In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by their Troutman Pepper Locke partners, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close, who host the No Infringement Intended podcast. Together, they explore the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and employment law through the lens of the movie The Social Network. They discuss works made for hire, the impact of the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and the challenges employers of all sizes face in protecting their innovations and the inventions their employees create on their behalf. Discover the critical lessons learned from real-life IP disputes, the importance of proper documentation, and best practices for protecting your company’s ideas.

Labor + Employment Workforce Watch is a guide to the employment law developments most likely to impact your business. The Troutman Pepper Locke Labor + Employment Team represents employers in the most sensitive workplace matters, enabling our clients to concentrate on their core business operations. Our team is adept at handling and managing labor and employment issues on national, international, and local levels. Recognized as a leading law firm by Chambers USA, our attorneys provide comprehensive advice on every type of employment issue a company may encounter, at every stage of the employment life cycle.

AI is unavoidable these days. In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter delve into what employers need to know about it, joined by their Troutman Pepper Locke partner, Brett Mason, who hosts The Good Bot podcast focusing on the intersection of AI, health care, and the law. They discuss the transformative potential and inherent risks of AI in the workplace, along with some lessons from the movie I, Robot, including how employers (and their employees) are using AI, as well as the potential legal risks associated with it, including discrimination, attorney-client privilege, and data privacy considerations. Tune in to learn about the latest developments in AI, the importance of understanding AI systems, and how to mitigate risks associated with their use in employment settings.

In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter dive into the intriguing intersection of reality TV and employment law. Joined by Troutman Pepper Locke Labor and Employment Partner Richard Reibstein (author of the popular Independent Contractor Misclassification & Compliance blog), they explore the lawsuit alleging that contestants on the hit Netflix reality series Love Is Blind have been misclassified as independent contractors instead of employees — and the real-life implications for other production companies as well as companies in other industries. Tune in for an insightful discussion that ‎blends legal expertise with the drama of reality television.‎

In what may be a surprise to those who thought that restrictions on the use of noncompetes would go away with the change in administration, this week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that the agency will form a Joint Labor Task Force that will “prioritize rooting out and prosecuting deceptive, unfair, and anticompetitive labor-market practices that harm American workers.”[1] FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson issued a memorandum reminding everyone that the FTC’s authority includes protecting American consumers in their role as workers.[2]

It seems that even celebrities are not immune from workplace claims. In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by their Troutman Pepper Locke employment law partner, Sara Longtain, to discuss the movie It Ends With Us and the real-life lawsuits sparked by it. Tune in as the trio discusses alleged conduct that occurred on set and in the marketing of the film, resulting in lawsuits filed by Blake Lively for sexual harassment and Justin Baldoni for defamation. The conversation focuses on what employers can take away from this competing litigation, including the importance of harassment policies, best practices for avoiding retaliation claims, and how to combat the use of social media as a tool for misconduct. This episode is sure to be interesting for employers in all industries.

In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore the dynamics of teamwork, using the beloved characters Sully and Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc. as prime examples. Joined by Emily Golden, founder and CEO of Golden Resources, they delve into the characteristics of effective teams, including the importance of clear communication, shared goals, and emotional intelligence. They also discuss strategies to foster effective teamwork among employees. Tune in for an engaging discussion on building strong, collaborative teams and the lessons we can learn from our favorite animated monsters.

Workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs face more scrutiny than ever after President Trump’s recent Executive Order targeting DEI policies and programs across the federal government, in private industries that do business with the federal government, and in the private sector generally. In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Emily Schifter and Tracey Diamond discuss the evolving DEI landscape. Joined by their colleague Nicole Edmonds, DEI Committee Chair at Troutman Pepper Locke, they explore the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on DEI initiatives, the rise of reverse discrimination claims, and practical steps employers can take to foster an inclusive work environment. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on navigating DEI opportunities and challenges in today’s evolving legal landscape.

On Tuesday, President Trump radically changed the legal landscape for federal contractors when he revoked an executive order that had been in effect for nearly 60 years. Executive Order 11246, issued by President Johnson in 1965, prohibited federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against employees and applicants on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It also required federal contractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women and minorities. Trump issued an order on January 21 titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which revokes Executive Order 11246 and related executive orders (including one that added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes). This action will significantly impact federal contractors and subcontractors, who will be relieved of some (but not all) of their obligations under the federal contract compliance programs.

PE Pathways, hosted by attorneys from our Private Equity practice, is a podcast series where experienced dealmakers share their thoughts on current private equity and M&A trends and developments. Stay informed about the latest market trends, regulatory changes, and innovative investment strategies that are shaping the future of private equity. Tune in to listen as our discussions delve into the intricacies of the private equity industry, with topics around deal sourcing and due diligence; portfolio company management; fund formation and compliance; tax and employment issues; and exit strategies among others.