Richmond Law & Business Forum

Introduction to Corporate Transactions

Thursday, February 12 at Noon in Room 101

This program will give you a broad overview of a transactional practice in the law.  Transactional work is in some ways different from what people, including law students, might typically envision when they think of “legal work.”  It can often be collaborative rather than adversarial and fast-paced, with lots of moving parts and parties all working toward the same goal: negotiating and closing a deal.  Professor Doug Boyle will discuss what is entailed in a typical acquisition transaction and how lawyers think about and work through issues during the lifespan of a deal. Lunch will be served.

Building a Career in Tax Law

Monday, February 16 at Noon in Room 171

Curious about what tax lawyers actually do? Join two experienced tax practitioners for a candid conversation about the many paths in tax law—from transactional planning to litigation, government, and in-house roles—and how those choices shape day-to-day practice. They’ll also discuss when a tax LL.M. makes sense, what skills matter most, and how to build a rewarding career in a field where expertise truly opens doors. Lunch will be served.

Business Law Connections

Tuesday, February 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Law School Commons

This event will bring together approximately 15 lawyers from a variety of business law practice areas for structured small-group discussions. Students will have the opportunity to learn about different career paths in business law, gain insight into the day-to-day work of business lawyers, and ask questions in an interactive setting. Participation is capped at 45 students to facilitate meaningful conversation and informal networking.  This event will be catered.

Regulating America’s Banks

Monday, March 2 at Noon in Room 128

Banks sit at the center of the modern financial system, yet few lawyers understand how they actually work—or why they are regulated so aggressively. In this session, two senior financial services lawyers will break down how banks make money, why agencies like the Federal Reserve wield so much power, and what recent crises like Silicon Valley Bank, Wells Fargo, and TD Bank teach about governance, compliance, and systemic risk. Students will walk away with a clearer sense of why banking law matters and where the legal career opportunities are in an industry that is being disrupted in real time.

The Business of Bankruptcy

Monday, March 23 at Noon in Room 128

What actually happens when a struggling company ends up in financial distress? In this session, restructuring professional Stefan Piotrowski will explain why companies restructure, what the Chapter 11 process looks like from the inside, and how financial, operational, and legal stakeholders negotiate to preserve (or sometimes create) value. Students will gain insight into where lawyers fit into the process, why bankruptcy is a deal-making practice as much as a litigation one, and how this corner of the legal world shapes major corporate outcomes.

Navigating the Business Law Curriculum

Wednesday, March 25 at Noon in Room 101

Curious about business law but unsure how to navigate all of the business law course offerings? In this event, Professor Jessica Erickson will walk students through the business law curriculum, explain how the courses in this area build on one another, and answer questions about planning for practice. Lunch will be served.

Into the World of Practice

Thursday, April 2 at Noon in Room 128

Are you joining a business law practice after graduation, or do you hope to do so?  This event will feature a candid discussion with recent graduates of Richmond Law who are now working in business law.  We will discuss what they have learned, what they wish they had known when they started, and the advice they have for students planning to work in this area.  Lunch will be served.