Archive for January, 2012
« Older EntriesBrain Injury Litigation Summit
January 31st, 2012
in Legal Conferences, Litigation |
Jury verdicts for brain injury litigation claims are on the rise and can range in the $10-$16 million. With so much at stake, it is essential for both plaintiff and defense attorneys and in-house insurance and hospital professionals to remain abreast of all that is happening in the brain injury litigation landscape.
Attend ACI’s Premier Summit on Brain Injury Litigation and hear from an unparalleled medical and legal faculty that will provide new tips and strategies for establishing causation/alternative causation theories and developing a solid case from the very beginning stages of litigation. Learn how to craft courtroom strategies for effective jury communication, use cutting edge technology for demonstrative evidence, interview engaging and knowledgeable medical expert witnesses, and assess the monetary value of your case.
Recently, there has been a surge in mild to moderate traumatic brain injury litigation. Because of this shift in focus, it is essential for outside counsel to learn how to detect mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, understand subtle nuances and wade through sophisticated medical terminology. Our panel of leading medical and legal experts will guide you through the complex medical terms associated with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. No longer is the MRI/CAT scan the only game in town in detecting and imaging a brain injury. Experts in the field will explain the science behind the current and emerging neuroimaging tests to detect mild to moderate TBI that are shaking the industry and creating controversy. Outside counsel will benefit from a thorough review of these neuroimaging tests and determine which are worth spending the cost up front and which are “junk science.”
Furthermore, pre-trial costs can reach in the six figures making it vital for outside counsel to have the necessary tools to assess the monetary value of the case before hand in order to maximize the strength of the case. Telling the jury the extent of the brain injury through use of demonstrative evidence such as 3D animation and brain slicing video has become the norm. This costly method can be effective and useful if the right medical expert witness can testify, deconstruct complex medical terms and engage with the jury. Learn how to wade through the myriad of choices out there in terms of demonstrative evidence and which will add value to your case.
PLUS, add value to your attendance by also registering for the Post-Conference Strategy Sessions on the Intersection of Law & Science:
- Successfully Litigating a Brain Injury Case from Start to Finish
- Sound Discovery Practices Related to Depositions, Social Media, Expert Witnesses and Lay Witnesses
This event is a premier, must-attend event for outside counsel, medical professionals, and insurance professionals involved with brain injury litigation cases. You will not want to miss this unparalleled opportunity to obtain up-to-the-minute information and critical advice from the nation’s leading medical and legal experts.
Tags: ACI, Legal conferences, Legal Events, Litigation
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Construction Litigation
January 30th, 2012
in Legal Conferences, Litigation |
Led by an unparalleled faculty of in-house counsel, insurance professionals, top litigators and renowned jurists, ACI’s premier CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION conference will shape the future of the industry for today’s leading professionals.
The issues facing the construction industry have never been as complex as they are now. The economy has severely hampered new project development and the completion of existing projects, bankruptcies and collapsed companies have become obstacles to getting paid, and parent companies, insurers and sureties are being brought into claims just for their deep pockets. With every dollar essentially being worth more, construction litigation is on the rise. Industry players have never been so reliant on their attorneys to help keep their companies above water.
With a multitude of various players involved in every project, determining the cause of delays and defects can often seem impossible. Add this to the layers and layers of insurance coverage and the factors involved in litigating and resolving construction cases just become more complex.
The ability to understand and navigate these various issues are essential elements to handling construction cases. With all of these factors, counsel are fighting an uphill battle from the very start. As such, there has never been a more important time for the industry to convene and trade valuable pointers and insights on the most current strategies and techniques for defending and managing construction litigation.
In response, American Conference Institute is proud to introduce its premier installment of the essential forum that will shape the future of litigation strategies for attorneys, in-house counsel from companies working as builders, general contractors, owners, subcontractors and design professionals, claims professionals and counsel from insurance companies:National Advanced Conference on CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION. Renowned judges, leading outside counsel and in-house professionals will provide even the most seasoned professionals with the clarity and certainty needed to remain ahead of the curve on today’s key issues needed to vigorously represent your clients.
This conference offers unique opportunities for law fi rm litigators to learn from some of the best in the industry and for in-house counsel and risk managers to gain expertise in evaluating litigation strategies and bring valuable tactics back to their legal departments. The event will also offer tremendous networking opportunities with senior practitioners in the field.
