Home»Berkeley Center for Law, Business and the Economy»Events

Events

The Berkeley Center for Law, Business and the Economy sponsors many events throughout the year. These activities are built around our outstanding core, affiliated and adjunct faculty, as well as visiting scholars and seasoned professionals. BCLBE often collaborates with other Berkeley Law centers, the Haas School of Business, the Economics Department and other campus wide organizations in presenting its seminars, workshops and policy roundtables. Most events are open to students, faculty, the greater UC community as well as the public. Upcoming and completed events, including video links are listed below. For events prior to this time, go to our Archive.

2012-2013
Upcoming Events

Recently Completed

Business Law Certificate Ceremony

Thursday, May 9, 2013 
Boalt Hall, Warren Room

This year, the Business Law certificate program recognized 29 recipients. Fifteen J.D. and fourteen LL.M. students were awarded the certificate in recognition of their completion of rigorous, innovative coursework and complementary research designed to address key areas of change in the global economy, business environment, and legal structure. To learn more about the Business Law courses and Certificate programs click here.

To view a list of this year's recipients click here.

To view a selection of photos taken during the ceremony click here.

International Financial Regulation Workshop

April 19-20, 2013 (Friday and Saturday)
Boalt Hall
This event is by invitation only. Co-sponsored by the European Union Center of Excellence and the Miller Institute for Global Challenges and the Law

Agenda>                         Materials Discussed>          

The workshop focuses on the challenges that increased global competition poses for financial regulation, and the concerns that growing financial markets raise for the safety and soundness of the U.S. and global financial system. U.S. financial institutions had long dominated international markets by developing international networks of clients and providing companies around the world with access to U.S. stock exchanges. However, increased globalization brought new challenges for U.S. regulators and policymakers. The last decade saw a wave of new financial centers, from London to Hong Kong and from Frankfurt to Shanghai, which challenge the U.S. markets’ preeminence in financial services. European stalwarts and emerging economies alike compete fiercely with the United States, diverting new capital away from American businesses, attracting thousands of jobs, and depriving tax revenue from the U.S. government.

To improve their competitive position in the global marketplace, governments sometimes offer to private firms favorable regulatory treatment. In other cases, countries sought to address the growing needs of ever-expanding market by creating many new international bodies, which sought to harmonize financial regulation. Amidst intensifying global competition for finance, the 2007-2008 crisis was a watershed event. Illustrious financial institutions, which had been previously considered the most highly sophisticated investors, reached collapse or near-collapse. As a result, stability concerns engulfed the financial system, leading the U.S. economy into a deep recession. Regulatory agencies failed to grasp the full extent of the problem. After addressing imminent risks, governments reevaluated their stance towards financial markets, abandoning the mantra of flexible regulation in favor of a more conscious effort to rein in financial excesses.

Sovereign Debt and Sovereign Default: What Next?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Professor Dr. Christoph Paulus, Humboldt University Berlin
Chair: Professor Barry Eichengreen, UC Berkeley, Department of Economics

This event is by invitation only. Collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
Professor Paulus is a leading academic expert on the political and legal issues of sovereign financial distress and the author of several books, articles, and policy reports on the mechanisms of resolving sovereign defaults. Since 2005, he has been consultant to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the insolvency statutes of transition states, the insolvency proceedings for states under the sovereign debt restructuring mechanism (SDRM), and on the draft of the IMF Principles and Guidelines for Insolvency Proceedings. He was consultant to the World Bank concerning the "odious debt" problem; and from 2006-2010 the Advisor of the German Delegation to the UNCITRAL project for the development of a group insolvency law.

Professor Paulus is Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Restructuring (Berlin), and an editor of the International Insolvency Law Review and of the Norton Annual Review of International Insolvency. His prior US background includes post-graduate study at UC Berkeley, School of Law, where he was awarded the LL.M. in 1984, and where he held the Lynen Scholar position of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in 1989-90. He is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a Member of the International Insolvency Institute. Professor Paulus currently is working on the structure and role of Collective Action Clauses in connection with the Argentine and Greek debt crises. A recent paper on these mechanisms, in the context of longer-term sovereign financial distress, will be distributed in advance to attendees at the meeting.. 

The First Five Years of China's Antimonopoly Law

Monday, April 15, 2013
Boalt Hall 100; 12:45 - 1:45 pm
Nathan Bush, O'Melveny & Myers
Co-sponsored with the Center for Chinese Studies (CCS)

 Watch Video (Quicktime required)

China’s first comprehensive competition statute, the Antimonopoly Law, took effect on August 1, 2008. Since then, China has emerged as a significant antitrust jurisdiction as its competition authorities have blocked or imposed conditions on worldwide mergers, fined foreign cartels, and even challenged the commercial practices of some state-owned enterprises. Mr. Bush, a partner in the Beijing and Singapore office of O’Melveny & Myers, will assess the first five years of Chinese antitrust enforcement under the AML and future directions of Chinese competition policy under the new Xi Jinping government. Click here to view Mr. Bush's presentation.

One hour MCLE credit available. 

Corporate vs. Litigation Practices

Thursday, April 11, 2013
Boalt Hall 110; 12:45-1:45 pm
Co-sponsored with the Career Development Office

Still curious about the difference between litigation and transactional work? This program, presented by attorneys from Paul Hastings, will overview both paths and provide guidance on which might be the best fit for you. 

