POPULARITY
Categories
127 episodes with General counsel
108 episodes with General counsel
51 episodes with General counsel
34 episodes with General counsel
32 episodes with General counsel
25 episodes with General counsel
15 episodes with General counsel
47 episodes with General counsel
32 episodes with General counsel
25 episodes with General counsel
21 episodes with General counsel
25 episodes with General counsel
26 episodes with General counsel
23 episodes with General counsel
19 episodes with General counsel
27 episodes with General counsel
11 episodes with General counsel
12 episodes with General counsel
21 episodes with General counsel
17 episodes with General counsel
17 episodes with General counsel
28 episodes with General counsel
21 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
27 episodes with General counsel
15 episodes with General counsel
14 episodes with General counsel
15 episodes with General counsel
13 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
12 episodes with General counsel
14 episodes with General counsel
11 episodes with General counsel
17 episodes with General counsel
11 episodes with General counsel
12 episodes with General counsel
9 episodes with General counsel
9 episodes with General counsel
12 episodes with General counsel
11 episodes with General counsel
16 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
10 episodes with General counsel
12 episodes with General counsel
23 episodes with General counsel
9 episodes with General counsel
17 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
11 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
16 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
11 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
15 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
19 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
9 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
21 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
12 episodes with General counsel
12 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
9 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
13 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
7 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
8 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
2 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
4 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
6 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
5 episodes with General counsel
3 episodes with General counsel
Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton concerned Texas Law H.B. 1181, and what precedent should apply in considering its impact on free speech. Passed in 2023, the law requires commercial entities, including social media platforms, "that knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute material on an Internet website... more than one-third of which is sexual material harmful to minors" to age-gate their content, and to verify the age of their users, ensuring they are 18 years of age or older.Soon after the law passed, plaintiffs sued, claiming the law violated their right to free speech. Drawing on a line of cases including Ashcroft v. ACLU (2004), they argued that since the law impacted constitutionally protected speech, strict scrutiny should be applied and the TX law failed that test. The Fifth Circuit denied that argument, instead applying a rational basis test, drawing from the precedent of Ginsburg v. New York (1968).The Supreme Court granted certiorari to answer the question of whether the court of appeals erred as a matter of law in applying rational-basis review, instead of strict scrutiny, to a law burdening adults’ access to protected speech, and heard oral argument on January 15, 2025.On June 27, 2025, a 6-3 Court issued its decision, holding that the correct answer was to apply intermediate scrutiny, and that the Texas law survived intermediate scrutiny because it only incidentally burdened adults' protected speech.Join us for a Courthouse steps decision program where we will break down and analyze the decision, opinions, and what the potential impacts may be.Featuring:Darpana Sheth Nunziata, General Counsel, Center for Individual Rights
Whether AI training and generation is a fair use under copyright law puts two important American business sectors in opposition, and each looks to the various branches of the federal government for answers. Fundamentally, essentially all training of AI models involves copying of copyrighted materials, and many outputs from AI systems also may be substantially similar to copyrighted material and thus infringing if they are not fair uses.On May 9, 2025, the U.S. Copyright Office released a pre-publication version of the third and final part of its report on Copyright and AI, focused on Generative AI Training. The report concludes that some is fair use but some is not, and urges that existing efforts to engage in licensing of copyrighted content continue. Meanwhile, over forty cases on the issue are ongoing in the United States alone, with cases ongoing in another eight nations as well. The District Court in Delaware has ruled that at least one such case was not a fair use, and further rulings are expected soon from around the country. Meanwhile the White House has indicated an interest in AI policy and may have its own prerogatives.Leading experts will discuss the issue and answer questions on this fast-moving and important issue.Featuring:Meredith Rose, Senior Policy Counsel, Public KnowledgeRegan Smith, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, News/Media AllianceModerator: Zvi Rosen, Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University School of Law
Send us a textWith a workforce of 800 employees spanning Georgia, the DECAL team travels extensively between cities to visit child care programs and engage with community partners and advocates. Through their experiences, they have accumulated valuable insights regarding the best dining establishments in Georgia…from sit-down meals to sweet treats to enjoy along the highways and byways. Joining us to talk about the Best Places to Eat in Georgia is Brittany Marks and Clayton Adams with our Early Education Community Partnerships team, Kimberly Stoy with Child Care Services in Southeast Georgia, and Ira Sudman, General Counsel for DECAL. Support the show
In this episode, guest host Rachel Alexandria talks with Katy Rose, a functional medicine diagnostic nutritionist and health educator. Katy talks about what her soul has shared with her on her journey: “trauma becomes wisdom, wisdom becomes joy.” From a near-death experience to multiple debilitating illnesses, Katy's remarkable journey has shown her how taking care of her health has little to do with vanity, and is actually the path to fulfilling her sacred purpose and her soul's agenda. Rachel and Katy discuss how going through suffering and sitting in wisdom allows us to get out of our heads, into our bodies, and into our full being-ness. Bios: Rachel Alexandria, MFA, MA, helps high performers out of their secret messes like overwhelm, anxiety, perfectionism, and people pleasing, so they can finally feel peace in the midst of their big work. A former Psychotherapist turned Soul Medic, she offers concierge care for the soul and psyche so her clients can build healthier relationships where they can care without carrying other people's energy. Rachel has written three books on difficult conversations, inner critics, and stress relief. Her clients range from CEOs to General Counsels to multi-million-dollar business owners who say, "I wish I had a pocket Rachel with me all the time!” Find more about Rachel at www.rachelalexandria.com Katy Rose is a Functional Medicine Diagnostic Nutritionist & Health Educator with formal certification through The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, in partnership with The Cleveland Clinic's acclaimed Institute of Functional Medicine. My work is based in the body's natural ability to heal chronic disease and slow the aging process through nutrition and lifestyle support. My clients learn how they can begin to engage simple lifestyle adjustments (just “a smidge a day”) to lay the groundwork for a lifetime of change and wellness. Find more about Katy at www.katyrose-coaching.com The Asked and Answered by Soul podcast is dedicated to helping you understand that your Soul is the answer. To learn more about your soul's answers and purpose, access your free guide at www.themythsofpurpose.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Notwithstanding regular headlines and firm conventional wisdom, the MAGA Movement is not and never has been an isolationist faction of the Republican Party. Neither the American people nor self-identified MAGA Republicans are fundamentally isolationist, and in fact score higher than non-MAGA Republicans on support for U.S. intervention abroad. The numbers don't lie: this year's Reagan Foundation Summer Poll found the MAGA coalition strongly support Trump's decision to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Why are these results counterintuitive? And how has a tiny isolationist faction of self-appointed MAGA spokespeople drummed up so much noise? Roger Zakheim serves as the Washington Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. Before joining, he was General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. In this role, Mr. Zakheim managed the passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, the defense policy bill which authorizes the Defense Department's budget. Mr. Zakheim's government experience also includes serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense where he supported the department's policies and programs related to Iraq and Afghanistan coalition affairs.Read the transcript here
In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary converses with Tony Smith, an experienced attorney specializing in small business advising, intellectual property, and emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and blockchain. Tony shares his professional journey from working at Stryker to founding his own law firm. He discusses his fascination with Bitcoin, the importance of legal foundations for startups, and strategies for managing imposter syndrome and control in the legal profession. The episode offers valuable insights for lawyers on navigating stress, achieving balance, and embracing resilience in their practice.Tony's Professional Journey (00:01:36)Discovery of Bitcoin (00:02:17)Understanding Bitcoin and Blockchain (00:03:16)Bitcoin Network Security (00:05:31)Mining Bitcoin and Energy Use (00:08:13)Transition to His Own Law Firm (00:10:20)Reputation in Cryptocurrency (00:10:48)Current Law Practice (00:14:05)Supporting Startups (00:14:39)Foundational Legal Documents (00:15:51)Managing Imposter Syndrome (00:16:33)Letting Go of Control (00:18:06)Master of My Own Domain (00:20:37)Managing Urgency and Importance (00:21:22)Living in the Present (00:22:26)Resilience Through Medical Challenges (00:23:17)Dealing with Health Scares (00:24:10)Bouncing Back from Setbacks (00:28:56)Finding Work-Life Balance (00:31:05)Tony Smith is a seasoned attorney with deep expertise in intellectual property law, blockchain strategy, and emerging technologies. As General Counsel at Zuber Lawler, Tony provides critical legal guidance at the intersection of innovation, compliance, and corporate growth. With nearly two decades of legal experience—including senior roles at firms like Xsolla and Stryker—he brings a pragmatic, future-forward approach to legal strategy.Tony is especially focused on helping companies leverage blockchain and smart contracts to streamline operations and protect digital assets. His legal acumen and tech fluency make him a go-to resource for businesses navigating the evolving regulatory landscape of cryptocurrency, decentralized technologies, and intellectual property law.Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call
In this episode, Lisa Foshee, senior vice president of Government Affairs and General Counsel at Auto Care Association, breaks down the right to repair battle affecting independent auto repair shops. As automakers fight to restrict access to diagnostic data, independent auto repair shops and their customers face an existential threat. Foshee covers Massachusetts' leading legislation, Maine's efforts, federal bill status, and the legislative process. She explains the economic stakes and provides practical advocacy steps for shop owners and their customers.
