Focusing on both state and federal law, top wage and hour specialists will bring you valuable, practical insights on, possible exposures relating to exempt v. non-exempt status and how to manage them,impact of the Class Action Fairness Act on wage and hour litigation, significance of the recent FLSA regulations and practical, procedural and substantive issues arising in wage and hour actions in state and federal courts.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 to Thursday, April 26, 2007
Flatotel , New York, NY , United States

Issuer & Investor Forum on Mortgage Backed Securities

At American Conference Institute's Mortgage Backed Securities conference, you will learn about recent securitization developments, legal strategies and investment trends from MBS senior executives, capital markets, structured finance attorneys, and government officials. Learn how to comply with Reg AB static pool of disclosure requirements, conduct due diligence quicker, cheaper and faster via the latest technology solutions, protect against predatory lending and assignee liability, and interpret non-traditional product risk guidance and how it will change underwriting standards.

Thursday, April 12, 2007 to Friday, April 13, 2007
The Westin Times Square, New York, NY , United States

2nd National Forum on Delivering Financial Services to Underserved Markets

While once considered risky customers, the increase in numbers and purchasing power of immigrant and low-income communities have made these segments of the population impossible to ignore. The nearly 73 million un- and underbanked US residents spent $11 billion on alternative financial transactions in 2005, and these numbers are on the rise. In an otherwise stagnant market, traditionally underserved consumers represent a rare opportunity for financial institutions to grow their market share. Before leaping into these uncharted waters, though, companies must take heed of the risks involved. Reaching out to underserved consumers mandates an understanding of the cultural sensitivities of new and existing customers as well as an ability to navigate Patriot Act violations and other legal issues that recur when dealing with underserved and immigrant markets.

By attending ACI's 2nd National Forum on Delivering Financial Services to Underserved Markets, you will gain unique and specialized insights from an exceptional faculty that will empower you with practical strategies for capturing traditionally underserved and ethnic markets while avoiding regulatory risks.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 to Wednesday, April 18, 2007
InterContinental New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, LA, United States

Forum on Reinsurance Collateral: Adapting Insurance and Reinsurance Best Practices to New Regulatory Realities

The need to have a working knowledge of the mechanics behind the new collateral system is essential for all who work with foreign reinsurers. The new paradigm will impact all aspects of the insurance/reinsurance industry, from underwriting to claims to treasury and overall corporate financial strength. American Conference Institute has developed a two-day seminar where our distinguished faculty will exchange ideas regarding the mechanics of the various expected changes to the collateral system, including how a new rating system will reflect future financial strength of reinsurers and how a new collateral system will impact the ratings of primary insurers.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 to Thursday, April 12, 2007
Warwick Hotel , New York, NY , United States

The Premier Best Practices Forum on Life Sciences IP Due Diligence for Buyers

In many life sciences transactions, the IP due diligence review can be timely, costly and difficult, but can provide a number of benefits: Business relationships can be developed and protected during the process. Identified problems can be solved before the deal is consummated ... and even increase the value of the transaction. But the biggest benefit is that you are ensuring that the intellectual property behind the transaction supports the value of the deal - at the very least.

Ask all the questions that matter when analyzing the IP

As the person responsible for ensuring the IP's value, you need to know what assets are important and the business drivers behind the deal. These influence the type and depth of diligence needed. Only then can you develop an appropriate diligence strategy, build the team, and devise the right checklist.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 to Thursday, April 12, 2007
Park Central Hotel, New York, NY , United States

Advertisers' & Marketers' Regulatory Summit

As you struggle with the ambiguity of advertising and marketing laws, regulations, and standards, your client's creative department is under increasing pressure to deliver aggressive and creative campaigns. The stakes are incredibly high if a regulator, competitor, or consumer construes the client's ad incorrectly. Ensuring all the bases are covered as advertising and marketing practices run ahead of the law is harder than ever.

