Latest news with #Brattle
Boston Globe
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Meet Chris Vognar, the Globe's new TV and pop culture critic
That sounds like a lot, and it is. Which brings us to an important caveat. You can't watch everything, and neither can I. That would be impossible even if I were to prop myself up on a caffeine diet and never leave my screens. And that would make for a most unfulfilling life, especially as I move back to one of my favorite cities, Boston, where I had the pleasure of living from 2008 to 2009 as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard. (To quote Frank Sinatra, it was a very good year.) I'll need to get outside every now and then. Walk the Freedom Trail. Hear some jazz in Roxbury. Hit some movies at the Brattle. Hopefully score some Celtics tickets. Advertisement But what I do watch, I will watch well — with an eye for detail, and an expansiveness that leans more on 'Yes, and' than 'No, but.' I seek to convey a passion for finding the common threads. Pop culture can be seen as a series of intersecting points. I want to help you navigate the intersections, and have a lot of fun doing it. And I hope you'll share your discoveries, too. Advertisement Since you'll be reading me, you deserve to know a little about me. I grew up on the West Coast (Warriors, not Lakers), studied English and film at Berkeley, and then took an unexpected professional detour into Texas — which lasted the better part of 29 years. During that time I've written about TV, film, books, theater, music, and other subjects that interest me, which, as it turns out, means just everything. 'Just about everything' also happens to be a pretty good description of TV in the year 2025. Not all of it is worth watching, but a fair amount is. I'm fond of saying that there might not be as much great TV as there was 10 years ago, but there's more good TV than ever. Advertisement When I'm not partaking in the above I'm usually reading — OK, so that's actually part of the above, though I also do it for pleasure — watching basketball (or even playing a little, when my body can withstand it), and traveling. In September I'll be reporting from the Venice Film Festival, where I've been lucky enough to serve on a panel for the last decade or so. The truth is that my life is largely a busman's holiday. I do what I do because I love it. I'm often asked if I can watch a movie or TV show purely for the enjoyment. The answer is yes, sort of, sometimes. I don't always take notes. But for me the thinking is a big part of the pleasure. Criticism is merely the instrument I use to express my passions. Though of course I don't love everything I see. The more you truly care about something, the more you want it to succeed. And when it doesn't succeed, or when it doesn't work for me, I want to explain why. It should go without saying that I also care deeply about journalism, and its role in a functioning democracy. I write opinion and analysis, but neither means anything if I don't get the facts right. I'm not in the entertainment business. I'm in the journalism business. The day I forget this is the day I hang it up. Advertisement I see the critic's job as leading an intelligent and friendly conversation. So let me hear from you. Now if you'll excuse me, this TV won't watch itself. Chris Vognar can be reached at
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Brattle Group Welcomes Financial Services Expert Idan Rubin as Senior Consultant
LONDON, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group has welcomed Idan Rubin to its London office as a Senior Consultant in the firm's Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Alternative Investments, and Credit, Derivatives & Structured Products practices. With a diverse background in hedge funds, asset management, and investment platform development that spans geographies and asset classes, Mr. Rubin brings over 15 years of experience in the financial services sector to the firm. At Brattle, Mr. Rubin will focus on a wide range of financial services matters, from mergers and acquisitions (M&As) to fund-related disputes, such as those involving fees and performance, investor disclosures, misrepresentation and fraud claims, and regulatory compliance issues. He has extensive expertise in valuations, hedge fund structuring, portfolio construction, risk management, investor relations, trading strategies and signals, and working with cross-asset classes, including cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). "With his broad industry experience, entrepreneurial mindset, and analytical rigor, Idan brings a unique skill set and background to Brattle that will greatly enhance our ability to support clients in high-stakes financial services disputes in the UK and across Europe," said Torben Voetmann, Brattle President & Principal. With experience establishing two successful quant hedge funds – overseeing the process from capital process to operations and trading – and advising on the launch of another, Mr. Rubin has extensive practical knowledge of hedge fund operations, management, policies, and practices. He also has an asset management background, spanning numerous strategies across both public and private markets, and has used his technical expertise to develop and analyze artificial intelligence (AI) signals, strategies, and models. "I look forward to collaborating with colleagues in London and beyond to help grow Brattle's UK and European presence in commercial litigations and to help clients solve complex challenges related to damages, insolvency, and M&A and fund disputes," said Mr. Rubin. Prior to joining Brattle, Mr. Rubin was a Senior Equities Analyst at an investment advisory firm specializing in emerging markets equities, and previously worked as a Portfolio Manager at a market-making hedge fund focused on European government bonds. In 2017, he co-founded Sayer Capital, a US equities quantitative market-making fund backed by a blue-chip investor, and served as CEO and Portfolio Manager – leading the organization's research and development, investor relations, budgeting, and portfolio construction – until 2021. To learn more about Mr. Rubin, please see his full bio at ABOUT BRATTLEThe Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Brattle Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Securities Litigation Expert Dr. Jan Jindra Joins The Brattle Group as Principal