Lisa Siders is General Counsel at Avon Products, Inc. and the Chief Transformation Officer at Avon International. In the inaugural “Where Are They Now?” episode of On Tax, Lisa returns to talk with Cravath partner and host Len Teti about her career since she last appeared on the show as the Vice President of Tax at Natura &Co in Season 1. They also discuss the qualities that enable tax attorneys to excel across a variety of (sometimes unexpected) functions and reflect on the importance of building trust among clients and colleagues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Dcn. Harrison Garlick, Chancellor and General Counsel of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, welcomes Dr. Zena Hitz, a tutor at St. John's College and founder of the Catherine Project, to discuss Aristophanes' comedic masterpiece, The Clouds. The episode dives into the play's biting humor, its critique of Athenian society, and its timeless questions about education, piety, and moral decay. From the Thinkery's absurd teachings to the mysterious Clouds, Dcn. Garlick and Zena unpack the play's relevance to modern audiences, exploring themes of social ambition, familial breakdown, and the consequences of abandoning traditional values.Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule and more!Check out our Patreon page for our library of written guides!Key Discussion PointsAristophanes and The Clouds: Born around 446 BC, Aristophanes, the father of comedy, wrote The Clouds in 423 BC, nearly a decade into the Peloponnesian War. The play, a revised version not performed but circulated for reading, critiques Athenian decadence and intellectual trends through the story of Strepsiades, a debt-ridden father, and his son Phidippides. “Aristophanes in general is interested in portraying through this kind of ridiculous, sometimes slapstick, sometimes obscene comedy, certain truths” – Dr. Zena Hitz (16:47).The Thinkery and Education: The Thinkery, led by Socrates, teaches deceptive rhetoric and speculative inquiries, parodying new intellectual movements. It raises questions about education's societal role. “The question about what an education is for and whether it helps the community or hurts it is a very basic fundamental question” – Dr. Zena Hitz (19:53).Piety and Political Stability: The play links reverence for traditional gods to social cohesion, showing how the Thinkery's impiety destabilizes family and polis. “Belief in the gods is standing in for… sticking to the moral code that's keeping the whole society together” – Dr. Zena Hitz (31:08).Socrates' Portrayal: Socrates is depicted as a buffoonish sophist, but his role is ambiguous—possibly a stand-in for broader trends rather than the historical figure. “Strepsiades is the target… Socrates in a way is just being used to show something up about Strepsiades” – Dr. Zena Hitz (44:01).The Clouds' Role: The personified Clouds, worshipped in the Thinkery, symbolize deceptive speech and align with comic poets, adding complexity. “Clouds cover things up. So there's some kind of image for deceptive speech” – Dr. Zena Hitz (49:20).Socio-Economic Context: Set in a wealthy but decadent Athens, the play critiques social ambition and debt, mirroring modern struggles. “It's in a way a very American story” – Dr. Zena Hitz (24:00).Moral Precedent and Human Nature: Strepsiades' attempt to bend moral standards for gain backfires, reflecting universal human flaws. “You never want the full consequences of that one piece of wrongdoing… It never works out that way” – Dr. Zena Hitz (33:47).Translation Challenges: The episode highlights the importance of choosing a translation that preserves Aristophanes' puns and humor, with recommendations for Arrowsmith and Sommerstein. “The translation on the Aristophanes actually matters a lot” – Dcn. Harrison Garlick (54:58).About Our GuestDr. Zena Hitz is a tutor at St. John's College and the founder and president of the Catherine Project, a nonprofit offering free, open-access reading groups and tutorials on great...
Jessi Brooks is the General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer at Ribbit Capital. Prior to Ribbit, Jessi was an attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she worked on high-profile crypto and national security cases. Jessi explains the blockchain tools used in the Bitfinex hack, why crypto > cash, how the DOJ works with stablecoin issuers, and much more. The conversation also covers Jessi's journey from prosecuting domestic violence cases to crypto, and her perspective on building bridges between regulators and the industry.Timestamps:➡️ 00:57 Lessons from the Bitfinex hack➡️ 06:28 Unhosted wallets and the DOJ➡️ 09:42 The role of seizure & forfeiture➡️ 13:44 Increase in crypto-related cases ➡️ 19:18 Jessi's early DOJ crypto cases ➡️ 23:23 Al-Qassam Brigades operation➡️ 31:31 How DOJ and industry can align➡️ 35:49 Her work at Ribbit Capital and advising startupsSponsor: This episode is brought to you by Day One Law — a boutique law firm helping crypto startups navigate complex legal challenges.Visit https://www.dayonelaw.xyz/ to get in touch.#crypto #cryptocurrency #law #blockchain #bitcoin #ethereumDisclaimer: Jacob Robinson and his guests are not your lawyer. Nothing herein or mentioned on the Law of Code podcast should be construed as legal advice. The material published is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Please seek the advice of counsel, and do not apply any of the generalized material to your individual facts or circumstances without speaking to an attorney.
Independence Day is on the horizon, and what better way to celebrate the spirit of freedom and new beginnings than revisiting a conversation with a true pioneer! Michele Coleman Mays redefined leadership and advocacy during her distinguished career. She has served as the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for The New York Public Library and had key roles at Allstate Insurance Company and Pitney Bowes Inc. During our conversation, she shared her unique lens on personal branding, leadership, and career development.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you'll learn about the difference between branding and reputation, the critical role of authenticity, and how to rethink the concept of retirement. Michele will also touch on various aspects and strategies in strong brand creation, best practices for enhancing your leadership and career skills, and more.2:26 - Michele's personal branding definition, how she describes herself, a quote that'll make you pause and think, and her hype songs7:00 - Two strategies that Michele used in building her personal brand9:07 - The evolution of Michele's interaction with the business and leadership sides of different organizations12:12 - How personal branding and reputation differ and the necessity of keeping your audience in mind during interactions16:48 - Why you should still strive to access resources that help build your brand and skill set, even if you're already at the top20:52 - The complexity of showing up authentically for minority groups in professional settings24:32 - Two things that surprised Michele the most while co-writing her book Courageous Counsel27:00 - Civic engagements that were integral to Michele's career, how she reimagines the concept of retirement, and what she plans to do next33:05 - Two mistakes people make when networking for personal brand-building35:03 - What Michele always does for fun when traveling and her non-negotiable brand aspects, Branding Room Only Magic, and final words of adviceMentioned In Inspiring Independence: Reimagining Leadership and Branding with Michele Coleman MayesCourageous Counsel: Conversations with Women General Counsel in the Fortune 500 by Michele Coleman Mayes and Kara Sophia BaysingerMichele Coleman Mayes on LinkedInThe HistoryMakersCenter for Reproductive RightsAmerican College of Governance CounselBad Feminist by Roxane GaySubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.
Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society. Justin interviews RIMS General Counsel and VP of External Affairs Mark Prysock about the RIMS Legislative Summit in March 2025, how it went, and what to expect next. Mark mentions the registrant participation records they set and the connections they made as they lobbied. As Mark exits, Morgan O'Rourke and Hilary Tuttle of RIMS Risk Management magazine enter the studio to talk with Justin about the mid-year in risk and four Q2 articles in RIMS Risk Management magazine on tariffs, the 2025 hurricane season, the USDA budget cuts and food safety, and minimizing risk while using AI for innovation. After lessons from the articles, Hilary invites listeners to submit risk management articles to RIMS Risk Management magazine. If you publish in the magazine, what opportunities will that open for you? Listen to learn more about the highlights of the first two quarters of 2025 and what to prepare for the rest of the year. Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:17] About this episode of RIMScast. We've got three guests today. We'll get a RIMS legislative update from Mark Prysock, and we will look back at major risk management news from the first half of 2025 with Morgan O'Rourke and Hilary Tuttle of RIMS Risk Management magazine. [:48] RIMS-CRMP Workshops! The next Virtual RIMS-CRMP exam prep, co-hosted by Parima, will be held on September 2nd and 3rd. [:58] The next RIMS-CRMP-FED virtual workshop will be led by Joseph Mayo on July 17th and 18th. Register by July 16th. Links to these courses can be found on the Certification Page of RIMS.org and through this episode's show notes. [1:16] RIMS Virtual Workshops! We have a day-long course on July 24th, “Risk Taxonomy for Effective Risk Management.” On August 5th, we have a day-long course about “Emerging Risks.” RIMS members enjoy deep discounts! [1:31] The full schedule of virtual workshops can be found on the RIMS.org/education and RIMS.org/education/online-learning pages. A link is also in this episode's notes. [1:42] If you tuned in to the recent episode featuring James Lam, you will know that he is hosting a new six-module workshop for us, the “RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management”. [1:56] The inaugural summer course is completely sold out! We are filled to the virtual capacity! Don't worry, in the Fall, the bi-weekly course will begin on October 9th. Registration closes on October 2nd. A link is in this episode's notes. Check it out and register today! [2:15] Mark your calendars for November 17th and 18th for the RIMS ERM Conference 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The agenda is being built. Soon, we will distribute a Call for Nominations for the ERM Award of Distinction. I'll update this episode's show notes when that link is ready. [2:38] Think about your organization's ERM program or one that you know of, and how it has generated value. We will have more on that in the coming weeks. [2:47] RISKWORLD 2026 will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 3rd through May 6th. RIMS members can now lock in the 2025 rate for a full conference pass to RISKWORLD 2026 when registering by September 30th. [3:01] This also lets you enjoy earlier access to the RISKWORLD hotel block. Register by September 30th, and you will also be entered to win a $500 raffle. Don't miss out on this chance to plan and score some extra perks. [3:14] The members-only registration link is in this episode's show notes. If you are not yet a member, this is the time to register at RIMS.org/membership. [3:24] On with the show! Mark Prysock is the RIMS General Counsel and VP of External Affairs. It's always wonderful to have him on the show. [3:32] He is here to remind us of the RIMS legislative priorities, how they were addressed during the RIMS Legislative Summit in March, and what else we can expect in the way of public policies that RIMS would like to prevent and those we'd like to support. [3:46] There are lots of links in this episode's notes, as well, including ones to RISK PAC and an upcoming fundraiser. Let's get to it! [3:54] Interview! Mark Prysock, welcome back to RIMScast! [4:14] RIMS's top legislative or advocacy priorities for 2025 include opposing legislation on taxing non-profit associations. RIMS is working with other associations on this. The tax would have a significant impact on RIMS. [5:26] Another issue is the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act, which would allow individuals to use college savings 529 plans to pay for certifications like the RIMS-CRMP. It's a very popular issue in the association community. [5:55] Third-party litigation funding has become a very big issue, followed by nuclear verdicts. What can we do to stop that? That's an issue that's been growing in both the House and the Senate. RIMS is working within a broad coalition to address that issue. [6:14] RIMS believes, at a bare minimum, there needs to be disclosures when third-party litigation funding agreements are in place so that everyone understands who stands to benefit from a nuclear verdict. It's not the plaintiff. [6:37] The last issue is the National Flood Insurance Program. [7:01] Mark and his team spent Day 1 of the RIMS Legislative Summit in March prepping the registrants so they understood the ins and outs of the issues. They all received one-page leave-behind documents to take to the Congressional offices. [7:18] Panellists had talked to them about the issues. The registrants were prepped to be lobbyists on these issues. [7:30] On Day 2, the registrants went to the Hill and lobbied on behalf of RIMS. [7:39] There were over 60 registrants this year. That was a RIMS Legislative Summit record. They had around 100 Congressional meetings, also a RIMS Legislative Summit record. [8:15] Mark says holding the event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building is fantastic. It's a classic D.C. building that everyone knows. It's fairly close to Capitol Hill. You can get all the speakers you want to come and meet with your group there. It's perfect for the Summit. [8:49] A couple of years ago was the first time the Summit met at the Chamber building. Going back this year confirmed that it's going to be the new location for the Summit. Mark says it was an enriching experience for the attendees. [9:33] The Summit lobbyists focus on committees in both the House and Senate with jurisdiction over insurance. [9:47] The House Financial Services Committee has a Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. Most of the legislation the Summit is concerned about comes from the House. [10:04] That Subcommittee has a new Chair, Congressman Mike Flood from Nebraska. The Summit has made inroads with his office and with other offices, too. [10:28] The Summit's focus is on establishing relationships with newer Congressional offices that are in a position to impact RIMS's legislative priorities. [10:52] Mark says, typically when we meet with a Member of Congress, it might be that we're talking to them because they're well-situated to talk to us about NFIP. [11:02] On other issues, we don't know that they necessarily align with us, but we know that with what we're trying to accomplish with the NFIP, they are going to be a great ally. That's our foot in the door to discuss other legislative issues. [11:24] Marks says the Summit is looking to establish long-term relationships with Members of Congress and educate them on the importance of different issues. [11:58] The RIMS Public Policy Committee will continue hammering on these issues for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. The tax issues are likely to be resolved in RIMS's favor in the Omnibus tax bill Congress is wrestling with now. [12:18] The One Big Beautiful Bill does not include language for imposing new taxes on non-profits, but it does include the language about liberalizing the use of College 529 plans, which RIMS supports. Mark thinks that it will be wrapped up soon. [12:39] NFIP has been reauthorized through September 30th, the end of the Federal Government's Fiscal Year. There is legislation out there to reauthorize it for a longer period. The RIMS Public Policy Committee is talking with Members of Congress about that. [12:57] Third-party litigation funding is an issue to keep working on for the next couple of years. [13:04] The RIMS Public Policy Committee will be working closely with the RISK PAC Trustees to figure out how they can help to raise more money for the PAC. They have some ideas for things to do at RISKWORLD 2026 in Philadelphia. [13:22] They have a fundraising event in Philadelphia in the middle of July. They'll be sending out Calendar invites to the RIMS membership. 