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On this episode of Sustainability Spotlight, Saint-Gobain's Dennis Wilson, Vice President of Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) and Managing Director of Circular Economy Solutions, discusses this global building products company's goal to be the world leader in light and sustainable construction, and how that commitment manifests itself in operations and investments. Dennis also talks about one of the company's biggest sustainability investments: a zero-carbon drywall production facility that recently opened in Montreal, Canada.

This episode is part of our Sustainability Spotlight series, which highlights the sustainability efforts that businesses are making to combat climate change and other environmental challenges. This episode features a discussion with John Walsh, Senior Vice President of Investor and Government Relations, and Ali Snyder, Director of Sustainability and Marketing at Chart Industries, Inc. Chart Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of process technologies and equipment for gas and liquid molecule handling for the Nexus of Clean™ — clean power, clean water, clean food, and clean industrials, regardless of molecule. The company's unique product and solution portfolio across stationary and rotating equipment is used in every phase of the liquid gas supply chain, including engineering, service and repair, and from installation to preventive maintenance and digital monitoring. Brendan K. Collins, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Philadelphia office and leader of the firm's Manufacturing and Consumer Products Industry Team, hosts the discussion.

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we consider the importance of advanced planning in relation to labor, employment, and benefits, to comply with legal obligations and navigate obstacles. We discuss unionization and collective bargaining agreements, the risks of failing to properly administer employee benefit plans, and the differences between affiliations and mergers in terms of the impact on employee benefit plans. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Education Industry Team, hosts the discussion. Bill is joined by Meredith Dante, a partner in Ballard's Labor and Employment Group, and Finn Pressly, a partner in Ballard's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group.

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we discuss rapidly evolving state privacy laws, and compliance regulations such as FERPA and GLBA, that are creating a complex landscape in higher education. We also consider post-consolidation integration challenges, as new cybersecurity requirements need to be implemented across combined organizations. Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group and a member of the Education Team, hosts the discussion. Laura is joined by Greg Szewczyk, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Privacy and Data Security Group.

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on intellectual property developed at and managed by systems of higher education. We discuss how universities can best manage and leverage their portfolios, including intellectual property assets that they can package together to optimize and increase value of these assets. We also review federal funding and policies that could impact universities, such as potential changes to Bayh-Dole and diversity initiatives. Laura C. Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group and a member of the Education Team, hosts the discussion. Laura is joined by Scott D. Marty. Ph.D., a partner in Ballard Spahr's Intellectual Property Group and co-leader of Ballard Spahr's Life Sciences Industry Team.

This episode is part of our "Manufacturing Moment" series, where we discuss important developments in the manufacturing space, and provide insight on how these major changes will affect the industry. In today's episode, we're joined by two special guests; Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, and Angela Wilhelms, President and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry. We discuss the manufacturing landscape in their respective states; including providing data driven research in the policy-making processes, the complexities of navigating federal, state, and local regulations, and perspectives on the new administration's executive orders and the potential impacts on the manufacturing industry. Brigitta Glunk, an associate in Ballard Spahr's Environmental and Natural Resources Group, hosts the discussion.

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we discuss financial challenges facing many colleges and universities, such as declining enrollment, decreased funding, and restrictions that are associated with tax-exempt financing. We consider the tax and legal implications of a merger or acquisition, and the liquidation of assets in the case of university closures. Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group and a member of the Education Team, hosts the discussion. Laura is joined by Bill Rhodes, a partner in the firm's Public Finance Group and leader of the firm's Education Industry Team, and Valarie Allen, a partner in the firm's Public Finance Group.

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on real estate and tax in education consolidation. We discuss the value and marketability of excess real estate, and factors to consider in consolidation transactions such as zoning, historic preservation, and local real estate market dynamics. We also discuss tax issues, including transfer taxes, property tax exemptions, and more. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Education Industry Team, hosts the discussion. Bill is joined by Chris Jones, a partner and leader of the firm's Tax and Tax Controversy Teams, and Sara McCormick, a partner in the firm's Real Estate Department.

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. To kick-off this series, we focus on mergers and acquisitions, and antitrust considerations in the higher education industry. We explore obstacles that institutions face when considering consolidation, such as cultural and academic alignment, and regulatory approvals. We also discuss the impact of antitrust regulations, including changes to the Hart-Scott-Rodino filing requirements. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Education Industry Team, hosts the discussion. Bill is joined by Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group, and Liz Weissert, an associate in Ballard Spahr's Antitrust and Competition Group.

This episode is an introduction of our new series "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation," where we will discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on key factors driving these trends, including declines in demographic and enrollment, and the outline the challenges institutions face in making difficult strategic decisions due to competing interests of various constituencies. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Education Industry Team, and Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group, host the discussion.

This episode is part of our new series "Manufacturing Moment," where we will discuss important developments in the manufacturing space, and provide insight on how these major changes will affect the industry. Today, we're taking a look at the Trump administration and his manufacturing priorities. This episode features a discussion with Charles Crain, Managing Vice President of Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). We discuss regulatory priorities, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and preserving the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Brendan K. Collins, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Environmental and Natural Resources Group, and leader of the firm's Manufacturing and Consumer Products Industry Group, hosts the discussion.

In light of recent executive orders, today's podcast focuses on what organizations can expect with the new administration's promises on immigration, as well as what employers can do when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrives to the workplace. We discuss which documents need to be in order, protocols that employers should have in place in case of a raid, and what to do in the aftermath of this event. Stephen Stigall, a partner in Ballard's White Collar Defense and Investigations practice group, leads the discussion. He is joined by Hank Hockeimer, a partner and leader of the White Collar Defense and Investigations practice group, and Dustin O'Quinn, a partner and leader of the Immigration practice group.

In this episode, we discuss the impacts of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (a.k.a. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)) on U.S. infrastructure on its third-year anniversary. While the IIJA/BIL has unlocked significant funding for major projects, it has also highlighted afresh important questions about the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure investments. We explore the balance between immediate construction goals and the need for planning long-term maintenance and resilience. We also look ahead at key priorities for the future. John P. Smolen, Co-Leader of Ballard Spahr's Infrastructure Group, hosts the discussion. John is joined by Sam Headon, the head of infrastructure investments at S&B USA Concessions; and Jennifer Hara, the acting head of innovative finance and technical assistance for the Build America Bureau of the United States Department of Transportation.

This episode features a discussion with Nick St. John, Director of Federal Compliance at America's Credit Unions. We discuss the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by FinCEN and federal banking regulators regarding the enhancement and modernization of anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism ("AML/CFT") compliance programs under the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA"). This discussion focuses on the risk assessment process, the NPRM's impact on the industry, "de-risking" strategies, technological innovation, feedback from law enforcement on the utility of BSA filings, hiring qualified compliance officers, and what it means for an AML/CFT program to be "effective." Peter Hardy, partner and co-leader of Ballard's AML Team leads the discussion. He is joined by Kaley Schafer, also a member of the AML Team and an associate in the firm's business and transactions department.

This episode is part of our Sustainability Spotlight series, which highlights the sustainability efforts that businesses are making to combat climate change and other environmental challenges. This episode features a discussion with Matt O'Malley, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Jeannie Morris, Vice President of Government Affairs at Vicinity Energy. Vicinity Energy is the largest owner and operator of district energy systems in the U.S. and the first in the nation to offer carbon-free eSteam™ to rapidly decarbonize customers and achieve net zero carbon emissions across all operations. Our guests share the ways Vicinity is combating the climate crisis and why more businesses need to take action now. Brendan K. Collins, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Philadelphia Office and leader of the firm's Manufacturing and Consumer Products Industry Group, hosts the discussion.