SAN FRANCISCO, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group has welcomed Dr. Jan Jindra to its San Francisco office as a Principal in the firm's Securities Class Actions and White Collar Investigations & Litigation practices. A former financial economist and Assistant Director at the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) Division of Economic and Risk Analysis, Dr. Jindra has 20 years of experience advising clients on complex securities litigation and regulatory investigations. Dr. Jindra's expertise spans the valuation of complex securities, insider trading, market manipulation, investment advisor fraud, disclosure violations, initial public offering (IPO) allocations, investor harm, and hedge fund performance, among other topics. He has served as a testifying expert and consultant in both civil and criminal proceedings – including in complex matters involving insider trading, disclosure violations, analysis of trading strategies, enterprise valuation, and valuation of complex securities – for the SEC, the US Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission. "With his deep industry experience and his wide-ranging securities expertise, Jan will be a tremendous asset to Brattle's clients. Likewise, his collaborative nature and emphasis on developing the next generation of experts make him a wonderful fit for our firm," said Torben Voetmann, Brattle President & Principal. At the SEC, in addition to providing expert testimony, Dr. Jindra led teams and actively participated in witness interviews and depositions, settlement negotiations, and the preparation of expert reports. He also oversaw staff development and played a key role in mentoring the next generation of expert witnesses within the agency. "Brattle is known for its collegial culture and its top-notch team of experts, and I am thrilled to transition back into consulting at such a reputable firm," said Dr. Jindra. "I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues, developing the next generation of experts, and helping clients answer complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions." Prior to his tenure at the SEC, Dr. Jindra taught finance courses at The Ohio State University and Menlo College. He also authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in highly reputable finance academic journals. Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Manager at an international economics consultancy. To learn more about Dr. Jindra, please see his full bio at ABOUT BRATTLEThe Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Brattle Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
20-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Securities Litigation Expert Dr. Jan Jindra Joins The Brattle Group as Principal
SAN FRANCISCO, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Brattle Group has welcomed Dr. Jan Jindra to its San Francisco office as a Principal in the firm's Securities Class Actions and White Collar Investigations & Litigation practices. A former financial economist and Assistant Director at the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) Division of Economic and Risk Analysis, Dr. Jindra has 20 years of experience advising clients on complex securities litigation and regulatory investigations. Dr. Jindra's expertise spans the valuation of complex securities, insider trading, market manipulation, investment advisor fraud, disclosure violations, initial public offering (IPO) allocations, investor harm, and hedge fund performance, among other topics. He has served as a testifying expert and consultant in both civil and criminal proceedings – including in complex matters involving insider trading, disclosure violations, analysis of trading strategies, enterprise valuation, and valuation of complex securities – for the SEC, the US Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission. 'With his deep industry experience and his wide-ranging securities expertise, Jan will be a tremendous asset to Brattle's clients. Likewise, his collaborative nature and emphasis on developing the next generation of experts make him a wonderful fit for our firm,' said Torben Voetmann, Brattle President & Principal. At the SEC, in addition to providing expert testimony, Dr. Jindra led teams and actively participated in witness interviews and depositions, settlement negotiations, and the preparation of expert reports. He also oversaw staff development and played a key role in mentoring the next generation of expert witnesses within the agency. 'Brattle is known for its collegial culture and its top-notch team of experts, and I am thrilled to transition back into consulting at such a reputable firm,' said Dr. Jindra. 'I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues, developing the next generation of experts, and helping clients answer complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions.' Prior to his tenure at the SEC, Dr. Jindra taught finance courses at The Ohio State University and Menlo College. He also authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in highly reputable finance academic journals. Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Manager at an international economics consultancy. To learn more about Dr. Jindra, please see his full bio at ABOUT BRATTLEThe Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pueblo votes to stay with Black Hills in another landslide. Nearly 78% say 'no' on 2A