2026 will be an election year, so they want to raise as much money as they can for RISK PAC and the right re-election campaigns. [14:02] At RIMS.org/advocacy, you can see that the RIMS Legislative Summit 2026 will be held from March 16th through 18th. Mark is more excited than ever for next year's Summit! It's an election year. They've got the details nailed down. They'll be at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. [14:53] They will have a hotel block nailed down soon. They'll start promoting this event far in advance. Mark your calendars, please! As you build your chapters next year, please include some money to send your Advocacy Ambassador to the Legislative Summit 2026 in March. [15:20] We've got the link in this episode's show notes and at RIMS.org/advocacy. You can reach out to Mark Prysock directly through his email address on the RIMS Advocacy page. Write to him if you have questions about what it takes to get there or how you can contribute. [15:43] As Morgan O'Rourke and Hilary Tuttle walk into the studio, Justin thanks Mark Prysock for being on the show. [16:04] Plugs! The very first RIMS Texas Regional Conference will be held from August 4th through the 6th in San Antonio at the Henry B. González Convention Center. Public Registration is open. [16:17] Hotel cut-off for the discounted rate is available through July 7th. The full Conference Agenda is now live, so you can start planning your experience. Don't miss the post-conference workshop, the RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Course, available onsite. [16:33] This event is open to any RIMS Chapter member. If you are local to the area, you might consider becoming a RIMS member today, so that you can get all the benefits and begin networking with your new RIMS Texas peers. Links are in this episode's show notes. [16:48] You can also visit the Events Page of RIMS.org for more information. We look forward to seeing you in Texas! [16:56] Just a month later, we will be up North for the RIMS Canada Conference 2025, from September 14th through 17th in Calgary. Registration is open. Visit RIMSCanadaConference.CA and lock in those favorable rates. We look forward to seeing you in Calgary! [17:15] On October 1st through the 3rd, the RIMS Western Regional Conference will be held in North San Jose at the Santa Clara Marriott. The agenda is live. It looks fantastic! Visit RIMSWesternRegional.com and register today. [17:31] Let's Get on with the Show! It is July 1st. We have reached the midpoint of 2025. On RIMScast, we like to take stock of the year in risk, so far. Morgan O'Rourke and Hilary Tuttle are going to break it all down for us. [17:54] Morgan O'Rourke is the RIMS Senior Director of Content and Publications. Hilary Tuttle is the Managing Editor of RIMS Risk Management magazine. That's our flagship, at RMmagazine.com. [18:07] We will look back on the Q2 digital issue of RIMS Risk Management magazine and discuss some of the news and trends that have been driving the risk profession. We'll talk about tariffs, AI, and more. Let's get to it! [18:23] Interview! Morgan O'Rourke and Hilary Tuttle, welcome back to RIMScast! [18:50] We are here to talk about the mid-point of 2025 in risk and what it has meant for the profession and the reporting on the profession. The Q2 digital issue of RIMS Risk Management magazine is now available. The link is on this page. [19:26] A big story from this quarter was tariff volatility. In April, Neil Hodge wrote a great article “How to Navigate the Volatile Tariff Landscape.” Many companies underestimate their exposure to tariffs through lower-tier suppliers. [20:06] Hilary says the number one tip is to map your exposure to tariffs via suppliers. Also, think about finished goods as well as what hypothetical future scenarios would mean. We've seen that tariffs are consistently volatile. Map different scenarios to see how they will play out. [20:43] In the article, Neil also mentions alternatives such as near-shoring, alternative suppliers, and technicalities about working within the system. Morgan mentions contract management. Another tip was tariff engineering by modifying your product design or where it's assembled. [21:35] Morgan shares an example. Converse All Stars have a layer of felt on the bottom, which classifies them as slippers, which have a lower tariff. They tweaked the product so it could be classified differently. Morgan just bought a new pair and saw the felt he had never noticed. [23:24] Morgan says certain auto imports may leave out features that would classify them as commercial vehicles, so they don't have a commercial vehicle duty. [24:08] Equipment that was bought before steel tariffs will be more expensive to repair after steel tariffs, and insurance that was in place before the tariffs may not cover the drastically more expensive repairs. This will affect heavy machinery. Revisit your insurance coverage. [25:06] Considering what major assets may be changing with tariff changes would be a helpful next step for people. Morgan refers to finding alternate suppliers or diversifying. If you're starting a new relationship with a supplier, tariffs need to be part of the contract conversation. [25:42] If tariffs are a risk you have not been accounting for in your supplier agreements, you may want to build more flexibility into future agreements. [26:03] Justin mentions the 2025 hurricane season and accurate weather reporting. That relates to supply chain. Hilary includes replacement values, as materials cost more. [26:33] Hilary wrote an article, “The 2025 Hurricane Season Outlook.” Hilary says it's interesting to tell similar stories every year in different ways. She looked at the outlook for this season and compared it to the results from last year. [27:35] She looked for the key trends that drove the results last year and that will impact this year. It's an outlook and also a strategic input. How does your organization need to adapt to this outlook? It's about seeing the overarching trends and figuring out how to act on them. [28:20] Hurricane Beryl came in the summer of 2024. It was one of the earliest major hurricanes to form. It reached Category 5 in 42 hours. What strategies should organizations take to address fast-developing storms? [28:43] Rapid intensification is a major trend with hurricanes. This is fueled by above-average ocean temperatures and other impacts of climate change. Storms are getting worse faster. The energy at the surface level contributes to faster-building hurricanes. Then there are trade winds. [29:09] It is a very big challenge for governments and private industry because you need to prepare much faster. You might only have a day of notice between a tropical storm and a Category 3 hurricane. [29:29] Preparedness is a state of being, not something you deal with if and when a storm arises. It needs to be a constant state of readiness. This year there have been significant budget cuts to NOAA and FEMA. This affects weather forecasting and the number of emergency staff. [30:22] Organizations need to understand that they need an increased amount of self-reliance. You cannot count on the cavalry coming. Preparedness means more than ever this year. [30:38] Morgan says it's less about coordinating with Federal agencies and more about making sure you have your ducks in a row. You may not have access to outside resources. You might be able to coordinate with other companies and organizations. Cooperation helps. [31:43] Hilary says, after last year, we saw with Hurricane Helene that some of these disasters are increasing and hitting in unpredictable areas that don't have the preparedness or the infrastructure because there is not a legacy sense of being at risk for hurricanes. [32:05] Preparedness is different in different regions. Taking an assessment, thinking about some of those scenarios is a strategic risk management issue that may need to shift in new ways. In some of those areas, you might not have local disaster resources because it has not been a risk. [32:38] Prepare by taking a realistic assessment of emergency resources on the ground, what has the historical risk been, and how that is shifting? [32:51] A Small Break! The Spencer Educational Foundation's goal to help build a talent pipeline of risk management and insurance professionals is achieved, in part, by its collaboration with risk management and insurance educators across the U.S. and Canada. [33:10] Since 2010, Spencer has awarded over $3.3 million in General Grants to support over 130 student-centred experiential learning initiatives at universities and RMI non-profits. Spencer's 2026 application process is now open through July 30th, 2025. [33:30] General Grant awardees are typically notified at the end of October. The link is in this interview's show notes. Be sure to visit the programs page of SpencerEd.org. [33:40] The Spencer 2025 Funding their Future Gala will be held Thursday, September 18th at the Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, New York. This year's honoree is Tim Ryan, the U.S. President of Lockton, and we hope to have him here on RIMScast this summer. A link is in the show notes. [34:03] Let's Return to the Conclusion of My Interview with Morgan O'Rourke and Hilary Tuttle of RIMS Risk Management magazine! [34:55] Jennifer Post, one of the editors, wrote an article, “USDA Budget Cuts Present Food Safety Risks.” Budget cuts may increase the likelihood of an outbreak of foodborne diseases and compromise the USDA's ability to respond and notify consumers of an outbreak. [36:28] Hilary notes recent outbreaks with cucumbers and tomatoes, which have been deadlier than one might expect. The cucumber recall was for cucumbers that had been sold six weeks before. Hilary has never had a cucumber for more than two weeks. [37:11] Shifting responsibility to under-resourced states creates uneven safety standards. Private companies will have to incur some of the costs of testing and monitoring their food. Who is responsible for coordinating food safety between states or countries is a question mark. [37:50] This is not a great solution. It's an area of uncertainty for now. It is likely to increase costs for individual companies. It also increases the risk exposure for companies that are distributing food that makes people sick, but they don't know it. [38:09] The number of people getting sick and the amount of money a company will lose balloon as a function of time and notice. There are a lot of components to this issue. [38:30] Hilary says we are also seeing some concern around whether some of the shifting standards are going to create different levels of safety in different types of products or from different regions. This shifts a lot of the burden onto the consumer and private companies. [38:42] Morgan adds that beyond the cuts to NOAA, FEMA, and the USDA, there are cuts to cybersecurity infrastructure with CISA. These cuts remove a level of oversight that people have come to rely on. The cuts push responsibility for risks further onto states and private industry. [39:26] Morgan says they were worried about the appetite for change in the government from the Trump administration. The administration is making changes. Some of the fallout is that it has changed the risk landscape regarding storm damage, food safety, cybersecurity, and more. [39:46] You may have to reassess your risks in the light of these cuts to Federal agencies. Hilary points out that the cuts are not fluff when you realize the functions these agencies have. [40:21] Hilary quotes a food safety professor from the article. “Oversight is not a bureaucratic formality; it's the invisible line between routine production and preventable tragedy.” Hilary thinks that quote applies across a number of the cuts that have been made. [40:39] The magazine has an article on AI called “Balancing Innovation and Compliance When Implementing AI.” Morgan reports that AI is all over the place now. The conversation has to involve implementation issues and liability risks. AI hallucinations and data security are issues. [42:03] You need to have a level of human intervention and involvement to be looking for things that you might have taken for granted are true, but that are problematic or make you liable for something. [42:17] Hilary says another big issue is that the technology is drastically outpacing regulation, safety measures, and best practices. You need to be asking, “What do we have a defensible business reason to do, and what are we putting in place to safeguard those?” [42:44] Some of the AI applications around hiring incur very real consequences in terms of human impact and regulatory impact. You may be dealing with serious employment fines or other things of that nature that regulators will catch up on. [43:06] AI systems are designed to please you. They are not designed to do the right thing or to make intelligent choices. They guide a user, and the user needs to guide them. Hilary compares using AI to riding an elephant. The elephant can go where it wants to go; you need to control it. [43:55] Hilary says that a lot of these AI engines perpetuate bias that the people who developed them may or may not have or may not realize that they have. A large company for a while only hired white men because those were the people who had been successfully hired in the past. [44:20] The content online that trains these models is the content that is published online. It requires a certain amount of privilege, experience, education, and life perspective. It doesn't draw on the body of human experience and knowledge for representative bodies. [44:49] You have to bring a certain diversity of experience, and also check those inputs with either