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Previous Events

  • PLL kick-off, Barrister Club
  • Moderated Colloquia 
  • Mentoring & More Collaboration 
    • Tuesday, September 29, 12-1:15 p.m., via Zoom: Governor Brian Sandoval, ’89, participating in a Q&A moderated by Prof. Michaels for students in the PLL and students and mentors from the Mentoring & More program.
  • Conversation Series 
    • Five lunchtime “Conversations” on leadership will be held throughout the year. The fall Conversations will be offered via Zoom; the spring Conversations may be held at the Barrister Club. The PLL Director, Prof. Alan Michaels, former Moritz Dean, will moderate the Q&As.
      • Thursday, September 24: Kwame Christian, ’13, Moritz adjunct; Director of the American Negotiation Institute, where he conducts negotiation and conflict management workshops around the country.
      • Thursday, October 8, Susan Choe, Executive Director of Ohio Legal Help
      • Tuesday, January 26: Janica Pierce Tucker, ’02, Partner-in-Charge of the Taft Columbus office
      • Tuesday, March 2: Michael Flowers, ’79, Of Counsel, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Steptoe & Johnson; former chair of the 50,000-member Section of Business Law of the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the ABA
      • Tuesday, February 23: Bob Tannous, ’87; Managing Partner, Porter Wright.
  • Dean’s Roundtables Series Moderated by Dean Lincoln Davies
  • Four lunchtime “Dean’s Roundtable” discussions on leadership will be held throughout the year. The fall Dean’s Roundtables will be offered via Zoom; the spring Dean’s Roundtables may be held at the Barrister Club. Dean Lincoln Davies will moderate the Q&As.
    • Tuesday, October 20, Stacia Jones, ’00, owner of her own consultancy; formerly Associate Gen. Counsel and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Abercrombie and Fitch.
    • Tuesday, October 13: Chief Judge Algenon L. Marbley, Chief Judge of the Southern District of Ohio
    • Thursday, January 21: Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith French, ’88
    • Tuesday, March 9: Michael Martz, managing partner of Vorys, Sater & Pease
  • Leadership Skills Workshops
  • Two leadership skills workshops will be offered during the year; one during the fall semester, the other in the spring semester.
    • Friday, November 6, 1-3:30 p.m., via Zoom: Mark Beese, “Leadership for Law Students,” on overview of what makes an effective lawyer-leader, and how to develop those skills. Mark is President of Leadership for Lawyers, a consultancy focused on helping lawyers and other professionals become better leaders. He is a frequent speaker on the topics of leadership, innovation and design thinking. He is an adjunct faculty member at the U. of Denver Sturm School of Law, where he teaches Strategic Marketing and Business Development.
    •  Friday, February 19, 1-3 p.m., (possibly, in person): Patt Hardie, “Leading Teams and Teaming with Others,” focusing on what makes an effective team, and how to build one. As CEO and Managing Partner of The Hardie Group, Patt’s consulting focus is leadership and team performance. She is a trusted advisor/coach with over 30 years’ experience in talent, leadership, and organizational development. 
  • Simulation
  • Thursday, February 4, 2021, facilitated by Prof. Bill Froehlich, Deputy Director of the Divided Community Project.. Hopefully will be offered in-person

PLL kick-off, Barrister Club

  • PLL Kick-off for 1Ls and LLMs to learn more about the Program on Law and Leadership, August 22, 2019.

 

Moderated Colloquia 

  • Mentoring & More joint event: Colloquium with Greg Lockhart and Carter Stewart (both former US attorneys for the SD of Ohio): “The Justice Department and the Presidency,” Thursday, October 17, Ohio Union
  • Q&A with form Nevada Governor. Brian Sandoval, Friday, October 4, Marriott
  • S. Solicitors General Charles Fried and Donald Verrilli on “A Conversation on Law and Leadership on the National Level: Ideas Going Forward,” via Zoom, Tuesday, March 24. Moderated by Professors Nancy Rogers and Ned Foley.

