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NEW ENGLAND LEGAL FOUNDATION and
ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF MASSACHUSETTS invite you to attend their spring Breakfast Program Wednesday, May 3, 2017; 7:30-9:30 A.M. Boston College Club, 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts THE IMPACT OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT’S MARCH 6, 2017, DECISION IN IBEW LOCAL NO. 129 V. TUCCI About the Program In its seminal decision on March 6, 2017, regarding EMC’s merger with Dell, IBEW Local No. 129 v. Tucci, the Supreme Judicial Court clarified the question of directors’ fiduciary duty under Massachusetts corporate law and resolutely distinguished the law of Massachusetts in this area from the law of Delaware. At the heart of the case was the legal question whether directors of a Massachusetts publicly traded corporation, in addition to the duty they owed to the corporation, also owed a separate fiduciary duty directly to the shareholders. In its decision, the Court affirmed that directors of a publicly traded corporation owe a single fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the corporation, and in doing so may consider its various constituents’ interests, but have no separate duty to act solely in the interest of its shareholders. The Court, for the first time, also clearly distinguished the fiduciary duty owed by directors in that context from shareholder-based duties owed in close corporations and in majority shareholder controlled corporations. Our panelists will discuss the decision itself, its impact upon the development of Massachusetts’ distinct body of corporate law, and whether, in light of this decision, companies currently doing business or starting up in Massachusetts should consider incorporating or re-incorporating under Massachusetts law. Moderator and Panelist:
Panelists:
There is no cost to attend this program, but seating is limited, so please reserve your place as soon as possible. To Register: Please RSVP by return email (info@nelfonline.org) or by calling NELF at (617) 695-3660. The New England Legal Foundation held its third annual John G.L. Cabot Award Dinner at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. The evening's guest of honor was James F. Kelleher, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
NEW ENGLAND LEGAL FOUNDATION
CEO Forum 2016 - Monday, December 5th The Langham Hotel, Post Office Square, Boston Reducing the Cost of Electricity in New England Co-Chairs: James Messenger, Esquire, Gordon & Rees LLP John A. Shope, Esquire, Foley Hoag LLP About the topic: Residents and commercial customers have long complained that New England has some of the highest retail prices for electricity in the country. At the same time, state legislatures and the federal government increasingly mandate the use of renewable or “clean” power, often at prices higher than those of legacy resources. Some advocate for additional natural gas pipelines and/or interstate electric transmission lines funded by ratepayers, others urge additional mandated renewable power, and yet others advocate letting the restructured and competitive wholesale market decide how New England gets its electricity without government intervention. At the same time, private companies, many here in New England, are developing exciting new technologies in such areas as distributed generation, energy storage, and computerized conservation. Our distinguished panel of experts in the field will discuss what the future holds and its implications for all electricity consumers in our region. Our Moderator and Panelists on December 5 will be: Moderator Joseph P. Kalt, Ford Foundation Professor (Emeritus) of International Political Economy & Co-Director, Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development Mr. Kalt is a Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy. His research focuses on exploring the economic implications and political origins of the government regulation of markets. He also heads the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. Kalt has published widely in the area of natural resources economics and policy. He is the author of The Economics and Politics of Oil Price Regulation; Federal Policy in the Post-Embargo Era, Drawing the Line on Natural Gas Regulation (with F.C. Schuller); What Can Tribes Do? Strategies and Institutions in American Indian Economic Development (with Steven Cornell); and The State of the Native Nations (with the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development). Panelists Dan Dolan, President, New England Power Generators Association Mr. Dolan has served as President of the New England Power Generators Association (NEPGA) since the fall of 2011. NEPGA is the trade association representing 80% of the installed generation capacity in New England, approximately 25,000 megawatts. As President he is the principal spokesperson and oversees all activities for the largest trade association representing competitive electric generating companies in New England. Dolan leads a staff that represents the membership on electricity market rules development and expansion of wholesale electric competition and is a frequent speaker at legislative and regulatory hearings as well at industry conferences. Zeryai P. Hagos, Director, U.S. Growth & Strategy, GE Power Mr. Hagos is the Director of Growth & Strategy for GE's Power business in the U.S. region. Mr. Hagos’ responsibilities include leading in-region growth initiatives, translating expert knowledge of the power markets into GE’s business strategy and growing GE’s business with the large utility and independent power producer customers. Mr. Hagos has worked at GE for 13 years, including roles with GE's Energy Consulting business and Strategic Marketing for GE’s energy businesses. Mr. Hagos' responsibilities have included managing GE's long term power market forecast for the US region, advising banks, developers, power