people or other sources. Morgan talks about the feeling you might get that something like an email was written by an AI. The homogeneity starts to erode the quality of things. [45:27] Morgan has read that one of ChatGPT's quirks is that a lot of responses will have a “not this but that” structure. For instance, “It's not just soup, it's a meal!” Once you see it, you start to see it everywhere. Hilary says a giveaway is the use of inserted emojis. [46:32] Morgan and Hilary have been editing for quite a while. Morgan can identify who wrote a piece of writing by its style. If you get an email from someone with turns of phrase they would never use, you know it's AI. Losing track of what's going on is not to your advantage. [47:26] Having AI write an email is an example of something that just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should do it. Should you be working in an environment in which you don't know how to interact functionally with your coworkers, the length of an email? [48:13] Engineering prompts are one of the biggest skills people need to learn in working with AI. Prompt engineering is the most important component that Hilary had to struggle to learn in an AI course she took. It makes the biggest difference to AI being usable. Take a prompt class. [49:05] Justin shares an experience he had using AI to make an email response he had written much shorter and less defensive. It wasn't perfect, but it helped him to revise his message. [49:47] Hilary said that Justin gave a great example of prompt engineering. You want to tell it who the recipient is, who you are, and what your specific concern is to address. You can also ask it to explain the changes that it makes, so you learn how to write better emails next time. [50:43] Hilary urges caution on choosing the platform. ChatGPT is decent for writing because you can prime it. You can't prime Copilot, and she says a lot of the results are garbage. [51:46] The Q2 edition of RIMS Risk Management magazine is online. All the articles are on the site as links and as part of the digital edition. [51:56] A reminder to the audience: RIMS Risk Management magazine is always seeking contributors and contributions, primarily from the risk profession. The topics that are important to you are the topics that are important to your colleagues. Get your voices out there! [52:37] A good submission answers two questions: Why this? And why now? Why should other people care about this issue? New regulations? New fines? A recent court case? Is there a nuance you are highlighting? Another question is, so what? What do you do about it? [53:28] Justin offers, How will the audience be able to do their job better based on the information you're telling them? Morgan comments that the idea is risk management. You want to get to the management part of it so your organization can do something about it. [53:58] Go to RMMagazine.com and see the Contribute button at the top. That's where you'll find the editorial submission guidelines and the contact information for Morgan, Hilary, and Jennifer. They are open to your ideas, so by all means, reach out. You never know what it could lead to! [54:58] Hilary says they also welcome feedback on their existing coverage and the challenges you are seeing in the field. [55:27] Hilary and Morgan are going to rejoin us at the end of the year. We always close the year with an episode when they look back on the year and forward to the next. [56:01] Special thanks to my RIMS colleagues Mark Prysock, Morgan O'Rourke, and Hilary Tuttle for joining us here on RIMScast! Visit RIMS.org/advocacy to connect with Mark, and RMMagazine.com to connect with Morgan and Hilary, and get the latest risk news and insight. [56:23] Links are in this episode's show notes, including a link to the Contribute page on RMMagazine.com. [56:29] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [56:57] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [57:15] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [57:33] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [57:49] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [68:04] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. You can email Justin at Content@RIMS.org. [58:11] Thank you all for your continued support and engagement on social media channels! We appreciate all your kind words. Listen every week! Stay safe! Links: RIMS Texas Regional 2025 — August 3‒5 | Registration now open. RIMS-CRMP In-Person Workshop in Texas Aug. 6 & 7 RIMS Canada 2025 — Sept. 14‒17 | Registration now open! RIMS Western Regional — Oct 1‒3 | Bay Area, California | Registration now open! RISKWORLD 2026 — Members-only early registration! Register through Sept 30! RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy | RIMS Legislative Summit SAVE THE DATE — March 18‒19, 2026 RIMS Risk Management magazine | Contribute “How to Navigate Tariff Volatility” (April 3, 2025) “2025 Hurricane Season Outlook” (June 9, 2025) “USDA Budget Cuts Present Food Safety Risks” (May 21, 2025) “Balancing Innovation and Compliance When Implementing AI” (April 30, 2025) RIMS Now The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center Spencer Education Foundation — General Grants 2026 — Application Deadline July 30, 2025 RIMS ERM Conference 2025 — Nov 17‒18 in Seattle! [Save the Date!] “RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management” — Featuring Instructor James Lam! Summer course sold out! | Fall bi-weekly course begins Oct 9. RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RIMS Webinars: RIMS.org/Webinars Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — July 17‒18 RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — Sept 2‒3, 2025 | Presented by RIMS and PARIMA Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule “Risk Taxonomy for Effective Risk Management” | July 24 | Instructor: Joe Mayo “Emerging Risks” | Aug 5 | Instructor: Joe Mayo See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS-CRMP Prep Workshops Related RIMScast Episodes: “James Lam on ERM, Strategy, and the Modern CRO” “RIMS Legislative Priorities in 2025 with Mark Prysock” “Q1 2025 Risks with Morgan O'Rourke” Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: “The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience” | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) “Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs” | Sponsored by Zurich “Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding” | Sponsored by Zurich “What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping” | Sponsored by Medcor “Risk Management in a Changing World: A Deep Dive into AXA's 2024 Future Risks Report” | Sponsored by AXA XL “How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips” | Sponsored by Alliant “RMIS Innovation with Archer” | Sponsored by Archer “Navigating Commercial Property Risks with Captives” | Sponsored by Zurich “Breaking Down Silos: AXA XL's New Approach to Casualty Insurance” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Weathering Today's Property Claims Management Challenges” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Storm Prep 2024: The Growing Impact of Convective Storms and Hail” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Partnering Against Cyberrisk” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics for Effective Risk Management” | Sponsored by Marsh “Accident Prevention — The Winning Formula For Construction and Insurance” | Sponsored by Otoos “Platinum Protection: Underwriting and Risk Engineering's Role in Protecting Commercial Properties” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Elevating RMIS — The Archer Way” | Sponsored by Archer RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Kristen Peed! RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model® Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information. Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org. Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. About our guests: Mark Prysock, General Counsel at Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) Morgan O'Rourke, Director of Publications at RIMS Hilary Tuttle, Managing Editor of Risk Management Magazine Production and engineering provided by Podfly.
John joins Paul Coleman, John Steenhof and Kristen Waggoner for a powerful discussion on the state of religious freedom in the West. Together, they explore the rise of hate speech laws, the weaponisation of anti-discrimination regimes, the erosion of conscience rights, and the emergence of a new secular orthodoxy that punishes dissent. Drawing on major legal cases across Europe, the US, and Australia, the panel reveals how fundamental freedoms are being redefined — and what must be done to reclaim them.Paul Coleman is a British lawyer and Executive Director of ADF International, a legal advocacy organisation based in Vienna. He specialises in international human rights and European law, and has worked on more than 20 cases before the European Court of Human Rights. Coleman has also authored submissions to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the UN Human Rights Committee, and various national courts. Kristen Waggoner is CEO, President, and General Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, the world's largest legal organisation defending religious liberty and free speech. She has argued several landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, including Masterpiece Cakeshop and 303 Creative, securing major victories for freedom of expression. Waggoner also oversees ADF's international work, advancing human rights and defending the rule of law around the world. John Steenhof is the Principal Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Alliance, a legal firm dedicated to defending religious freedom and free speech in Australia. With a background in commercial law and non-profit leadership, he now focuses on protecting the rights of individuals to live out their faith without legal penalty.
Learn more about NAWL's Coaching Roster here! William Bridges' Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes: Books by William Bridges | Transition Management Leaders Bios & Speaker Links Karen Morris is President and founder of Suizzo Morris Group, LLC, specializing in executive, leadership, career, and transition coaching for individuals and organizations. Focusing on the “whole person,” Karen coaches in 1:1 and group settings, helping her clients find purpose, gain perspective, resilience, and strength, live with agency and intent, enrich their relationships, positively impact their organizations, their families, and their communities, and live with peace and achieve their goals. During her 30+ year corporate career, Karen held executive roles in Legal, Strategy, Product Management, Marketing, Communications and Regulatory Relations. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel for USAA P&C Group. Karen is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), certified through the Hudson Institute of Coaching. She holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from St. Mary's University of Minnesota and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. Karen is a champion of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a focus on the legal community, including serving as President of the National Association of Women Lawyers 2020-21. Karen's Links Suizzo Morris Group website: https://www.suizzomorrisgroup.com Suizzo Morris Group Complimentary 3-month Coaching opportunities: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7337911293078663169/ Dealing with Uncertainty:Let it Be – Loosening the Grip of Attachment: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/loosening-grip-attachment-karen-morris-15hic/?trackingId=470LTgnLS1u4Ap6fGUnznA%3D%3DThe Value of Not Knowing: https://www.suizzomorrisgroup.com/blog/the-value-of-not-knowingMindset:Managing Stress: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/managing-stress-changing-our-relationship-karen-morris-9553c/?trackingId=a5huFoDKHFxUeROam0SURA%3D%3DUnlock your Potential – Grow Self-Compassion: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unlock-your-potential-grow-self-compassion-karen-morris-scn2c/?trackingId=UDvhM5h6wLvGIwV12EnTlg%3D%3D Lisa B. Horowitz is passionate about helping attorneys build meaningful and fulfilling careers. She regularly coaches attorneys and other senior professionals working globally in legal departments, corporations, law firms, government and non-profits to successfully execute career transitions. Following almost two decades practicing federal procurement law, Lisa herself successfully transitioned to the talent development and coaching field obtaining her Masters in Organizational Development and Change from Johns Hopkins University. After leading the professional development department of a large law firm, she founded her current coaching, training and consulting firm--the Attorney Talent Strategy Group--to help clients take charge and grow great careers. As a highly sought-after speaker, Lisa has delivered coaching and training programs on career, leadership and management to a variety of organizations, including the Association of Corporate Counsel-National Capital Region, American Bar Association, National Association of Women Lawyers, the New York City Bar Association and District of Columbia Bar Association. Her Building Leadership Muscle Series includes core programs aimed at developing critical leadership and management skills including Creating Your Individual Strategic Career Plan. Lisa has served on the Board and as President of the National Association of Women Lawyers and as a Commissioner on the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession. Lisa graduated from Tufts University, Summa Cum Laude and from George Washington University Law School with Honors. Lisa's Links Email: lbhorowitz@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisabhorowitz/ Attorney Talent Strategy Group LLC website: http://www.atalentstrategy.com/ Articles:Career Transition is Inescapable: Maximize It: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/career-transition-inescapable-maximize-lisa-b-horowitz-pqlpc/?trackingId=2k7A3nWpRFqLWhf4Kc6p9Q%3D%3DTackling Transitions: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tackling-transitions-untangling-2020moving-2021-lisa-b-horowitz/Don't Let Your Legal Career Be A Casualty of the Pandemic: Strategies for Continuing to Own Your Career: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dont-let-your-legal-career-casualty-pandemic-own-lisa-b-horowitz/?trackingId=zrj1rahbRp6eFau5EDvl6g%3D%3DHit a Bump in Your Career? Rebound Resiliently: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hit-bump-your-career-rebound-resiliently-lisa-b-horowitz/ The views and opinions expressed in this episode of the NAWL Podcast may or may not reflect those of NAWL, the hosts, or participants. Unless otherwise indicated, the hosts and participants are speaking for themselves personally, and not for any firm, employer, or any other organization. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and does not constitute and should not be considered legal advice.
