Robinson+Cole Lawyers Named to CCADV’s First 100 Plus Class of 2023

Robinson+Cole lawyers Kelly Butricks, Benjamin Daniels, Andrew DePeau and Eric Rigoli as well as 2022 summer associate Theresa Lane, have been named to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) First 100 Plus Class of 2023 during the organization’s 12th Annual Breakfast & Awards Ceremony on May 5, 2023, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown in Hartford, Connecticut.

The First 100 Plus Class of 2023 is comprised of leaders working to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors and their families in Connecticut. These lawyers, with varied backgrounds and practices, have all made vital contributions to their state and local communities. Robinson+Cole Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group chair, Kenneth C. Baldwin, serves on CCADV’s Board of Directors. Read more in the press release.

Robinson+Cole Continues Growth in New York with Addition of Partners in Capital Markets + Securities, Construction, and Managed Care + Employee Benefit Litigation

Robinson+Cole announces the addition of Ze'-ev D. Eiger as a partner in the firm’s Capital Markets + Securities Team, Jessica L. Rothman as a partner in the firm’s Construction Group, and E. Evans Wohlforth, Jr. as a partner in the firm’s Managed Care + Employee Benefit Litigation Group.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Ze’-ev, Jessica, and Evans to the firm and to our expanding Capital Markets + Securities, Construction, and Managed Care + Employee Benefit Litigation groups,” said Rhonda J. Tobin, Robinson+Cole’s Managing Partner. “They are seasoned lawyers who are highly respected practitioners. Their experience broadens the depth and strength of our practices and the services we offer our clients. Their addition also furthers our strategic objective to grow in large commercial centers.”

In addition to welcoming Eiger, Rothman, and Wohlforth, Jr., Robinson+Cole recently named Capital Markets + Securities lawyer Anna Jinhua Wang as Partner in Charge of the firm’s New York City office. Read more in the press release.

Robinson+Cole Formally Establishes CT Government Relations Subsidiary

Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce that its Government Relations Group will operate as the CT Government Relations Group of Robinson+Cole LLC (CTGRG-RC)—a subsidiary of the law firm. The entity will continue to be led by long-time Robinson+Cole team members Susan J. Halpin and Brooks C. Campion, who will serve as co-principals of the new subsidiary.

“For more than three decades Susan and Brooks have been helping  clients advance, shape and defend positions in a myriad of critical public policy areas, including some of the most high profile  health, energy, taxation, employment and environmental protection legislative initiatives and agency regulations,” said Robinson+Cole Managing Partner Rhonda J. Tobin. “We are excited to formalize the CTGRG-RC entity with Susan and Brooks continuing to lead the team in Connecticut.” Read more in the press release.

Austin Provost Featured in New York Real Estate Journal’s “2023 Ones to Watch Rising Stars Spotlight"

Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Austin G. Provost was selected for inclusion in the New York Real Estate Journal’s (NYREJ) “2023 Ones to Watch Rising Stars Spotlight" published on May 16, 2023. The Spotlight features real estate professionals that have made valuable contributions to their firm during the last 12 months. In the Q&A feature, Austin describes recent transactions that he is proud of. The profile also includes a quote from Real Estate + Development Group chair Matthew J. Lawlor as to what makes Austin a “rising star.” Read the spotlight.

Ben Daniels, Arila Zhou and Sabrina Galli Discuss the Limiting of SPAC Defenses in New York Law Journal

Capital Markets + Securities member Arila Zhou and Benjamin M. Daniels and Sabrina M. Galli of the Business Litigation Group co-authored the article “Delaware Courts Rejecting SPAC Defenses,” published in New York Law Journal, May 15, 2023. As litigation involving special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) continues to gain momentum in Delaware, the authors analyze the recent decision in Delman v. Gig Acquisitions3 that could foretell a limiting of available defenses in future cases. In short, the Delaware Court of Chancery rejected each of the defendants’ arguments, which included derivative claims, holder claims, contract claims, ratification/’Corwin’ cleansing, and exculpation. To avoid future litigation claims, the authors suggest that SPACS should consider giving conservative forecasts of company performance in the proxy materials, and using lead negotiators who are disinterested and who do not stand to realize significant gains from the transaction, among their preventative measures. Read the article.

