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These segments were originally written to be integrated with season 2 episode 11 of Station Arcadia, which does not exist. They are unpolished, but available for your listening pleasure nonetheless. Writing by J.R Steele. Audio editing by Leo Zahn and Eli Allan. Theme music by Arps. The segments featured Ari Delyne as Kyreese, C.V.V.M as Stitch, Coco Chen as Dyne, Antigone Brickman as Avi, Ellison Cardenas as Memorie, J.R Steele and Eli Allan as Guards , Roanna Cruz as Thesia, Laurent JL Hall as Nikki, Eli Allan as V, and Sterling Rae as Ram, with sound effects read by Eli and background voices by J.R Steele. Station Arcadia is licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international license. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast.
Arcadia brings us a sequel. Charlie and Peaches go on a date. Transcript: https://stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast/transcripts Station Arcadia is a podcast by Metal Steve Productions, licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international licence. It is produced by Eli Allan, with creative direction by Tovah Brantner. Season 2 features dialogue editing by Leo Zahn, soundscaping by J.R. Steele, and theme music by Arps. The radio story for this episode was written by Eli Allan, with cutaway segments by J.R. Steele. It featured CaraLee Rose Howe as Peaches, Cory Repass as Charlie, Rowan Wright as Booker, Bryan Ruiz as Maxwell, and Mike Cuellar as Abraham Dryden. The role of Kass was originated by Lady Renaissance, and read here by Eli Allan. Sound directions read by J.R Steele. Background music by Esme, originally written for Season 1 Episode 12. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out our website linked above. Feel free to use #arcpod to view and share thoughts about the show on social media.
Teddy still has trust to win in the Clercourt Revolution. Meanwhile, a soldier spends a stint at Fort Merc. Transcript: https://stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast/transcripts Station Arcadia is a podcast by Metal Steve Productions, licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international licence. It is produced by Eli Allan, with creative direction by Tovah Brantner, dialogue editing by Leo Zahn, and soundscaping by J.R. Steele. Theme music by Arps. The radio story for this episode was written by Shay Topaz, with cutaway segments by Tovah Brantner and Arcadia segments by Eli Allan. It featured Andrew Simons as Teddy, Taylor Maimone as Vesper, Bronwyn as Alice, Cole B. as Bluebell, and Juno Miller as Snakebite. The role of Kass was originated by Lady Renaissance and read here by J.R Steele. In a hotel room at PAX west. Thanks J.R Steele. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out our website. Feel free to use #arcpod to view and share thoughts about the show on social media.
A Talsorian fairytale. A Talsorian reality. Transcript: https://stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast/transcripts Station Arcadia is a podcast by Metal Steve Productions, licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international licence. It is produced by Eli Allan, with creative direction by Tovah Brantner, dialogue editing by Leo Zahn, and soundscaping by J.R. Steele. Theme music by Arps. The radio story for this episode was written by Rey Bailey and Eli Allan, with cutaway segments by Tovah Brantner. It featured Ellison Cardenas as Memorie, A.M. Maria as Soma, J.R. Steele as ERIS, and Becker Hoang as voicemail. The role of Kass was originated by Jade Virginia and read here by Eli Allan. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out our website. Feel free to use #arcpod to view and share thoughts about the show on social media.
A young scientist seeks project funding. Axel does an interview. Station Arcadia is a podcast by Metal Steve Productions, licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international licence. It is produced by Eli Allan, with creative direction by Tovah Brantner, dialogue editing by Leo Zahn, and soundscaping by J.R. Steele. Theme music by Arps. The radio story for this episode was written by Matty O.K. Smith, with cutaway segments by J.R. Steele, and Arcadia segments by Eli Allan. It featured theme music by Arps. This episode featured Lady Renaissance as Kass, Sam Murphy as Jo, Rae Cameron as Axel, Aakash S. as Sorren, and Tovah Brantner as Asphodel. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast.
This week we were joined by Ravi Arps, the founder and principal of Plane, a general contracting company, and Max Michel, the owner of M2 Finish Works, a cabinetry and finished carpentry contractor.They explore the shifting definition of perfection in handmade construction, building trust with clients and collaborators, and how an obsession with solving for scale in the industry keeps them up at night. This episode is brought to you by Reilly Architectural, known for their custom windows and doors, and Madera, specialists in handcrafted wood floors and Seamless Wood Design® solutions.
In this episode of The Standard Formula, host Robert Chaplin and Skadden colleague Theo Charalambous provide a high-level refresher on Solvency II, Solvency UK and relevant recent developments as part of Skadden's year-long podcast series on global prudential solvency requirements. The hosts detail both regimes and relevant topics, including the Matching Adjustment Accelerator (MAIA), enhanced liquidity reporting requirements, and new exit planning obligations for Solvency UK that represent a shift away from Solvency II toward a U.K.-focused approach.
