Jonathan Bench sits down with Michael “Mike” Criddle, CPA and leader in Eide Bailly’s International Tax Services Group, to unpack what it really takes for companies to operate across borders—and why international tax remains a rare specialty outside the coasts. Together, Jonathan and Mike explore the constant churn of U.S. tax law—sunset provisions, delayed-effective-date surprises like Section 174, and the growing complexity that forces companies of all sizes to rely on outside expertise. They also discuss the shifting world trade landscape, the role of tariffs and treaties, and where Mike is seeing deal flow heat up right now—from Ireland and the “former British empire” corridors to nearshoring across Mexico and Latin America, and renewed interest in U.S.-based manufacturing. The conversation closes with how AI is changing both client expectations and CPA career development.

In this episode, Jonathan Bench speaks with Medlir Mema, Director of the AI Ethics and Governance Institute and professor of international relations, about the rapidly evolving global landscape of artificial intelligence policy and regulation. Drawing on his journey from Albania to the United States and his work at the intersection of technology, democracy, and public trust, Medlir unpacks how AI is reshaping labor markets, institutions, and geopolitical competition. The conversation explores the contrasting regulatory approaches of the United States, Europe, and China, the uncertain future of the EU AI Act, and the growing tension between innovation, competitiveness, and oversight. Together, they examine whether AI is delivering on its economic promises, the tradeoffs between efficiency and privacy, and the risks of regulatory ambiguity for businesses large and small. The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on child safety, data rights, voluntary industry standards, and what thoughtful AI governance could look like in the years ahead.

Jonathan Bench speaks with Hemang Parekh, a Mumbai-based partner at DSK Legal, about India’s accelerating emergence as a global economic force and what it means for investors, founders, and advisors operating at the intersection of law and business. Hemang shares practical insights into India’s sustained IPO momentum, evolving regulatory landscape, and growing private equity and M&A activity, explaining how demographic strength, domestic consumption, and capital market reforms are shaping cross-border investment. They explore how India positions itself amid global supply chain realignment, what foreign investors should understand about deal structuring in a jurisdiction balancing self-reliance with global integration, and how landmark foreign listings signal increasing market maturity. The conversation also examines the expanding role of corporate lawyers as both legal and commercial advisors, the impact of AI and digital transformation on clients and law firms, and why mentorship and practical training are critical to developing the next generation of dealmakers.

In this episode of Lawbalization, Jonathan sits down with entrepreneur and technologist Brad Bacigalupi, founder of Red Wolf Technology, for a global conversation on China, Hong Kong, and the forces reshaping modern manufacturing and trade. Drawing on decades of experience building and scaling on-demand manufacturing systems across more than 160 countries, Brad shares firsthand insights into China’s rapid innovation cycle, the rise and limits of peak globalization, and how internet-driven supply chains have flattened—and then restructured—the global playing field. Together, they explore how on-demand production, 3D printing, and AI-driven automation are transforming retail, why traditional distribution models are fading, and what these shifts mean for Western brands navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The discussion also looks ahead to the future of innovation, robotics, and AI, and what business and legal leaders need to understand as global trade, technology, and manufacturing continue to converge.

Jonathan Bench speaks with Charly Greaux, founder of Glabtech and SBIX, about building “sovereign” infrastructure from the tiny island of St. Barthélemy and applying that mindset to compliance in regulated finance. Charly shares his journey from early coding and teaching to launching a solar business and later securing independent internet infrastructure (including an autonomous system and IP blocks). The conversation then pivots to SBIX Certify and why internal logs and traditional timestamps often fall short in audits and cross-border disputes. Charly explains how SBIX uses cryptographic hashing, eIDAS-qualified timestamping, and blockchain anchoring to create tamper-evident proofs without exposing underlying data—plus an “evidence pack” that can be verified independently. They also discuss MiCA and DORA as design inputs, why regulatory clarity can be a competitive advantage, and how infrastructure ownership connects to true sovereignty.

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with technologists Cameo Doran and Krystee Miller for a wide-ranging conversation to set the stage for Utah Tech Week. Together, they unpack how AI and “vibe coding” are changing the way products get built, from rapid prototyping and AI-accelerated development to the very human challenges of trust, planning, and execution. Drawing on their experience in high-stakes software, Web3, and UX-driven product design, Cameo and Krystee explore where AI genuinely creates value, where it introduces new risks, and what founders, lawyers, and business leaders need to understand as technology outpaces traditional workflows. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of legal teams, the importance of early guardrails, and why understanding the build process matters, even if you never plan to write code.

Jonathan Bench speaks with Rogelio Vargas Méndez, senior partner leading the labor division at Rivadeneyra, Treviño & de Campo, about how Mexico’s employment law is evolving amid nearshoring, globalization, and shifting workplace expectations. They explore what makes Mexico’s system distinctive—one federal labor law nationwide, rooted in constitutional “social” rights—and how the landmark 2019 reform (shaped in part by USMCA dynamics) transformed collective bargaining, union democracy, and dispute resolution. Rogelio explains the move away from the old labor board structure toward more professional labor courts, and the growing role of mandatory conciliation, which is resolving a large share of disputes before litigation. The conversation also tackles the impending reduction of the workweek from 48 to 40 hours, the economic and cultural implications of that shift, and the ongoing challenge of employment informality and its ripple effects on taxes and social security. Jonathan and Rogelio close with a look at Puebla’s role in Mexico’s automotive ecosystem, common misconceptions foreign investors bring, and a personal note on Rogelio’s path from American football to labor law—and the sports career he’d pursue if law weren’t the calling.

In this episode of Lawbalization, Jonathan Bench sits down with Ryan Boswell, founder and CEO of Relay, a modern venture studio focused on helping founders turn ideas into operating businesses. Ryan shares his journey from early content creation and sports marketing to startups, venture building, and investing, and explains how storytelling, relationships, and execution have shaped his career. He and Jonathan discuss what makes content resonate, how founders can prioritize ideas and manage risk, and the realities of building companies within Utah’s startup ecosystem. Ryan also reflects on lessons learned from failed ventures, the importance of actually doing business rather than “playing” business, and why long-term relationships often matter more than short-term wins.

In this episode of Lawbalization, Jonathan Bench speaks with David Ackert, CEO of Pipeline Plus and author of The Short List, about modern law firm business development and the power of authentic client relationships. David shares his unconventional path from television actor to legal industry advisor and explains why traditional marketing models often fail lawyers who are highly analytical and risk-averse. Together, they explore how law firms can shift away from transactional networking toward deeper, trust-based relationships, why focusing on a curated “shortlist” of key contacts drives sustainable growth, and how lawyers can move out of the “friend zone” with clients and referral sources. The conversation also covers training and technology—from coaching and e-learning to relationship-tracking tools and AI-enabled outreach—and how firm leaders can embed business development into their culture through education, empowerment, and accountability.

Jonathan Bench speaks with Vidaur Mora, a Mexico-based managing partner at Rivadeneyra Treviño, about Mexico’s rapidly evolving investment and manufacturing landscape. Vidaur provides on-the-ground insights into nearshoring, USMCA renegotiations, and how global supply chain realignment is reshaping foreign direct investment—from automotive and aerospace to data centers and advanced electronics. He explains why reinvestment is outpacing greenfield projects, how infrastructure gaps in water and energy affect site selection, and what foreign companies must understand about Mexico’s multilayered regulations, labor reforms, and customs environment. They also explore the growing influence of Chinese companies, regional competitiveness across Latin America and Asia, and why Mexico’s integration with North America continues to define its long-term economic outlook.