Tags: ACI, Law, Legal, Legal conferences, Legal Events, Litigation
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Medical Device Patents
January 29th, 2012
in Pharmaceuticals / Biotech / Life Sciences |
A medical device specific intellectual property conference to provide you with practical and tactical strategies for patent filings and challenges, which are more critical than ever in this time of sweeping change.
Arm yourself with the tools to file device patents flawlessly and defend patents vigorously.
Amidst pivotal case law changes affecting the patentability of devices and landmark patent reform legislation, it is more crucial than ever for medical device companies to diligently protect intellectual property and maximize device patent life through a cohesive prosecution and litigation strategy. In response to the challenges facing the device industry in this daunting economic climate including the looming medical device tax, ACI’s Advanced Summit on Medical Device Patents provides a forum for the key players- preeminent in-house IP counsel, patent prosecutors and litigators, the PTO, and judges – to unite and share their collective knowledge to provide you with the most up to date strategies you can immediately incorporate into your practice. Featuring first-hand insight from the USPTO and retired judges in medical device litigation hotbeds including the Eastern District of Texas, this event is the premiere conference for medical device companies to devise strategies to strengthen patent rights and seize market share.
Remain competitive in this constantly burgeoning market and strengthen your device patent portfolio
Learn how to use the major developments in prosecution and litigation from leading members of the patent bar who are setting the standards in the device industry, including representatives from Boston Scientific, C.R. Bard & Medtronic. Complete your training by attending the pre-conference session designed to prepare both prosecutors and litigators for the entire process of getting a device to the market, The 510(k) Process and Patentability: Reformulating Patent Strategies in Light of Changes in the Regulatory Approval Process.
Capitalize on an epic and international opportunity for global growth.
While this is a time of great challenges for device companies, there is also a sky-high potential for growth in both domestic and previously untapped global markets. Indeed, a leading industry report estimated that the device industry was worth more than $300 billion in 2011 with the U.S. representing the largest market with sales in excess of $95 billion. At this conference, expert international and domestic practitioners will arm you with the tools to heighten patent protection in both established and emerging markets.
Do not miss your chance to be part of the most in-depth and comprehensive conference analyzing and strategizing techniques to protect your medical device patent portfolio amidst rapidly-evolving industry standards.
Tags: ACI, Biotech, Legal conferences, Legal Events, Litigation strategies
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Life Sciences Collaborative Agreements & Acquisitions
January 27th, 2012
in Healthcare |
With future success dependent on building successful partnerships, attendACI’s 16th Advanced Forum on Structuring, Negotiating and Managing Life Sciences Collaborative Agreements and Acquisitions to learn how to be able to secure the best terms available for meeting your company’s critical needs. A front line faculty of leading deal-makers will help you to develop a dynamic alliance strategy and negotiate successful and lucrative deals.
You will learn best practices that will enable your company to advance its key business development strategies, including putting more products in the pipeline and providing for jumpstarts in revenues. Specific guidance will be provided on how to structure transactions to allow for entry into important emerging markets, and on building flexible provisions for potential future M&A into your agreements. You will learn how to structure options and payments in alternative ways to meet specific financial needs, and to provide for the sharing of costs and risks relating to clinical trial results and securing regulatory approvals. In addition, special insights will be provided for overcoming the unique challenges raised by negotiating with different types of research institutions.
While collaborations can be used to replenish pipelines and open up emerging areas, potential partners are increasingly seeking to retain valuable product rights, and power dynamics make it difficult to secure licenses or market access without granting potentially lucrative co-development options. In addition, international competition is increasing, markets are changing, and M&A activity is heating up again and must be factored into any negotiation going forward.
Add significant value to your experience by attending our Post-ConferenceMaster Class: Life Sciences M&A/Strategic Alliances Due Diligence Boot Camp
This in-depth session will help ensure that you make informed decisions regarding how the IP at issue will increase the company’s overall value, either by expanding product lines or entering new markets. Special attention will also be paid to antitrust and other legal risks that may occur when the diligence process fails to sufficiently identify areas of current government concern and inquiries.