Linn Freedman Quoted in Security Magazine on Sentencing of ex-Uber Chief Security Officer

Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team Chair Linn F. Freedman shared her insights in the article “Security leaders chime in after ex-Uber security chief is sentenced,” published in Security magazine, May 11, 2023. Earlier this month, ex-Uber Chief Security Officer John Sullivan was sentenced to three years probation and a $50,000 fine for obstruction of proceedings and his attempted cover-up of a 2016 hack of Uber. “Covering up an incident is not within the definition of ‘transparency,’ Linn noted.” “This case shows how important it is to abide by applicable laws, to follow those laws and to cooperate with regulators following an incident. The risk that is magnified here is an obvious one: if one knowingly keeps an incident from a regulator, the price paid will be high when they find out about it.” With future corporate hacks inevitable, Linn suggests companies “…consider implementing an incident response plan that addresses the steps to follow during a security incident…If an organization has a plan in place, and the team members follow their roles, covering up an incident would be very difficult to accomplish. Having a plan in place facilitates the ability to handle incidents in a lawful and ethical manner.“ Read the article.

Dan Brody Selected to NAPABA’s 2023 Leadership Advancement Program

Business Litigation Group, Government Enforcement and White-Collar Defense Team, and Internal Investigations and Corporate Compliance Team lawyer Dan Brody has been selected to participate in the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) 2023 Leadership Advancement Program (LAP). NAPABA’s LAP is a year-long program designed to empower future leaders in the Asian Pacific American legal community by building the skills needed to step into their own leadership style and offering opportunities such as developing peer relationships and networking with in house and firm attorneys across the country. LAP is NAPABA’s most selective program, choosing just 24 applicants nationwide per year. Read more about NAPABA’s LAP.

Dan focuses his practice on complex business litigation matters, government and internal investigations, corporate compliance, and criminal defense. In addition serving as a NAPABA Alternate Regional Governor for the Northeast Region and Subcommittee Chair of its Young Lawyers Network, he is President and a member of the board of directors for the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association (CAPABA).

Rhonda Tobin Quoted in Law.com’s Pro Mid-Market on Strategic Law Firm Growth

Managing Partner Rhonda J. Tobin was quoted in the article “Pressures To Grow Are Everywhere. So Are The Hazards Of Doing So Carelessly,” published on May 9, 2023 in Law.com’s Pro Mid-Market, a membership report that “delivers Law.com's aggressive reporting and breaking legal news to attorneys and legal pros at mid-size law firms.” The article acknowledges the pressures for law firm to grow as a result of greater resources for investing in technology and absorbing fixed costs. However, Rhonda and other firm leaders, indicate that “adding timekeepers without an overall strategy can lead to cultural dissolution.” “Tobin said a headcount of around 350 would deepen [Robinson+Cole’s]  existing bench strength, but close ties with colleagues might be diluted at a four-figure headcount.” Rhonda went on to say that “[i]t’s hard to maintain the civility and collaboration that we have had. To make sure there is a cultural fit, that’s why we grow incrementally.” Rhonda also believes that the firm’s “light-weight staffing model is a competitive advantage to larger firms from both a recruiting and client services standpoint.” Read the article.

Lisa Thompson Reappointed to American Health Law Association Dispute Resolution Service Council

Health Law Group lawyer Melissa (Lisa) Thompson has been re-appointed by the American Health Law Association (AHLA) to serve a two-year term as a member of the AHLA Dispute Resolution Service Council effective July 1, 2023. The Council, established in 1992, advises and assists the AHLA in developing and promoting dispute resolution services and educational programs that benefit members and non-members alike. The AHLA, the nation’s largest, nonpartisan, nonprofit educational organization devoted to legal issues in the health care field, maintains a panel of skilled neutrals for arbitration, mediation and peer review. In addition to serving on the Council, Lisa also participates as an arbitrator and mediator on AHLA’s national roster. The mission of AHLA is to provide a forum for interaction and information exchange to enable its members to serve their clients more effectively; to produce the highest quality non-partisan educational programs, products, and services concerning health law issues; and to serve as a public resource on selected health care legal issues.