companies, governments, and GE on investment strategy including the impact of energy policy, emerging technologies and market design. Mr. Hagos has authored comments filed with state and federal governments for proposed energy policies and regulations. Martin Honigberg, Chair, New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission Mr. Honigberg was appointed Chair of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commision in December 2013. He Came to the Commission from Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC in Concord, where he practiced administrative law and litigation, and was head of the firm’s government relations group. Suedeen Kelly, Former Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Washington, D.C. Ms. Kelly is an internationally-recognized energy industry expert and former Commissioner with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Ms. Kelly’s knowledge of the national electricity and natural gas industries includes significant experience in infrastructure development and operation, market structures and financial products, emerging technologies, federal and state laws and regulations, impending policy changes and domestic/international market interrelations. She is an experienced litigator on energy and environmental matters in federal and state courts. Gordon van Welie, Chief Executive Officer, Independent System Operator - New England Mr. van Welie is President and Chief Executive Officer of ISO New England Inc. He joined ISO New England from Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution LLC, where he served as Vice President and General Manager of the Power Systems Control Division and was responsible for managing information technology solutions for electric companies. Before coming to Siemens, Mr. van Welie held several positions at ESKOM, South Africa’s electric utility based in Johannesburg. Mr. van Welie is a member of the Executive Committee of the US National Committee of CIGRE; the Member Representatives Committee of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC); and seved on the Electricity Advisory Committee, a group that advises the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. In addition, he is chair of the ISO/RTO Council (IRC). Event Details, Tickets, and Sponsorships CEO Forum: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Annual Reception And Buffet: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Cost: $175 per person (includes admittance to CEO Forum and Annual Reception and Buffet) (Reservations for eight or more persons will receive sponsorship designation.) Please RSVP by Monday, November 28, 2016*, by emailing shannonflynn@nelfonline.org or by calling NELF at (617) 695-3660. Tickets and sponsorships may also be purchased online at www.nelfonline.org. *Full payment is expected for any cancellations after November 28, 2016. Reassessing Arbitration in 2016: Making It Work for Business (Fall Breakfast Meeting 2016)10/10/2016
Fall Breakfast Program
Thursday, November 3, 2016 Boston College Club, 100 Federal Street Boston, Massachusetts Reassessing Arbitration in 2016: Making It Work for Business About the Program: Criticisms of consumer pre-dispute arbitration agreements have recently garnered much attention due to concerns about lack of true consent and unequal bargaining power. However, even in a business-to-business setting where such issues are not of significant concern, arbitration has often gotten a bad rap, a view often based on an anecdotal impression or a personal experience that perhaps should be revised in light of data comparing the time and expense of litigation versus arbitration. Moreover, a negative view of arbitration may also be based on a lack of familiarity with the important procedural and substantive developments and reforms in the field over the past several years. Our panelists will include experienced arbitrators, advocates and inside counsel who will lead a comprehensive discussion of arbitration in 2016, focusing on (a) real world experience and data regarding litigation and arbitration time tables and costs; (b) when arbitration makes sense and when it might not; and (c) a detailed overview of the most important tools available to business users to get the business-focused, speedy, efficient and economical arbitration that they want. Moderator and Panelist:
Panelists:
Spring Breakfast Program
Monday, May 9, 2016 Boston College Club, 100 Federal Street Boston, Massachusetts THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF JUSTICE SCALIA: HIS LEGACY AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF HIS PASSING ON BUSINESS CASES AT THE SUPREME COURT About the Program It has often been remarked that the Roberts Supreme Court has decided a greater number of business cases than under prior Chief Justices. While by no means always the case, it is also true that in a number of high visibility and significant business cases, the business parties have prevailed with a 5-4 majority. This has been true, for example, in the area of arbitration (e.g., AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion, American Express v. Italian Colors), class actions (e.g., Dukes v. Walmart), and the First Amendment (e.g., Citizens United). In these cases, Justice Scalia’s role as the author of the majority opinion or as a member of the majority was crucial. And, of course, even in cases that were not so close, his opinions and views were of great importance in shaping the Court’s decisions. Our panel of Supreme Court litigants and observers will discuss what the late Justice’s legacy is likely to be and whether his untimely passing may affect the outcome of pending and future business disputes that reach the Highest Court. Moderator:
Panelists:
On October 20, 2015, New England Legal Foundation held its 2nd Annual John G.L. Cabot Award Dinner in Boston. The 2015 honoree was Paul T. Dacier, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of EMC Corporation.