This Day in Legal History: Organic Act Establishes the National Park ServiceOn August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, formally establishing the National Park Service (NPS) as a federal bureau within the Department of the Interior. This act marked a foundational moment in U.S. environmental and administrative law, as it created a centralized agency responsible for protecting and managing the country's growing number of national parks and monuments. Prior to this, national parks were overseen in a disjointed manner by various federal departments, often with limited resources or clear guidance. The Organic Act provided legal authority for the NPS to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein,” while ensuring they remained “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”This statutory language introduced a lasting legal standard—the dual mandate of conservation and public enjoyment—that has guided U.S. park policy ever since. The law empowered the federal government to enforce regulations, manage visitor access, and develop infrastructure while preserving natural and cultural resources. Over time, this act laid the groundwork for the modern administrative state's role in environmental regulation. It also reflected an early recognition that public land could and should serve both ecological and civic functions.The NPS Organic Act helped inspire future legislation, including the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It also fueled legal debates around resource extraction, tribal land claims, and federalism. With the stroke of Wilson's pen, the United States committed itself to a legal philosophy of stewardship, enshrining the idea that public lands are a shared national trust. This day in legal history commemorates the birth of a legal and cultural institution that continues to shape American land use and environmental governance.Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom advised Intel Corp. in securing an $8.9 billion government investment deal, which includes granting the U.S. a 10% equity stake in the chipmaker. The agreement, announced by President Trump, comes months after Skadden and eight other major law firms pledged nearly $1 billion in free legal services in coordination with the White House. These services support causes such as veterans' advocacy, fighting antisemitism, and promoting justice system fairness. The firms reportedly entered the arrangement, in part, to avoid being targeted by executive orders that had been used against competitors.Skadden's role reflects its ongoing alignment with the administration's industrial and legal policy efforts, particularly as Intel seeks revitalization. The Federal Circuit also recently ruled that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) wrongly dismissed one of Intel's patent invalidity arguments against a competitor, bolstering Intel's broader legal position. Separately, Kirkland & Ellis, another participating firm, has been involved in U.S. trade negotiations with Japan and Korea, facilitated by Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn. The president has indicated he may rely further on these firms for legal matters related to tariffs, coal, and defense of law enforcement. Skadden's leadership emphasized internally that the firm retains full autonomy in client and case decisions.Skadden Steers Intel in Deal With Trump to Boost ChipmakerKilmar Abrego, a 30-year-old migrant whose wrongful deportation to El Salvador had made national headlines, was detained again by U.S. immigration authorities in Baltimore just days after being released from criminal custody in Tennessee. His 2019 asylum protections had barred deportation to El Salvador due to threats from gangs, but he was nonetheless removed in March in what officials later admitted was an “administrative error.” After months in a harsh Salvadoran prison, he was brought back to the U.S. in June to face criminal charges for transporting undocumented migrants, to which he has pleaded not guilty.Upon checking in with ICE in Baltimore, Abrego was arrested again and is now facing possible deportation—this time to Uganda, a country with no connection to him. U.S. officials have reportedly offered Costa Rica as a destination if he agrees to a guilty plea, but without that, Uganda remains the likely alternative, a move his legal team argues is unconstitutional and coercive. His lawyer described the tactic as the government using “Costa Rica as a carrot and Uganda as a stick.”Abrego has filed a federal lawsuit to prevent deportation without judicial review and is currently protected by a Maryland court order requiring 72-hour notice before any removal to a third country. His legal team is also seeking to dismiss the federal charges, alleging selective and retaliatory prosecution tied to his earlier challenge of the unlawful deportation. A Tennessee federal judge previously found him neither a flight risk nor a public threat, supporting his release. The case continues to spotlight the legal complexities and rights violations emerging under the Trump administration's immigration policies.Wrongly deported migrant Abrego again detained by US immigration officials | ReutersA U.S. federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump's administration from withholding federal funds from over 30 sanctuary cities and counties, including Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Baltimore. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge William Orrick, expands a previous injunction from April that protected 16 jurisdictions. These cities had challenged two executive orders signed by Trump earlier in the year, arguing they unlawfully threatened to strip funding unless local authorities cooperated with federal immigration enforcement.Sanctuary jurisdictions typically limit how much local police assist with federal civil immigration arrests. Judge Orrick ruled that the executive orders posed an unconstitutional, coercive threat by conditioning federal funding on compliance with federal immigration preferences. His new order extends protections to additional cities that recently joined the lawsuit. He emphasized that any further actions or executive orders pursuing the same goal are likewise blocked under his injunction.The Trump administration had already appealed the earlier ruling, and the White House has not commented on the latest expansion. Separately, California Governor Gavin Newsom is suing over Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles following protests related to federal immigration enforcement.Judge blocks Trump from withholding funds from Los Angeles, other