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Members of Robinson+Cole’s Manufacturing Industry Team continually engage with and actively listen to our clients and contacts across the sector in the U.S. and globally. The following developments and trends are an integral component of our client service efforts.

Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Connecticut

Women in Manufacturing (WiM) is the local chapter of a national association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women in all manufacturing job functions. WiM Connecticut has over 550 members and its leadership team plans and provides a variety of events geared towards professionals at all levels of a manufacturing organization – from production to the C-Suite – to network, learn and connect. Jen Shanley serves as the Secretary of WiM Connecticut.

Allyship and Engaging Male Allies Roundtable (January 2024 - Florida)

Jeff White and Jen Shanley detailed strategies and advice on developing programming and initiatives focused on creating collaborative relationships between women and current/potential male allies and moving toward achieving gender equity during the WiM Winter Leadership Conference. This event brought together WiM corporate member representatives and the board of directors for two days of networking, best-practice sharing, and discussions on mentorship, motherhood, allyship, emerging technology, ERGs, and attracting and retaining talent. For insights on their presentation, check out the article Jeff and Jen co-authored for Industry Today – “Male Allyship Helps Women Succeed in Manufacturing”.

Does M&A Help or Hurt the Supply Chain Problem? (February 2024 - Florida)

Jeff White was among the speakers presenting at the Aviation Week Network Conference, hosted by Aero-Engines Americas. The panel presentation entitled “Does M&A Help or Hurt the Supply Chain Problem?” covered the state of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the engines market and a debate about the day-to-day impacts and motivations behind M&A from a supply chain perspective.

Supply Chain Agreements 2024: Manufacturing and Market Disruption (April 2024)

Sandra Marin Lautier was among the presenters speaking during webinar entitled “Supply Chain Agreements 2024: Manufacturing and Market Disruption,” hosted by the Practicing Law Institute (PLI). The webinar covered practical guidance and valuable instruction on the most pressing and difficult issues facing parties to supply chain agreements as well as stakeholders in enterprises being impacted by breaches and terminations of these agreements. For her part of the presentation, Sandra covered “Recent Trends in Contract Negotiation and Business to Business Dispute Resolution.”

2024 Marcum Manufacturing Forum (April 2024 - Connecticut)

Robinson+Cole was pleased to be a sponsor of the “2024 Marcum Manufacturing Forum.” The conference was a two-part series bringing together industry leaders and executives from the Connecticut manufacturing community. The event raises awareness of the various resources and opportunities available to manufacturers through state and federal programs. Ed Heath introduced Connecticut's Chief Manufacturing Officer Paul Lavoie.

Business Roundtable with the Portuguese Ambassador to the U.S., Francisco Duarte Lopes (May 2024 - Connecticut)

Robinson+Cole was proud to host the Portuguese Ambassador to the U.S., Francisco Duarte Lopes. The invitation-only program was presented by the U.S. Commercial Service, the CT District Export Council, and the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, and focused on trade and investment opportunities in Portugal.

Robinson+Cole Receives Second Presidential Award for Export Service (May 2024 - Washington, DC)

Robinson+Cole was honored with the President’s “E Star” Award for Export Service by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The distinction was presented during a ceremony in Washington, DC on May 14, 2024, in recognition of the firm’s achievement in making continuing significant contributions to an increase in U.S. exports. In 2019, the firm was presented with the President’s “E” Award, the highest recognition a person or U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. The “E Star” Award is a continuing recognition of noteworthy export promotion efforts. Read more here.

Buy America: Demystifying the Complexities of the Buy American, Made in USA, and Build Back Better Legislation (May 2024)

Jeff White and Kevin Daly presented a webinar entitled “Buy America: Demystifying the Complexities of the Buy American, Made in USA, and Build Back Better Legislation,” hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service as part of the Export Documentation and Logistics Series. Jeff and Kevin provided an overview of the various “Buy America/American” laws imposing domestic production requirements on companies selling goods to the U.S. government and federally-funded infrastructure projects, as well requirements for when and how companies can label products “Made in USA”.

Teaming Without Intellectual Property Friction: Growing Your Aerospace & Defense Business (June 2024)

John Cordani and Kyle Hepner presented a webinar entitled, “Teaming Without Intellectual Property Friction: Growing Your Aerospace & Defense Business,” hosted by the U.S Commercial Service and Robinson+Cole. Aerospace and defense companies of all sizes are continually operating in a global marketplace where there are significant opportunities to do business both in the United States and to export abroad. Collaboration has become critical among Primes, Subcontractors, OEMs, and suppliers. This presentation assisted companies that wish to position themselves for these opportunities, including by securing and defending their intellectual property in an increasingly collaborative environment.

Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Summit (October 2024 - Boston, MA)

Robinson+Cole was pleased to once again be a sponsor for Women in Manufacturing’s (WiM) Annual Summit. The 2024 conference featured industry professionals providing development sessions, roundtable discussions, and keynote presentations dedicated to supporting, promoting, and inspiring women at all levels in the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing Law Industry Team chair Jeff White serves on WiM’s National Board of Directors and member Jen Shanley serves as the Secretary of WiM’s Connecticut Chapter. For more information, click here.

HRACC Annual Employment Law Update 2024 (October 2024 - Connecticut)

Labor and Employment Group partners Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson and Abby Warren presented the Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut’s (HRACC) Annual Employment Law Update. Their 2024 program provided a practical overview of key developments in workplace law over the past year, including changes to Connecticut’s paid sick leave law, expansion of the state’s paid family and medical leave insurance program, the current state of non-compete provisions, the Federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and workplace civility. Britt-Marie and Abby are members of HRACC.

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