Abby Warren and Sapna Jain Author Hartford Business Journal Article on the Readiness of Employers to Welcome Summer Interns

Labor and Employment Group lawyers Abby Warren and Sapna Jain co-authored the article, “Summer’s Approaching: Are you ready to welcome interns?” published in the Hartford Business Journal on May 1, 2023. In the article, Abby and Sapna address questions concerning the incoming summer class of interns and the readiness of employers to welcome them to their workforces. Employers should set clear expectations for their interns and create programs that are consistent with applicable law. Abby and Sapna conclude that no matter the differences between individual internships, it is exceedingly important for employers to have a well-managed internship program that supports the company’s particular initiative or goal. Read the full article.

Kate Healy and Conor Duffy Co-Author American Health Law Association Article on “What’s Next for Telehealth?”

Health Law Group lawyers Kate Healy and Conor Duffy co-authored the article, “Compliance Corner—The End of the Public Health Emergency: What’s Next for Telehealth?” published in the May issue of Health Law Connections, the member magazine of the American Health Law Association. The article points out that COVID-19 has driven increased telehealth access and technology-based health care services, but after grappling with the challenges imposed by the pandemic, health care organizations must now prepare for the upcoming end of the public health emergency and the resulting new regulatory landscape. Kate and Conor highlight key legal and compliance issues affecting the delivery and reimbursement of these services going forward. The article offers key takeaways for health care organizations including the development of: policies for telehealth services for 2023 and 2024, an annual telehealth training for providers and staff, and effective methods for blending in-person and virtual care delivery. Kate and Conor were assisted on this article by Health Law Group intern Paul Sevigny. Read the full article.

Les Levinson Quoted in Home Health Care News Article on New Transparency Rules

Robinson+Cole’s Transactional Health Law Group Co-Chair Leslie J. Levinson was quoted in the article, “How CMS Ownership-Transparency Rules Could Impact Home Health, Hospice Dealmaking,” published in Home Health Care News (HHCN) on May 1, 2023. The article explores how new rules governing transparency of ownership data could impact future M&A deals in the home health and hospice industries.

In April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that ownership data for all Medicare-certified home health and hospice agencies would be made publicly available. The move was described as an attempt to protect consumers and promote competition in the industry. Les weighed in to discuss how the changes could also effect how buyers and sellers navigate M&A in the home health space.

“’People involved in these deals might have to think a little bit differently about what further requirements are going to be placed upon [them] and how some of your information may get disclosed,’ Les told HHCN. ‘…… that may lead to some firms maybe setting up other entities to be a little less transparent when you go up the food chain.’”

“Whatʼs more, itʼs natural for investors to have certain sensitivities when it comes to these deals. Thereʼs a confidentiality they are used to, Les said, and itʼs not unusual for private equity firms [and others] to want to be a little less visible.” Read the full article.

Yelena Greenberg and Sapna Jain Co-Author Massachusetts Bar Association Article on COVID-Related Staffing Shortages

Health Law Group lawyer Yelena Greenberg and Labor and Employment Group lawyer Sapna Jain co-authored the article, “Addressing COVID-Related Staffing Shortages,” published as part of the MBA Section Review in the March/April issue of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s (MBA) eJournal. The article points out that health care staffing continues to be a challenge for hospitals and health care system across the country due to staff burnout from COVID-19, among other issues, heavily limiting service lines and volumes of services hospitals are able to offer. Yelena and Sapna cover several, cost-effective, long-term solutions that support retention and recruitment of the hospital workforce. The article outlines strategies and key factors that may impact the effectiveness of these solutions. Yelena and Sapna will also be presenting an informative webinar by the same name hosted by the MBA on May 10, 2023. Read the full article.