sanctuary cities | ReutersA recent legal dispute between Apple and medical device maker Masimo is testing the boundaries of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) authority in enforcing patent-related import bans. The case began when CBP seized five Apple Watches in Chicago due to an International Trade Commission (ITC) exclusion order, issued after Masimo successfully argued that Apple's blood-oxygen sensor infringed its patents. However, CBP later approved Apple's software workaround—which shifts blood-oxygen processing to a paired iPhone—without notifying Masimo, prompting the company to sue.Masimo argues CBP overstepped its enforcement role by effectively ruling on a patent dispute without an adversarial process, thereby undermining the ITC's authority. The lawsuit claims the workaround still infringes under the "doctrine of equivalents," which treats minor design changes as infringing if they achieve substantially the same result. Legal experts note that CBP is not equipped to handle complex questions of indirect or contributory infringement, which could occur when a product only violates a patent when used in combination with another device.The case raises due process concerns, especially as CBP's later ruling was issued ex parte—without Masimo's input—despite an earlier inter partes process. Legal observers see this as part of a larger structural flaw in how CBP and the ITC coordinate enforcement of exclusion orders. The ITC has acknowledged the lawsuit and may intervene, signaling that the dispute could influence broader agency practices. If successful, Masimo could seek enforcement penalties from the ITC, potentially up to $100,000 per day. This litigation follows a rare legal path similar to a 2013 Microsoft case against CBP that ended in settlement.Apple Watch Import Ban Work-Around Suit Tests Customs' IP Role This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Station Arcadia is a podcast by Metal Steve Productions, run by Eli Allan and J.R. Steele. It is produced by Eli Allan, with creative direction by Tovah Brantner, dialogue editing by Leo Zahn, and soundscaping by J.R. Steele. The radio story for this episode was written by J.R. Steele, with cutaway segments by J.R. Steele, Kass lines by Eli Allan, and copy editing by Eli Allan. It featured theme music by Arps, and background music by Esme originally written for season 1 episode 4. Sound effects for the third cutaway segment were poached by Eli from Becker Hoang's work on season 1 episodes 4 and 8. This episode featured Caralee Rose Howe as Peaches, Taylor Maimone as “Mama” Margaret Marks, Eli Allan as Cyril Marks, Polina Litvak as Marion Marks, J.R. Steele as Adelaide Marks, Jonaya Riley as Louise Marks, Charlie Deagnon as “Papa” Roy Marks, Bernie Chauvin as “Dad” Earnest Marks, Alex Kingsley as Llewellan, Faye Holliday as Eshe, Noel Miller as Oswald, Grace Loerstcher as Emmeline, and Felix Kaisar as Daryn. The role of Kass was originated by Lady Renaissance, and read here by J.R Steele. Station Arcadia is licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international license. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast. Feel free to use #arcpod to view and share thoughts about the show on social media.
Refugees on the Gannon Islands reckon with xenophobia. Axel ponders her next step. Station Arcadia is a podcast by Metal Steve Productions, licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international licence. It is produced by Eli Allan, with creative direction by Tovah Brantner, dialogue editing by Leo Zahn, and soundscaping by J.R. Steele. The radio story for this episode was written by Matty O.K. Smith, with cutaway segments by J.R. Steele, Arcadia segments by Eli Allen, and copy editing by Eli Allan. It featured theme and background music by Arps. This episode featured Lady Renaissance as Kass, Olly Davis as Lyssel, Rae Cameron as Axel, Rowan Wright as Doria - Axel's mom, Finch as Pat - Axel's dad, Grace Loerstcher as Hayyacynth, Sam Lueke as the interviewer, Cory Repass as Charlie, CaraLee Rose Howe as Peaches, and Aakash S. as Sorren. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast.
The Station offers a glimpse into Talsorian death practices. Memorie has some feedback for the revolution. Station Arcadia is a podcast by Metal Steve Productions, licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international licence. It is produced by Eli Allan, with creative direction by Tovah Brantner, dialogue editing by Leo Zahn, and soundscaping by J.R. Steele. Theme and background music by Arps. The radio story for this episode was written by Quinn O.A Feinberg, with cutaway segments by J.R. Steele, Arcadia segments by Eli Allan, and copy editing by Eli Allan. This episode featured Lady Renaissance as Kass, Olly Davis as Lyssel, Ellison Cardenas as Memorie, Ari Delyne as Kyreese, C.V.V.M as Stitch, Coco Chen as Dyne, Antigone Brickman as Avi, Laurent J.L. Hall as Nikki, Eli Allan as V, and Sterling Rae as Ram. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast.
India has emerged as the 10th-largest insurance market in the world by total premium volume, yet its insurance penetration level sits around 3%-4%, well below the global average of 7%. In the eighth episode of Skadden's year-long podcast series on global prudential solvency requirements, host Robert Chaplin and colleague Anika Goodfellow explore the country's evolving insurance regulatory landscape and outline its goal of transforming the sector to allow for companies to more easily conduct business.
Arash Attar-Rezvani - M&A Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP In part two of this masterclass conversation, Arash Attar-Rezvani gets into the execution challenges that separate successful M&A practitioners from the rest. From deconstructing French labor consultation myths to revealing how AI will reshape legal advisory models, this segment delivers actionable frameworks for advanced deal execution. Things You'll Learn How to structure aggressive workforce reduction plans within French labor laws and turn compliance into deal terms The psychology of cross-cultural deal-making and why listening trumps being the loudest voice in the room How AI will reshape M&A legal services and why success fees may replace hourly billing _____________________
8/11/25: Dr. Xiomara Herman, Amherst School Superintendent on the school counselor who misgendered students. Eric Reeves: millions starving in Sudan. Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: federal cuts, resilience, and resistance. Global Groove w/ UMass Prof Amilcar Shabazz, Taproot's Matthew King & Bobby Torres & Rebelle's Manou Africa.