Federal and state regulators will be on board to tell you what they expect.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007 to Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Washington Marriott, Washington, DC , United States

Executive Compensation: Strategies and Solutions for the Legal and Financial Advisors to High Level Executives

The scrutiny of executive pay has intensified, with many shareholders demanding more of a say, and the SEC pushing through new regulations that will make it much easier for shareholders and critics to dissect the compensation packages of top executives. Packages - like the one received by a former CEO of a national home improvement chain - have led to such outrage that many companies have been forced to rethink the way they pay top executives. Now, more than ever, you must have a firm understanding of how to successfully advise your clients and negotiate the best compensation packages in the current climate, including being aware of how the recent rules governing disclosure of executive pay and taxation of deferred compensation are creating new shifts in negotiating strategies.

Executive pay is going to be one of the hottest issues this proxy season.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 to Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The Warwick Hotel , New York, NY , United States

Counterparty Relationship Documents for Derivatives & Synthetic CDOs

Are you fully utilizing the available documentation agreements? In an environment where conditions are continually changing in response to regulatory scrutiny, judicial decisions, new products, market needs and newsworthy occurrences, keeping up to date on the use (and mis-use) of key provisions is imperative to protect your transaction from unnecessary exposures, including a counterparty 's insolvency, other default or the occurrence of a force majeure event.

ACI's upcoming event will provide you with strategic insight on how ISDA? Master Agreements and other counterparty relationship documents work together to ensure that you are adequately protecting your firm. Whether you are engaged in transactions involving foreign exchange, equity, credit or commodity derivatives, this is a must attend event to gain strategic approaches for negotiating cross-margining and netting agreements, intermediation agreements, repos and related industry documents.

Monday, April 30, 2007 to Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Marriott East Side Hotel , New York, NY , United States

3rd National Forum on Payment Systems Mitigating Legal & Operational Risks

At American Conference Institute's 3rd National Forum on Payment Systems, federal and state regulators, leading attorneys and in-house counsel at payment system companies will talk about the steps you need to take to ensure that your compliance program is up to speed with the latest laws.

Get an inside perspective from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, OCC, FTC and FDIC on the latest regulatory and enforcement initiatives that will impact your payment practices. Come to the premier payment systems program focusing on how the legal landscape will impact how you look at new and old payment products and their associated operational challenges.

Monday, April 30, 2007 to Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The Flatotel , New York, NY , United States

14th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Bad Faith & Punitive Damages

Why Do So Many in-house Insurance Professionals and Bad Faith Lawyers Attend This Event Each Year? Because, without fail, they get timely, valuable information and practical analysis from speakers at the top of their profession - from a variety of perspectives.

Aside from the usual problems stemming from multiple claims, a patchwork of conflicting case law across the country, assessing punitive damages and the like, you have to keep up with new developments as this area continuously evolves. Discovery, third party bad faith, state v. federal court - each year, the rules you play by shift - and you have to move fast to stay on top if you want to get the best result for your client or company.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 to Thursday, April 26, 2007
W San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , United States

13th Annual D&O Liability Insurance: Underwriting, Claims and Coverage Strategies for Maximizing Profitability in the Global Market

D&O is in the midst of major market force changes. The industry has seen record settlements, increased government investigations, skyrocketing defense costs in securities litigation, and vast expansion of multinational companies inquiring and obtaining D&O coverage. Coupled with the softening market and the ever-increasing number of claims, the D&O industry is in the midst of new and unexpected challenges. In this turbulent environment - where even the old challenges take on a new significance - it is vital that you have a complete understanding of the latest regulations, claims and strategies for accurately assessing your risks and controlling your exposures.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 to Thursday, April 19, 2007
Warwick Hotel , New York, NY , United States

Anti-Corruption for Pharma & Life Sciences: Minimizing Exposure Under Expansive Definitions of Foreign "Government Officials"

While every industry must deal with FCPA and anti-corruption compliance, the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries are particularly vulnerable to being investigated for FCPA violations. The pharmaceutical/life sciences business model relies heavily on interaction with doctors, who are often considered "government officials" outside of the U.S., and payments or incentives given to these "government officials" can trigger an FCPA investigation. If a company has 25,000 sales representatives who see eight doctors per day, five days per week, that company has had a million opportunities per week to commit an FCPA violation.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007 to Wednesday, May 2, 2007
New York Marriott East Side , New York, NY , United States

10th National Forum on Export Controls: Global Compliance Strategies

Rising government expectations and new regulatory standards amplify risks for U.S. and foreign companies in our increasingly global business environment. Export controls are becoming ever more complex and restrictive, and U.S. exporters must develop robust internal export control compliance programs that do not unduly hamper legitimate trade and also comply with local laws.

Now in its 10th successful year, ACI's National Forum on Export Controls is the event that export professionals rely on for comprehensive, insightful, and practical guidance on critical global export compliance issues. Benefit from the practical perspective of seasoned corporate export compliance executives from companies such as General Electric, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, IBM, Tyco, Citigroup, Texas Instruments and Mitsui. Get an update on regulatory and policy initiatives from top Government officials and learn how industry is setting up internal controls to comply in this constantly changing global legal landscape.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 to Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Westin Grand Hotel , Washington, DC , United States

Paragraph IV Disputes: Expert Insights on Hatch-Waxman Litigation Strategies for Brand Names and Generics

A Paragraph IV challenge is the ultimate Hatch-Waxman face-off in which a brand name and generic drug maker battle it out to preserve or shrink patent life and market share. These are strange lawsuits in which the roles and behaviors of plaintiff and defendant often seem reversed due to requisite maneuvering in a complex statutory rubric.

The Hatch-Waxman reforms of the MMA and the tough stance of the FTC with respect to the settlement of Paragraph IV cases have made this litigation more strategically complex and more costly. The threat of proposed legislation, which may make settlement of these matters near impossible - let alone illegal - not only adds to this complexity, but also raises the monetary stakes of this litigation to unprecedented heights.

It is imperative that brand name or generic pharmaceutical companies, and their counsel, have the offensive moves and defensive plays that they respectively need in this high stakes arena of pharmaceutical patent endgame litigation. ACI's Paragraph IV Disputes conference has been designed to give counsel for both brand name and generic companies the critical up-to-the minute information that they need to plan their Hatch-Waxman litigation strategies.

Monday, April 23, 2007 to Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers , New York, NY , United States

Paragraph IV Disputes: Expert Insights on Hatch-Waxman Litigation Strategies for Brand Names and Generics

The approval process...pre-approval concerns...product labeling... clinical trials...adverse events reports... patent concerns... exclusivity. All are critical aspects in the commercialization process for drugs, biologics, and devices that are governed by FDA law and regulation. Recent court cases and high-profile trials concerning FDA-regulated products have made it clear that it is essential for attorneys who do not have regulatory practices -- but who do deal with FDA-regulated products -- to have a familiarity with these concepts. The same can be said of securities experts and business executives in the life sciences arena.

ACI's FDA Boot Camp has been designed to give products or patent litigators, as well as patent prosecutors and life sciences investment and securities experts, a strong working knowledge of core FDA regulatory competencies.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 to Wednesday, May 16, 2007
JW Marriott San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , United States

Retaining & Promoting Female Attorneys: Advancing Women in The Firm - Advancing the Firm's Business

The traditional model doesn't work. Hiring more women as first year associates hasn't translated into more female partners and leaders of the firm. Too many female attorneys are leaving firms, particularly within the first few years of practice. Unless your firm takes steps to prevent this, women will never be equally represented at the partnership level.

A lack of senior women can seriously harm your firm in many ways: It can damage your firm's recruiting efforts and can even result in lost prospective and existing clients. Plus, lost associates lead to higher professional training and recruiting costs.

Instituting a gender diversity program to address the "brain drain" is theoretically simple-but developing a workable framework, with specific procedures, to retain female attorneys is extremely challenging. And getting firm buy-in can be extremely tough.

Unlike other conferences on this topic, which focus on the reasons why women are leaving firms, ACI's Inaugural Conference on Retaining and Promoting Female Attorneys will focus on solutions and provide concrete strategies for creating and running a program to facilitate the retention and advancement of female attorneys.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 to Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Embassy Suites Hotel New York , New York, NY , United States