SharkCast

Hosted by Dorsey & Whitney LLP

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Latest episode

Mar 2026

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EN-US

About the show

SharkCast uncovers why companies are so frequently sued in U.S. Courts and shares ways to mitigate and navigate these lawsuits. Hosted by Dorsey attorney and author, Kent Schmidt, the podcast provides insights from guests on practical guidance for assessing litigation risks and managing the litigation process.

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28 recent

March 31, 2026Episode 249 min

Effective Collaboration Between In-House and Outside Counsel

Effective collaboration between in-house counsel and outside counsel is essential to managing legal risks, controlling costs, and supporting business objectives. Differing perspectives, pressures, and expectations can create challenges if those relationships are not aligned.In this episode, Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partners Kimberly Neville and Bonnie Paskvan, who bring extensive experience serving both as in-house counsel and outside advisors. They discuss practical strategies for improving collaboration, including managing legal budgets, communicating expectations, reviewing bills, and working proactively to prevent litigation.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

February 24, 2026Episode 149 min

Employment Claims in the UK and US, A Comparison of Two Common Law Regimes

The U.S. and U.K. legal systems share many similarities rooted in their common law heritage. However, important differences have developed over time, including those related to liabilities that arise from employment relationships.In this episode, Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partners Lisa Patmore, based in London, and Matt Durham, based in Salt Lake City. They address employment litigation and discuss how HR professionals, lawyers, and others responsible for managing these claims must understand the distinctions between the U.S. and U.K. legal structures.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

December 11, 2025Episode 636 min

How Cybersecurity Standards and False Claims Act Heighten Litigation Risks

The connection between changes on the regulatory horizon and the creation of new theories of liabilities in civil litigation is well known. A new regulation often creates or expands a standard of care or obligation for a company that a plaintiff, including a consumer in a class action, can point to as a predicate for a tort or other legal theory. The nexus between the regulatory landscape goes even further. In this episode Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partner Seth Goertz on the unconventional mix between cybersecurity standards and False Claims Act, which empowers whistleblowers to bring lucrative claims for even small deviations. This creates a template for whistleblowing and cybersecurity standards even in the private sector, creating a litigation risk even where there has been no data breach. This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

September 24, 2025Episode 535 min

How AI is Reshaping US Copyright Law

The creative industries, including music and all forms of publishing, have been disrupted perhaps more than any other in the wake of the AI revolution, as new creative powers are unleased, allowing anyone to generate new content with ease. With these innovation comes litigation risks of copyright infringement. Courts are keeping pace with these rapid AI advancements, applying well-known principles such as “fair use” and other copyright doctrines. In this episode, Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partner Mike Keyes on one such AI copyright case and what it means for creative industries managing copyright litigation risks in an AI-dominated world.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

August 25, 2025Episode 448 min

Heightened Employment Litigation Risks in the Era of Social Backlash

In the current volatile environment, societal and political shifts have resulted in increased uncertainty about how employers are to respond to issues ranging from the reversal of DEI standards and norms, changes in EEOC guidance and more claims of reverse discrimination. We are seeing greater division employees on social and political issues with social media providing everyone a platform to speak, espousing diverse viewpoints. In this episode, Dorsey labor and employment partners, Nisha Verma and Aaron Goldstein offer practical guidance on how HR professionals and others responsible for employment claims can address the risks of employment claims in a new era of social backlash.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

July 7, 2025Episode 341 min

Litigation Risks Arising from Hidden or “Junk” Fees

Hidden fees that consumers learn about late in the process of completing a transaction are increasingly targeted in state and federal legislation. Using names such as “junk fees” and “drip pricing”, these laws create new litigation risks for companies. This episode covers the new statutes as well as FTC regulations, application in common scenarios, pending litigation claims, all to better understand how businesses and those who advise them can avoid these lawsuits. SharkCast host Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey attorneys Matt Ralph and Alex Hake on these issues, including what these developments mean for class action risks.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

February 18, 2025Episode 240 min

The National Advertising Division’s Connection with Identifying and Avoiding Consumer Litigation Risks

Consumer litigation risks are a significant concern for companies selling products and services for personal use, including consumer class action lawsuits, as well as scrutiny and enforcement actions from the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and district attorneys. Mitigating these risks requires understanding how self-regulatory organizations (SROs) work. In this episode, Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partner Fara Sunderji on SROs, focusing on the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau, exploring how NAD handles complaints, coordinates with the FTC, and serves as a resource in understanding and defending against consumer litigation risks.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

January 8, 2025Episode 142 min

Understanding the Intricacies of Internal Investigations

A key aspect of identifying litigation risks is uncovering where a company deviated from its established practices, best practices, internal guidelines, or stated values. This process often reveals critical issues, making it advisable for companies to engage counsel to conduct an internal review or third-party investigation. In this episode, SharkCast host Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partner Margot Laporte on internal investigations. These investigations aim to determine what went wrong, why it happened, and whether any illegal conduct occurred that may need to be reported to authorities.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

December 12, 2024Episode 941 min

Key Strategies for Employers to Avoid Pitfalls in Employment Law

Wage claims make up a significant portion of employment litigation, often presenting unique challenges for companies. In this episode, SharkCast host Kent Schmidt interviews Dorsey Partners Aaron Goldstein and Nisha Verma on wage and hour claims. They discuss effective litigation strategies, common pitfalls for employers, and the distinct issues that arise in these cases. This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.

September 5, 2024Episode 839 min

The Nuances of Antitrust Law

Antitrust law is complex, demanding a clear grasp of its nuances, especially in identifying permitted versus prohibited conduct. In this episode, SharkCast host Kent Schmidt interviews fellow Dorsey Partner Tony Badaracco about the evolving landscape of antitrust law. With new decisions and emerging trends, staying informed is crucial.This podcast is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship or create any duty of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or those appearing in this podcast to anyone. Although we try to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and reflects current legal developments, we do not warrant or guarantee those things. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of those appearing in the podcast only and not those of Dorsey & Whitney. This podcast is considered attorney advertising under the applicable rules of certain states.