Robinson+Cole Supports Well-Being Week in Law: May 1-5

Robinson+Cole, through its Wellbeing Committee, is pleased to support Well-Being Week in Law (WWIL) kicking-off Monday, May 1 in alignment with Mental Health Awareness Month. Presented by the Institute for Well-Being in Law (IWIL), WWIL aims to raise awareness about mental health and encourage action and innovation across the profession to improve well-being. The Committee circulated an email with additional information about the initiative and ways to participate. In addition, the firm will be sharing easy-to-do suggestions that align with a well-being dimension on its LinkedIn page. Learn more about WWIL.

Crystal Peralta Presented with Latino Excellence Award

Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Crystal Peralta was among three honorees presented with a "Latino Excellence Award" by the Roger Williams University School of Law (RWU Law) Latino Law Students Association (LLSA) during the organization's annual Latino Excellence Awards Ceremony on April 22, 2023. The event is dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments of recipients in the Latino legal community and the positive contributions they have made. Honorees are nominated by the RWU Law community and selected by the LLSA. Crystal is an alumna of RWU Law.

Capital Markets + Securities Team Represents Top KingWin in IPO

Robinson+Cole’s Capital Markets + Securities Team (the Team) was pleased to represent Top KingWin Ltd, a provider of capital market related education and support services, in its recent initial public offering. Top KingWin is a company whose main clients are entrepreneurs and executives in small and medium-sized enterprises in China. Services provided by Top KingWin to its clients including corporate business training services, corporate consulting services, and advisory and transaction services. Its mission is to provide comprehensive services to address clients’ needs throughout all phases of their development and growth. On April 20, 2023, Top KingWin completed its $11 million IPO of 2,750,000 Class A ordinary shares at $4.00 per share. The Class A ordinary shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “TCJH” on April 18, 2023. Led by Team Chair Mitchell Lampert, the members advising on this offering were Anna Jinhua Wang, Hongye (Eve) Mao and Zhe (Emmett) Tan. Read more.

Jon Schaefer Quoted in Recycling Today on Confusing Environmental Justice Policies and Regulations

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Jon Schaefer was quoted in the article, “Environmental justice: Where are the rules?,” published in the April 2023 issue of Recycling Today. The article examines the current landscape of environmental justice (EJ) policies and regulations that are creating confusion in the waste and recycling industries, especially for those businesses seeking permits to open new sites or expand existing ones. Jon encouraged businesses to determine whether they are operating in an EJ community well ahead of applying for a permit to construct a facility, renew an existing permit or expand operations and to be aware that permitting process may become longer and more complicated and challenging. Read the article.

Natale DiNatale and Jon Schaefer Author CBIA Article on OSHA Inspection Changes at Non-Union Facilities

Labor Relations Group Chair Natale DiNatale and Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group member Jon Schaefer authored article “Change Coming? OSHA Inspections at Non-Union Facilities” published by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) on April 12, 2023. The article focuses on OSHA’s likely revival of a policy that would require employers to permit union officials to take part in agency inspections even if the union does not represent employees at the facility being inspected. OSHA had previously maintained such a policy between 2013 and 2017 before the interpretation underpinning it faced legal challenges. Employees may now designate a non-employee with proper credentials as eligible to be present. “As we await OSHA’s next move and a possible new rule on this topic,” Natale and Jon note, “it remains important to be prepared to handle and OSHA inspection, regardless of the other parties involved.” Read the article.

Matt Lawlor Selected to Serve on Mayor Wu’s Advisory Committee on Affordable Housing

Real Estate + Development Group Chair Matt Lawlor has been named, along with a number of other real estate professionals, public officials, and civic leaders, to a new City of Boston affordable housing advisory committee. Stemming from an executive order signed at the end of 2022 by Mayor Michelle Wu, the committee will seek to guide the city’s efforts to increase the speed at which new affordable housing projects are approved for development through a comprehensive five part plan. Specifically, the executive order aims to reduce that time in half. Matt’s practice includes representing major lenders and developers in affordable housing financing for the construction and major rehabilitation and new construction of residential developments. Read more from the City the of Boston.

