An Overview of the Business Law Curriculum
The Richmond Law & Business Forum is highlighting course offerings related to business law. In this post, Professor Erickson offers advice on navigating the business law curriculum.
Richmond Law & Business Forum
The Richmond Law & Business Forum is a co-curricular program at the University of Richmond School of Law that helps students learn about the practice of business law and connect with business lawyers. Directed by Professor Jessica Erickson and supported by a student advisory board, we hold approximately 25 events each academic year, introducing students to different practice areas related to business law, helping students understand key business concepts, and fostering discussions about important business law topics.
Our signature events are our Business Law over Dinner or Lunch series where 2-3 lawyers in a specific practice area meet with 6-10 students interested in this practice area. These dinners and lunches allow informal conversation about business law and the practice of law more generally. In the past, we have had lunches and dinners focused on general transactional law, securities & finance law, intellectual property law, real estate law, business litigation, non-profit organizations, international business law, and many other areas.
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September
Richmond Law & Business Forum Kick-Off Event
Tuesday, September 12 at noon in Room 101
Professor Jessica Erickson will introduce the Richmond Law & Business Forum, describe this year’s events, and explain how students can join. Christian’s Pizza will be served.
The 2023 Banking Crisis and the Basics of Banking Law
Wednesday, September 27 at noon in Room 101
From bank failures to regulatory changes, banks have been at the center of the news over the last year. At this event, Professor Da Lin will discuss the causes of bank failures, the basic rationales for regulating banks, and the primary mechanisms that govern bank regulation.
This event is part of our Snapshots series, which are hour-long presentations providing an overview of a specific area of business law so you can go into your summer job or career with this knowledge. Richmond Law typically does not offer a semester-law course in banking law, so this event is a great opportunity to learn about this important area. Christian’s Pizza will be served.
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October
Business Law over Dinner: Securities & Finance Law
Wednesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Our Business Law over Dinner series allows small groups of students to learn about a specific practice area by having dinner with lawyers who work in this area. This dinner will include 2-3 lawyers who specialize in securities law, as well as 5 students interested in the practice area.
Diversifying the Practice of Business Law
Thursday, October 12 at noon in Room 101
At this event, lawyers of color will share their experiences practicing business law, as well as offer suggestions on how all lawyers can help diversify this practice area. The speakers at this event include Faith Alejandro (Sands Anderson, P.C.), Adam Harrell (Harrell & Chambliss LLP), and Daniel Howell (McGuireWoods). The Forum is partnering with the Black Law Student Association and Richmond Women’s Law on this event. Jersey Mike’s subs will be served.
Business Law over Dinner: Corporate Transactions
Thursday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Our Business Law over Dinner series allows small groups of students to learn about a specific practice area by having dinner with lawyers who work in this area. This dinner will include 2-3 lawyers who specialize in transactional law, as well as 5 students interested in the practice area.
Business Law over Lunch: Representing Non-Profit Organizations
Wednesday, October 18 at 12:15 p.m. in the Dean’s Conference Room
Our Business Law over Lunch series allows small groups of students to learn about a specific practice area by having lunch with lawyers who work in this particular practice area. At this lunch, students will have lunch with three lawyers who regularly work with or represent non-profit organizations. These lawyers include Claire Guthrie Gastanaga (Partner at Dunlap Law and former Executive Director of the ACLU of Virginia), Robin Starr (former Chief Executive Officer of the Richmond SPCA), and Bruce Thomas (Consultant for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation). Professor Erickson will also attend the lunch. Spots are limited, and pre-registration is required.
Businesses and the Rise of Artificial Intelligence
Wednesday, October 25 at noon in Room 101
Artificial intelligence has the potential to change nearly every aspect of our society, and business lawyers need to be prepared for these Changes. In this first-of-its-kind event at Richmond Law, we will explore what business lawyers need to know about artificial intelligence and how they can evaluate the emerging legal risks and opportunities. Our speakers will include Jamie Dattilo, L’09 who works in privacy and data policy at Meta, and Professor Anne Toomey McKenna. Christian’s Pizza will be served.
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November
Business Law over Dinner: Intellectual Property Law
Wednesday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Our Business Law over Dinner series allows small groups of students to learn about a specific practice area by having dinner with lawyers who work in this area. This dinner will include 2-3 lawyers who specialize in intellectual property law, as well as 5 students interested in the practice area.
Beyond the Billables: The Economics of Large Law Firms
Thursday, November 2 at noon in Room L150
How do law firms function as a business? At this event, Wendell Taylor, L’18 and Managing Partner at Hunton Andrews & Kurth’s Washington, D.C. office will discuss the economics of large law firms. He will what it really means to be a partner at a large law firm, how associates contribute to a firm’s bottom line, and how firms decide how to price their work. This event is part of a new series called “Beyond the Billables” that offers insights into the business behind the practice of law.
Business Law over Lunch: International Business Law
Wednesday, November 8 at 12:15 p.m. in the Dean’s Conference Room
Our Business Law over Lunch series allows small groups of students to learn about a specific practice area by having lunch with lawyers who work in this area. Our lunch on November 8 will focus on international business law, and it will feature Greg Golden, a Richmond Law alumnus who works as international legal counsel for Northrop Grumman’s international business, operations, and pursuits outside of the UK, Europe, and Australia.
Business Law over Dinner: Business Litigation
Tuesday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Our Business Law over Dinner series allows small groups of students to learn about a specific practice area by having dinner with lawyers who work in this area. This dinner will include 2-3 lawyers who specialize in business litigation, as well as 5 students interested in the practice area.
What Business Lawyers Need to Know About Finance
Thursday, November 16 at noon in Room L171
How much do business lawyers need to know about the world of business? In this noon event, Stefan Piotrowski from Paladin Management will discuss key business concepts that are relevant to business law. Mr. Piotrowski has a unique background working in financial and operational restructuring, and he has worked with many lawyers in this role. In this candid conversation, he will share what he wishes lawyers knew about business and provide tips on how students can gain this core business knowledge. Chick-fil-A wraps will be served.