Jim Carroll, President & CEO of the Professional Services Council (PSC), joins Mike Shanley to discuss how PSC is helping federal contractors navigate a shifting federal market. The conversation covers national security trends, PSC's direct engagement with Congress and the White House, and how AI and innovation are shaping the future of defense acquisition. Resources: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ BIOGRAPHY: The Hon. Jim Carroll became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Professional Services Council (PSC) on May 19, 2025. As CEO, Jim is responsible for advocating for the interests of companies that provide cutting-edge solutions and services to the government. Under his leadership, PSC is shaping public policy, leading strategic coalitions, and establishing communications between government and industry — all with a focus on best outcomes and results for the government and the American taxpayers. Carroll brings over 30 years of relevant government and industry experience, including service across multiple federal departments and agencies, and a Fortune 25 corporation. He has been appointed by two U.S. Presidents to senior positions and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Jim is widely recognized as a trusted leader with a well-documented track record of bipartisan collaboration and strategic policy influence. Prior to joining PSC, Jim Carroll was a Partner at the law firm Frost Brown Todd (FBT) in Washington, D.C., and served as a Principal at CivicPoint, FBT's public affairs subsidiary. He advised clients on a wide range of government enforcement and compliance matters, from internal reviews to high-profile investigations. From 2018-2021, Jim served as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), leading efforts to address the national opioid crisis. Under his leadership, the United States recorded its first year-over-year decrease in overdose deaths in three decades. He oversaw the coordination of a $35 billion annual budget across 16 federal agencies. A seasoned policy strategist, Jim Carroll has testified before Congress multiple times, successfully securing funding and driving policy advancements in areas such as public health, law enforcement, and federal procurement. He is widely respected for his ability to navigate complex legal frameworks and government regulatory issues. Carroll's deep relationships with senior decision-makers across federal agencies, the White House, and Capitol Hill uniquely position him to help influence and shape policies. His ability to foster bipartisan dialogue and deliver meaningful results has been consistently demonstrated throughout his career. From 2016 to 2018, Jim held several high-profile roles at the White House, including Principal Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy White House Counsel, and General Counsel of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Earlier in his career, during the George W. Bush Administration, Jim held various senior roles, including Associate Counsel and Special Assistant to the President before becoming the Deputy General Counsel and Acting General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Treasury. He also held key positions within the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Policy and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys. In the private sector, Carroll spent a decade with the Ford Motor Company, where he served as Washington Counsel and Global Director of Compliance. Under his leadership, Ford was recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the “World's Most Ethical Companies” for three consecutive years. He also served as General Counsel for the Ford Motor Company Fund, the company's philanthropic arm. A team builder and servant leader, Jim is known for cultivating high-performing teams that prioritize stakeholder needs and deliver results. LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.
Tara Haig, General Counsel at Multiverse, joins Scott to reflect on a legal career driven by curiosity, courage, and instinct. From saying yes to opening a New York office two years post-qualification to leading legal, privacy, and governance for one of the UK's most prominent edtech scale-ups, Tara's story is all about leaning into discomfort, and figuring it out along the way. Now part of the exec team at Multiverse, a $1.7B AI-powered apprenticeship platform, Tara shares her take on three big lessons: embracing stretch opportunities (even when terrifying), understanding the commercial engine behind your business, and showing up with authenticity. Whether it's tackling GDPR in lockdown, raising a SPAC, or managing legal complexity across Series A to D growth, she's built a legal career that's anything but linear. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating scale-up chaos, growing their team, or trying to stay grounded while building something big. Tara also shares candid reflections on working from Kenya, raising twins, and why perspective, and permission to say no, is as important as saying yes. Guest Recommendations: • Book: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez • Podcast: Pivot with Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway • Podcast: The Rest is Politics About Heriot Brown: At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities.
Legal Insights for the New Space Era: Nathan O'Konek on NSG's RoleIn this episode of our Space Cafe Radio, host Torsten Kriening has an engaging conversation with Nathan O'Konek , General Counsel of NSG - Neo Space Group. Nathan shares his fascinating journey from a childhood fascination with space to his prominent role in the space industry. We dive deep into the complex landscape of space law, regulatory challenges, and the tension between commercial and regulatory impulses. Nathan also discusses his work in Saudi Arabia, the advancements under Vision 2030, and the promising future of the NSG. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the interplay of law, policy, and innovation in the space sector. Tune in to explore the intricacies of navigating legal and regulatory frameworks in the rapidly evolving world of space exploration.This episode is supported by NSG.Useful Links:Space Cafe Radio - with Martijn BlankenSpace Cafe Radio - with Jason AndrewsSpace Cafe Radio - with Dr Mark DickinsonSpace Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.globalWe love to hear from you. Send us your thought, comments, suggestions, love lettersYou can find us on: Spotify and Apple Podcast!Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters. Follow us on LinkedIn and X!
Host Tom Godar welcomes back to the show Husch Blackwell attorney Mary-Ann Czak for the second installment of a two-part discussion on a recently published memorandum from William Cowen, Acting General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The memo sets forth guidelines for NLRB regions to use in approaching settlement agreements that urge NLRB personnel to “focus on pursuing foreseeable harms that are clearly caused by the unfair labor practice.” In Part I of our show, Tom and Mary-Ann explore how the memo could lead to a reduction of the board's pursuit of expansive make-whole remedies that had created significant dissatisfaction among management-side counsel.In Part II, Tom and Mary-Ann discuss the possibility of seeing more non-admission clauses as part of settlement agreements under the current NLRB. The use of these clauses saw a sharp decline during the Biden administration as a matter of board policy; however, the Cowen memo seemingly rolls back this approach, providing the regions with ample latitude to incorporate non-admission clauses as they see fit.Tom and Mary-Ann then consider the issue of non-admission clauses from a more holistic standpoint vis-à-vis the Cowen memo. They contend that the memo restores a level of discretion to the regions, while attempting to strike a more practical-minded balance in the enforcement of labor law violations.The conversation then moves on to consider the NLRB's 2022 Thryv case, which expanded available remedies under the National Labor Relations Act, and how Thryv might be approached by a newly constituted board.Don't miss this episode covering how NLRB policy could be changing regarding settlements.Related MaterialsNational Labor Relations Board Office of the General Counsel. “Seeking Remedial Relief in Settlement Agreements,” Memorandum GC 25-06, May 16, 2025.National Labor Relations Board Office of the General Counsel, “Full Remedies in Settlement Agreements,” Memorandum GC 21-07, September 15, 2021.Thryv Inc. and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1269, case number 20-CA-250250, before the National Labor Relations Board.
Non-compete legislation is evolving rapidly at the state level, with new laws taking effect soon in Arkansas, Kansas, Virginia, and Wyoming. Looking ahead, pending bills in over a dozen states could reshape how employers approach restrictive covenants. In this episode, Epstein Becker Green attorneys Peter A. Steinmeyer, Daniel R. Levy, David J. Clark, and Carolyn O. Boucek discuss the new and proposed state non-compete laws and their implications for employers, as well as alternative tools that can be used to address these restrictions. From expanded protections for low-wage workers in Virginia to Kansas's focus on non-solicit provisions, this episode offers actionable takeaways to help employers stay compliant. Visit our site for this week's other highlights and links: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw395 Spilling Secrets is a special monthly podcast series about the future of non-compete and trade secrets law. We invite you to view Employment Law This Week® – learn about significant developments in employment and labor law and workforce management in a matter of minutes every #WorkforceWednesday®. Watch the series and subscribe for email notifications: http://www.EmploymentLawThisWeek.com. These materials have been provided for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed to constitute legal advice. The content of these materials is copyrighted to Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS WEEK® and #WorkforceWednesday® are registered trademarks of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.