Virginia McGarrity Featured in 2023 Best Lawyers Connecticut Issue “Lawyer of the Year” Spotlight

Employee Benefits + Compensation Group lawyer Virginia E. McGarrity was featured in the “Lawyer of the Year” section of the 2023 Best Lawyers Connecticut issue released on April 7, 2023. Virginia was listed in The Best Lawyers in America© as Hartford Lawyer of the Year in the area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law for 2023. The write-up spotlights Virginia’s practice, including what she finds most rewarding and challenging. “I enjoy working with and developing long-term relationships with a broad range of clients across multiple industries while meeting the challenge of a constantly evolving employee benefits landscape. Over the past year, employers and benefits professionals were grappling with employee recruitment and retention, rising benefits costs, hybrid and remote work models, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, there has been significant judicial and regulatory developments in the field of employee benefits affecting employers and their businesses. It is my role to help clients successfully navigate these complex planning considerations, and avoid compliance pitfalls, so they can better focus on everyday business concerns.”

The Lawyer of the Year designation is awarded to one lawyer in each of various high-profile specialties in large legal communities. These particular lawyers received the highest ratings among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. Virginia previously received the Lawyer of the Year designation in 2021.

Megan Baroni Participates in ABA SEER Podcast Series on Microplastics

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Megan Baroni appeared on the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) podcast series, Environmental Law Explored. Posted on March 30, 2023, the episode is the eighth and final in the podcast’s “Environmental Laws and Regulations for Emerging Microplastics Concerns Series.” Megan and fellow guest Sarah Morath, Associate Professor at Wake Forest Law, discuss future litigation trends in the microplastics realm. Megan is a member of SEER. Listen to the podcast.

Natalie Ramsey Among ABF Journal’s 2023 Top Women in ABL

Bankruptcy + Reorganizations co-chair Natalie D. Ramsey was among the women profiled in the ABF Journal’s 2023 Top Women in Asset-Based Lending (ABL). The feature was published in the Q1 issue of the publication and spotlights 50 women leading the industry forward. The ABF Journal magazine was the first independent trade finance magazine exclusively focused on the asset-based lending, factoring, commercial finance and turnaround management industries. Read Natalie’s profile.

Curtis Crowther and Trevor Bradley Author Delaware Business Court Insider Article on Restrictive Covenant Enforcement

Business Litigation Group lawyers Curtis Crowther and Trevor Bradley authored the article “Delaware Court Again Strikes Down Restrictive Covenant in the Sale of Business” published in Delaware Business Court Insider on April 5, 2023. In the article, Curtis and Trevor summarize the recent finding of the Delaware Court of Chancery that a restrictive covenant entered into in connection with the sale of a business was not enforceable. Restrictive covenants must be narrowly tailored to the geographic area reached by the seller and serve the buyer’s legitimate economic interests. The authors discuss the ramifications of the decision, which has advanced a developing trend in the Court of Chancery to scrutinize and refuse to enforce facially overbroad restrictive covenants in the context of the sale of a business. The authors note that purchasers in M&A transactions should not assume that courts applying Delaware law will automatically blue-pencil facially overbroad restrictive covenants, giving careful consideration should be given to geographic scope and temporal duration. Read the article.

Fred Hedberg and Will Stoll Author High Profile Article on False Claims Act

Construction Group lawyers Fred Hedberg and Will Stoll authored the article “Will the Connecticut Legislature Ignore the Construction Industry and Expand the False Claims Act?” published in High Profile magazine on April 4, 2023. The article focuses on House Bill No. 6826, An Act Concerning Liability for False and Fraudulent Claims, which seeks to expand the scope of Connecticut’s current False Claims Act by eliminating the limitation that it only applies to state-administered health and human services programs. After a public hearing held on March 6, 2023, the bill was voted out of committee by a wide margin, and then added to the House Calendar on March 28, 2023. Fred and Will discuss false claims laws in New England and examine Massachusetts recent uses of its False Claims Act, and warn that “[s]uch a law could unfairly penalize contractors, causing them to incur significant costs to defend claims that may be subjective (but not fraudulent), risk losing prequalification status, or face suspension or debarment, any of which could jeopardize their businesses.” Read the article.

