Sheppard Mullin's French Insider Sheppard Mullin's French Desk attorneys

This episode is a replay of Episode 14 which originally aired on June 9, 2022.
 
For this episode of French Insider, Jean Hoefliger, noted wine consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of JH Wine Consultants, joins us to discuss French investments in the U.S. wine industry, including the many factors drawing French winemakers to the Napa Valley and how the rise of venture-backed startups has altered the winemaking landscape.
 
About Jean Hoefliger
Born and raised in Switzerland, Jean has decades of winemaking experience and has worked in vineyards worldwide, including California, Bordeaux, Texas, and South Africa. As a wine consultant, he has helped build client wineries across the globe, including Montevereo in Tuscany and Grapeheart in Suisun Valley, as well as AXR and The Debate in Napa Valley, to name a few. His many accolades include two 100-point scores awarded by Jebb Dunnuck and Robert Parker for his Napa-based The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon.
Jean's consulting business encompasses everything he loves, from managing farming and crafting world-class wines to advising on business strategies and even building and implementing the sales structure for clients.
 
What We Discussed in This Episode:
What is drawing investors to the Napa Valley? Why are French winemakers coming to the Napa Valley? Who are some of the big players that already have a presence in the Napa Valley? As a winemaker, what's different about doing business in the Napa Valley vs. France? Are other U.S. winemaking regions becoming more significant in the market? How is the growing number of wineries impacting the overall market? Has the rise of venture-backed startups in the industry shifted the dynamic for producers? What should French companies keep in mind as they seek to enter the U.S. wine market? How are winemakers dealing with climate change?  Despite the challenges of the last two years, including COVID and wildfires, wineries have continued to grow. Why is that? What are some of the long-term impacts of climate change on wineries in France and across Europe? How can new technology help mitigate these impacts? How does the diverse range of U.S. wine-producing regions act as an additional draw for French investors?  
Contact Information
Jean Hoefliger
JH Wine Consulting
Sheppard Mullin French Desk 

In this episode of French Insider, Reid Whitten, Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin’s London office, joins host Sarah Ben-Moussa to discuss the U.S.-China trade war, including the conflict’s origins, the Foreign Direct Product Rule, and the tangible steps European companies should be taking in light of the current tensions.
What We Talked About in This Episode:
What are the origins of the U.S.-China trade war?
What measures did the U.S. take in the wake of the 2018 National Position Paper declaring China an adversary?
As a practical matter, what do European companies need to look out for?
How does the Foreign Direct Product Rule work?
What is the U.S. attempting to do to get itself on a technological level where it can compete with China?
Do we see China retaliating against some of the measures and heated rhetoric coming out of the U.S.?
Can you explain the military end-user concept?
What tangible steps should European companies be taking as they attempt to navigate the current U.S.-China tensions?
 
About Reid Whitten
As Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin's London office, Reid Whitten focuses his practice on international trade regulations and investigations. He shares his time serving clients out of the Washington, D.C. office and also leads the firm’s CFIUS Team.  
Reid works with clients around the world to plan, prepare and succeed in global transactions. He focuses on cross-border investments, particularly in the technology and aerospace sectors, helping clients navigate the international trade regulations that could disrupt their deals. In the areas of economic sanctions, export and defense exports, CFIUS, anti-corruption and tariffs, he supports clients in detecting and addressing potential compliance issues as well as conducting investigations and defending against enforcement actions. He also advises on U.S. anti-dumping, anti-money laundering and anti-boycott regulations.
Reid is a member of Chatham House, the UK's Royal Institute of International Affair. In addition to lecturing at the New College of the Humanities in London, at the Université Catholique de Lille in France, and Wake Forest University in the U.S, he also conducts seminars on regulatory updates for industry groups in the U.S., France, Belgium, Spain and the UK.
A thought leader on cross-border business regulation, Reid is frequently called upon to provide commentary and analysis for television news channels, international newspapers, and trade publications. He is also the lead author and editor of The CFIUS Book. 
 