In the wake of October 7, many American Jews have grappled with what it means to not only engage in activism—a longstanding tradition in Jewish history and culture—but to advocate effectively for themselves across diverse environments. On Monday, June 23, 2025 SAPIR's Editor-in-Chief, Bret Stephens, was joined by Sara Forman, Executive Director of the New York Solidarity Network (NYSN) and Mark B. Rotenberg, Senior Vice President for University Initiatives and General Counsel at Hillel International for a conversation on new forms of Jewish political and legal activism. Click on these links to read their pieces from the latest issue of SAPIR. Politics (Forman)Lawfare (Weiss & Rotenberg)
A lot of lawyers hit a point where the weight of it all becomes hard to ignore—the long hours, the pressure, the constant grind that never really lets up. It's easy to feel like the path you chose is now closing in, especially with debt piling up and the work feeling more draining than meaningful. Somewhere along the way, the purpose can get buried under procedure. But there's always that question sitting quietly in the back of your mind: does it have to be like this forever? Jason S. Weiss blends 25+ years of legal experience with a sharp focus on mentoring and fractional General Counsel work. He helps lawyers navigate real-world challenges law school never prepared them for—like billing, client drama, and burnout. Through his book and coaching, he guides young attorneys toward sustainable, fulfilling careers. Jason emphasizes staying calm under pressure and treating law like both a profession and a business. His approach cuts through the fluff and gives lawyers tools to thrive, not just survive. Stay tuned! Resources: WELCOME TO ASK JASON WEISS | Helping attorneys get what they want out of life and their practice Follow Jason S. Weiss on Facebook Follow Jason S. Weiss on Instagram Connect with Jason S. Weiss on LinkedIn
Michael P. Farris - Counselor to the President of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and the General Counsel of the NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS (NRB) - is our guest at Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan Podcast. Michael P. Farris has been an active conservative leader since the late 1970s. He was the founding president of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Patrick Henry College. In 2022, he retired from six years of service as the President & CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom. Mike continues to serve ADF as Counselor to the President & CEO. He also serves the National Religious Broadcasters as its General Counsel. Mike has written fifteen books and numerous scholarly and popular articles. His 2017 article “Defying Conventional Wisdom: The Constitution Was Not the product of a Runaway Convention,” 40 Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy 63 definitively answers the left-wing myth that defames the legitimacy of the Constitution. A honors graduate of Western Washington State College (BA, Political Science), Gonzaga University School of Law (JD), and the University of London (LLM, Public International Law). Mike is married to Vickie and they have 10 children and approximately three times that number of grandchildren. He is also an Elder at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia. Michael's message will encourage you. At Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan Podcast - are here to help you. - to live a life of significance and success. Virginia Prodan had been in your place and God helped me to fight and win as her faith was under attack in #Socialist #Romania or even here in #America. For more training - individual, group or company training - go to: https://www.virginiaprodanbooks.com/freedom-coaching Order your signed copy(s) of Virginia Prodan memoir #SavingMyAssassin - directly here: https://virginiaprodanbooks.com/product/book/ Invite Virginia Prodan to speak at your events : https://lnkd.in/eQwj4R2u Subscribe to Virginia Prodan Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/VirginiaProd Follow Virginia Prodan on: Twitter : https://twitter.com/VirginiaProdan Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/virginia.prodan.1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-prodan-0244581b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiaprodan/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VirginiaProd Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/7kHPeoAgbkAHCg2C6RApEZ Donate to Virginia Prodan #Ministries : https://www.virginiaprodan.com/donate/ We love to hear from you; your comments or questions. Please share it with others. #network #podcast #film #events #training #training #leadership #coaching #people #community #australia #motivation #share #like #power #romania #america @frcdc @AllianceDefends @focusonthefamily
In this episode of As the Drum Turns, Jeff is joined by our General Counsel, J.D. Kious to give an overview of our legal department and how everyone can help by communicating and following through.
Gabe Karp is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and conflict management expert known for his book Don't Get Mad at Penguins: And Other Ways to Detox the Conflict in Your Life and Business. He began his career as a trial lawyer, later becoming Executive Vice President and General Counsel at ePrize (now Merkle), where he helped grow the company into a global leader in digital promotions. Currently, Gabe serves as an Operating Partner at Detroit Venture Partners and a Venture Partner at Lightbank, advising early-stage tech companies and serving on multiple boards. His work focuses on transforming conflict from a liability into a strategic asset, drawing from over 30 years of experience in law, business, and venture capital. In this episode… Navigating conflict is one of the biggest challenges in both personal and professional relationships. Whether dealing with strong personalities, avoiding uncomfortable conversations, or managing unspoken resentment, unresolved conflict can slow progress, damage culture, and erode trust. So, how can leaders turn conflict into a tool for growth instead of a source of frustration? Gabe Karp, conflict management expert and author of Don't Get Mad at Penguins, shares a framework for transforming toxic conflict into a productive force. Drawing on his experiences as a former trial lawyer, executive, and venture capitalist, he explains how leaders can shift team dynamics by normalizing direct communication, embracing discomfort, and identifying common conflict traps such as ego, the need to win, and misaligned expectations. Gabe introduces strategies like the debrief/pre-brief meeting format, ego-neutral negotiation, and fostering cultures of candor and accountability, all of which help teams surface issues before they escalate. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Gabe Karp, Operating Partner at Detroit Venture Partners, about building healthier team dynamics through conflict. Gabe discusses how to dismantle ego-driven tension, the power of cultural feedback loops, and why expectations shape most of our frustrations. He also explores lessons from litigation, handling difficult terminations, and creating space for honest team dialogue.
Machalagh Carr is a trusted and discreet counselor with decades of private sector and government experience. She has nimbly navigated the intersection of congressional investigations and oversight, law, geopolitics, international anticorruption measures, and policy, and served as the top staffer in Article I as Chief of Staff to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. She is the Founder & CEO of Quell strategies, a boutique consulting firm where she helps client navigate Washington and translates the intricacies of public policy to the business world. Prior to her role as Chief of Staff, she served as General Counsel for the Speaker and Office of the Republican Leader at the U.S. House of Representatives. Previously, she served as General Counsel & Parliamentarian for the Committee on Ways and Means, where she handled all legal and procedural issues for the Committee. Before that, she was the Oversight Staff Director at the Committee where she led the investigations and oversight of all issues within the Committee's jurisdiction, served as the Director of Oversight and Investigations for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and as Senior Oversight Counsel at the Committee on Natural Resources. Prior to her public service, Machalagh served in the Office of Global Compliance of an international energy company where she conducted internal anti-corruption investigations, audits, and compliance reviews for the company, including expertise in FCPA, and UK Bribery Act. She also practiced in the Litigation, White Collar, and Government Investigations Group at Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal LLP (now Dentons). She currently serves as the Head of Global Policy for Palantir Technologies. Directly after law school, Machalagh clerked for the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. She taught Trial Practice at Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, is a Politics and Public Service Fellow at Georgetown University McCourt School, and lives in Virginia with her husband and three sons.
In this episode, host Jamy Sullivan welcomes Chad Volkert, Global Solutions Leader at Protiviti, to explore the evolving risk landscape outlined in the Executive Perspectives on Top Risks survey. From economic uncertainty and shifting workplace dynamics to rising labor costs, privacy concerns, and AI-related compliance risks, Chief Legal Officers and General Counsels are navigating one of the most complex eras in corporate risk management. Chad breaks down the top near- and long-term risks facing legal departments and shares how forward-thinking legal leaders are adjusting strategies to stay resilient, compliant, and competitive in 2025 and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On March 20, President Trump signed E.O. 14242, Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities, which directs the Secretary of Education to take steps to “facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.” The subject of intense controversy, EO 14242 raises important questions about executive power, the role of Congress, and the future of federal education programs. Join us for a discussion about the legal implications of dismantling the Department of Education and the potential consequences for education policy. Featuring: Jonathan Butcher, Will Skillman Senior Research Fellow in Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation Michael J. Petrilli, President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute David Randall, Director of Research at the National Association of Scholars Kent Talbert, Investigative Counsel, U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce; former General Counsel to the U.S. Department of Education Moderator: Robert S. Eitel, President and Co-Founder of the Defense for Freedom Institute; former Senior Counselor to the Secretary of Education from 2017-2020
In this episode of The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast, host Michael Zaytsev (Professor Z) talks with Zach Kobrin, Partner at Saul Ewing LLP and the former General Counsel who steered Trulieve's $2.1 billion acquisition of Harvest Health, the largest completed deal in U.S. cannabis history. Zack traces his journey from helping win one of Florida's inaugural licenses to quarterbacking multi-state M&A at break-neck speed. He explains why NASDAQ and the NYSE are the biggest brake on industry growth, breaks down the booming yet fragile market for hemp-derived Delta-9 products, and shares the deal-making lessons every operator, investor, and advisor should know before the next consolidation wave hits. The conversation also covers the rise of hemp-derived THC products, the logistical challenges for new mainstream entrants like Edible Arrangements, and the differences in lobbying power between the hemp and marijuana sectors of the industry. The episode concludes with Zach offering advice for entrepreneurs on choosing a lawyer and his key takeaways from negotiating major deals in the cannabis space. Topics Discussed:
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Aaron Shull and Vincent Rigby to discuss Canada's national security: what it entails, what we expect from it, and what aspects must evolve to meet the demands of today's political landscape. // Participants' bios - Aaron Shull is Managing Director & General Counsel at The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). - Vincent Rigby was the former National Security intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister and the Slater Family Professor of Practice with McGill University's Max Bell School of Public Policy. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, www.cgai.ca/colin_robertson // Reading Recommendations: - "On Tyranny" by Timothy Snyder - "On Freedom" by Timothy Snyder - "The Appeal" by John Grisham - "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: June 3, 2025 Release date: June 16, 2025
Host Tom Godar welcomes back Husch Blackwell attorney Mary-Ann Czak for a two-part discussion on a recently published memorandum from William Cowen, acting general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The memo sets forth guidelines for NLRB regions to use in approaching settlement agreements that urge NLRB personnel to “focus on pursuing foreseeable harms that are clearly caused by the unfair labor practice.” In Part I of our show, Tom and Mary-Ann explore how the memo could lead to a reduction of the board's pursuit of expansive make-whole remedies that had created significant dissatisfaction among management-side counsel. As Mary-Ann explains, the NLRB's aggressive posture on remedies was the product of a 2021 memorandum that directed board prosecutors to expanded remedies in settlement agreements, including consequential damages and employer letters of apology, among other items. In 2021, the board had a 100% settlement rate; by 2024, it had dropped to 96.3%. Some companies regarded the 2021 memorandum as punitive and have been willing to litigate rather than submit to what they regarded as an unfair settlement process that had created labor-management discord, extended the timeline for resolving cases, and driven up costs for both the government and litigants. Our conversation also covers some practical suggestions regarding the default language found in settlement agreements.Don't miss this episode that covers how NRLB policy regarding settlements could be changing, and stay tuned for Part II, which will cover non-admission clauses and other settlement issues in the Cowen memo.Related MaterialsNational Labor Relations Board Office of the General Counsel. “Seeking Remedial Relief in Settlement Agreements,” Memorandum GC 25-06, May 16, 2025.National Labor Relations Board Office of the General Counsel, “Full Remedies in Settlement Agreements,” Memorandum GC 21-07, September 15, 2021.
Catherine Jopling, General Counsel at MPW Industrial Services, doesn't lead from behind a desk, she builds trust in the field, layer by layer. In this episode, she shares how she leads legal with empathy, curiosity, and proactive strategy in a decentralized, blue-collar business. Instead of waiting for crises, Catherine gets ahead of them, visiting sites, meeting people where they are, and building systems that make legal a value driver, not a cost center. Whether she's coding a risk registry in SharePoint or talking AI with her executive team, she proves that innovation doesn't require big budgets, just resourcefulness and courage.