Robinson+Cole Named "Business of the Year" by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT

Robinson+Cole was recognized as “Business of the Year” as part of the 2023 Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Annual Meeting & ECTy Celebration hosted at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT on March 30, 2023. The honor is among eleven annual awards presented by the Chamber to honor excellence in community engagement, innovation, customer service, and business best practices. Accepting the award on behalf of the firm was Ken Baldwin, John Casey, Fred Hedberg, Dana Horton, Cathy Johnson, Peter Knight and Marty Onorato. The firm is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT and was pleased to be a Gold Sponsor of the event.

Megan Baroni Authors EHS Today Article on OSHA Expanding the Use of Instance-by-Instance Penalties

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Megan Baroni authored the article, “OSHA to Expand the Use of Instance-by-Instance Penalties,” published in EHS Today on March 31, 2023. In the article, Megan discusses OSHA’s new policy expanding penalties for instance-by-instance (IBI) citations. Reinforcing OSHA’s stated commitment to increased enforcement in the years ahead, these new penalties have the potential to significantly increase the monetary penalty amounts associated with certain violations. Under the new policy, which went into effect on March 27, the IBI policy will now apply to high-gravity serious violations in areas including falls, respiratory protection, and permit required confined space. The new IBI policy will also apply to other-than-serious recordkeeping violations. Employers with certain types of recordkeeping violations could find themselves subject to significant penalties for failures to record or inaccuracies in the records. Read the article. 

John Casey Receives Person of the Year Award at CT Marine Trades Association 2023 Industry Day Conference & Annual Meeting

Coastal + Offshore Resources Industry Team co-chair John Casey was presented with the Jeanne Czel Person of the Year Award during the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CTMA) 2023 Industry Day Conference & Annual Meeting on March 29, 2023. The Award is CMTA's highest honor, recognizing a member or members of a company who has gone above and beyond in service to the marine trades industry, the Association or the community John shared the recognition with co-recipient with Devin Santa, President of RACE Coastal Engineering, for their work on the dredging and dredge disposal issues. John has been a member of the CMTA's Environment Committee since 2005. 

During the Conference, John was among the speakers that presented during the Keynote Panel Discussion on Dredging. In addition to discussing member questions and answers concerning dredging, the conference included presentations on employee retention, fire safety, environment, and cybersecurity. The event also featured legislative updates as part of the Association’s Annual Meeting.

Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson Profiled in Hartford Business Journal’s 2023 “Women in Business” Issue

Labor and Employment Group lawyer Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson is featured in this week’s edition of the Hartford Business Journal as a 2023 “Women in Business” Honoree. Britt-Marie's profile in the publication includes her biggest professional accomplishment so far, one of the biggest professional challenges she's had to overcome, and who has been her most important mentor. A link to the profile is available on the firm’s LinkedIn page.

Britt-Marie is among 25 honorees who demonstrate business savvy, confidence in themselves and their organizations, and a strong track record of professional leadership. The honorees  will be recognized during the publication’s Annual Women in Business Awards on May 4, 2023.

Capital Markets + Securities Team Represents Hongli Group Inc. in IPO

Robinson+Cole’s Capital Markets + Securities Team (the Team) was pleased to represent Hongli Group Inc. (Hongli) in its recent initial public offering. Hongli is a holding company that, through a series of contractual arrangements, consolidates the financial results of Shandong Hongli Special Section Tube Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries, which is one of the leading cold roll formed steel profile manufacturers in China with respect to function innovation, performance improvement, and customized manufacturing of products, according to China Sub-Association for Cold Formed Steel Industries. On March 31, 2023, Hongli completed its $8.25 million IPO of 2,062,500 ordinary shares at $4.00 per share. The ordinary shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “HLP” on March 29, 2023. The Team members advising on this offering were Arila Zhou, Anna Jinhua Wang, and Yang Xu. Read more.

