2020 Fashion Law Conference

Join the Federal Bar Association for a dynamic conference focused on the advancement of fashion law in today’s globalizing world. Scheduled to coincide with New York Fashion Week, attendees will be surrounded by the industry’s creative energy and emerging trends. Programming will explore cutting-edge topics such as corporate responsibility, sustainability, international developments and labor considerations. This full-day program is open to attorneys, fashion industry professionals, and law students who wish to expand their current understanding of legal issues in this worldwide industry. CLE credit will be available and attendees will have the opportunity to network throughout the event.

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Agenda

[8:50 – 9:00 a.m.] Opening Remarks

[9:00 – 10:00 a.m.] Emerging Tech Issues in the Fashion Industry: Wearables and AI

This panel will examine the key legal implications of wearable technology and artificial intelligence.  Panelists will look into the latest wearable technology and artificial intelligence products in the marketplace and will examine product liability, intellectual property, labor, and advertising claim issues. Discussion will begin with the history of wearable technology, including changes in application, consumer expectation, and technological changes that are affecting product development. Attendees will learn how the evolution of this industry is creating new legal risk, specifically in the areas of regulatory compliance, misrepresentation, marketing, and data accuracy.

• Maria Z. Vathis, Of Counsel, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP (moderator)
• Michelle R. Gilboe, Managing Partner, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
• Scott McLean Ph.D., Senior Manager, Biomechanics, Exponent
• Jena M. Valdetero, Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

[10:15 – 11:15 a.m.] Cannabis and CBD in the Fashion and Beauty Industry

This panel will cover the essentials of Cannabis and CBD in the fashion and beauty industry.  Panelists will cover how the Food & Drug Administration regulates those products. Discussion will focus on pending and proposed legislation governing the sale of products containing Cannabis and CBD. Panelists will also examine how the United States Patent and Trademark Office has dealt with patents for cannabis and/or CBD merchandise, as well as trademarks for related services. Attendees will learn how prior legislation, including the 2018 Farm Bill, affects the gaining popularity of the cannabis industry and its upcoming legal applications in the federal sphere.

• Ashlee Froese, Lawyer, Froese Law
• Jonathan Menkes, Partner, Knobbe Martens
• Justin J. Prochnow, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP

[11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.] The Perspective of In-House Counsel on IP Matters

This panel will explore best practices in intellectual property matters from the perspective of in house counsel.  Panelists will explore the commonly encountered difficulties when representing a client from in house perspective and will address best practices when dealing with outside counsel on contentious disputes.

• Joseph M. Forgione, Professor, New York Law School (moderator)
• Elisheva Jasie, Assistant General Counsel, Coty Inc.
• Rita M. Odin, Vice President and Senior Trademark Counsel, The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.
• Lèna Saltos, Associate General Counsel, Global Director of IP, Urban Outfitters, Inc.

[12:30 –1:30 p.m.] Luncheon Keynote

• Graham Wetzbarger, Certified Appraiser and Authenticator of Luxury Goods, Luxury Appraisals & Authentication LLC

Graham is an expert, professor and speaker on the authentication of luxury brand items and has been featured in Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Forbes,  Business Insider, CNN Business, Elle, Yahoo! and Refinery 29.

[1:30 – 2:30 p.m.] Looking Ahead – Critical Topics in International Trade

What are the most important legal issues facing the fashion industry in 2020? Join us for an interactive discussion on the impact of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement, tariffs on goods imported from China (the “301 tariffs”), the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and collateral damage in the trade wars between major competitors. Topics will include origin issues, priorities for non-resident importer clothing companies doing business in Canada, the status of the 301 tariffs and how they are impacting the fashion industry, doing business with countries who have lost GSP or are under review, as well as which fashion and apparel items are most impacted by these changes.

• Frances P. Hadfield, Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP (moderator)
• Deanna Clark-Esposito, Managing Attorney, Clark-Esposito Law Firm, P.C.
• Jean-Marc Clément, Principal, Clément Law Office
• Amanda Simpson, Associate, Winston & Strawn LLP

[2:45 – 3:45 p.m.] Workplace Law & Fashion: What’s Trending?

Approximately 1.8 million people are employed in the fashion industry in the United States, according to the US Census Bureau. Around 79 percent of all US employees in fashion work for apparel retailers. Despite its sheen of glamour, the fashion industry as a major source of employment is not to be undermined when it comes to compliance controversies and litigation. In recent years, advocacy surrounding uncomfortable issues like gender discrimination and sexual harassment, has rippled throughout the industry and initiatives in the wake of the #Metoo movement are still trending.  Workers’ classification and misclassification continue to pose challenges as employers engage employees and independent contractors in different roles, from models, to retail staff to designers. Far from insulated from trends, this industry is also seeing the impact of cannabis and recreational marijuana laws. Industry leaders in this employment law panel will guide and educate the audience as they explore these “in” topics, current state of the law and best practices.

• Olivera Medenica, Partner, Dunnington Bartholow & Miller LLP (moderator)
• Jean-Baptiste Bourgeois, Partner, Orsay Avocats
• Bret A. Cohen, Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
• William F. Dahill, Partner, Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller LLP
• Marie Francois, General Counsel, Ford Models, Inc.

[4:00 – 5:00 p.m.] Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility in the Fashion Industry

This panel will examine the latest issues in the sustainability and corporate responsibility in the fashion industry.  Panelists will explore issues pertaining to human rights, corporate responsibility, and child labor in the United States and abroad. Discussion will also feature relevant sustainability regulations for the fashion industry, including the role of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Trade Commission in legal proceedings. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the FTC’s current views about environmental marketing claims and its legal implications. Panel discussion will also prepare practitioners to prevent human rights violations and abuses in the context of business activities and provide effective access to justice and remedy to victims of such violations and abuses.

• Olivera Medenica, Partner, Dunnington Bartholow & Miller LLP (moderator)
• Céline Bondard, Principal, Cabinet Bondard
• Christiane S. Campbell, Partner, Duane Morris LLP
• Julie Zerbo, Editor in Chief, The Fashion Law

[5:00 p.m.] Closing Remarks

Registration