Thanksgiving is somehow just around the corner. Your bloggers are, of course, thankful for you, our loyal readers. And we want to give you – or at least those of you who may need more CLE credit before year-end — something to be thankful for as well. So we are pleased to announce that Reed Smith is once again offering its virtual “Life Sciences CLE Week” starting this Monday. (See below for information on jurisdictions in which credit is offered.) Reed Smith typically offers this program annually as an intimate, in-person event for clients, but is pleased to offer this COVID-revised version to a broader audience.
Two of your bloggers, Bexis and Rachel Weil, will be kicking things off on Monday, November 8, at noon Eastern Standard Time with an hour-long presentation on “Rule 702 – Don’t Say Daubert,” examining the amendments to F.R. Evid. 702 recently proposed by the Civil Rules Committee of the Federal Courts. In addition to explaining what the amendments are intended to do, Bexis and Rachel will discuss the problems that led the committee to conclude that amendments were necessary. We will also describe how these amendments are helpful to defendants in prescription medical product liability litigation, and what defendants and their counsel can do to help get them enacted. To get in the mood, you can read our eponymous post on the subject, here.
The next day (Tuesday), at 3-4:00 p.m. EST, our colleagues Michael Galibois and Geoff Young will then offer a discussion on “Biometrics: What Life Sciences and Digital Health Companies Need to Know About the Evolving Litigation and Regulatory Landscape.” Currently, companies must navigate a patchwork of U.S. state and municipal biometric laws that govern the collection and use of biometric data. One such statute provides for a private right of action, significant statutory awards – reflecting thousands of dollars per violation – and is considered “ready-made” for class action treatment. Michael and Geoff will discuss how you can best protect yourselves from significant exposure with limited defenses to many of these laws.
Next up, on Wednesday, November 10, at 1-2:00 p.m. EST, our colleagues Nan Halstead and Vicki Tankle will present on “Health Care Fraud and Abuse in a Digital World.” This session will cover nuanced health care fraud and abuse and privacy risks associated with the development of, and investment in, health information technology tools, build guides, and resources. It will be geared towards drug and device manufacturers and technology companies and will provide attendees with an understanding of what constitutes health information technology; how the federal anti-kickback statute, the federal false claims act, HIPAA and other laws apply in the digital world; and best practices for compliance.
Finishing off the week, on Thursday, November 11, at 12:30-1:30 p.m. EST, our colleagues Anette Gaertner, Lisa Chiarini, and Sidharth Kapoor will discuss “Artificial Intelligence, Intellectual Property and the Life Sciences Industry – What Next?” Companies are increasingly using smart systems for a variety of applications, including assistance with drug discovery and pharmaceutical and medicinal product development. In the wake of the U.S., European, and Australian decisions regarding the DABUS “creativity machine” and its inventions, questions relating to the protection of AI-generated work products are gaining more prominence. This session will provide an update on recent developments, including whether AI systems can themselves conceive of inventions, who can apply for patent protection, and who should be designated as the inventor.
Finally, be sure to mark your calendar for December 14, 3-4:00 p.m., EST, for our rescheduled session on “Tales from the Trenches: Lessons Learned from Two Trial Victories During the Pandemic,” presented your very own Steve McConnell and Eric Alexander, as well as occasional guest blogger Marilyn Moberg, and our colleagues Shana Russo, Ryan Blake, and Monika Holser. Two of Reed Smith’s product liability trial teams recently won defense verdicts for their life sciences clients. In this session, trial team members will reflect on key lessons learned while litigating in person during the pandemic, and offer takeaways life sciences companies can apply in both their current and post-pandemic product litigation appearances.
Each webinar is presumptively approved for 1.0 CLE credit in California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia. Applications for CLE credit will be filed in Delaware, Florida, Ohio, and Virginia. Attendees who are licensed in other jurisdictions will receive a uniform certificate of attendance but Reed Smith only provides credit for the states listed. Please allow 4-6 weeks after the program to receive a certificate of attendance.
To register, or for more detailed information on the credit offered for each session, please visit the registration page.