Stephani Roman Appointed to Aurora Foundation Board of Directors

Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Stephani A. Roman was appointed to serve on the board of directors of The Aurora Foundation during the organization’s annual meeting hosted at Robinson+Cole’s Hartford office on March 30, 2023. The Aurora Foundation was formed to serve as a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls in Greater Hartford, with the intended effect of unlocking the potential of their families and surrounding communities. The organization provides opportunities to educate and engage women and men in the power of philanthropy to achieve social change for women and girls and also implements strategic grantmaking that supports and empowers women and girls of all ages in Greater Hartford.

Les Levinson Quoted in Home Health Care News on Impact of Staffing Shortage on Deals Outlook

Robinson+Cole’s Transactional Health Care Group Co-Chair Leslie J. Levinson was quoted in the article, “How Staffing Shortages Are Affecting PE Dealmaking in Home Health Care,” published in Home Health Care News on March 28, 2023. The article explores how the current home health care workforce shortage is factoring into dealmaking by private equity firms in the home healthcare space.

Although staffing is a factor in recent deal trends, it’s not the only one. “I think it’s a factor, but I don’t think it’s the factor,” Les told Home Health Care News. “You have an economy that’s definitely on a different trajectory than it was a couple of years ago. Interest rates are higher. That’s all on top of this labor shortage that has been going on for quite some time.”

Despite some of these negative factors affecting the market, Les is also optimistic about activity moving forward. “I still think that the space is attractive, dynamic and interesting to private equity investors,” he said. “I don’t see them walking away from the space and going, ‘Look, we can’t staff these cases so we’re just not going to invest here.’ [Investors] just have to think harder about how they’re going to be able to grow in an environment where staffing and retention is still a major challenge.” Read the full article.

Lisa Andrzejewski Featured in NYREJ's "2023 Women in Construction Spotlight"

Construction Group lawyer Lisa B. Andrzejewski was selected for inclusion in the New York Real Estate Journal’s (NYREJ) “2023 Women In Construction Spotlight,” published on March 28, 2023. The Spotlight profiled more than 50 women professionals from across the construction industry. In the Q&A feature, Lisa describes a pivotal point in her career and recommends the New York Building Congress as a professional association for women who are starting out in the AEC industry to join. Read Lisa’s profile, here.

Bill Bradley Named to L.E.A.D. Advisory Board

Intellectual Property + Technology Group lawyer William E. Bradley has been named to the Advisory Board of L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide non-profit that puts trained instructors in classrooms across the country to teach students about the dangers of drugs and violence. The program is taught by 3800 trained instructors in 41 states. L.E.A.D. has a proven effective, law enforcement-focused anti–drug, anti–violence curriculum for K-12 students in the U.S. The L.E.A.D. curriculum is taught over the course of a 10-week program to educate youth on how they can make smart decisions without the involvement of drugs or violence.

Josh Mirer and Megan Naughton Present on Employing Nonimmigrant Workers at CBIA Human Resources Conference

Joshua Mirer and Megan Naughton, co-chairs of the firm’s Immigration Group, presented the program “Employing Nonimmigrant Workers: Creative Solutions for the Labor Shortage,” presented as part of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association’s (CBIA) 2023 Human Resources Conference on March 21, 2023. The event offered an in-depth view of the most challenging workplace issues impacting management and HR personnel.

Capital Markets + Securities Team Represents ICZOOM Group Inc. in IPO

Robinson+Cole’s Capital Markets + Securities Team (the Team) was pleased to represent ICZOOM Group Inc. (ICZOOM), a company engaged in sales of electronic component products to customers in Hong Kong and mainland China through its B2B e-commerce trading platform, in its recent initial public offering. On March 17, 2023, ICZOOM completed its $6 million IPO of 1,500,000 Class A ordinary shares at $4.00 per share. The Class A ordinary shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “IZM” on March 15, 2023. The Team advising on this offering were Arila Zhou, Anna Jinhua Wang, Yang Xu, Emmett Tan and Eve Mao. Read more.