Station Arcadia is dead, long live Station Arcadia! The show will end before the story concludes, but it isn't being abandoned without care. We still have a few cards to play... View transcript at https://stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast/transcripts Station Arcadia is a podcast by Metal Steve Productions, run by Eli Allan and J.R. Steele. It is produced by Eli Allan, with creative direction by Tovah Brantner, dialogue editing by Leo Zahn, and soundscaping by J.R. Steele. This trailer was written by Eli Allan, with music by Arps. It featured Lady Renaissance as Kass and Marius Trusler as Z. Station Arcadia is licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial share-alike 4.0 international license. For more information about the cast, crew, and world of Station Arcadia, and to view our transcripts, check out stationarcadia.wixsite.com/podcast. Feel free to use #arcpod to view and share thoughts about the show on social media.
For tax authorities and even taxpayers, AI promises to make lives easier. At the same time, it carries risks that “cannot be taken out of the system.” Dr. Stephen Daly, reader in tax law at King's College London, describes this dynamic in a conversation with Skadden partners David Farhat and Eric Sensenbrenner, associate Stefane Victor and senior advisor De Lon Harris. The panel explores the best and worst of the impact of AI in the tax world. Tune in for insights about what AI means for taxpayers and tax authorities alike.
Arash Attar-Rezvani - M&A Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Arash Attar-Rezvani, M&A Partner at Skadden based in Paris, brings over two decades of cross-border M&A strategy experience to this in-depth conversation. From billion-dollar telecom deals across Latin America to luxury brand acquisitions spanning multiple jurisdictions, Arash reveals the hidden complexities that make international M&A uniquely challenging. M&A professionals will learn how to structure deals across incompatible legal systems, navigate emerging regulatory landscapes, and build the trust essential for successful cross-border transactions. Things you will learn: How to identify and manage multiple antitrust and national security clearances across jurisdictions with varying sophistication levels Why smaller transactions often require more innovation than billion-dollar deals, and how to build structures when no legal playbook exists The psychology behind cross-border deal-making and why trust trumps even the most ironclad contracts _________________ How One Small M&A Team is Closing 8 Deals This Year See how US Heart & Vascular is running faster, cleaner deals using Buyer-Led M&A™ and DealRoom. Join Kison in the live session on August 14 at 11am EST.
Changes in the luxury fashion industry are reshaping transfer pricing considerations, says Giuseppe Abatista vice president at Banca Popolare di Puglia e Basilicata. In this conversation with Skadden tax partner David Farhat and associate Stefane Victor, Giuseppe shares his insights about how price increases, supply chain centralization and tariff uncertainties are creating new transfer pricing complexities in an industry known for high profitability and strong IP.
In the latest episode of Skadden's yearlong podcast series on global prudential solvency requirements, host Rob Chaplin and colleague Chiara Iorizzo explore regulatory capital in the United States, one of the largest insurance markets in the world. They discuss how the insurance industry is regulated across the country, as well as how the National Association of Insurance Commissioners operates and interacts with state-level regulators. They also review how solvency capital is calculated in the U.S. and how companies licensed in multiple states must adhere to relevant laws in each jurisdiction, among other topics.
This is the VIC 4 VETS, Honored Veteran, during Veterans Month in America. SUBMITTED BY: Chris Arps ______________________________________________________________ Mellie Augustus Arps Jr Mellie Augustus Arps Jr was Chris Arps great uncle. He passed away on July 23, 2010 at 85. He was a Buffalo soldier who served in Italy and Germany and was awarded two bronze stars. He advanced to the rank of corporal. *PLAY AUDIO FROM THE VIDEO (mention that the video is about 3-and-a-half minutes long)________________________________________________________________ This is today’s VIC 4 VETS, Honored Veteran, during Veterans Month in America on NewsTalkSTL. With support from our friends at: DG FIREARMS - PATRIOT HEATING AND COOLING - BEST BUY FLOORINGSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Middle East insurance market is expected to grow significantly as a hub over the next several years, with predicted growth of almost 29% by 2028. In the fifth episode of Skadden's yearlong podcast series on global prudential solvency requirements, host Robert Chaplin and colleague Caroline Jaffer explore the regulatory landscape in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. During the discussion, Mr. Chaplin and Ms. Jaffer explore the state of the Middle East insurance sector, including “financial free zones,” capital requirements, solvency margins and the growing influence of international standards in the region's evolving insurance markets.
Corporations announced a staggering $233.8 billion in stock buybacks in April, the second-highest monthly total ever recorded. But unlike previous buyback bonanzas, this isn’t a sign of economic strength or corporate confidence. Quite the opposite. Are buybacks just one big shell game or are they fiscally prudent? Corporate stock buybacks have inspired great debate since a Reagan era tax law change and a Clinton era deal sweetener. On the one hand they have enriched shareholders and made executives extremely wealthy. On the other hand, the growth in buybacks mean companies aren’t investing in innovation, workers, or expansion. Let’s talk about it. Resources Longtermtrends: S&P 500 PE Ratio FRED: Quarterly Financial Report: U.S. Corporations: All Information: Total Cash on Hand and in U.S. Banks BNN Bloomberg: Corporate America plans record stock buybacks as turmoil mounts – BNN Bloomberg Bipartisan Policy Center: How the U.S. Taxes Stock Buybacks and Dividends Congress.gov: Stock Buybacks: Concerns over Debt-Financing and Long-Term Investing Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: The Great Leverage 2.0? A Tale of Different Indicators of Corporate Leverage Penn Wharton: Raise the Excise Tax Rate on Stock Repurchases Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP: Newly Proposed Regulations on Stock Buyback Excise Tax Largely Adopt Approach From Initial IRS Guidance The New Republic: Bill Clinton Created This Terrible Corporate Loophole. Will Hillary Close It? ProPublica: The Executive Pay Cap That Backfired Harvard: Short-Termism And Capital Flows Roosevelt Institute: Regulating Stock Buybacks: The $6.3 Trillion Question ICIJ: The Panama Papers: Exposing the Rogue Offshore Finance Industry -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the fourth episode of Skadden's yearlong podcast series on global prudential solvency requirements, host Robert Chaplin and associate James Pickstock explore the Cayman Islands' insurance regulatory landscape. As the second-largest jurisdiction for captives and a significant player in reinsurance markets, the Cayman Islands provides insurers with the ability to design a bespoke capital, investment and resourcing model that is right for individual companies' needs, making it an attractive market for insurers. Rob and James discuss the Cayman Islands' insurance history, regulatory classifications, solvency capital requirements and investment rules. They also examine how the jurisdiction aligns closer to the U.S. solvency regime as opposed to Solvency II standards.
