Our 2012 CEO Forum took place a month after the 2012 Presidential Election, and presented a panel discussion on the Supreme Court’s controversial Citizens United decision and the issue of corporate speech in the political context. 

Co-Chaired by:
Mark W. Freel, Esquire, Edward Wildman Palmer LLP
John A. Shope, Esquire, Foley Hoag LLP

Moderator: 
The Honorable Margaret H. Marshall, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts

Panelists: 
Heather Gerken, J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law, Yale Law School
Michael W. Macleod-Ball, Esquire, Acting Director, American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislative Office
Brian C. Mooney, Reporter, The Boston Globe
The Honorable Christopher H. Shays, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Our fall 2012 program dealt with the ever expanding universe of whistleblower statutes and what every business and business lawyer should know if confronted with a whistleblower claim.

Moderator:
Lynda H. Schwartz, CPA, CFF, CGMA, Founder, Upland Advisory 

Panelists: 
Peter M. Acton, Jr., Esquire, Director and Senior Counsel, Global Compliance, EMC Corporation 
Brent R. Austin, Esquire, Partner, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP
Suzanne E. Durrell, Esquire, Principal, Durrell Law Office
Robert L. Ullmann, Esquire, Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

At our spring 2012 meeting, our panel focused on the still-evolving law on the enforceability of class action waivers in arbitration agreements.

Moderator: 
Donald R. Frederico, Esquire, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP

Panelists: 
Sarah G. Manchester, Esquire, Vice President of Human Resources and General Counsel, Sappi Fine Paper North America
Katharine I. Rand, Esquire, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP
 John A. Shope, Esquire, Partner, Foley Hoag LLP
John R. Snyder, Esquire, Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP