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Business Law Society brings together third annual career symposium, "Esq."

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The Business Law Society, in conjunction with the Office of Career Services and the Office of Student Affairs, announce the Third Annual Business Law Society Career Symposium, or Esq., Friday, February 11, 2005. This innovative program is open to all law students interested in learning more about the practice of business law. A draft schedule of the day’s events follows. For more information, please contact Amy Yeung at amy.yeung@law.duke.edu .

Business Law Society Third Annual Career Symposium

Proposed Schedule Of Events

Friday, February 11, 2005

  • Breakfast and Registration, Burdman Lounge (7:30-8:30 a.m.)
    Sponsored by the Global Capital Markets Center
    (Nametags will be available at the breakfast)

  • Panel I (8:40-9:40 a.m.)

    • Beyond “Corporate:” Litigation as a Career Option
      This is a general panel discussing litigation, careers in litigation, and what sort of cases/practice areas one might encounter.

    • What is Transactional Law?
      This general panel will focus on the practice area, careers, and types of cases encountered in the practice area of transactional law. Does transactional law vary from city to city and, if so, in what way(s)?

    • Careers in Government and Regulatory Affairs
      This general panel discusses government and regulatory affairs, careers in regulatory and/or administrative law, and types of cases/practice areas one might encounter. Does government and regulatory affairs predominantly occur in D.C. or are there various types of careers that would deal with this sort of law as a related matter?

    • IP and the Law: Trademark, Patent, and Entertainment Law
      This is a general panel discussing different types of IP. Does interest in IP litigation effectively equate to patent law, or is entertainment law synonymous with Los Angeles? Must one have a background in these fields to be successful?

  • Panel II (9:50-10:50 a.m.)

    • Exploring In-House Opportunities and the Relationship between Firms and In-House Counsel
      This is a general discussion on professional careers as in-house counsel. This panel illustrates the comparative benefits between a law firm and private company and provides anecdotes on how one become “in-house?”

    • What do Securities Lawyers do?
      This general panel discusses securities law as a subfield of transactional law. How does this compare to other transactional law and as a securities lawyer, what does a day-to-day schedule look like? Does a securities lawyer deal with other areas of transactional law?

    • Interested in International Law? What Options do I have?
      This is a general panel discussion relating to career options in international law. If one is interested in international law, what sort of careers can or should one consider?

    • Workshop: Entertainment Law. Run by Terry Tucker
      * Please note, this workshop runs until noon
      The workshop covers development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution and exhibition of a feature film (“Eight Men Out,” see http://www.nexgenentertainment.com/films/oddmanout/) and the accompanying sound track. The panel will also focus on the practical aspects and pitfalls in getting a film or CD produced and what lawyers should know to be better prepared to not only give legal counsel but also to assist in the production on film and music products. 

  • Panel III (11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)

    • Hanging out your own shingle v. “BigLaw”
      This panel compares benefits between a law firm versus an independent firm, providing general information and advice to law students who may consider self-starting a law firm or business. How often does this occur and what happens to clients?

    • Everything I need to Know, I learned in Law School? “Traditional” career development at a firm
      This panel discusses the path of an attorney in a law firm, from associate expectations, client development, to partnership. What should a lower-level associate expect from a firm (and vice-versa)? What does a law firm consider for partnership?

    • Beyond Law Firms: Corporate Practice in Other Settings?
      This panel highlights alternative career paths outside of the law firm, while maintaining a corporate or business focus. What are some distinguishing features of working outside of a law firm and how might one position him/herself for consideration?

    • Working With and Working for the Government
      This panel provides some anecdotal experiences on working with and working for the government, including working with/for the State Department, Foreign Service, Capitol Hill legislation, and the SEC.

  • Breakout I (12:15-1:15)

    • Breakout I

    • Casual Chat: Women Practitioners Answer your Questions about Navigating a Career in the Law
      Co-Sponsored by Women’s Law Student Association
      This discussion will provide a relaxed setting to discuss the issues women face in choosing a legal career.

    • Workshop: Venture Capital Financing. Run by Mark Mirkin
      This workshop discusses the process of raising monies from venture capital companies, beginning with the term sheet.

  • Luncheon (1:30-2:45 p.m.)
    Sponsored by Paul Hastings
    If more than 125 students attend lunch, preference will be given to students attending the entire day.

  • Breakout II (2:50-3:30)

  • Breakout III (3:45-4:30)

  • Reception (4:45 p.m)
    Sponsored by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.