China IP Counsel Forum
January 26th, 2012
in Intellectual Property |
Do Not Miss What has Become the Premier IP Conference in China. No other IP Conference Will Provide as Much Strategic Insights
Back by popular demand, and with a completely updated 2012 agenda and speaker faculty, ACI’s 3rd Advanced China IP Counsel Forum will once again provide you with a practical analysis of notable China IP law developments and best practices for IP protection and enforcement in China. Here are the new features for the 2012 Forum:
Upgraded Networking and Q&A Discussion
This one of a kind forum has been increasingly attracting the participation of senior IP attorneys from China, Europe and the USA. Chief IP counsel, Head of China IP, Head of R&D in China gathered at this forum every year to discuss emerging IP challenges and latest solutions for multinational companies.
New this year! The exclusive panel on “Meeting of the China IP Minds” will feature senior members of China IP bar. You will have the chance to learn directly from the industry on China’s IP landscape, opportunities and challenges.
More panel discussion and open Q&A sessions are featured in this year’s program. Come prepared with your questions and get the best solution for your company by discussing with real China IP experts.
A Completely Updated Agenda Based on Research with In-House Counsel in China: New Topics for This Year
- Patent litigation strategies from both plaintiff and defendant perspectives
- Understanding new Beijing High People’s Court’s Patent Infringement Establishment’s impact on your litigation strategy
- Obtaining R&D related tax incentives in high and new technology enterprises status, advanced technology service enterprises status and China’s new five-year plan
- IP Ownership in Government Funding Research Projects
- Preventing trade secret theft and gathering evidence for maximum claims
- Successfully convincing Chinese police department to initiative anti-counterfeiting raids
- Compliance and royalties issues when conducting IP licensing deals in China
Contracting in Iraq & Afghanistan
January 25th, 2012
in International Trade & Defense |
Benchmark with Experts from the U.S., Iraq and Afghanistan on Minimizing Emerging Legal, Compliance and Security Risks in Rapid-Response Environments
As the United States draws down its forces in Iraq and continues its military and stabilization operations in Afghanistan, contractors face the daunting task of complying with U.S. and local laws and customs to compete effectively during this time of development in the region. There is heavy reliance on contractors to help stabilize the area and establish reconstruction efforts from building roads and hospitals, to setting up satellite communications and providing security to ensure contract performance.
At American Conference Institute’s 2nd National Summit on Contingency Contracting in Iraq & Afghanistan, you will have the rare opportunity to hear from Iraqi and US Government officials, a local Afghan tax expert, the former General Counsel from the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with senior level executives from a broad range of companies doing business in these countries and other contingency environments. Building off the success of last year’s program, you will have the unique opportunity to benchmark your practices with other companies that have been doing business in these countries for over a decade. The networking and business development opportunities that you will gain at this conference are invaluable as reconstruction efforts continue in the region.
Critical topics will include:
- How the Commission on Wartime Contracting Final Report to Congress will impact contractor’s daily work flow on existing and future contracts
- The future “non-use” of private security contractors by local governments
- Addressing unsettled claims, audits, and disputes amid the drawdown of troops in Iraq, and the transition to the Department of State
- Update on major defenses to “contractors on the battlefield” cases and the DBA, the political question doctrine, and the combatant activities exception
- Maintaining adequate record-keeping and documentation in contingency environments
- Managing conflicts between FCPA requirements and local laws, customs and regulations
- Preventing contract performance delays in a rapid response environment
- A roundtable discussion on meeting emerging, complex procurement and compliance challenges in the Middle East and Africa
- What recent DCAA audits tell us about compliance expectations for battlespace contractors going forward
- Incorporating ITAR, EAR and sanctions compliance into your contingency contracting compliance strategy
PLUS! Don’t miss our practical, highly specialized post-conference working groups, designed to deliver proven-effective strategies to be implemented immediately in your daily work flow. Learn from working group leaders who bring their on-the-ground experiences to these sessions, and allow for an intimate setting for all of your specific and most pressing challenges.
A: A Complete Roadmap to Resolving Logistical, Operational and Contract Performance Challenges in Iraq: From Business Registration to Working with Local Authorities and Establishing Satellite Communications
B: A Deep Dive into Afghanistan Culture, Customs and Contract Dispute Resolution: How to Work with Local Elders, and Address Unique Transportation, Security and Import Challenges to Ensure Contract Performance
Preventing Fraud, Abuse and Waste in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
January 24th, 2012
in Litigation |
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are the Latest Target of Government Scrutiny for Health Care Fraud, Abuse and Waste.
