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Licensing International to host 2026 AI & Licensing Summit next month. by Billy Langsworthy Published 25.03.26 "Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how brands create, collaborate, and connect with consumers," said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. Licensing International's 2026 AI & Licensing Summit - hosted by Mayer Brown LLP - is taking place on April 16th at the firm's Chicago office. "AI's impact effects businesses across every industry and it's more important than ever for licensing professionals to understand the benefits, pitfalls, and uses for this rapidly evolving technology," said Kristine Young, Partner at Mayer Brown. "Pairing Mayer Brown and Licensing International's expertise, this important summit will feature panels on navigating privacy considerations while also exploring practical uses for these technologies across the licensing industry." Programming will include panels and presentations on incorporating AI into licensing agreements, developing internal AI policies, sustainability considerations, data privacy, and practical applications of AI in everyday licensing workflows. "Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how brands create, collaborate, and connect with consumers," said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. "As the technology continues to evolve, resources like this upcoming summit will ensure the licensing community evolves with it, understanding both the opportunities it presents and the potential challenges that come with it." Registration is currently open. For more information and to register, please visit: licensinginternational.org/events/ai-licensing-summit-2/

Skadden welcomes partners Archis Parasharami, Daniel Jones and Kevin Ranlett, expanding capabilities in consumer class actions, multidistrict litigation and mass arbitration. Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Skadden is pleased to welcome Archis Parasharami as a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C. and Palo Alto offices. Mr. Parasharami joins Skadden from Mayer Brown LLP, where he served as co-head of its Washington, D.C. litigation and dispute resolution practice and co-leader of its class action practice. With two decades of experience managing complex litigation, he will play a pivotal role in expanding Skadden's leading class action defense, multidistrict litigation and mass arbitration capabilities. He will be joined in Washington, D.C. by Daniel Jones and Kevin Ranlett, who are also joining the firm as partners and previously worked with Mr. Parasharami at Mayer Brown LLP. Together, Mr. Parasharami, Mr. Jones and Mr. Ranlett bring a distinguished record of defending businesses in high-stakes class action litigation in federal and state courts nationwide. Their combined practice spans all aspects of consumer class actions and complex litigation, with a particular focus on developing strategies to defeat class actions, address sprawling multidistrict litigation and combat mass arbitrations. They regularly advise companies in the technology and consumer-facing sectors. "The arrival of Archis, along with Dan and Kevin, reinforces our commitment to providing our clients with unparalleled aptitude in class action defense, aggregate litigation and mass arbitration," said John Beisner, of counsel and leader of Skadden's Mass Torts, Insurance and Consumer Litigation Group. "Archis' comprehensive understanding of class action lawsuits, coupled with his success in high-stakes litigation - including his involvement in multiple victories before the U.S. Supreme Court - positions him as a true leader in the field. With a presence in both Washington, D.C. and Northern California and a national practice, he further strengthens our ability to serve clients wherever these matters arise." James Carroll, global head of Skadden's litigation/controversy practices, added, "Archis and his team's impressive track record in defending against class actions and mass arbitrations will further enhance our ability to deliver exceptional results for clients. Their background complements our existing strengths, and we look forward to leveraging their insights to tackle the most complex class action challenges." "We have worked closely alongside Archis for years, and we're delighted to welcome him, Dan and Kevin to Skadden," said class actions and mass arbitration partners Michael McTigue and Meredith Slawe. "Their depth of knowledge and experience at the intersection of consumer class actions, mass arbitration and multidistrict litigation will align well with Skadden's leading practice in this space." Mr. Parasharami has extensive experience drafting and defending the enforceability of arbitration agreements, particularly in the consumer and employment contexts, and addressing mass arbitrations. He has also played a pivotal role in landmark U.S. Supreme Court class action- and arbitration-related cases, including AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins, Lamps Plus, Inc. v. Varela and Kindred Nursing Centers L.P. v. Clark. "Skadden's reputation for excellence in complex litigation, class actions and mass arbitration is unmatched," said Mr. Parasharami. "The firm's global platform and collaborative culture provide an ideal environment to help clients tackle their most challenging disputes." Mr. Parasharami received his J.D. from Harvard Law School (cum laude) and his A.B. from Princeton University (summa cum laude). Daniel Jones helps clients to prepare and present appeals, and has authored numerous briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court, federal and state appellate courts and trial courts around the country, with a focus on class action and arbitration issues. He has represented businesses in defeating class certification in multiple federal trial courts and routinely briefs cutting-edge class action defense issues at both the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Jones received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.A. from Amherst College. Kevin Ranlett defends businesses in complex class and representative actions in state and federal courts across the country, as well as in high-stakes mass arbitrations. He has successfully defended and resolved a wide variety of claims, including allegations of false or deceptive advertising, data breach and other privacy claims and alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Alien Tort Claims Act and various other consumer protection statutes. Mr. Ranlett received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. Analysis | Jobs | News

Mayer Brown expands West Coast private investment funds capabilities with addition of Jarrod Huffman. Related People: Mayer Brown announced today that Jarrod Huffman has joined the firm as a partner in its global Funds & Asset Management practice in Los Angeles. Jarrod joins from Morgan Lewis. "Jarrod is a highly respected private funds lawyer with deep experience advising fund sponsors and institutional investors on the formation, structuring, and operation of real estate, private equity, and other alternative investment vehicles," said Timothy Clark, co-leader of Mayer Brown's global Funds & Asset Management practice. "His dual strength on both the GP and LP sides of the market adds valuable dimension to our team and supports our strategic priority of expanding our private investment funds capabilities, particularly on the West Coast." Jarrod advises clients on forming and operating private investment funds, joint ventures, co investments, and managed accounts. With nearly 20 years of experience, he has a deep understanding of the private funds market and the needs of institutional investors. His work spans real estate funds, secondary transactions, venture capital funds, buyout funds, credit funds, and customized investment vehicles tailored to specific strategies and investor requirements. He is known for helping clients navigate market terms, negotiate complex contracts, and efficiently close capital commitments, and he maintains a significant investor side practice representing institutional investors across fund types. "Mayer Brown's platform - particularly its sophisticated real estate, funds, and finance capabilities - offers the ideal environment to continue expanding my practice and to deliver integrated, commercial solutions for fund sponsors and investors," said Jarrod. "The firm's commitment to growing on the West Coast - including recent expansions in its real estate and hospitality practices - reinforced that this is the right place to be. After speaking with the team, it was clear that Mayer Brown offers the collaborative, strategic environment that best supports my clients and the continued growth of my practice." "We are delighted to welcome Jarrod to Mayer Brown," said John Nadolenco, managing partner of the firm's Los Angeles office. "His arrival significantly enhances our real estate fund formation capabilities and supports our long term growth strategy in California. Jarrod's work with major institutional investors and real estate sponsors strengthens our ability to serve clients in a dynamic and expanding market."