The award is given to an individual whose work reflects a steadfast commitment to the advancement of free enterprise principles in our community both in public discourse and our courtrooms. NELF would like to thank the following for their sponsorship and attendance: Platinum ($25,000) Choate Hall & Stewart LLP EMC Corporation Cocktail Reception ($20,000) Ernst & Young LLP Gold ($15,000) Bainwood, Huang & Associates, LLC Daly, Crowley, Mofford & Durkee, LLP Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Holland & Knight LLP Jones Day Muirhead and Saturnelli, LLC Ryan, Mason & Lewis, LLP Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Waters Corporation Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C. Silver ($10,000) Foley Hoag LLP Kekst and Company Incorporated Liberty Mutual Group Littler Mendelson, P.C. Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Raytheon Company Rectrix Aviation Ropes & Gray LLP Staples, Inc. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP Bronze ($5,000) Anonymous Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman Boston Red Sox Boston Scientific Corporation Cetrulo LLP Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP D&D Mulch and Landscape, Inc. Dergosits & Noah, LLP Goodwin Procter LLP Grant Thornton LLP Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP King & Wood Mallesons McCarter & English, LLP Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, P.C. Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP Paul Hastings LLP Prince Lobel Tye LLP Rayes & Fagundes Advogados Associados Sally & Fitch LLP Santamarina y Steta, S.C. Sloane and Walsh, LLP Sodexo, Inc. & Affiliates Staniford Tomita, LLP Steptoe & Johnson LLP StoneTurn Group Symmes Maini and McKee Associates Van Pelt, Yi & James LLP Workman Nydegger Centerpieces ($5,000) Partners HealthCare System, Inc. Upland Advisory LLC Donations Franklin Square Group LLC Andrew Ley Other Attendees Biogen, Inc. Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP Citigroup Inc. The Colony Group Day Pitney LLP First Republic Bank Fish & Richardson Goulston & Storrs PC Haemonetics Corporation Hamilton Brook Smith & Reynolds Law Offices of Barry N. Young Locke Lord LLP Marquette University Law School McLane Middleton Osha Liang LLP Pierce Atwood LLP Sherin and Lodgen LLP Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co LLP Capitalism in the New Century: The Essential Role of Business in Ensuring its Survival (CEO Forum)5/15/2015
The New England Legal Foundation held it's 18th CEO Forum on May 14, 2015. The aim of this event is to present a substantive discussion on a topic of vital importance for the New England legal and business communities that will advance debate and awareness. The 2015 Forum featured a panel discussion led by Joseph L. Bower, Donald K. David Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, at Harvard Business School. The discussion was based on extensive global research described in the book that Professor Bower and two of his Harvard Business School colleagues published in 2011 entitled Capitalism at Risk: Rethinking the Role of Business. The conversation focused on the threats to market capitalism and the need for business to step up to meet these threats and save the capitalist engine of prosperity for future generations. The panelists shared examples of how their companies are tackling these issues. Co-Chaired by: Nelson G. Apjohn, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP Pauline M. Booth, Duff & Phelps, LLC Panelists: Joseph L. Bower - Donald K. Davis Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, Harvard Business School William P. Flanagan, PhD, LCACP - Director, Ecoassessment Center of Excellence, Resource & Environmental Strategies, General Electric Company Akbar Sheriff - Global Head of Strategy, Senior Vice President, Office of Regulatory Initiatives, State Street Corporation Irina Simmons - Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, EMC Corporation  Panel (from left): Joseph L. Bower, WIlliam P. Flanagan, Akbar Sheriff and Irina Simmons  NELF Board Members (from left): Pauline M. Booth (NELF Treasurer), Mark T. Beaudouin (NELF Chair), Martha Born, Joeseph G. Blute (NELF Vice Chair) and Nelson G. Apjohn The New England Legal Foundation held its 2015 Spring Breakfast Program on April 16, 2015. The program's topic focused on the ever-changing class actions landscape. Our panel of class action experts spoke about about some recent, sometimes surprising developments in class action practice and how they may affect the strategic decisions of the parties and their counsel as they navigate the shifting sands.
Moderator: Donald R. Frederico, Esquire, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP Panelists: Beth I.Z. Boland, Esquire, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP Laurence A. Schoen, Esquire,, Member, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC John A. Shope, Esquire, Partner, Foley Hoag LLP Thomas M. Sobol, Esquire, Partner, Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP |
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