About Sarah F. Ben-Moussa 
Sarah F. Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s New York office, where her practice focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm’s French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters.
As a member of Sheppard Mullin’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team, Sarah also represents renewable energy companies, borrowers, financial sponsors, portfolio companies, commercial banks and other financial institutions in a variety of financing transactions. Her practice focuses on a variety of transactions in the energy sphere, representing renewable energy companies in project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities. She also serves on the New York office’s sustainability committee.
Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in France, becoming fluent in French and focusing on corporate transactions and commercial contracts in Europe and internationally. Sarah is also committed to pro bono work, focusing on cases involving children seeking asylum or other immigration-related relief.
Contact Information:

In this episode of French Insider, Dan Mackta, Managing Director at Qobuz, joins Sheppard Mullin attorney Alex Akhavan to discuss the history and growth of Qobuz, a high-quality audio commercial music streaming and downloading service founded in France, including its successful expansion into the U.S. market, what sets Qobuz apart from its competitors, and fundamental differences in the U.S. and French approach to IP.
 
What We Discussed in This Episode:
What is Qobuz? How did it start?
What sets Qobuz apart from other music streaming services?
What was your path to Qobuz?
How did Qobuz succeed in France?
What drove the decision to expand internationally and bring Qobuz to the U.S.?
Can you describe your day-to-day activities? How has it changed since Qobuz launched in the U.S.?
What is the Qobuz business model?
How does Qobuz partner or collaborate with artists?
What's the benefit of commissioning original music?
What are some fundamental differences in how the U.S. and France approach IP?
What other cultural and business differences have you observed in opening a French company in the U.S.?
What are your main takeaways from your time at Qobuz?
Where do you see the music industry heading from here?
What song or genre would you choose to show off the audio quality of Qobuz?
 
About Dan Mackta
Dan Mackta joined Qobuz in 2018 after spending decades on the label and artist side of the music business. As Managing Director, he oversees the French streaming service's operations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and the Nordics. Dan is responsible for every aspect of the business in those markets, leading a U.S.-based team and overseeing operations, music, marketing, business development and more.
 
About Alex Akhavan 
Alex Akhavan is an associate in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City office, where he also leads the firm’s Disney Television Animation and Amazon Studios’ unscripted teams and serves as the point of contact for the firm’s pro bono client, the Los Angeles Opera.
 
Alex represents producers, studios, media companies and networks in connection with entertainment productions throughout the United States and around the world. In addition to regularly negotiating development and production agreements on behalf of Disney, Amazon, and Univision, he has advised Gaumont International Television (El Presidente) on clearance and production matters and served as production counsel to Campanario Entertainment for Selena: The Series on Netflix.
 
Contact Information:
Dan Mackta
 
Alex Akhavan
 
Additional Resources:
Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog
 
Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.
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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

This episode is a replay of Episode 16 which originally aired on October 3, 2022.
 
In this episode of French Insider, Benjamin Sormonte, co-founder and co-owner of Maman, speaks about building a successful lifestyle brand in North America, including the challenges of bringing a very French experience to a North American audience and the role that Instagram and other social media platforms have played in Maman's success.
 
What We Discussed in this Episode:  
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you arrived at the concept of Maman? What challenges did you face in bringing this very French experience to a North American audience? Maman has grown exponentially since first opening in Soho in 2014. As you choose locations for expansion, what drives your decisions? What made you decide to move into Canada? Did you find many differences between an opening in Canada and the U.S.? Maman has become an incredibly successful lifestyle brand. Can you talk a bit about the strategy that went into building that brand? What role have Instagram and other social media platforms played in your marketing? Did you work with consultants when you first started out? In building your customer base, what has worked and what hasn't? What was your experience hiring staff in the U.S. and Canada? What were some challenges? What advice would you have for managing a large workforce in the U.S.? What surprised you most while building your business in the U.S. and Canada? What resources were helpful to you? Did you ever envision that Maman would become the brand it is today? What's one piece of advice you would offer someone seeking to turn their passion project into a successful brand?  
About Benjamin Sormonte A French-born lawyer, Benjamin and his wife, Elisa Marshall, opened the first Maman in 2014. What began as a single, independent Soho bakery and cafe has since grown into a leading lifestyle brand that boasts locations across New York City, Montreal, and Toronto, complete with a line of retail items that allows its loyal following to "take Maman home.”
 
Maman means "mother" in French and remains a passion project for Benjamin and Elisa, despite the brand's exponential growth. The two have successfully melded their earliest childhood experiences in the kitchen, along with a nod to their mothers from the south of France and North America, into an all-encompassing sensory experience marked by rustic décor at every turn, the aroma and comfort of cuisines inspired by family traditions, and the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients. 
 
Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.   It helps other listeners find this show.
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

In this episode of French Insider, Fernando Zanotti Schneider, a partner at the Brazilian law firm of Abe Advogados, joins Sheppard Mullin partner Tony Girolami to discuss the recent Brazilian election, including what the return of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the presidency might mean for the multinational business community, particularly foreign investors.
 