Ali Velshi is joined by President and Founder of the Eurasia Group & GZERO Media Ian Bremmer, former Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Fred Hochberg, former Associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom Rachel Cohen, Managing Partner of Mark S. Zaid, P.C. Mark Zaid, former Secretary of Treasury Lawrence Summers, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, Senior Associate Dean for Leadership at the Yale School of Management Jeffrey Sonnenfeld & fmr. asst. Chief Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative J. Nicole Bivens Collinson
This Day in Legal History: MLK AssassinatedOn April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. King had traveled to Memphis to support striking sanitation workers, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to economic justice alongside racial equality. His death sent shockwaves through the United States, triggering riots in more than 100 cities and accelerating the passage of key civil rights legislation.King was a central figure in the American civil rights movement, having led campaigns against segregation, voter suppression, and economic inequality. His advocacy relied heavily on nonviolent protest and legal strategies that tested the limits of constitutional protections and federal civil rights enforcement. The assassination drew intense public scrutiny to the federal government's role in protecting civil rights activists.James Earl Ray, an escaped convict, was arrested and charged with King's murder. He pleaded guilty in 1969, avoiding a trial, but later recanted and sought to withdraw the plea. Controversy surrounding the investigation and conviction has persisted for decades, with some—including members of King's own family—questioning whether Ray acted alone or was part of a larger conspiracy.King's assassination directly influenced the U.S. Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, which prohibited housing discrimination based on race, religion, or national origin. The legislation had faced significant resistance before King's death but was passed just days afterward. His assassination also galvanized greater federal attention to civil rights enforcement under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.A group of 12 Republican-led states, including Texas, Florida, and Missouri, has asked 20 major U.S. law firms to provide documentation on their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The request, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeks to determine whether the firms' practices comply with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. In a letter sent Thursday, the states referenced recent concerns raised by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which had previously asked the same firms for similar information.Paxton cited potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, alleging that some law firms may use hiring policies that prioritize race, sex, or other protected characteristics. He also pointed to possible state-level violations, including those related to deceptive trade practices. The letter specifically called out programs such as diversity fellowships and hiring goals aimed at increasing representation from historically marginalized groups.The states argue they have authority to investigate and enforce laws that prohibit employment discrimination, including policies that may inadvertently or intentionally favor individuals based on race or other traits. Firms named include top legal players like Kirkland & Ellis, Ropes & Gray, and Skadden, Arps.GOP-Led States Want 20 Law Firms to Disclose Their DEI PracticesRepublicans are considering a significant shift in tax policy by potentially introducing a new top tax bracket for individuals earning $1 million or more annually. The proposed rate, currently under discussion, would range from 39% to 40%, marking a departure from the party's longstanding resistance to tax increases. This idea is part of a broader effort to offset the cost of a multi-trillion dollar tax package being developed by Trump administration allies and Republican lawmakers.Also on the table is a return to the 39.6% top income tax rate previously enacted during the Obama administration, replacing the current 37% rate for high earners. The GOP aims to pass the new tax legislation within months, renewing provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while incorporating new deductions and reforms to appeal to middle- and working-class voters.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emphasized the urgency of making Trump's earlier tax cuts permanent and stabilizing markets following recent tariff announcements. The evolving plan reflects a broader ideological shift within the Republican Party toward more populist economic messaging.To help pay for the new tax measures, the proposal also includes eliminating the carried interest loophole used by hedge fund and private equity managers and expanding deductions such as those for car loan interest and tipped wages. Trump's campaign promises — including removing taxes on overtime pay and Social Security benefits — are being considered for inclusion as well.Republicans Debate Hiking Top Tax Rate to 40% For Millionaires - BloombergOver 300 law professors from top institutions, along with legal advocacy groups across the political spectrum, have filed court briefs supporting Perkins Coie in its lawsuit against an executive order issued by Trump. The order, signed on March 6, penalizes the law firm for its work with Hillary Clinton and its internal diversity policies by restricting its access to federal buildings, officials, and contracts. Professors from Yale, Harvard, and Stanford argued the order is unconstitutional and undermines the independence of the legal profession.Their brief warned that targeting a firm for political reasons threatens any lawyer or firm that chooses to oppose