The Business Law Society would like to Thank:

  • Paul Hastings Attorneys
  • Cadwalader, Wickersham, and Taft, LLP.
  • Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
  • Moore & VanAllen

Participant Biographies / Breakout Session Topics

Carolyn Zander Alford , T ’89, J.D. Harvard ‘92 is a partner at the Atlanta office of King & Spalding in the Financial Transactions Practice Group. Ms. Alford’s practice focuses on representing lenders and borrowers in debt financings, including syndicated and single lender senior credit facilities (for both leveraged and investment grade credits), asset-based loans, mezzanine financing and third-party sponsored loan programs.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Tips for the young professional, managing career and family, women in the law firm.

Antonio Braz , J.D. ’86 is in house counsel at Hamilton Sundstrand, one of the largest global suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: In-house v. law firm work, keys to success in a corporate setting.

Harold Freilich is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. Mr. Freilich focuses on international and domestic financing transactions and emerging markets including Russia, Eastern and Central Europe, South America, and Asia.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: International law, corporate and business transactions, M&A, commercial real estate matters.

Robert E. Harrington , A.B. ’84, J.D. ’87 is a partner at the Charlotte office of Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, where he has focused his practice on commercial litigation. His practice includes the defense of sales fraud cases, consumer lending lawsuits, unfair trade practice claims, contract disputes and employment litigation.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: The role of a minority partner in corporate law firms, practicing in Charlotte and similar mid-sized markets, lessons learned from professional experiences.

Kirkland Hicks , J.D. ’97 is a counsel at Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a global consulting firm focused on human capital and financial management.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Consulting as a profession for a J.D., government relations, firm culture v. corporate culture, Washington, D.C.

James Hedrick, Jr. , J.D. ’94 is a partner in the banking and finance practice group at Kennedy Covington’s Charlotte office. Mr. Hedrick focuses on syndicated loan transactions and international transactions.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: International transactional law, lawyers’ role in lending, underwriting, investment activities of bankers.

Michael Hoffman , J.D. ’89 is a partner in Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom’s New York office and is a member of the firm’s Investment Management Group. Mr. Hoffman represents public and private investment funds, investment advisors, underwriters and investment banks in connection with the structuring and distribution of financial products in domestic and cross-border transactions. He also has provided corporate and securities law advice in connection with private equity and merger and acquisition transactions.

Winston Henderson , B.S. ’90, J.D. ’96 is Vice President and General Counsel with Surface Logix, a biotech company located in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Henderson previously worked with Kenyon & Kenyon and Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting). His experience covers many areas of IP, including patent, trademark and copyright litigation, licensing, valuation, and due diligence, focusing on life sciences, biotechnology, and medical-related devices.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Private practice, Boston, biotech field, Intellectual Property.

Katherine Kessler , J.D. ‘93 is in-house counsel at Citigroup Global Markets, the investment and brokerage arm of Citigroup, representing the firm and its employees in regulatory investigations by federal and state governmental agencies. Previously, Ms. Kessler spent over ten years at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Latham & Watkins focusing on securities regulatory litigation matters, NYSE, NASD, and state securities regulators for securities fraud.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: investment banks in connection to corporate work, flex-time arrangements, firm v. in-house counsel,

Patricia Lehtola , J.D. ’84 is President of Lehtola and Associates, a firm she started after becoming partner and co-chair of the commercial litigation section in a Dallas law firm. She currently practices insurance law, commercial litigation, and construction law.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Starting up a law firm, insurance law, banking and lending litigation, practicing in Dallas.

Thomas Magill , J.D. ’76 is a partner in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Orange County office. Mr. Magill has extensive experience in corporate law, with an emphasis on domestic and international mergers and acquisition work. Mr. Magill is involved in hostile and friendly tender offers, strategic alliances, leveraged buyouts, and proxy contests.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: M&A, Orange County, corporate law.

Gray McCalley , J.D. ’79 is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Coca-Cola Enterprises, the world's largest marketer, producer, and distributor of products of The Coca-Cola Company.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: In-house practice (generally and personal experiences), international business law practice, working at the State Department, tips for young professionals.

Mark Mirkin , B.A. ’81, J.D. ’84, is a partner in the Raleigh office of Smith Moore LLP. Mr. Mirkin practices corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and emerging growth companies. Previously, Mr. Mirkin worked in a specialized corporate and securities law firm he founded in Florida in 1992.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Engineering and the law, entrepreneurship, venture capital, M&A.

Steven Naclerio , J.D. ’71, is counsel in the Miami office of Shook, Hardy, & Bacon. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Naclerio dealt with trademark, shareholder, and products liability issues for a major global beverage company, in his capacities as General Counsel and Director of Governent Relations. Since joining the firm, Mr. Naclerio works on complex civil matters including antitrust, trade regulation, and trademark infringement. Mr. Naclerio is also Adjunct Professor at Nova University School of Law.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Government affairs, complex commercial litigation, trademark issues, products liability, Miami.

