Business Law Week 2022 is officially in the books! Students, faculty, and staff all enjoyed the opportunity to join together to celebrate their mutual love of all things business law in a week full of exciting events. Here’s the recap:
On Monday, the Business Law Program was proud to induct our newest members into the Business Law Track—the largest class since the establishment of the track in 2011. Director of the Business Law Program, Michael Van Alstine, provided remarks that highlighted the importance of community in law school and beyond. “These colleagues on the Business Law Track,” he emphasized, “will provide support for you in innumerable ways in the future. Cultivate these relationships and be a supportive colleague in return.” Students enjoyed lunch and the chance to socialize with each other outside of the classroom setting. As a memento of enrollment, and what is almost certain to become the hottest item of the year, students attending the induction received an officially branded Business Law Track water bottle. At the same time, first-year students were given the opportunity to have their professional headshot taken for their inclusion in the Business Law Student Directory.
Tuesday, the professional development continued with the Norman P. Ramsey Distinguished Lecture in Business Law featuring Dr. Anirban Basu '03. As one of the Mid-Atlantic region's leading economic consultants, Dr. Basu lent his economic expertise to the assembled faculty, students, and staff in a James Bond themed presentation. Discussing topics such as inflation, consumer confidence, and his predictions for the coming years, Dr. Basu impressed the audience with his observations on popular economic indicators and what it means for the world economy and the future of the legal practice.
On Wednesday, the Business Law Society welcomed representatives from Liff, Walsh & Simmons for a networking lunch. Alumni Tripp Fulton ‘19 and Kelly Callahan ’21 joined Tom Simmons to discuss life after graduation with the assembled students. The combination of Mr. Simmons’ years of experience and the perspective of graduates just beginning to practice law provided great insights that resounded with the soon-to-graduate audience. The panel provided a great opportunity to learn about life as a new lawyer through the question and answer session.
Thursday, the Journal of Business and Technology Law held its annual Symposium entitled Advancing the Legal Landscape: The Future of AI in Law. The JBTL welcomed an outstanding panel of experts to discuss the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the legal field, including:
Aravind Srinivasan, Professor at Professor at University of Maryland, College Park
Fred Smalkin,’07, former IT Director at DLA Piper, Product Manager at Evisort
Memme Onwudiwe, EVP of Legal & Business Intelligence, Evisort
Sean Damon, ’12, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Harry Surden, Professor of Law at University of Colorado Law School
The panel provided a foundational overview of how AI can be used in the legal field as well as the future of AI and what changes attorneys can expect as technology advances.
Business Law Week concluded with the Excel Esquire, Ben Kusmin, holding two workshops for students. Kusmin teaches lawyers how they can use Excel to help their practices. In between anecdotes about topics such as e-discovery and litigation, Kusmin led students through a series of Excel tutorials that can benefit any lawyer’s practice. The practical skills sessions were appreciated by the students.
The faculty and staff of the Business Law Program thank everyone for their support. We look forward to another great year in the Business Law Program and hope to see you at Business Law Week 2023!