Barbara Becker | Leadership, Law Firm Strategy, and Building a Career at Scale

In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor, Director of the Corporate Law Center at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, speaks with Barbara Becker, Chair & Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn, about leading a global law firm in a rapidly evolving legal market.

Barbara discusses her path from law student to firm leader, including her work in corporate transactions, building international offices, and guiding firm-wide strategy. She shares perspectives on:

• The importance of firm culture and a commitment to excellence
  

• Growing a global platform without losing organizational identity
  

• Leadership during periods of market and structural change
  

• Identifying emerging practice areas by following client needs
  

• The future of legal training and the skills young lawyers need
  

• How AI may reshape legal practice — and why lawyers should learn to use it thoughtfully
  

• Career advice centered on saying “yes,” staying adaptable, and finding ways to help others succeed
  

This conversation offers a candid look at law firm leadership, career development, and the mindset required to thrive in modern legal practice.  

In this special episode of Corporate Law Lab, we’re sharing Neil Taylor’s lecture from the 35th Corporate Law Center Symposium.

Neil challenges a common assumption in ethics: that doing the right thing is primarily about individual character. Instead, he explores how situational forces—like group dynamics, time pressure, and organizational culture—often play a much larger role in shaping behavior.

From whistleblowing and zero-tolerance policies to the real-world impact of compliance programs, this lecture offers a thoughtful, research-backed perspective on how ethical decisions are actually made in practice.

Carl Valenstein | Global Practice, Legal Judgment, and a Career Built to Last

In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor, Director of the Corporate Law Center at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, speaks with Carl Valenstein, a partner at Morgan Lewis, about building a dynamic international legal career spanning more than 40 years.

Carl discusses his path from an early interest in diplomacy and human rights to a global practice in transactions, compliance, and cross-border advisory work. He reflects on:

• Starting out in a hybrid regulatory and transactional practice
  

• The importance of broad experience early in a legal career
  

• First-chair responsibility and hands-on learning for young lawyers
  

• How international transactions require strategic, multi-jurisdictional thinking
  

• The role of integrity in client relationships and difficult professional decisions
  

• Why mentorship and professional development should be intentional
  

• The impact of AI on legal practice — opportunities, risks, and the continued importance of lawyer judgment
  

• Using legal skills for community impact through pro bono and impact investing

Carl’s perspective highlights how adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to ethical practice can sustain a long and meaningful career in law. 

Patrick Hayes | Compliance, Entrepreneurship, and Building a Legal Career That Evolves

In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor, Director of the Corporate Law Center at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, and student co-host Brett Blair speak with Patrick Hayes of Calfee about building a modern legal practice focused on securities compliance and entrepreneurial clients.

Patrick shares his path from litigation to in-house work and back to private practice, where he now serves as a strategic legal partner to financial advisors and investment professionals launching and growing their own firms. He reflects on:

• Finding direction in law school without a fixed career plan

• The difference between being an advocate and a counselor

• The value of early litigation experience — even for transactional and compliance lawyers

• Moving from in-house back to private practice

• Building and leading a multidisciplinary team within a law firm

• How compliance programs create value when they identify and address issues early

• Balancing legal risk, fiduciary duties, and business realities

• Professional development, mentorship, and engaging with the UC Law alumni network

• Work-life balance and investing time in work that “fills your cup”

This conversation highlights how legal careers can evolve over time — and how curiosity, flexibility, and relationship-building can lead to a deeply rewarding practice.  

Louise Brock | Labor & Employment Law, In-House Practice, and Workplace Culture

In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor, Director of the Corporate Law Center at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, speaks with Louise Brock about her career in labor and employment law and her transition from law firm practice to in-house legal leadership.