Randy Nuckolls , is a partner in the D.C. office of McKenna, Long, & Aldridge and has twenty-five years of experience working on federal issues in the public policy arena, dealing with federal legislative, regulatory, and government contracts matters. Mr. Nuckolls previously worked on Capitol Hill for Georgia Senator Talmadge and Georgia Senator Sam Nunn.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Capitol Hill experience, government contracts.

John Nurkin , B.A. ’91, J.D. ’94 works in the Charlotte office of Moore & Van Allen, focusing on M&A and corporate finance. Mr. Nurkin has also dealt in antitrust issues and other corporate governance issues, such as rights and duties of shareholders and directors.

Therence Pickett , J.D., '91, is the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. and Mack Trucks, Inc. Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks are corporations within the global Volvo Group, one of the world's leading suppliers of transport solutions for commercial use. Mr. Pickett oversees a department responsible for all legal matters affecting both Volvo and Mack Trucks, including customs-related matters. Mr. Pickett previously was an associate at the firm of McGuire Woods in Richmond, Virginia, and a judicial law clerk to Chief Justice Leroy Hassell of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: In-house counsel, tips for young associates, transition into the private sector.

Jack Rigney , J.D./M.B.A. ’84 is a partner in Seward & Kissel's Investment Management group in New York. Mr. Rigney's responsibilities include the formation and representation of private investment partnerships and various offshore investment funds; the representation of registered investment companies; the formation and CFTC registration of commodity pools, commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors; the establishment of wrap-fee programs and mutual fund asset allocation programs for sponsoring brokerage firms and general securities and general corporate matters.

Ken Rivlin is head of Allen & Overy’s U.S. Environmental Law Group as well as adjunct faculty at Cardozo Law School. He advises international clients on environmental risk in business transactions. Prior to joining Allen & Overy, Mr. Rivlin worked in the environmental groups at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York and McCarter & English in New Jersey and worked as Press Secretary for Congressmen Jim Slattery and Frank Guarini.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Environmental law, international transactional law, politics and the law.

Shefali Shah , J.D. ’96 is an associate in the Corporate Department of Weil, Gotshal & Manges in New York. Shefali concentrates her practice in Private Equity & Investment Management.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Issues faced in cross-border transactions, private equity-venture capital to buyout transactions, tips for associates.

Alexander Simpson , J.D. ’93 is a former partner in King & Spalding’s Corporate Finance practice group in its New York office who recently opened his own practice. Mr. Simpson has substantial experience representing underwriters and issuers in connection with public and private offerings of securities. He has worked on a number of spin-off transactions and initial public offerings, as well as convertible, high yield and investment-grade debt offerings. Mr. Simpson also has extensive experience advising companies with respect to corporate governance, general disclosure issues and the preparation of periodic securities filings.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Starting up a firm, associate-partner transition, securities law.

Carol B. Stubblefield , J.D./LL.M. ’92 is a partner in Coudert Brothers' New York office and a member of the firm's international securities practice. She practices primarily in the area of corporate and securities law, representing issuers and underwriters in connection with security offerings, and provides general corporate counseling to public and private companies.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Tips for the young professional/associate, women in the law.

Lovita Tandy , J.D. ‘96 is a partner in the Atlanta office of King & Spalding in the Employment Litigation practice group. Her practice involves litigating race discrimination, sexual harassment, trade secret, restrictive covenant, FMLA, reduction-in-force, age discrimination, whistleblower litigation, and complex breach of contract matters. She also works on litigation alternatives, such as negotiating during collective bargaining agreement negotiations and conducting internal workforce training and audits.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Labor law, employment law, women in the law, associate-partner transition, Atlanta.

Glenn Tucker , B.A. ’77, J.D. ’80 is a partner at Greenberg Dauber Empstein & Tucker, in Newark, New Jersey. He is the head of the firm’s Corporate department, specializing in commercial and banking transactions. Mr. Tucker focuses on formation and development of start-up ventures, M&A, and shareholder/partnership negotiations.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Emerging issues facing businesses, corporate law, business organizations, business and commercial law.

Terry Tucker , M.B.A. ’98, J.D. ’04 is Vice President of Business Affairs and General Counsel for Bridget Dobson Enterprises in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Tucker practices in the areas of trademark, copyright, licensing, corporate and securities law primarily involving the entertainment industry. Mr. Tucker previously worked as an associate with the law firm Troutman Sanders and as manager in Ernst & Young’s Technology, Communications & Entertainment Consulting Practice. Mr. Tucker also serves as a member of the board of NexGen Entertainment Corp.

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS: Entertainment law, consulting as an attorney.

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