For the second time since May 2020, voters emphatically opposed a city of Pueblo attempt to cancel its franchise agreement with Black Hills Energy. The Pueblo County Elections Department counted 16,005 votes against and 4,557 votes for Ballot Initiative 2A by 10 p.m. on May 6, 2025, according to unofficial results. The initiative asked voters if the city should cancel the agreement and acquire the "generation, transmission and distribution assets" of Black Hills, if "determined feasible." While nearly 78% of voters shot down Ballot Initiative 2A in 2025, a similar measure put out to voters in 2020 failed with over 75% of votes against it. Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham speaks in opposition to Black Hills Energy rate increases outside the Pueblo County Courthouse on Thursday, July 11, 2024 Pueblo mayor: Community 'obviously supports' Black Hills "The community obviously supports Black Hills Energy and is okay with the extreme rate increases and high price of their electricity," Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham told the Chieftain on May 7. "When you have millions of dollars to campaign to make sure that stays in place, it's really hard to challenge that situation." A 6.7% electric rate increase on Black Hills' Colorado ratepayers was approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and went into effect on March 22. Prior to the increase, a January 2024 survey from the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities (CAMU) demonstrated that Black Hills customers were already paying higher rates than customers of any other utility in Colorado. Black Hills Energy Service Center located at 105 S. Victoria Ave. Over $1.5 million campaign aides in defeat of Ballot Initiative 2A No on 2A, a campaign against the city's efforts to leave Black Hills, spent over $1.51 million between March 4 and May 2 with over $1,600 remaining on hand, according to the Pueblo City Clerk's office. Contributions received by No on 2A included $1.5 million from Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC. and $30,000 from Edison Electric Institute, Inc. — an association representing electric utility companies throughout the U.S. Expenditure statements from the city clerk's office show money spent by No on 2A going toward TV media services, online campaigning, mailers, polling, bank fees and other voter outreach services. Campaign materials from No on 2A argued that a city-run or regional electric utility would be more costly to ratepayers than continued operation by Black Hills. The over $30 million spent by the city of Boulder in a decade-long attempt to municipalize its utility, and a Brattle Group Study showing municipalization would cost $1 billion in Pueblo, were often referenced by No on 2A to support its arguments. Black Hills 'delighted' at special election result "We simply asked voters a series of questions and we trusted the answer... Do you want to be Boulder? Do you want to go $1 billion in debt? Do you think the city can handle this? What happens if there's a cyber attack? We just ask questions and let voters kind of come to their own conclusion about those things," No on 2A spokesperson Steve Welchert told the Chieftain. James Williams, a regional manager of public affairs for Black Hills Energy, shared a statement with the Chieftain and other media outlets about an hour and a half after the first batch of Ballot Initiative 2A election results dropped, at which point 13,800 of 17,504 total counted had been cast opposing 2A. "We're delighted that Pueblo voters overwhelmingly said no to an attempted government takeover of our electric system, for the second time in five years," Williams said in the statement. "Voters know the city's own study showed that a billion-dollar takeover in Pueblo simply isn't feasible, and there's no practical path for an estimated $4 billion region-wide takeover effort, which would be highly complex and unlikely to succeed." What's next for the city of Pueblo and Black Hills? Despite the outcome of the $100,000 special election, Graham told the Chieftain that Pueblo City Council will still be voting on whether or not to take the 2025 off-ramp with Black Hills in August. The city's franchise agreement with Black Hills expires in 2030. "Over the next five years, we'll continue to work on a plan to hopefully find another energy provider or create our own so that we can provide our cost-effective rates to the community," Graham said. Pueblo County Senior Public Information Officer Anthony Mestas told the Chieftain that "all ballots received were counted" as of the night of May 6. The only remaining ballots include those requiring signature cures and overseas ballots. The deadline for cures and overseas ballots is May 14 at midnight. "Once those are processed, an update will be released on May 15, 2025, by end of day," Mestas said. Rattlesnakes in Pueblo: Rattlesnakes are emerging in Colorado. Here's how to stay safe Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@ Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo special election: Bid to leave Black Hills fails in landslide
