2012 Legal Conference Agenda

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Miami, Florida – June 3-5, 2012

*This is a rough agenda and is subject to change, last updated 4/4/12

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Registration 
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Reception
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Renew friendships and meet new colleagues at the opening reception.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Registration
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Breakfast
7:45 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. 

Conference Chairman:
John Attaway, Jr., Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Publix Super Markets, Inc.         

General Session
Antitrust: Merger Activities and FTC Enforcement
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

The changing landscape of the grocery marketplace has created a number of acquisition opportunities for growth oriented firms and mega-deals are continuing to be made.  Get the latest on FTC enforcement from one of the top national experts.  The session will cover the latest food industry deals and discuss the outlook for merger enforcement in the future

Speaker:
Jim Fishkin, Partner, Dechert LLP

General Session
Intellectual Property
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Patent litigation is becoming an increasing headache for corporate legal departments.  Get the latest insights on patent trolls and learn their motivations.  Many trolls are represented by counsel on a contingent fee basis and this presentation will review that dynamic.  The session will place an emphasis on strategies for dealing with these entities.

Speaker:
R. David Donoghue, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP

Refreshment Break
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

General Session
Social Media
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Social media has become an ever more essential tool in maintaining brand reputation and marketing.  Get the latest on social media legal issues on the topic from one of the nation's leading experts.  Tsan will be covering topics involving blogging, Facebook, Twitter and more.

Speaker:
Tsan Abrahamson, Partner, Cobalt LLP

General Session
USDA Update
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

USDA has been very active in issuing rules affecting retailers and manufacturers in recent years.  Get the latest on labeling and food safety regulations as well as the SNAP and WIC programs.

Speaker:
Jolyda O. Swaim, Principal, Olsson, Frank, Weeda, Terman, Matz P.C.

Luncheon with Speaker
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Mr. Michael Landa leads the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, a critical department within the agency charged with ensuring the safety and proper labeling of foods and dietary supplements and cosmetics.  Mr. Landa will be discussing the progress FDA has made in implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act, the top priorities for the Center this year and other critical legal issues. 

Speaker:
Michael M. Landa, J.D., Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration

General Session
Labor Law
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

This session will include discussions and updated on current developments in labor and employment law including the latest on worker classification rules, wage and hour regulations and codes of conduct for suppliers.  OSHA matters will also be addressed.

Speakers:
Mark W. Schneider, Shareholder, Littler Mendelson P.C.
Carlos J. Burruezo, Shareholder, Littler Mendelson P.C.
Thomas Benjamin (Ben) Huggett, Shareholder, Littler Mendelson P.C.

Refreshment Break
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

General Session
Professional Responsibility
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.  

This course will review the Rules of Professional Conduct and focus on the challenges that in-house counsel face with the constituents of an organizational client in daily operational and complex transactional settings. The presenters will focus on real time solutions to aid in-house counsel in identifying ethical considerations and protecting and preserving the attorney-client privilege.

Speakers:
William H. "Bill" Perry, CEO, Managing Shareholder, Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.
John W. Little, III, Shareholder, Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.    

Off-Site Reception and Dinner
6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Breakfast
7:45 a.m.

General Session
Food Safety Modernization Act
8:30 a.m.– 9:15 a.m.

The Food Safety Modernization Act marks the most sweeping change to our nation's food safety laws in more than seven decades.  The rules will have a very significant impact on food retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers.  This session will review the latest on key FSMA rules affecting manufacturing facilities, warehouses, transportation, importation and more.

Speaker:
Gary J. Kusher, Hogan Lovells, LLP

General Session
Retail Pharmacy Issues and Health and Wellness
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Retail pharmacy operations face a plethora of legal and regulatory requirements.  Get the latest on Medicare, DEA and privacy issues and more.  Nutritional counseling and medication therapy often go hand-in-hand; however, marketing on the health and wellness front involves key legal questions.  This session will review these critical questions.

Speakers:
Alan Arville, Partner, Ober Kaler
Marty Dix, Partner, Akerman Senterfitt LLP

Refreshment Break
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

General Session
Food Class Actions
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Class action litigation over product claims, advertising and nutrition content is increasingly impacting food manufacturers and retailers.  Get the latest information on this litigation as well as strategies to protect your company from exposure.

Speaker:
Angel Garganta, Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP
Trent Norris, Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP

General Session
Washington Update
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Legislative and regulatory activities can have an enormous impact on your business.  Hear the latest developments from Washington on the issues that matter most to you including: menu and COOL labeling, environmental rules, tax legislation and more.

Speakers:
Erik Lieberman, Regulatory Counsel, Food Marketing Institute
Andy Harig, Director of Governmental Affairs, Food Marketing Institute

Closing Remarks
12:00 p.m.

Legal Affairs Committee Luncheon Meeting
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To View the 2011 Program, please click here.