Smart Course Planning: What to Take in Business Law and Why

Monday, April 8, 2013
Boalt Hall 100; 12:45-1:45 pm

Join BCLBE for an information session about the business law courses at Berkeley Law presented by Ken Taymor and other business law faculty.

The session will review the Fall 2013 classes and highlight new course offerings. This is an opportunity for students to learn how business law courses meet their interests and prepare them for professional practice, whether in a firm, government or NGO position. The program will also review the Business Law Certificate requirements.

Social Entrepreneurship: Legal, Financial and Public Policy Dimensions

Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Boalt Hall 105; 1-2 pm

 Watch Video (Quicktime required)

Over the last decade, a rapidly growing topic of discussion and debate has been that of “social entrepreneurship” -- the creation of, investment in, and management of business ventures that seek both profitability and the pursuit of larger socially desirable goals not captured by shareholder returns such as environmental responsibility, increased literacy, and poverty reduction. This discussion has also taken on legal significance, as over a dozen states have formally amended their corporations statutes to allow such “dual purpose” structures. A panel of experts will discuss the nature of recent legal reforms, the state of play in social investing, and the challenges facing this emerging area.

Moderator: Eric Talley
Speakers: Jordan Breslow/New Island Capital, R. Todd Johnson/Jones Day, Vince Siciliano/New Resource Bank, Jonathan Storper/Hanson Bridgett, Kyle Westaway/Westaway Law

One hour MCLE credit available. 

BBLJ Symposium 2013 - The JOBS Act: Initiatives and Challenges of the New Legislation

Friday, March 15, 2013
Boalt Hall, Warren Room; 8:45 - 2 pm

 Listen to Audio: Panel 1 - The IPO On-Ramp Panel 2 - Crowdfunding

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act or JOBS Act, is a law intended to encourage funding of United States small businesses by easing various securities regulations. One of the primary purposes of the JOBS Act is to ease the pathway to an initial public offering for small, emerging companies. The Symposium is intended to address these apparent contradictions and discuss the likely effects of the new legislation. Read more>

Three hours MCLE credit available. 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Monday, March 4, 2013 
Boalt Hall 105; 12:40 - 1:50 pm
Gail Hillebrand, Associate Director for Consumer Education & Engagement - US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Presented by the Public Good Law Center in collaboration with the Berkeley Center for Law, Business and the Economy

The recent financial crisis was accompanied by well-documented and large-scale practices of consumer deception, fraud, and abuse. Ms. Hillebrand will discuss the CFPB’s efforts to ensure that consumers obtain the information that they need to make informed decisions about financial products such as bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages and other loans.

For more information on this program, contact: Sara Haji

Who Is Your Client: The Company or Its CEO? 

Thursday, February 14, 2013 
Boalt Hall 110; 12:45 - 1:45 pm 

 Watch Video (Quicktime required)

The speakers will discuss why it is important for both in-house and outside counsel to keep in mind the identity of the client. They will address the ethics and practical issues that arise when there are actual or potential conflicts of interest between the organization and its senior management. One hour Ethics credit available. Speakers include: Kenton King, Partner at Skadden Arps Scott Haber, Partner at Latham & Watkins Michael Ross, former Partner at Latham & Watkins and former Senior VP and GC of Safeway Inc.

M&A: Emerging Trends

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Los Angeles Office; 6:00 - 8:00 pm 

Eric Talley will discuss emerging trends in mergers and acquisitions law and practice, including significant recent events and litigated cases on preliminary agreements, standstills, "don't ask don't waive" provisions, material adverse effect clauses, fiduciary duties and the critical importance of the due diligence process. Additional resources are available here.

The JOBS Act: What's in it for the Bay Area?

Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
San Francisco Office; 6:00 - 8:00 pm

In April 2012, Congress passed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) to help stimulate investments in United States small businesses by easing various securities regulations. Although the Securities and Exchange Commission is currently in the process of writing rules for many of its provisions, the Act has already begun to change significantly the financing landscape for private firms around the country. In this informal discussion, Robert Bartlett will provide his unique perspective on the JOBS Act and its considerable implications for Bay Area start-ups and venture capitalists. Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton (San Diego office) will also join the discussion via video conference. To view Robert Bartlett's presentation click here.

Russian Market: Legal and Business Perspectives

Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Boalt Hall, Goldberg Room; 12:40 - 1:45 pm

 Listen to Audio

Russia is one of the fastest growing economies and promising markets for international businesses in the world. Join us for a rare opportunity to hear first hand from leading international experts about the Russian legal system, laws and practices, new innovations projects, and the advantages and challenges for entrepreneurs and foreign investors seeking to explore these emerging markets. In addition to a range of legal topics, the speakers will also discuss global political and economic events, Russia’s accession to the WTO, its role in the international economy as well as the most recent developments in Russian-American trade relationships.

Speakers:
Arseny Seidov
Partner, Baker & McKenzie
Mark Chizhenok
Partner, Ivanov, Makarov & Partners
Sergei Millian
President, RusAm Chamber of Commerce

Russian Market: Legal and Business Perspectives

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
San Francisco

In light of increased Russian venture capital in the Bay Area and strong interest of US companies in the emerging Russian market, BCLBE and LegalConnect RU will sponsor a conference examining various aspects of Russian business practices. Read more>

Additional resources are available here and here.

Three hours MCLE credits available.