the president in court, calling the order a dangerous precedent. Advocacy groups such as the ACLU and the Cato Institute echoed that concern, labeling Trump's action an attack on the legal system and a threat to Americans' right to legal representation.The White House responded by defending the order as a lawful measure to align federal partnerships with the administration's policies, criticizing the lawsuit as an attempt to preserve "government perks." Meanwhile, the Justice Department has requested that a Washington federal judge dismiss the lawsuit. Other firms named in similar orders — Jenner & Block and WilmerHale — have also filed suits, while some, like Skadden Arps and Paul Weiss, have made agreements with the White House to avoid sanctions.Law professors, legal groups back Perkins Coie in lawsuit over Trump order | ReutersThis week's closing music comes from one of the most innovative and influential composers of the 20th century: Igor Stravinsky. Known for revolutionary works like The Rite of Spring and The Firebird, Stravinsky continually reinvented his style throughout his long career. Born in 1882 near St. Petersburg, Russia, and passing away on April 6, 1971, in New York City, Stravinsky's life spanned continents, world wars, and artistic upheavals. While he is best remembered for his large-scale ballets and orchestral works, he also composed for smaller forms, including a fascinating piece titled simply Tango.Composed in 1940, Tango marks Stravinsky's first original composition written entirely in the United States after his move from Europe. At the time, he was living in Hollywood and adapting to a new cultural and musical environment. The piece is short, dark, and rhythmically sharp—more brooding than danceable—and carries the flavor of the tango tradition filtered through Stravinsky's idiosyncratic, angular style. It was originally written for piano, though Stravinsky later orchestrated it.Tango reflects Stravinsky's interest in blending traditional forms with modernist dissonance and unpredictability. It's a brief but compelling listen that offers a very different side of a composer often associated with thunderous orchestras and ballet scandals. Its rhythmic complexity and stark character echo the uncertainties of the time it was written, just as World War II was escalating. The piece serves as a reminder that even in exile, Stravinsky continued to experiment, innovate, and absorb new influences. As we remember his death on April 6, Tango is a fitting close—wry, lean, and unmistakably Stravinsky.Without further ado, Igor Stravinsky's Tango — enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, the law firm that employs former second gentleman Doug Emhoff, is among the latest to cut a deal with the Trump administration, agreeing to provide $100 million in free legal services to causes the President supports. In executive orders Trump has targeted several high profile firms he considers hostile to him, and the capitulation by some firms has constitutional law experts alarmed. We talk about the implications for democracy and the First Amendment, and we'll hear from one San Francisco firm that's fighting back. Guests: Raymond Brescia, professor, Albany Law School; author, "Lawyer Nation: The Past, Present, and Future of the American Legal Profession" Laurie Carr Mims, managing partner, Keker Van Nest & Peters Jessica Silver-Greenberg, investigative reporter, The New York Times Rachel Cohen, former associate, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sam and Emma are joined by Rachel Cohen, lawyer formerly of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, to discuss the country's largest law firms bending the knee to Donald Trump. First, they run through updates on today's elections in Wisconsin and Florida, Trump's attack on the US public health regime, tomorrow's tariff deadline, the Senate GOP's budgetary sleight of hand, legal pushback to Trump over voting restrictions and his reclassification of protected Venezuelan migrants, Trump's ongoing renditioning of Latin Americans to an El Salvadorian gulag, the mobilization of far-right militia's to protect Musk's businesses, Trump's targeting of Harvard, Cory Booker's filibuster, and dwindling Canadian tourism to the US, also watching Jesse Watters explain exactly why he (and the rest of the right) doesn't care about due process. Rachel Cohen then dives Trump's successful effort to cow some of the biggest law firms in the US – including her former firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom – unpacking precisely what makes these law firms so “important” to Trump (wealthy clients, billions in profits), and the intimate relationship they have with the political elite, before walking through the actual contents of Trump's threats to these firms' contracts and access to federal buildings (e.g. courts), and why, unlike others, Skadden seemed to capitulate without even facing an Executive Order, including handing over $100m in pro-bono work to the administration. Expanding on this latter element, Cohen tackles the Trump Administration's underlying aims for this authoritarian push against these attorneys elite, with the push against DEI policies, the takeover of pro-bono work, and the Executive Orders chilling pushback to Trump's anti-migrant and anti-trans agenda coming at a time where he and his goons are undercutting due process for migrants and criminalizing trans identity. After touching on the mix of hubris and cowardice driving the executive capitulation in the world of corporate law, and what the internal pushback looks like among Cohen's peers, Rachel, Sam, and Emma wrap up by reemphasizing the real goal of Trump's project – a fascist takeover – and the importance of organized dissent. And in the Fun Half: Sam and Emma talk with Ronald Raygun about the precarious state of immigration law, dissect Elon Musk's blatant and manipulative lies about Social Security fraud, and watch as Sen. Bill Cassidy accidentally gets blunt about the GOP's plan to gut Medicare. Mike Lindell teases a run for the Governorship of Minnesota, and the MR Team dives deep into Ezra Klein's poor response to anti-Oligarchical critiques of his “Abundance” doctrine, plus, your calls and IMs! Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase! Check out today's sponsors: Liquid IV: Embrace your ritual with extraordinary hydration from Liquid I.V. Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://LiquidIV.com and use code MAJORITYREP at checkout. That's 20% off your first order when you shop better hydration today using promo code MAJORITYREP at https://LiquidIV.com. Babbel: Let's get more of you talking in a new language. Babbel is gifting our listeners 60% off subscriptions at https://Babbel.com/MAJORITY. Get up to 60% off at https://Babbel.com/MAJORITY. Rules and restrictions may apply. Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @BradKAlsop Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder - https://majorityreportradio.com/
"I cannot imagine a worse deal than the one that Skadden came away with." That's the opinion of one of the law firm's own associates, Rachel Cohen. The Chicago-based finance lawyer has grabbed the spotlight by criticizing Skadden and Paul Weiss for reaching agreements with President Donald Trump as he targets Big Law through a series of executive orders. She's also slammed others for staying quiet, even as three major firms fight Trump directives in court. "The industry is not uniting," said Cohen, who is set to officially leave the firm later this week. "We have to be proactive here and we've not seen that from anyone except for associates." Late last week, President Trump said that, to avoid being targeted by a punitive executive order, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom agreed to provide $100 million worth of pro bono services to causes Trump supports. This is $60 million more than was offered in a similar deal struck by the firm Paul Weiss weeks earlier. Even before this, Cohen had already put in her resignation, which will take effect later this week. More than 1,500 Big Law associates anonymously signed an open letter criticizing the industry's response to Trump's attacks. Cohen chose not to remain anonymous. Now she's calling on Big Law associates to go on a "recruitment strike" and refuse to do any recruitment for their firms until partners take a stronger stance against Trump. On this episode of our podcast, On The Merits, Cohen speaks with Bloomberg Law editor Jessie Kokrda Kamens about her reaction to the Skadden deal and about what power associates have in this ongoing battle between Big Law and the White House. "Associates are the workhorses," she said. "And the partners certainly do not want to be responsible for the work that they historically farm out to associates." Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.
When goods, services and rights go back and forth within a company, how do you attribute profit or loss to one part of the company versus another? Former OECD head of tax treaties and transfer pricing Mary Bennett and EY's Mike McDonald join this episode of “GILTI Conscience” for a detailed discussion on the attribution of profits to permanent establishments. Skadden tax partners David Farhat and Nate Carden and associate Stefane Victor host the discussion, which explores, among other topics, critical differences between Articles 7 and 9 of the OECD Model Tax Convention and why these distinctions matter for multinational businesses.
In the third episode of Skadden's yearlong podcast series on global prudential solvency requirements, host Robert Chaplin and colleague Annabel Smethurst discuss Japan's insurance and regulatory landscape. As the world's fourth-largest insurance market, Japan has become increasingly attractive to foreign insurers due to its mature market, aging population and ongoing regulatory reforms. Rob and Annabel explore Japan's regulatory framework, its evolution from the "financial Big Bang" of the 1990s and the flourishing reinsurance sector that has emerged as the country aligns with international standards such as Solvency II and the Insurance Capital Standard (ICS).
JONES & ARPS 2-28-25 Guest: Patrick Tuohey Speaker's Stump Speech: What does it mean to be America First?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-28-25 Guest: Patrick Tuohey Speaker's Stump Speech: What does it mean to be America First?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-28-25 GUEST: Dr. Bob Onder Chris' Corner: Former Defense Secretaries and fired GeneralsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-27-25 Guest: Chris Stigall Speaker's Stump Speech "The Terrible Tarif?"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-28-25 GUEST: Dr. Bob Onder Chris' Corner: Former Defense Secretaries and fired GeneralsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-27-25 Guest: Chris Stigall Speaker's Stump Speech "The Terrible Tarif?"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-26-25 Guest:Craig Lombardi - running for Mayor of Godfrey, Ill. Speakers Stump Speech: DOGE & the Dept. of EducationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-26-25 Guest:Craig Lombardi - running for Mayor of Godfrey, Ill. Speakers Stump Speech: DOGE & the Dept. of EducationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jones & Arps 2-27-25 Guest: Steve Bucci Chris' Corner: Dems elicit fear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jones & Arps 2-27-25 Guest: Steve Bucci Chris' Corner: Dems elicit fear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITYThis episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. https://www.stagroar.co.nz/ In these Mini-Podcasts we explore The Alpine Chamois from D.Bruce Banwell's "The Alpine Chamois" New Zealand Big Game Records Series With Permission of The Halcyon Press.