Assess Whether Your Current Investigatory, Compliance and Audit Competencies Are Up to Par in the Era of Health Care Reform.
A key tenant of Health Care Reform is to stop fraud, abuse and waste at every opportunity. The government has enhanced the powers of the enforcement authorities to perform this task – a fact that Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans are well aware. Medicare Advantage plans — already under scrutiny for alleged service inefficiencies — are now ,along with their drug plan counterparts, the subject of investigations and sanctions with which the pharmaceutical industry has become well acquainted in the last decade. Recent government actions brought under the False Claims Act and sanctions for non-adherence to CMS –mandated compliance protocols beg the question as to whether this industry will soon encounter a TAP case of its own.
Prepare Now for New Enforcement Activity and Sanctions.
Attend ACI’s In-House Counsel and Compliance Officer Forum on Preventing Fraud, Abuse and Waste in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Get the Essential Strategies that You Need to Meet Your Compliance Challenges Front and Center. ACI’s In-House Counsel and Compliance Officer Forum on Preventing Fraud, Abuse and Waste in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans will give you a complete understanding of the latest legal, regulatory, legislative and political developments affecting compliance and enforcement in the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan arena. This conference will help you ensure against fraud, waste and abuse by allowing you to develop the strategies that you need to put robust compliance, marketing, risk-adjustment coding and audit protocols in to place as you prepare for new compliance challenges in 2014. This program will also help you prepare for, respond to and defend against government investigations and enforcement actions.
Special Working Group and Master Class on Essential Enforcement and Compliance-Related Functions
To enhance and complete your conference experience, we are pleased to offer the following working group and master class sessions:
A The Working Group Session on Structuring Internal Investigations for Medicare Managed Care Plans: Information Gathering and Analytical Strategies to Assess Fraud, Abuse and Waste Allegations will provide you with skills and competencies that you need to conduct thorough internal investigations. It will also help you with critical considerations necessary for government inquires; and
The Master Class on Pro-Active Audit Preparation: Strategies and Tools for CMS, RAC, ZPIC and Other Applicable Audits for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans will help you fine tune your audit skills, address simultaneous audit obligations, and develop protocols to streamline information gathering processes and benchmark progress.
As an added bonus, your conference registration includes your choice of one of these sessions.
Nuclear Exports
January 23rd, 2012
in Manufacturing & Industrial |
Government regulations surrounding nuclear export controls in the United States and around the globe are complex… and rapidly evolving. Proposed revisions to Part 810 regulations add another layer of complexity to an already confusing regulatory landscape. Companies that want to access lucrative foreign nuclear markets and obtain authorization to export nuclear technology and services must implement a sustainable system of effective compliance controls without unduly hampering legitimate trade.
The U.S. Departments of Energy, Commerce, State and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have overlapping authority over the export of nuclear technology and services, and each require sophisticated controls and compliance protocols.
To capitalize on global business opportunities, exporters of nuclear technology, services and software must be able to properly classify their products in order to obtain the required government licenses or authorizations to export.
With these issues in mind, American Conference Institute presents its industry-acclaimed 2nd National Advanced Summit on Complying with Nuclear Export Controls. This leading industry event will focus on providing compliance officers, general counsel, licensing officers and export controls executives with practical solutions for navigating the unique compliance issues presented to exporters of nuclear technology and services. Industry leading presenters will focus on the most challenging issues, including:
Dr. Alex R. Burkhart
U.S. Department of State
Richard Goorevich
U.S. Department of Energy
Jill Shepherd
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Ronald Rolfe
Bureau of Industry and Security
Bernard Kritzer
Bureau of Industry and Security
Steve Clagett
Bureau of Industry and Security
Katie Strangis
U.S. Department of Energy
- Changes to Part 810 regulations
- Getting required end-use and end-user authorizations
- Classifying nuclear technology and making correct jurisdictional determinations
- Putting a TCP in place and complying with deemed export and re-export limitations
Don’t miss the unique opportunity to hear from government officials from theDOE, NRC, State and Commerce Departments, including:
PLUS! Benefit from exclusive perspectives on India and China landscape and how to set up appropriate compliance controls to sustain nuclear exports to these lucrative international markets.
