Steptoe LLP

We’re pleased to share that the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently issued its decision in Schaffner v. Monsanto Corp., holding that the Pennsylvania state-law claims alleging that Monsanto failed to warn a consumer of the alleged cancer-risks of glyphosate-based products were expressly preempted by the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Monsanto and other manufacturers of glyphosate-based products have faced many costly lawsuits alleging failure-to-warn and similar claims. The Third Circuit’s decision creates a clear split between the Third Circuit and the Ninth and Eleventh Circuits on FIFRA preemption for glyphosate product labeling—which the EPA has concluded, after extensive study, should not contain a cancer warning. Steptoe represented CropLife America, the leading industry trade association for pesticide manufacturers, as amicus curiae in support of Monsanto in the Third Circuit. CropLife America’s amicus briefs were authored by partner Shannen Coffin and counsel Mark Savignac. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/eMZYdRUn

We’re pleased to share that Steptoe secured a full dismissal with prejudice of an indictment brought against our client, Jordan Willing. Steptoe also convinced the Department of Justice to dismiss the civil forfeiture case it brought against Mr. Willing, and to refund a $1M payment Mr. Willing made in settlement of that civil matter. The Steptoe team included partners Rachel Cannon, Andrew Adams, and Katie Dubyak, along with counsel Meghan Newcomer and associates Brendan Hammond, Daniel Podair, Vito Arethusa, Emma Staats, and Emily Tifft. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/exKxxxhq

Steptoe is thrilled to have the opportunity to network during the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference in Mexico City from September 15-20, 2024.   Our delegation in Mexico City includes Brigida Benitez, Iris Bennett, Christophe Bondy, Hector Chavez, Eric Emerson, Brian Fleming, Jarod Stewart, and Ashwin J. Ram, with Eric and Jarod also presenting at the conference.   If you're attending and would like to connect, please reach out!   Further information about our team and contact details are available here: https://lnkd.in/eFGCH3x9   #IBA2024 #InternationalBarAssociation #IBAMexicoCity

We’re delighted to share that Steptoe pro bono partner Paul S. Lee was featured in Law.com’s ‘How I Made Partner’ series. In the article, Paul discusses his career and path to partnership, commitment to pro bono, and navigating life within the law firm environment. When asked about career planning and navigating inside a law firm, Paul said: “…[S]elf-promotion only gets you so far in life—your work and value have to stand up for themselves. And in addition, you need champions standing in your corner, willing to go to bat for you. Those relationships are not created through quick networking sessions or even through institutional programs. We have to invest deeply in those mentoring relationships over long periods of time for them to have true worth.” Visit Law.com to read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gwjnp-Rz   #SteptoeServes 

Partner Meredith Rathbone and associate Ryan Pereira co-authored a chapter that appeared in WorldECR’s “Sanctions in Europe, 2nd Edition.” The chapter, “US Sanctions and Their Impact on Europe” explores how the US uses economic sanctions for foreign policy and national security, detailing Congress' role, sanction types (‘comprehensive’ and ‘targeted’), and their execution and enforcement. Visit WorldECR to read “Sanctions in Europe, 2nd Edition” (subscription required): https://lnkd.in/eJuRFHzb

Join members of Steptoe's Corporate practice group, attorneys Danielle Fern and Sabina Jacobs Margot, on Wednesday, September 18 at 12:00 p.m. EDT for our second webinar on the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This webinar will cover who the CTA affects, how to comply with its reporting obligations, and steps you can take now to protect against civil and criminal penalties. For more information and to register, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eMSjXRtT

Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI) conducted a Q&A with Anne-Gabrielle HAIE in an article titled, “How to Meet Compliance Requirements for the AI Act.” The article discusses commonly asked questions regarding the EU AI Act and how companies can prepare for compliance. Speaking to MD+DI about the EU AI Act Haie said: that "While the adoption of the EU AI Act has generated significant interest worldwide and across sectors, I believe that there is still a lack of awareness about its far-reaching impacts. This is not a regulation that only targets tech companies. It will affect all industry sectors and all entities across the AI value chain.” Read the full article in Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry: https://lnkd.in/eZmQ5BXv.

Partner Tyler Evans and associate Caitlin Conroy authored an article titled, “How Gov't AI Protections May Affect Contractors' Data Rights,” which appeared in Law360. The article examines how the government’s data rights operate when contracting for artificial intelligence in the context of the government’s increasing focus on obtaining rights in related data sets. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e5QHKrrw