JONES & ARPS 2-26-25 Guest: Zack Smith - Sr. Legal Fellow at The Heritage Foundation Chris' Corner: Joy Reid is OUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-25-25 Guest Dr. Randy Tobler Speaker's Stump Speech: Hard to Stop the Trump TrainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-26-25 Guest: Zack Smith - Sr. Legal Fellow at The Heritage Foundation Chris' Corner: Joy Reid is OUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-25-25 Guest Dr. Randy Tobler Speaker's Stump Speech: Hard to Stop the Trump TrainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-25-25 Guest: David Stokes of the Show Me Institute Chris' Corner: Pritzker is an idiot. Private military to help w/ deportations?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JONES & ARPS 2-24-25 Susie Moore from Red State Speaker's Stump Speech : Toxic Masculinity See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this prize-winning essay for the 2021 Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies essay contest, Dr. Ruickbie examines the evidence for the survival of consciousness after death (“life after death”). Initially skeptical, he found that there was sufficient evidence from a wide variety of sources, including apparitions, reincarnation, near-death experiences, after-death communication, and premonitions, that met the contest's criteria of being “beyond reasonable doubt.”Such claims are often dismissed as contravening the laws of physics; however, Ruickbie takes the ground-breaking approach of organizing the evidence as eye-witness testimony to the "block" universe (in which past, present and future exist at the same time) described by Albert Einstein and Hermann Minkowski; and finds further support in the latest theories and findings of Quantum Physics for what Ruickbie calls “timetanglement” and “cloud consciousness.” Using a novel framework inspired by Charles Dickens, this is a readable and convincing account of a complex and highly debated subject.BioDr Leo Ruickbie, FRHistS, FRAI, ARPS, PhD (Lond), MA, BA (Hons), ACIQ, Associate of King's College London, is a Visiting Fellow in Psychology at the University of Northampton, where he is a member of the Exceptional Experiences and Consciousness Studies research group.Described as a ‘leading historian and sociologist of the paranormal' by the Daily Express newspaper (print) and ‘a leading expert on the paranormal‘ (express.co.uk online), Dr Ruickbie specialises in controversial areas of human belief and experience, sometimes called ‘exceptional human experiences'. A phrase coined by Rhea White in 1990, exceptional human experience is ‘an umbrella term for many types of experience generally considered to be psychic, mystical, encounter-type experiences, death-related experiences, and experiences at the upper end of the normal range, such as creative inspiration, exceptional human performance' (White, 1994:5).Dr Ruickbie is closely involved in the work of the Society for Psychical Research as a member of Council, former Editor of its Magazine and a member of its Spontaneous Cases Committee. Established in 1882, the Society for Psychical Research is the world's largest, oldest and most reputable organisation for the scientific study of what we now call ‘the paranormal'.He is also a Professional Member of the Parapsychological Association. Established in 1957, the Parapsychological Association is affiliated to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.In recognition of his contribution to scholarship sustained over the course of his career, Dr Ruickbie has been elected a Fellow of both the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute.Dr Ruickbie's PhD is from King's College, London, for his thesis on contemporary witchcraft and magic use, building on research that won him an MA with distinction from Lancaster University. He is the author of several books, all based on rigorous research: Witchcraft Out of the Shadows (2004 and 2011), Faustus: The Life and Times of a Renaissance Magician (2009), A Brief Guide to the Supernatural (2012), A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting (2013), The Impossible Zoo (2016) and Angels in the Trenches (2018); as well as numerous articles and chapters in scholarly publications.https://ruickbie.com/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRMN4D41/ https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlife
In this prize-winning essay for the 2021 Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies essay contest, Dr. Ruickbie examines the evidence for the survival of consciousness after death (“life after death”). Initially skeptical, he found that there was sufficient evidence from a wide variety of sources, including apparitions, reincarnation, near-death experiences, after-death communication, and premonitions, that met the contest's criteria of being “beyond reasonable doubt.”Such claims are often dismissed as contravening the laws of physics; however, Ruickbie takes the ground-breaking approach of organizing the evidence as eye-witness testimony to the "block" universe (in which past, present and future exist at the same time) described by Albert Einstein and Hermann Minkowski; and finds further support in the latest theories and findings of Quantum Physics for what Ruickbie calls “timetanglement” and “cloud consciousness.” Using a novel framework inspired by Charles Dickens, this is a readable and convincing account of a complex and highly debated subject.BioDr Leo Ruickbie, FRHistS, FRAI, ARPS, PhD (Lond), MA, BA (Hons), ACIQ, Associate of King's College London, is a Visiting Fellow in Psychology at the University of Northampton, where he is a member of the Exceptional Experiences and Consciousness Studies research group.Described as a ‘leading historian and sociologist of the paranormal' by the Daily Express newspaper (print) and ‘a leading expert on the paranormal‘ (express.co.uk online), Dr Ruickbie specialises in controversial areas of human belief and experience, sometimes called ‘exceptional human experiences'. A phrase coined by Rhea White in 1990, exceptional human experience is ‘an umbrella term for many types of experience generally considered to be psychic, mystical, encounter-type experiences, death-related experiences, and experiences at the upper end of the normal range, such as creative inspiration, exceptional human performance' (White, 1994:5).Dr Ruickbie is closely involved in the work of the Society for Psychical Research as a member of Council, former Editor of its Magazine and a member of its Spontaneous Cases Committee. Established in 1882, the Society for Psychical Research is the world's largest, oldest and most reputable organisation for the scientific study of what we now call ‘the paranormal'.He is also a Professional Member of the Parapsychological Association. Established in 1957, the Parapsychological Association is affiliated to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.In recognition of his contribution to scholarship sustained over the course of his career, Dr Ruickbie has been elected a Fellow of both the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute.Dr Ruickbie's PhD is from King's College, London, for his thesis on contemporary witchcraft and magic use, building on research that won him an MA with distinction from Lancaster University. He is the author of several books, all based on rigorous research: Witchcraft Out of the Shadows (2004 and 2011), Faustus: The Life and Times of a Renaissance Magician (2009), A Brief Guide to the Supernatural (2012), A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting (2013), The Impossible Zoo (2016) and Angels in the Trenches (2018); as well as numerous articles and chapters in scholarly publications.https://ruickbie.com/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRMN4D41/ https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlife