Brown Rudnick LLP

Blair M. Rinne, who was elevated to the partnership earlier this year, was featured in Law.com’s “How I Made Partner” series. In her profile, Rinne cited camaraderie and mentorship as the biggest factors in starting her legal career at Brown Rudnick as a summer associate in 2012 and then a full-time associate in 2014. “I knew being an associate was going to involve long hours. I wanted to spend that time in a collegial environment with people I enjoy being around and working with,” she said. “Additionally, I wanted to work at a firm where the more senior attorneys would be invested in my success and include me in opportunities to succeed.” Read her profile here: https://lnkd.in/evQsuKBU 

We are delighted to sponsor the Women Influence & Power in Law (WIPL)’s annual conference, a three-day event taking place from Sept. 23-25 in Chicago. On Tuesday, partner Lauren Tabaksblat will moderate a panel discussion on best practices and key considerations for productively handling regulatory scrutiny, successfully working with national litigation counsel and navigating life after an investigation concludes. Register here: https://lnkd.in/egqK8FSb

Partner Jared Sorin is quoted by FundFire regarding how the venture capital market may appear healthier than it is due to strong demand for artificial intelligence deals and startups avoiding new capital. According to Sorin, the venture market clearly is still resetting after a steep climbdown last year in many indicators, including deal count, valuations and fundraising. Much of that correction reflects a widespread belief that the market got "frothy" in the peak years of 2021 and 2022. "The era of [high] valuations is winding down," he said. "We're seeing that across all stages but especially in the later stage deals." The shift down from venture's bull market hasn't entailed any "formulaic" lowering of valuations in the market, but rather a "more disciplined" approach to dealmaking by managers. That has meant even good startups have a harder time securing funding, but deals are still taking place, he added. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eiGEb5zg

Lauren Varnado was interviewed by Law360 on why she joined the Brown Rudnick as a partner in our Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice in Houston. "The firm's trial and technology practices are second to none," Varnado said. "Walking in on day one, I have a deep bench of impressive and experienced lawyers to support my practice and clients. That support, which is critical to providing excellent client service and to growing an energy litigation practice, was the driving force behind my move." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/edF6PTBU 

Partner Wayne Dennison joins Court TV’s "Vinnie Politan Investigates" to discuss the next steps in the Karen Read murder trial. Read is accused of striking her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, with her SUV and leaving him to die during a 2022 snowstorm. The two-month trial ended in July when the jury were deadlocked, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial after five days of deliberations.   Asked if either side will adjust their strategy for the second trial, Dennison believes the prosecution may take a different approach.   “At minimum, I suspect we’re going to have witnesses who are better prepared,” Dennison said. “Some of these witnesses came off as if they were not appropriately prepared for the prosecution and certainly not prepared for the degree to which they are going to be crossed.”

In an interview with Texas Lawyer, Lauren Varnado, who joined our firm’s Houston office as an oil and gas litigator on Monday, told the publication that said she could not pass up the opportunity to practice at Brown Rudnick. Varnado said that her clients will benefit from the firm’s deep bench and looks forward to working with Adam Schiffer, a trial partner who joined in June. “I knew if they wanted me, I wanted them,” she said. Click to image to read the full article.

Join us on Thursday, Sept. 19, for an event on the future of artificial intelligence at our New York office. The afternoon will feature thought-provoking discussions on the outlook, trends, challenges and opportunities in AI, followed by a networking reception.   The panels will explore a variety of topics, including data governance, legal ethics, and privacy. The panels will feature Brown Rudnick partners Ian DiBernardo, Michael R. Graif, Stephen Palley, Sage Revell and Matthew Richardson. Other panelists include Jessica J. Federer, former chief digital officer at Bayer; and Allison Lucas, senior vice president at Gap. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e4fwrU-v

We are delighted to welcome Lauren Varnado as a partner in our Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice in Houston. Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/e7zScD2r

Partner Paul Feldberg is one of six editors of the GIR's Guide to Sanctions which is now in its 5th Edition. In this edition Paul Feldberg and associate Menelaos Karampetsos have provided a comprehensive overview of #sanctions in the United Kingdom. As corporations and individuals across the globe are having to comply with an unprecedented number of financial sanctions and export control restriction Paul Feldberg and Menelaos Karampetsos have sought to provide a practical guide as to how individuals and companies should comply with UK law. With governments now turning from imposing sanctions and export controls to enforcing those restrictions, there is an increasing need for companies and individuals to ensure they are compliant - see the Chapter here: https://lnkd.in/epgHHs5c For the complete guide, see the link here: https://lnkd.in/exgXc9Af

Partner David Knight is quoted by Law360 regarding the biggest U.K. trademark rulings of 2024 so far. In March, the U.K.'s top court held that online global retailers can be held accountable for infringing both European and U.K. trademarks by marketing knockoff wares on international storefronts - even if those storefronts are outside those jurisdictions. The U.K. Supreme Court held that Amazon.com Inc. infringed a U.K. trademark when it offered an infringing product on its U.S. website, because it "targeted" international customers by offering shipment to Britain. The decision gave IP lawyers further guidance on what exactly "targeting" means, according to Knight. "There was no attempt to hide from the U.K. consumer such products and at all times [they were] made aware that they were available for purchase," Knight said. The decision was determined under European Union law as the claim was filed before Brexit. But it remains relevant to U.K. lawyers, given that the country's trademark law "remains rooted in EU legal principles," Knight added. Click image to read the full article.