RopesTalk

Hosted by Ropes & Gray LLP

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Episodes

405

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

Ropes & Gray attorneys provide timely analysis on legal developments, court decisions and changes in legislation and regulations.

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60 recent

July 23, 202612 min

Federal Clearance Is Not Always the Finish Line: State AGs and Private Plaintiffs Emerge as Merger Risks

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, antitrust partners Mark Popofsky and Samer Musallam discuss recent cases, including Paramount, where state attorneys general and private plaintiffs have challenged deals even after federal review, highlighting the growing role of states and private parties in U.S. antitrust enforcement. They examine the risks companies face from these additional enforcement branches and offer practical takeaways for managing antitrust exposure throughout the transaction process. Tune in to learn how to navigate the evolving landscape of merger enforcement beyond federal agencies.

July 22, 202643 min

Culture & Compliance Chronicles: Meditation—A Tool for Presence, Clarity, and Performance in an Ever-Changing World with Michael Miller

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Michael Miller, co-founder of the London Meditation Centre and New York Meditation Center, for an in-depth discussion on the transformative power of Vedic meditation. Discover how meditation can enhance well-being, boost professional performance, and foster healthier workplace cultures. Hear personal stories, myth-busting insights, and practical advice for busy professionals looking to integrate meditation into their daily routines. Whether you’re curious about mindfulness, seeking ways to manage stress, or interested in building a resilient organizational culture, this episode offers fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways.

June 17, 202630 min

Culture & Compliance Chronicles: Of Puppets and People—Humanizing Ethics & Compliance with Fraser Simpson

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Fraser Simpson, enterprise strategy lead at the Wellcome Trust, to explore how organizations can make governance and compliance more human. The conversation delves into the importance of shaping ethical cultures that go beyond policies and procedures, focusing on real human behavior, creativity, and engagement. Fraser shares insights from Wellcome’s innovative “speak-up” program and the creation of Connie, a puppet character designed to spark ethical conversations and strengthen judgment across the organization. The episode also discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by technology and AI in compliance, emphasizing the need to support—not replace—human judgment.

May 20, 202637 min

Culture & Compliance Chronicles: Sleep, Science & Success—Unlocking Chronoleadership

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Camilla Kring, founder of Super Navigators. Camilla shares her journey and explores how biological rhythms shape productivity, well-being, and workplace culture. The conversation delves into the science of sleep, challenges myths about early rising, and highlights the risks of living out of sync with our internal clocks. Listeners will hear practical insights on fostering chrono-inclusive organizations, supporting diverse work rhythms, and creating healthier, more effective workplaces. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that offers actionable steps for leaders and teams to empower individuals and drive lasting impact.

April 15, 202631 min

Culture & Compliance Chronicles: Wonder, Creativity and the Power of Play - Inspiring Change in Compliance with Rebecca Mayfield

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Rebecca Mayfield, group compliance director and senior legal counsel at Merlin Entertainments. Rebecca shares her unconventional career journey, her passion for creative and engaging compliance training, and her commitment to mentoring and giving back to underserved communities. The conversation explores how injecting curiosity, playfulness, and storytelling into ethics and compliance can drive real engagement and lasting impact. Listeners will hear practical insights on measuring success, building meaningful relationships, and empowering individuals to speak up. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that challenges traditional approaches and highlights the importance of fun, empathy, and imagination in compliance.

April 8, 202620 min

AI at Work – Drafting an Effective and Compliant AI Workplace Policy

In this second episode of AI at Work, Sophie Duffy, an employment associate, is joined by Jen Cormier and Greg Demers, partners in the employment practice, and Alyssa Clough Horton, a partner in the asset management practice, to discuss whether and how organizations should implement a dedicated workplace AI use policy.They explore the essentials of effective AI policies, including defining covered technologies, distinguishing between AI tools, and establishing governance. Key safeguards, regulatory developments, vendor diligence, and bias auditing are discussed, along with practical topics like AI transcription, employee disclosure, and role-specific training. Listeners gain actionable guidance for creating adaptable, compliant AI policies. The discussion highlights real-world challenges organizations face and offers strategies to integrate AI policies with existing compliance frameworks. Whether new to AI or refining current policies, this episode provides timely insights for navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.

March 18, 202633 min

Culture & Compliance Chronicles: The Human Factor—Psychology and Cybersecurity in the Digital Age with Sarah Zheng

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by neuropsychologist Sarah Zheng to explore the human factor in cybersecurity. The conversation delves into the psychology behind hacking, the role of emotions and context in falling for scams, and the evolving risks posed by emerging technologies like AI and brain-computer interfaces. Sarah shares insights from her research at the Dawes Centre for Future Crime and her book, The Psychology of Cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of operational resilience and creative approaches to cyber awareness. Listeners will learn practical strategies for building a culture of psychological safety and reporting, as well as actionable steps to enhance organizational cyber resilience.

March 9, 202615 min

Okaying a Premium Problem: When Voluntary Benefits Become Involuntary Lawsuits

On this Ropes & Gray podcast, employment associate Kendall Dacey is joined by benefits consulting principals David Kirchner and Harvey Cotton to discuss a new twist on the relentless ERISA class action lawsuits targeting major employers—this time targeting both employers and their brokers—over voluntary benefit programs such as accident insurance, critical illness coverage, and hospital indemnity plans. The conversation explores how these lawsuits challenge long-held assumptions that voluntary benefits fall safely outside ERISA’s reach. If courts agree these plans are ERISA-covered, employers could face potential fiduciary liability for failing to prudently select insurance carriers and monitor broker commissions for reasonableness and brokers themselves are squarely in the crosshairs for allegedly prioritizing their own compensation over participants’ interests. The episode concludes with practical steps companies can take now to reduce their exposure before the next complaint lands.

February 23, 202632 min

Non-Financial Misconduct Miniseries: Episode 4 – The Impact of Toxic Culture on Hiring and Retention

On this final episode of Ropes & Gray’s Non‑Financial Misconduct Miniseries, Amanda Raad, co-leader of the firm’s crisis management and global risk practices, and Katie Daniels, director of ethics, compliance, and insights at R&G Insights Lab sit down with Jamie Browne, managing director at Leonid Group, a leading talent advisory firm specializing in corporate governance hiring. The trio share a candid conversation about how toxic workplace culture is now one of the biggest forces shaping hiring and retention, posing a very real attrition and reputational risk—as well as a financial risk due in part to the significant costs of re-hiring. Together, they unpack why culture has become a make‑or‑break factor for candidates, what companies are getting wrong, and the practical steps leaders should be taking to ensure hiring best practice, ongoing diligence and stronger post-hire monitoring.

February 19, 202616 min

Inside the House—Managing Risk to Drive Commercial Success (Part II)

On this Ropes & Gray podcast—the second in a two-part series venturing “inside the house” to draw on experiences and ideas—partner Amanda McGrady Morrison, global co-chair of the firm’s private capital transactions practice, and Katie Daniels, director of ethics, compliance, and insights at Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, former head of compliance for a global asset manager, rejoin Nitish Upadhyaya from the R&G Insights Lab for another in-depth discussion on the evolving role of legal and compliance leaders. The conversation explores how governance professionals can ask the right questions about AI deployment, data use, and risk management, emphasizing the importance of cross-functional collaboration and practical solutions. Amanda and Katie share insights from their in-house experiences, highlighting the need to translate rules into actionable strategies, foster strong relationships, and coach teams for effective risk mitigation. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on building trust, supporting business growth, and creating a healthy organizational culture in a rapidly changing environment.

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