 

Conversation Series 

  • Steve Jemison, former VP/General Counsel, Proctor & Gamble; Tuesday, September 17, Barrister Club
  • Becky Monroe, Director of the Divided Community Project, Tuesday, October 29, Barrister Club
  • Jim Foley, Founder and President of Cristo Rey Columbus High School, Thursday, November 7, Barrister Club
  • Kelley Griesmer, CEO, Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, and Greg Gorospe, Partner, Ice Miller, Thursday, January 16, Barrister Club. Moderated by Prof. Katrina Lee.

 

Conversation and Book Chapter Discussion

  • Marty Glick, Senior Litigator with Arnold & Porter; discussion of his book, “The Soledad Children: The Fight to End Discriminatory IQ Tests,” based on his own civil rights litigation in Soledad, CA, Friday, October 4, Drinko Hall

 

Dean’s Roundtables, Moderated by Dean Lincoln Davies

  • Jim Flynn, Managing Partner, Bricker & Eckler, Monday, October 21, Barrister Club
  • Kara Trott, Founder and CEO, Quantum Health, Thursday, February 13, Barrister Club
  • Stacia Jones, VP, Associate General Counsel; Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Abercrombie & Fitch, Monday, March 16, Barrister Club; event rescheduled to 20-21 due to Covid-19

 

Leadership Skills Workshops

  • Mark Weaver, national communications expert; former spokesman for the DOJ, “Crisis Communications for Lawyers,” Friday, November 1, Drinko Hall
  • Associate Dean Dan Tokaji and Alexandra Schimmer, Dennison University General Counsel and former OSU Deputy General Counsel and former Ohio Solicitor General, “Leading a Litigation Team,” Friday, February 21
  • Mini-workshop for members of the PLL Advisory Board; presented by Prof. Nancy Rogers

 

Simulation

  • “Leading Within a Crisis Situation,” facilitated by Prof. Nancy Rogers, Thursday, February 6, Drinko 251 and 252

 

Other Collaborations

  • “National Security Simulation luncheon, directed by Prof. Dakota Rudesill, Friday, March 27, Fawcett Center; canceled due to Covid-19.
  • Congressional Conversations: Rep. Marcia Fudge, Friday, November 22, 2019, 56 attendees; Rep. Dave Joyce, scheduled for Tuesday, April 14; cancelled due to Covid-19.

 

Ongoing

  • Moritz Leadership Coaching Initiative—students were paired with distinguished lawyer-leaders to coach “in-the-moment” when leadership issues arise.

2017-2018 PLL Orientation and Registration Luncheon

New students: You don’t want to miss this event at the Barrister Club!  You’ll get great food, information on the Program on Law and Leadership’s slate of exciting guests and events, and you’ll hear from upper-class students about leadership and share their experiences in the Program.

 

Breakfast Conversation with Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval

“Governor Brian Sandoval (Moritz ’89) provides a small-group experience for students to learn more about a wide variety of different legal and political careers. Governor Sandoval is the 30th and current Governor of Nevada. Prior to becoming governor, he served as a United States District Court Judge in Nevada, Attorney General of Nevada, and Chairman of the Gaming Commission of Nevada. Governor Sandoval’s leadership experience is vast and the impression he leaves on students he meets is long-lasting. Be sure to ask him about his lucky Buckeyes!”~~Kesley Kornblut, ’18, PLL Advisory Board Member

This conversation, moderated by PLL Director Nancy Rogers.

 

Simulation: Leading in a Crisis

Play a role in a simulation of community leaders making decisions in the midst of civil unrest, political pressures, and national media and social mediaThe Midland Simulation, developed by 2017 Moritz graduate Jackie Fisher, is a tabletop exercise used multiple times with civic leaders, who have lauded it as an effective way to help plan in advance of civil unrest. Participants will receive an email prior to the simulation with a detailed “confidential” description of their assigned roles.