Louise reflects on:

• Choosing labor & employment law and building a practice at a firm

• The shift from outside counsel to in-house lawyer

• How legal, HR, and leadership functions work together in companies

• Investigations, compliance, and managing workplace risk

• Why communication, empathy, and leadership skills are essential for lawyers

• The connection between culture, psychological safety, and compliance

• Navigating change in employment law and regulatory priorities

• Career advice on finding the right fit, developing strengths, and staying adaptable
  

This conversation provides a practical look at the human side of legal work and the role lawyers play in shaping ethical, effective workplaces.  

Bridget McGraw | Leadership, Compliance, and Career Growth at GE Aerospace

In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor speaks with Bridget McGraw, General Counsel, Technology & Operations at GE Aerospace and an alumna of the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Bridget discusses her professional path from litigation to in-house leadership, including her work in global compliance, international integration, and large-scale corporate transformation. She shares insights on:

• Building a career through mentorship and professional relationships
  

• Moving from law firm practice into corporate legal roles
  

• Leading cross-cultural legal and compliance efforts overseas
  

• Helping guide GE through its separation into three public companies
  

• Supporting engineering, supply chain, and intellectual property functions
  

• The evolving role of technology and AI in legal practice
  

• Creating impact through pro bono service in the in-house legal community

This conversation highlights the value of adaptability, long-term perspective, and relationship-building in today’s legal careers.

Charles Tatelbaum: Lessons from a 60-Year Legal Career

In this episode of the Corporate Law Lab, Neil Taylor speaks with Charles Tatelbaum, one of the country’s most experienced and respected bankruptcy lawyers. Over nearly sixty years in practice, Tatelbaum has handled major Chapter 11 matters, advised corporate counsel navigating distressed situations, and contributed to the evolution of modern bankruptcy law.

The conversation covers:

• How bankruptcy practice changed after the Bankruptcy Code was adopted

• Major cases that shaped his career, including representing high-profile individual Chapter 11 debtors

• The business judgment required to advise clients wisely in distressed situations

• How to evaluate when to push, when to negotiate, and when to walk away

• The realities of creditor-side and debtor-side work

• His international legal work after the breakup of the Warsaw Pact

• Unexpected parts of his career, including writing as a food critic, attending Clown College, and the football legend who became a longtime client and close friend

• Advice for young lawyers entering a rapidly changing profession

Tatelbaum combines deep expertise, clear judgment, and decades of perspective—making this conversation valuable for students, practitioners, and anyone interested in the evolution of corporate and bankruptcy practice.

In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor is joined by George Vincent, Secretary and General Counsel of Kroger, for a candid conversation about transitioning from decades in private practice to leading legal, ethics, and compliance inside one of the largest grocery retailers in the country.

George reflects on what shifts when you move from advising many clients to serving just one, how culture shapes effective compliance at scale, and why legal leadership inside a business requires understanding operations, data, and people—not just the law. The discussion also explores managing subject-matter experts, navigating executive decision-making, and the evolving role of technology and AI in legal work.

A thoughtful look at what it means to practice law when your client isn’t across the table—but all around you.

Join us in celebrating Jordan Bleznick, one of the most insightful and engaging guests we’ve ever featured on the Corporate Law Lab. With decades of experience advising on high-stakes corporate transactions, restructurings, and complex tax strategy, Jordan brings a rare combination of clarity, depth, and generosity to every conversation. 

In this special “best of” episode, Jordan shares standout moments from his remarkable career — including lessons learned, behind-the-scenes stories, and the practical wisdom that only comes from being one of the best in the field.

 Thank you, Jordan, for inspiring our students and listeners with your expertise, humor, and mentorship.

In this episode of the Corporate Law Lab, Neil Taylor sits down with Ed Doyle for an in-depth discussion about negotiation and the human skills that shape successful outcomes. Doyle reflects on his career path, the experiences that informed his approach, and the core principles he now teaches to emerging leaders and advocates.

Topics include:

• Preparing for a negotiation

• Understanding interests vs. positions

• Establishing trust and credibility

• Effective listening and reading the room

• Strategic pacing, tone, and timing

• The connection between negotiation and leadership

This episode provides clear, experience-driven guidance for anyone looking to develop confidence and competence in negotiation.