Chargebacks & Commercial Rebates
January 22nd, 2012
in Pharmaceuticals / Biotech / Life Sciences |
Acquire solutions to industry-wide chargeback and rebate challenges
Revenue leakage costs US pharmaceutical companies an estimated $11 billion(over 4% of revenues) annually. Even one misstep in the chargeback and rebate processes can cost everyone involved millions of dollars. Wholesalers, GPOs, manufacturers, and PBMs are all essential players in contracting and rebates. And although their interests vary, they all must work together to ensure that the system works smoothly and conveys volumes of accurate data between parties daily. ACI’s Chargebacks and Commercial Rebatesconference brings together all the key industry stakeholders to develop solutions that can work for every party in the healthcare distribution chain.
Addressing a pressing need, stakeholders at this event will hear invaluable insights on the big problems – validation difficulties, 340B challenges, and class-of-trade guideline inconsistencies – and expert views on existing solutions for them. This unparalleled opportunity will break down barriers that divide wholesalers, GPOs, and manufacturers as well as the divisions separating groups in individual companies, creating a forum for these diverse groups to share ideas on overcoming the problems that plague the industry.
Block revenue leakage and improve your business’s bottom line
Through competent explanation and instruction on how to develop best practices for dealing with 340 identification issues, membership list management, rebates, returns, EDI data, and validation, this conference will help you learn to streamline chargeback and rebate systems to minimize costs and improve your business. ACI’s faculty of experienced industry leaders will detail their real-world experiences and share practical techniques for effective cost containment and efficient management of chargebacks and rebates.
For executives new to the chargeback and rebate process, ACI’s pre-conference workshop, Chargebacks and Commercial Rebates 101 will concentrate on the fundamentals of commercial contracting and prepare attendees for the more involved and technical discussions taking place throughout the main conference. In addition, the post-conference working group session, Best Practices for Managing Chargebacks and Rebates, offers a forum for stakeholders to share what have and have not worked in their efforts to manage chargebacks and rebates.
Advertising Law
January 21st, 2012
in Regulatory & Compliance |
In an Era Where Advertising is Moving Increasingly Toward the Digital Sphere, Ensure Your Company Remains Competitive and Compliant
Washington is Watching You – Are You Watching Your Consumers?
Behavioral targeting has become an area of great concern not only for the States, but the federal government as well. The FTC and Congress have made it clear that new legislation, including a “do not track” registry, is on the horizon. As behavioral advertising becomes more pervasive, consumers are increasingly concerned that their privacy is being compromised. Learn how to legally comply with privacy laws, while developing highly targeted marketing.At American Conference Institute’s 25th National Advanced Forum on Advertising Law, you will have the opportunity to hear from thought leaders at The Walt Disney Company, Hilton Worldwide, the FTC and the California Office of Consumer Privacy on how to successfully implement privacy protocols as part of your company’s overall advertising strategy.
As We Move Closer to the London 2012 Olympics – How Are You Creating Global Advertising Campaigns?
In a few short months, all eyes will be on London as the world’s greatest athletes come together for the 2012 Summer Olympics. This global focus provides an immense opportunity for companies to reach a broader audience, but also brings greater risks with language barriers and cultural differences. In an effort to protect the investment of sponsors who have spent millions of dollars, London has passed new legislation specifically targeting the Olympic Games and ambush marketing. One of the Olympics’ lead sponsors, The Coca-Cola Company, will offer insights into developing a successful worldwide campaign.
Network With the Top U.S. Advertisers and the Attorneys Who Counsel Them
Last year, 80% of our attendees were in-house counsel and marketing executives from leading advertisers. Networking breakfasts, lunches, and a cocktail reception provide multiple opportunities throughout the conference to interact with other attendees. By attending this conference, you will have the opportunity to meet the movers and shakers in the advertising industry. Our speaker faculty is comprised of more than 20 in-house counsel, giving you a tremendous opportunity to benchmark your practices. Featured companies at this year’s conference include: AT&T, Aflac, Coca-Cola, Google, Time Inc.,Verizon, Walt Disney, Wells Fargo and many more!