 

Communications for Leaders in a Crisis, a workshop facilitated by Mark Weaver

September 29, 2017

“A difficult crisis may strike when you least expect it. As future lawyers and leaders, it will be our job to respond. Whether we do so effectively will depend on how we communicate with our organization, the media, and the public. Mark Weaver is a crisis communications expert that has provided media advice to thousands of government officials across the country. Prior to founding Communications Counsel, a national communications consulting firm, Mr. Weaver served as the Deputy Attorney General of Ohio and as the Assistant Director of Public Affairs for the U.S Department of Justice. Mr. Weaver’s extensive experience is an invaluable opportunity for law students to develop their leadership potential regarding crisis management,” PLL Advisory Board member Michelle Esparza, ‘19

A Conversation with Kim Shumate, Associate VP for HR and Operations at OSU

“Ms. Kim Shumate is an incredible leader and mentor.  Currently, she serves as the Associate VP for Human Resources and Operations at OSU, and was the youngest president in the history of the Columbus Bar Association. She recently served as the Interim Senior VP for HR at the Wexner Medical Center, and as a mentor in the Moritz Mentoring program to several students (myself included!).  Not only are Ms. Shumate’s accomplishments impressive, but her kind spirit, personable demeanor, and sense of humor draw people in,” PLL Advisory Board member Courtney Kasuboski, ‘18

PLL Director Nancy Rogers will moderate this conversation with Ms. Shumate. 

 

A Conversation with Chief Judge Guy Cole

Chief Judge R. Guy Cole worked both as a partner at Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease, as well as for the Justice Department as a trial lawyer. But who could better explain the ins and outs of judicial leadership than someone who went from those positions, spent six years as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge on the Southern District, and then was elected to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit? This, coupled with his position as the Chief Judge of the Sixth Circuit since 2014, makes Chief Judge Cole an invaluable asset in learning how to conduct yourself as a leader in every nook and cranny of the legal community,” ~~ PLL Advisory Board member, Jen Hengst, ‘18

PLL director Nancy Rogers will moderate the conversation with Justice Cole. 

 

A Conversation with Sharon Sobol Jordan, ’84, Chief of Staff, Cuyahoga County Executive

“When looking for someone to teach you about public legal service and non-profit organizations, you should look no further than Ms. Sobol Jordan. Ms. Sobol Jordan — a Moritz alum — served as the both Law Director for the City of Cleveland and the CEO of the Centers for Family and Children in Cleveland. In 2015, Ms. Sobol Jordan began her current role as the Chief of Staff for Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. With this expansive background, Ms. Sobol-Jordan is sure to have a wealth of knowledge of the public and non-profit sectors, and the leadership skills they both require and breed”~~Jen Hengst, ‘18, PLL Advisory Board member

PLL Director Nancy Rogers will moderate the conversation with Ms. Sobol Jordan. Lunch will be served at the Barrister Club; seating is limited to 20 students.

Panel on Careers in Government and National Security

The National Security Simulation, in conjunction with Moritz Career Services, and with the support of Moritz’ Program on Law and Leadership, are hosting a career panel at 5 p.m., Thursday, November 2, in Saxbe Auditorium (Drinko Hall). Following the hour-long panel discussion, students are invited to meet one-on-one and enjoy refreshments with the panelists in Lou’s Café and the Public Service Law Center.

The panelists are:

  • Scott Ferber — US Department of Justice, National Security Division, and Special Counsel on Cyber issues (Moritz alum)
  • Laura Maul — formerly at US Department of Justice, Environmental Division, now in private practice in Indiana
  • Christopher Morgan-Riess — National Security Agency (NSA) Office of General Counsel
  • Jon Spaner — non-lawyer and retired Coast Guard Captain and former White House fellow, now at McKinsey & Co., will talk about what lawyers do in the military and at consulting firms

Professor Dakota Rudesill, who oversees the National Security Simulation, will serve as the panel’s moderator.

 

Madelyn Creedon, keynoter for the OSU National Security Simulation luncheon

Madelyn Creedon will deliver a luncheon keynote speech given in conjunction with the OSU National Security Simulation. She is a lawyer, legislation expert, and national security leader.  After starting her career as a trial lawyer on environmental issues for the U.S. Department of Energy, her remarkable career path took her to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and to serving as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy.

 

A Conversation with Jill Meyer, President, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

Ms. Meyer, who currently serves as the President of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, continues to lead an inspiring career focused on both the public and private sectors. Before she came into this leadership position at the Chamber, Ms. Meyer was the Member-in-Charge for six years at Frost Brown Todd, a prominent law firm here in Ohio. Ms. Meyer played a pivotal role in leading the firm’s business development and charitable initiatives. Currently, Ms. Meyer has combined her passion to advocate on the behalf of businesses with her dedication to the community to develop a strategic plan that focuses upon economic development of the Cincinnati region. Throughout her career, Ms. Meyer has developed essential leadership skills, which she continues to utilize on a daily basis in order to serve those around her. ~~Kishala Srivastava, ’19 PLL Advisory Board member

PLL Director Nancy Rogers will facilitate this Conversation. 

“Difficult Conversations for Leaders,” a workshop facilitated by Prof. Josh Stulberg

“Law students — poised to have leadership positions in the future — should learn just what it takes to become a good leader. Not only does this include capturing the respect of your employees and setting a positive example, but it also includes learning how to have those difficult conversations that often make or break someone’s leadership potential. Who better to learn this from than the Michael E. Moritz Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Joseph B. Stulberg. Having been involved in the field as a teacher, a practitioner, and a scholar for over 40 years, Joseph Stulberg presents a comprehensive knowledge base and vast skill set — one that each and every student at Moritz should be eager to learn from.”~~Jen Hengst, ’18, PLL Advisory Board member

The workshop will be held in Drinko 349, and is limited to 24 students.

A Discussion with Richard Cohen: Hate Incidents–Implications for Leaders

Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center, served previously as legal director for the center. In 1999, he was a finalist for the national Trial Lawyer of the Year Award for his work on Macedonia Baptist Church v. Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a lawsuit that ended with a record $37.8 million judgment against a Klan group for its role in the burning of a South Carolina church. The media has quoted him recently on the advice that the center developed for dealing with hate crimes. Mr. Cohen has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

This is a joint program by the Divided Communities Project at Moritz and the Moritz Program on Law and Leadership.

 

Moderated Colloquium with Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval

“Brian Sandoval (Moritz ’89) is the current and 29th Governor of the State of Nevada. In my opinion, in this role he has exhibited a level of bipartisan statesmanship, integrity, competence, and courage which stands out amongst the pantheon of modern American political leadership. 

 

A Conversation with Bob Tucker, ’76, founder, Tucker Ellis

“When Cleveland firm Arter & Hadden folded, several attorneys joined from its ashes to create a firm with a new, employee-focused mentality.  Tucker Ellis offers a strong community commitment (once a year, the entire firm takes the day off from work to volunteer), an emphasis on wellness, flexible schedules, and counts attorneys’ hours adding significant value, instead of billable hours.  Robert Tucker, one of the leaders in creating Tucker Ellis, has helped bring his firm to one of the top workplaces in Cleveland,” ~~PLL Advisory Board member Courtney Kasuboski, ‘19

The Conversation with Bob Tucker will be moderated by Prof. Katrina Lee. 

 

A Discussion with JD Vance: How He Turned a Desire for Change into a Non-Profit Organization

J.D. Vance, the author of the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Book (soon to be a movie), Hillbilly Elegy, first used his law degree to practice in a corporate law firm and later founded a non-profit organization to work on some of the problems his book describes and he faced during his childhood in Ohio.  The non-profit, Our Ohio Renewal, addresses the state’s opioid crisis and works to bring high-quality employment and educational opportunities to Ohioans.  Mr. Vance has a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a law degree from Yale Law School.  Registration is limited, at least initially, to members of the Moritz community and will be filled as registrations are received. Lunch will be available.

This is a joint program of the Moritz Career Services Office and the Program on Law and Leadership and was made possible by a generous gift from Terrence Kessler, (Moritz ’75), former president, CEO and general counsel of the Sisters of Charity Health System in Cleveland, and his wife, Joyce Kessler.

 

Dean’s Roundtable with Mike Finn, Chirman Power Distributors, LLC

“Michael Finn has served as Chairman of Power Distributors, LLC in Columbus since 2014 as well as President of Chesapeake Realty Co. since 1970. Previously Mr. Finn served as President of Central Power Systems from 2014-1985. Additionally, he served as Chairman for the Board of Directors of Power Source Canada since 2004. His experiences both as an executive and board member provide insight on how business intersects with the law.”~~Alexis Apparicio, ‘20