Milanna Datlow Authors DRI Article on the No Surprises Act

Managed Care + Employee Benefit Litigation Group member, Milanna Datlow, authored the article, “The No Surprises Act: Overview of Key Provisions, Implementation and Enforcement,” published in the March 2023 issue of DRI’s For the Defense. The article focuses on the federal No Surprises Act (NSA), which was enacted as part of the Consolidated  Appropriations Act, 2021 on December 27, 2020 to provide protections against surprise (or balance) billing for three categories of services, all of which have in common the patient’s inability to choose a provider. Milanna offers summaries of the interim and final rules implementing the NSA as well as their enforcement. Read the article.

Sapna Jain Elected to SABAGB Board of Directors

Labor and Employment Group lawyer Sapna K. Jain has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston (SABAGB). SABAGB serves as the regional voice for the concerns and opinions of South Asians in the community generally, and in the legal profession in particular. This regional chapter of the South Asian Bar Association of North America promotes the advancement of attorneys and law students of South Asian heritage by providing a forum for professional networking and development, legal scholarship and education, and advocacy and community involvement. SABAGB works with other bar associations, governmental agencies and community groups to achieve greater involvement in and understanding of the American legal system by the South Asian community.

Capital Markets + Securities Team Serves as Underwriting Counsel in Xiao-I Corporation IPO

Robinson+Cole’s Capital Markets + Securities Team (the Team) served as counsel to Prime Number Capital LLC, the lead underwriter and lead book-running manager in the initial public offering of 5,700,000 American Depositary Shares (ADSs) of Xiao-I Corporation (Xiao-I), a leading cognitive artificial intelligence enterprise in China. Each ADS represents one-third of an ordinary share of Xiao-I. The ADSs began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol "AIXI" on March 9, 2023. The Team advising on the offering was led by Arila Zhou and Anna Jinhua Wang, and included Ze'-ev D. Eiger, Eve Hongye Mao and Emmett Tan. The Team attended the opening bell ceremony at Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square on March 9 to celebrate the listing of the ADSs. The offering closed on March 13, 2023. Read more.

Pro Bono Committee Hosts Center for Children’s Advocacy in Stamford Office

Robinson+Cole’s Pro Bono Committee hosted a breakfast for the Center for Children’s Advocacy (CCA) in the firm’s Stamford office on March 8, 2023. The event served as a forum to learn more about the CCA’s Immigrant Children’s Justice Project, which helps at-risk immigrant children avoid deportation, and helps traumatized kids get the support they need to succeed in the United States. The breakfast also served as a launch for the CCA’s upcoming training program (March 16 and 17) on representing undocumented children in obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Among the R+C participants were Pro Bono Partner, Peter Knight, Stamford Office Partner in Charge and CCA volunteer, Megan Baroni, and Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer and CCA volunteer, Stephani Roman.

John Cordani Discusses Free Speech in Patent Disputes for IPWatchdog

Intellectual Property + Technology Group co-chair John Cordani authored the article, “Christmas Light Patent Wars: Customer Infringement Notices and Free Speech,” published in IPWatchdog on March 10, 2023. In the article, John explores the recent decision in the case of Lite-Netics, LLC v. Nu Tsai Capital, LLC, which upholds strong free speech rights for patent holders and addresses the issue “how much can (or should) be said in the marketplace about a patent dispute?” The Federal Circuit clarified that First Amendment protections apply to patent holders, and that “federal patent law preempts state-law tort liability for a patentholder’s good faith conduct in communications asserting infringement of its patent and warning about potential litigation.” That said, the decision serves as “a reminder that what can be done under the First Amendment may not necessarily coincide with what should be done.” Read the article.