What We Discussed In Today’s Episode:
 
What’s the mood in Brazil post-election? What was the Bolsonaro agenda? What does the new Brazilian Congress look like? How will the makeup of Congress influence Lula's presidency and impact his agenda? What should foreign investors expect from the Lula administration? What commercial opportunities might foreign investors find under the Lula presidency? Has Lula given any indication as to how his social agenda will be achieved? What advice would you give to foreign investors regarding the current climate in Brazil? What assistance can you and Abe Avogados provide to foreign investors?


About Fernando Zanotti Schneider  
Fernando is a partner in Abe Advogados São Paulo office, where he serves as practice group lead in the corporate, M&A, and contracts and complex negotiation areas. For the past few years, he has been representing clients in the acquisition and sale of important corporate entities in several economic sectors, particularly technology, financial services, retail and energy. Fernando has provided consulting services to foreign clients in greenfield transactions, joint ventures, project finance and corporate operations related to the acquisition and sale of enterprises, both in Brazil and abroad.  In 2014, Fernando served as an international associate in Tokyo, Japan, in association with Matsuda & Partners. His years  practicing law have allowed Fernando to acquire significant expertise in deal structuring, due diligence, and mergers and acquisitions. Fernando is a Member of the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance and regularly authors articles covering a diverse range of corporate topics for  Abe Advogados’ blog.
 
About Tony Girolami  
Tony Girolami is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in Sheppard Mullins’ San Diego office, where he also serves on the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance Team and is Co-Chair of the Latin America Group. Tony specializes in corporate and renewable energy-related transactions with an international focus, representing both U.S. and international clients in cross-border business transactions involving the development and financing of renewable energy projects, agricultural developments and basic infrastructure in the United States, Latin America and Asia. He has represented financial institutions, infrastructure developers and renewable energy companies in the formation of joint ventures, project financings, greenfield project developments, construction and supply contracts, off-take agreements and distribution agreements. Tony is also admitted as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Brazil, where he worked as a senior associate in Sao Paulo until 2006.
 
Contact Information:
 
Fernando Zanotti Schneider  
Tony Girolami 
 
Additional Resources:
Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog
Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.
If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

In this episode of French Insider, Tim Stephen, EVP of Strategy and Head of Business & Legal Affairs at Gaumont Film US, the Los Angeles-based TV production arm of French film studio Gaumont, joins host and Sheppard Mullin attorney Alex Akhavan to discuss the challenges and rewards of internal production and entertainment, including how streaming has changed the business of entertainment, the cultural and legal differences productions typically encounter outside the United States and the various reasons production companies might choose to film in other countries and territories.
 
What We Discussed in This Episode  
What can you tell us about Gaumont Film US and your role there? What are a few projects Gaumont Film US has produced in the United States? How often are you filming outside the United States? How would you describe the relationship between Gaumont Film US and its French parent company? What cultural and legal differences have you encountered, both in the context of Gaumont and while producing elsewhere in the world? Why would Gaumont or another studio choose to film outside the United States? What other changes have you seen in the entertainment industry? What do you enjoy about the work you do? What motivates you, and what are you most excited about?  
About Tim Stephen Tim Stephen has more than 20 years of executive experience across a broad range of entertainment-industry disciplines, including business and legal affairs, television development and production and international co-financing. As EVP of Strategy and Head of Business & Legal Affairs, he oversees business and legal matters for film, television, animation and distribution for Gaumont Fim US, a subsidiary of French film studio Gaumont.
 
Gaumont Film US produces drama and comedy programming for both the U.S. and international markets, including Hannibal, which aired on NBC from April 2013 - August 2022, as well as the Golden Globes-winning drama Narcos, currently airing on Netflix.
 
About Alex Akhavan Alex Akhavan is an associate in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City, California office, where he represents producers, studios, media companies and networks in connection with entertainment productions throughout the United States and around the world.
 
In addition to advising Gaumont Film US on matters of clearance and production, Alex has served as production counsel to Campanario Entertainment. He also leads the firm’s Disney Television Animation and Amazon Studios’ unscripted teams and regularly negotiates development and production agreements on behalf of Disney, Amazon and Univision.
 
Contact Information  
Tim Stephen 
 
Alex Akhavan 
 
Additional Resources:  
Sheppard Mullin French Desk Blog
 
Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.   It helps other listeners find this show.
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.