To donate to RAINN: https://give.rainn.org/a/pelvic-examsFor a copy of the RAINN memo on this and other issues: https://rainn.org/policy-updatesTo see what the laws in your state are for unauthorized intimate exams: https://rainn.org/articles/nonconsensual-practice-pelvic-examsTo contact Sandi Johnson at RAINN sandij@rainn.orgRead more about nonconsensual intimate exams here. Bios:Sandi Johnson is the Senior Legislative Policy Counsel for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), where she advocates for legislation and polices on a federal and state level in support of survivors of sexual violence. She worked over twenty years as a prosecuting attorney in Utah, primarily focusing on crimes of violence, including homicide, automobile homicide, organized gangs, and sexual violence. She worked on the Criminal Model Jury Instructions Committee for the State of Utah and is currently a Victim Rights Chair for the Fourth Judicial District. In addition to her courtroom experience, she served as a member of the Crime Victim Reparations and Assistance Board for the Utah Office for Victims of Crime, and was a member of the Board for the Salt Lake Valley Victim Emergency Fund. She was an instructor for the Utah Prosecution Council, serving as faculty for the Sex Crimes Investigations and Basic Prosecutor courses, and was an adjunct professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law. She received her J.D. in 2002 from the University of Utah College of Law. She graduated from the University of Utah in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a certificate in criminology. Angelina Whitfield's practice spans complex antitrust litigations and sensitive government investigations at the state, federal, and international levels. She has served as a partner in a global law firm, at an antitrust boutique, and in the Illinois Attorney General's antitrust bureau. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of industries, including intellectual property, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, hearing aids, and video/tabletop games. She specializes in dynamic industries like digital platforms, online gambling, cryptocurrency, and cannabis. In law school, she clerked for the Library of Congress and the Missouri Public Services Commission (utilities). She also advised various biotech startups. She is a vehement advocate against the practices of nonconsensual pelvic exams and child marriage. As a deaf person, Angelina is a proud wearer of hearing aids. In her free time, she enjoys publishing science fiction, painting with oils, and gardening superhot peppers, poisonous plants, and heirloom roses. She received her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her B.A. from Truman State University. Maria Di Lorenzo is an experienced General Counsel and legal executive with over three decades of experience working in private practice, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. Her expertise spans a range of practice areas including general corporate, Board governance, compliance, litigation, regulatory, transactional, and nonprofit legal affairs. Currently, she serves as General Counsel for both the Chicago History Museum, and Erikson Institute.Beyond her professional roles, Maria is deeply committed to civic and professional engagement. She's serves on her local Public Library Board and on the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. Maria is also an active member of NAWL and serves on the Annual Meeting Host Committee. As a deaf person, Maria is an advocate for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, serving on the Board of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Bar Association (DHHBA), where she Chairs the Advocacy and Engagement Committee and Co-Chairs the Development Committee. Maria is a proud recipient of a cochlear implant and also mentors cochlear implant candidates as part of a global knowledge-sharing and peer support network.Maria earned her B.A. in Psychology from Seattle University, summa cum laude, and her J.D. from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Licensed to practice in Illinois and New York, she balances her professional and civic commitments with family life, cherishing time and laughter with her husband and four children.
In this episode of the Investing in Integrity podcast, Ross Overline, CEO and co-founder of Scholars of Finance, sits down with John Geelan, General Counsel and Secretary at Piper Sandler Companies.For 20 years, John has been a driving force at Piper Sandler, rising from Assistant General Counsel in 2005 to leading the firm's legal department. With deep expertise in corporate governance, public company reporting, and corporate development, he has helped steer the firm through complex legal and strategic challenges. As President of the Piper Sandler Foundation, he also ensures the firm's philanthropic efforts align with its broader mission.John's journey provides a unique lens into the intersection of law, finance, and corporate responsibility. He shares insights on creativity in problem-solving, maintaining mental health in leadership, and navigating high-stakes decision-making. Plus, he explores policy shifts in Washington and the growing influence of AI in financial services.Meet John GeelanJohn Geelan is the General Counsel and Secretary of Piper Sandler Companies, a role he has held since 2012. As a member of the firm's executive leadership team, he oversees legal, governance, and regulatory matters while also serving as President of the Piper Sandler Foundation. Geelan joined the company in 2005 after working in private practice at Faegre & Benson LLP. He serves on the boards of the Children's Theatre Company and The Fund for Legal Aid. Geelan holds a bachelor's degree in economics and music from the University of St. Thomas and a J.D. from Notre Dame Law School.
In “U.S. Maritime Modernization: Policy Driven Changes in Ocean Shipping”, Joe Lynch and Lauren M. Beagen, the Founder of Squall Strategies and The Maritime Professor, discuss how recent U.S. policies, like OSRA 2022 and strategic efforts to move supply chains from China, are significantly reshaping the ocean shipping industry. About Lauren Beagen Lauren M. Beagen is a seasoned maritime attorney and the founder of Squall Strategies, LLC and The Maritime Professor. Ms. Beagen is often called on for her industry expertise by notable trade networks, including features on CNBC and FreightWaves. Ms. Beagen has extensive experience in oceanborne commerce and maritime law, with specific emphasis on maritime transportation, Shipping Act issues, supply chain management, international antitrust law, and port and terminal operations. Notable appointments include work in the federal government as Attorney-Advisor (International Affairs) in the Office of the General Counsel at the Federal Maritime Commission and work at a public port authority as Maritime Project Manager for the Port of Boston at the Massachusetts Port Authority. Ms. Beagen received a Bachelor's degree in International Political Science and International Studies from Hope College, a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Rhode Island, and a Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law. She is an avid sailor and recreational fisherman and holds a US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (50 ton) for Great Lakes and Inland Waters. About Squall Strategies Squall Strategies is a maritime consulting and legal solutions company and offers a wide range of consulting services to serve a variety of businesses and clients. Whether you're a small, local business or a multinational corporation, we can help you reach new levels of success. Squall Strategies is available for advice and consultation on Federal Maritime Commission related matters, advice and consultation on supply chain and ocean freight movement, potential federal regulatory impacts on your business, federal regulatory review and analysis, general Federal Maritime Commission related inquiries, advice and consultation on demurrage, tariff/schedule reviews, and supply chain industry insight. About The Maritime Professor The Maritime Professor is an e-learning/educational based company on all things maritime and supply chain - we provide non-legal business coaching, e-content, trainings/webinars, participation in advisory boards, leadership recruitment, and company speaking/education engagements. Interested in learning more about the ocean side of things? Follow The Maritime Professor and sign up for email alerts to be alerted when new courses are released. Or follow along with weekly supply chain industry explanations by subscribing to their podcast, By Land and By Sea - an attorney breaking down the week in supply chain, presented by the Maritime Professorg (https://themaritimeprofessor.buzzsprout.com). Key Takeaways: U.S. Maritime Modernization: Policy Driven Changes in Ocean Shipping In “U.S. Maritime Modernization: Policy Driven Changes in Ocean Shipping”, Joe Lynch and Lauren M. Beagen, the Founder of Squall Strategies and The Maritime Professor, discuss the following: OSRA 2022: Better Rules for Shippers: The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 gave the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) more power to stop unfair charges from ocean carriers, especially for detention and demurrage. It's all about protecting shippers and making things fairer. "Decoupling" from China? It's Complicated: The idea of moving away from China for manufacturing isn't a simple "breakup." It's more about smart diversification, spreading out where we get things to lower risks, rather than cutting ties completely. Bringing Production Closer to Home: There's a big push to move manufacturing back to the US or to friendly countries nearby. This means building new factories, finding workers, and using government help to create stronger, more local supply chains. Maritime Law: The Unsung Hero: Don't underestimate maritime law! The rules for shipping by sea are super important for how goods move around the world. They keep things fair and stable in global trade. FMC's Growing Role in Today's Market: The FMC isn't just about old rules anymore. It's actively watching and reacting to supply chain problems, making sure US interests are protected and competition stays fair in ocean shipping. Diversify, Don't Just Ditch: Instead of pulling out of existing supply chains entirely, companies are focusing on diversifying. This means finding multiple places to source from, making supply networks more resilient against unexpected issues. Politics Meets Business: What It Means for You: Big political goals, like bringing jobs back or reducing reliance on certain countries, directly impact how businesses operate in transportation, logistics, and supply chain. Understanding this connection is key to staying ahead. Learn More About U.S. Maritime Modernization: Policy Driven Changes in Ocean Shipping Lauren | LinkedIn Squall Strategies | LinkedIn Squall Strategies The Maritime Professor | LinkedIn The Maritime Professor The Maritime Professor: By Land and By Sea Solving the Port Problem with Lauren Beagen Big Changes at the Port with Lauren Beagen Building a Resilient Port Strategy with Brian Kempisty & Lauren Beagen The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
Reforming the regulation of digital assets is a pressing issue across Congress, the Administration, the SEC, and the CFTC, profoundly impacting the expanding digital assets industry. Join the Federalist Society for a timely webinar delving into the complexities of digital assets market structure reform. Patrick Daugherty, who leads a prominent digital assets practice and teaches the subject at leading law schools, will moderate a distinguished panel of experts. The discussion will feature Miles Jennings, Head of Policy & General Counsel at a16z Crypto; Lee Schneider, General Counsel of Ava Labs; Justin Wales, Head of Legal for the Americas at Crypto.com; and Steve Lofchie, a Wall Street lawyer and author of the authoritative Lofchie’s Guide to Broker-Dealer Regulation.
The Foundations Series is a new web content venture from CLS aimed at helping Christian law students transition from 3Ls to first-year associates. It features Christian practitioners skilled in the integration of faith and practice, offering guidance in conversation with students at the early stages of their legal development. My guests today are James A. Boatman & Stephen Schahrer, collectively from the Florida law firm Boatman Ricci. James is a commercial litigator with extensive experience in both federal and state courts. He has handled a broad spectrum of matters including: contract enforcement; foreclosure prosecution/defense; internet wire fraud prosecution; special asset recovery; construction defect litigation; common law tort cases (fraud, defamation, etc.) and many others. Stephen handles legal matters for clients from “all walks of life” in the area of business and commercial litigation including business litigation, construction defect and lien litigation, real estate litigation, general contract litigation, and trust and estate litigation. Stephen also serves as outside General Counsel to several local businesses and nonprofits. For more. Cross & Gavel is a production of CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY. The episode was produced by Josh Deng, with music from Chris Zabriskie.
SummaryWhat if disagreement could actually unite us? Judge Thomas Griffith, former DC Circuit Court judge, joins us to explore the Constitution's genius: its embrace of disagreement as a path to the common good. Judge Griffith shares personal stories from his judicial career, including his bipartisan support for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and dispels the myth of “partisans in robes.” He challenges listeners to defend the Constitution through humility, compromise, and local action, and offers hope for those discouraged by political division.About Our GuestJudge Thomas B. Griffith was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit by President George W. Bush in 2005, and served until his retirement in 2020. He is currently a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, a Fellow at the Wheatley Institute, and Special Counsel at Hunton Andrews Kurth. He is also engaged in rule of law initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe. Earlier in his career, Judge Griffith served as General Counsel of Brigham Young University and as Senate Legal Counsel, the nonpartisan chief legal officer of the U.S. Senate. In 2021, President Biden appointed him to the President's Commission on the Supreme Court. He is also a co-author of Lost, Not Stolen: The Conservative Case that Biden Won and Trump Lost the 2020 Presidential Election. He holds a BA from Brigham Young University and a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law.Useful LinksJudge Griffith's Wikipedia entry:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_B._GriffithBraver Angels – Bridging Political Divides Through Civil Discourse:https://braverangels.orgJudge Griffith's Letter in Support of Justice Jackson: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2.26.22%20-%20Judge%20Thomas%20Griffith%20Support%20for%20Jackson.pdfJudge Griffith's 2012 Speech at BYU, "The Hard Work of Understanding the Constitution": https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/thomas-b-griffith/the-hard-work-of-understanding-the-constitution/ Pleasant Pictures MusicJoin the Pleasant Pictures Music Club to get unlimited access to high-quality, royalty-free music for all of your projects. Use the discount code HOWTOHELP15 for 15% off your first year.
Reena Jashnani-Slusarz is the chief operating officer and General Counsel at Juniper Hill, a multifamily office based in Menlo Park, California. I had fun sitting down with Reena to talk about her non-linear career arc to find herself in a GC and COO role. This was a wide-ranging conversation touching upon some of the legal and operational complexities of investing in crypto from a VC perspective and how one gets up to speed on new asset classes like catastrophe reinsurance. This is all about the intersection of traditional operational frameworks on new and emerging asset classes. We then discuss the current state of multi-family offices today and how investors want a higher touch experience and the implications for those in operations and beyond. Learn More Follow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedIn Subscribe to the mailing list Access transcript with Premium Membership
Marlean Ames, a straight woman, was denied promotion and later demoted in her role at the Ohio Department of Youth Services by her lesbian supervisor. The position she sought and her former position were then given to a lesbian woman and a gay man, respectively. This prompted Ames to file suit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, arguing that she was unlawfully discriminated against based on her sexual orientation because she is heterosexual. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court in holding that, because Ames was part of the majority group, she had the additional requirement of demonstrating the "background circumstances" that the employer discriminates against majority group members.On June 5, 2025, the United States Supreme Court unanimously vacated and remanded, holding that “the Sixth Circuit’s ‘background circumstances’ rule—which requires members of a majority group to satisfy a heightened evidentiary standard to prevail on a Title VII claim—cannot be squared with the text of Title VII or the Court’s precedents.” Join us for an expert analysis of this decision and its implications.Featuring:Nicholas Barry, Senior Counsel, America First Legal Foundation(Moderator) William E. Trachman, General Counsel, Mountain States Legal Foundation
Our second episode from Money20/20 Europe 2025, produced in partnership with LSEG Risk Intelligence, who provide a range of solutions to help organisations effectively navigate risks and reduce fraud. The event took place at the RAI in Amsterdam. Our guests for this episode were: 1/ Dal Sahota, Global Director - Trusted Payments, LSEG Risk Intelligence 2/ Emilie Mathieu, General Counsel, Checkout.com 3/ Ivan Stefanov, CEO, Noto 4/ Samina Hussain-Letch, Executive Director, Head of Payment Partners & Operations UK, Square 5/ Gus Tomlinson, Managing Director Identity Fraud, GBG 6/ Martin Parzonka, VP Product, PensionBee
Did you know Vermont has a Human Rights Commission? Are you curious about what rights and protections you and/or your clients have under Vermont state law? Join Cassie as she speaks with Big Hartman, the Executive Director & General Counsel of VT's Human Rights Commission (HRC) about what the VT HRC does, and how their work promoting full civil and human rights in Vermont is being impacted in this current moment. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Show notes & Transcripts available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/
In this energizing episode Brent sits down with Patricia Rothenberg, Global COO and General Counsel of renowned creative agency 72andSunny. From iconic Super Bowl ads to pioneering value-based pricing and navigating AI disruption, Patricia brings a compelling mix of strategic insight, operational excellence, and unwavering creativity. Whether you're a fellow agency leader or operations guru, this episode is packed with thought-provoking takeaways:How 72andSunny is reshaping the industry by blending human creativity with AI assistance—without sacrificing originality.How value-based pricing has transformed their client relationships and internal culture.How technology helps Patricia's team make smarter, faster decisions with real-time data.Insights into why operations done right can be the secret weapon behind world-class creativity.Don't miss Patricia's parting advice on embracing change, navigating complexity, and leading with both data and intuition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this engaging episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we're joined by Christine Mott, a powerhouse attorney, dedicated animal advocate, award-winning author, and strategic advisor. Christine brings a wealth of expertise from her work advising businesses and nonprofits on commercial contracts, governance, and corporate strategy. Her impressive client roster includes BlueNalu, Kadem Sustainable Impact Corporation, Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Lantern Publishing and Media, NADAP, and more.We dive into Christine's remarkable career journey, from her time as General Counsel at ICSC — where she oversaw all legal and governance issues for a 70,000-member trade association — to her earlier work at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, where she represented global corporations and nonprofits in high-stakes litigation and investigations.Christine shares insights into the intersections of law, business, and animal welfare — from legislative advocacy for animal protection to her leadership as former Chair of the NYC Bar Association's Animal Law Committee. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at her debut children's book, Free Bird: Flaco the Owl's Dreams Take Flight, inspired by the true story of Flaco the owl's flight to freedom.Whether you're interested in animal law, corporate governance, or creative storytelling, you'll find Christine's journey inspiring and thought-provoking. Tune in to hear how she's using her legal and creative talents to make the world a better place for both people and animals.
Today, POLITICO Energy host Cat Morehouse sits down for an extended interview with Matt Christiansen, the former general counsel to multiple chairs of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. During his tenure, Christiansen was deeply involved in hundreds of FERC proceedings over the years, including the creation of landmark - and often controversial - rules. They discuss FERC's biggest successes and challenges along with what's ahead for the agency under the second Trump administration. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of The Distribution, host Brandon Sedloff sits down with Jason Ment, President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of StepStone Group, to explore the scale and complexity of operational leadership inside one of the world's most dynamic private markets investment platforms. Jason shares how he transitioned from General Counsel into firmwide operations, and how StepStone has grown from 35 people to more than 1,100 globally while maintaining a culture of accountability, trust, and execution. They unpack what operational alpha means at the portfolio level, how StepStone approaches customized client solutions, and why transparency and leadership development are central to building a durable investment business. They also discuss: * Managing 700+ non-investment professionals across 27 global offices * Creating scalable communication systems and decision-making infrastructure * How acquisitions, integration, and cultural alignment shaped StepStone's evolution * The role of custom software, AI, and data strategy in delivering client outcomes * Adapting to new product structures for private wealth, defined contribution, and insurance * How StepStone empowers emerging leaders through sponsorship and strategic projects * The firm's view on operational and service alpha as core to long-term client retention This episode is a comprehensive look at what it takes to scale operations in private markets while staying mission-driven—and how great leadership begins with curiosity, trust, and clarity. Links: StepStone Group - https://www.stepstonegroup.com/ Jason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ment-5068b213/ Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/ Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:36) - Jason's background and career (00:11:07) - Advice for folks wanting to do “more” within their role at work (00:12:48) - The evolution of StepStone Group (00:18:32) - How do you think about your role in the context of Operational Alpha? (00:20:59) - Scaling information access (00:24:46) - Operational Alpha in driving StepStone forward (00:26:42) - Flexibility and efficiency at scale (00:29:13) - What are you building toward over the next 5 years? (00:30:55) - Building vs. buying software tools (00:32:55) - What's something you've gotten wrong in your technology roadmap? (00:34:04) - How do you think about AI? (00:40:44) - The permission to innovate and the permission to fail (00:43:41) - How are you embracing the structural changes in the market? (00:50:44) - How do you think about the measurements of success in your organization? (00:52:28) - Delivering Service Alpha (00:56:15) - Leadership philosophies
The future of legal services is fundamentally changing, and AI is the reason for it. So, if one has to thrive in this new world, what has to change? According to Bjarne Tellmann, everything. In the latest episode of "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," hosts Memme Onwudiwe and Hal Marcus welcome the CEO of FjordStream Advisors and an experienced General Counsel and legal consultant to explore the transformative impact of AI on the legal profession. From reimagining law firm business models to preparing the next generation of lawyers, Tellmann shares invaluable insights on navigating exponential technological change, revealing the urgency of building critical skill sets, rethinking legal education, and seizing new opportunities that never existed before today. Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.
In recent weeks, the Trump Administration has escalated intimidation efforts against Harvard University and other private colleges, by canceling billions in federal funding and threatening to revoke tax-exempt status unless the schools make major changes to their hiring and teaching practices. Andrew Manuel Crespo joins Taongal Leslie to discuss the legal strategies behind the administration's attacks on higher education and how the academy can defend its independence.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSGuest: Andrew Manuel Crespo, Morris Wasserstein Public Interest Professor of Law at Harvard University and General Counsel of AAUP-Harvard Faculty ChapterLink: Complaint, AAUP-Harvard v. United States Dept. of JusticeLink: Federal Workers Legal Defense NetworkLink: ACS National Convention SeriesVisit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | LinkedIn | YouTube -----------------Broken Law: About the law, who it serves, and who it doesn't.----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2025.
In this episode, Ashlee M. Gray, CHC®, General Counsel at Transforming Age, shares insights on critical legislative trends affecting senior living, the expansion of her organization's nonprofit network, and the importance of saying “yes” and maintaining a growth mindset as a path to leadership.
How does a seasoned corporate lawyer and former General Counsel for a global foundation transition from a world of high-stakes legal and philanthropic work to building a specialized social impact consulting firm - all while initially harboring deep skepticism about the consulting industry itself? Scott Curran, Founder and CEO of Beyond Advisers, shares his nine-year journey from in-house counsel, where he saw many consultant relationships go awry, to creating a thriving practice that now operates almost entirely on retainer and 100% through word-of-mouth referrals.Scott reveals the pivotal moments and mindset shifts that propelled him forward, from confronting imposter syndrome to his early client acquisition strategy of scheduling daily breakfasts, coffees, and lunches for two straight weeks. He emphasizes the foundational lesson learned: "The most important thing I learned is to not overlook the importance of the beginner's mindset of your client... meet your clients where they are." Today, Scott breaks down his path, from the initial $2,500 project to developing a high-value, retainer-based model, and why "simplicity is at the core of everything I do."In this episode you will learn about:Scott's move from corporate law/philanthropy to social impact consultingThe power of an "exquisite statement of work" and clear deliverablesOvercoming imposter syndrome: assessing risks, seeking advice, and planningScott's 30-meeting networking strategy for early client acquisitionIdentifying the market gap for "fractional General Counsel" servicesBuilding a business on 100% word-of-mouth referrals over a decadeEvolving pricing: from a $2,500 first project to high-value retainersStructuring retainers with clear opt-out clauses to build trustChoosing fewer, higher-retainer clients over scaling into a large agencyBuilding a flexible team: core principals and "plug and play" specialistsLeveraging AI for research, like "Google on steroids."The value of a "beginner's mindset" for deeper client relationshipsMentioned in this episode:Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious GrowthImagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That's the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I've been needing." Ready for powerful connections & expert strategy? Explore the Montreal Mastermind: https://consultingsuccess.com/montreal
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
