In this episode we have two guests from the most senior ranks of the Royal Air force, Air Marshals Philip Osborn and Edward Stringer. Both men joined the UK’s Royal Air Force in 1982. Air Marshal Stringer served 36 years until 2018; and Air Marshal Obsorn served 37 years until 2019. Intelligence has always been about dredging through vast pools of dull bureaucratic documents, seeking illuminating insights. In this episode we will explore military thinking about how to responsibly use AI. One of our guests has said, “data is the new oil,” and expresses concern about the tainting of our data by ..read more

Host Gary J. Ross discusses Business Development Companies (BDCs) with John Mahon, Partner at Proskauer Rose LLP. John began his career working at the SEC, and since then has devoted his practice to BDCs and registered funds. John explains how BDCs are a hybrid between a standard investment fund and a traditional finance company. Among the topics covered are congressional requirements for BDCs since their creation in 1980; the growth from four BDCs in the 1980s to a burst of them over the past twenty years; fee structures for BDCs; and their prominence in the venture lending space. Thanks for ..read more

Subchapter V has broad applicability and has been used by a wide variety of businesses and individuals since being enacted. There are, however, key limitations to who can seek to reorganize in Subchapter V and the benefits Subchapter V is capable of providing. In this episode, podcast host Mac VerStandig is joined by David Mawhinney to discuss some of those limitations ..read more

In this episode of Path to the Bench, Chancellor Anne Martin, of Tennessee, speaks about her path to the Bench, finding fulfillment in the law, and the role of a judge. Chancellor Martin also discusses the importance of mentorship and paying it forward in one’s career ..read more

Host Gary J. Ross talks with Curtis Mo, partner at DLA Piper and a leading Silicon Valley corporate and securities lawyer. Gary and Curtis discuss venture-backed startups and the issues that arise in IPOs vis-à-vis acquisitions. Curtis provides insights as to how companies interact with investment banks in the time leading up to an IPO, and why underwriters tend to price companies more favorably when those companies are venture-backed. Gary and Curtis also share thoughts on valuations and the “IPO ratchet”, due diligence, SPACs, reporting requirements, and the JOBS Act ..read more

In Episode 4, host Jordan L. Fischer, Esq. interviews Dr. Valerie Lyons, Chief Operations Officer of BH Consulting and co-author of The Privacy Leader Compass, A Comprehensive Business-Oriented Roadmap for Building and Leading Practical Privacy Programs (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.1201/9781003383017/privacy-leader-compass-todd-fitzgerald-valerie-lyons). During their discussion, Valerie dives into the intersection of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the evolving privacy landscape. Focusing on Governance and CSR, Valerie and ..read more

Host Gary J. Ross speaks with Darby Wong, Co-founder and CEO of Clerky, about legal document automation. A computer science major who worked in Silicon Valley before becoming an associate in BigLaw, Darby co-founded Clerky in 2011. Darby talks about Clerky’s original premise of facilitating convertible note financings, and how Clerky has expanded through the years to also handle formation, compensation, NDA, and other documentation. Gary and Darby discuss the need for legal counsel even when legal documentation is automated, and the unauthorized practice of law issues raised by the actions of ..read more

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death in adults worldwide. The most important diagnostic and therapeutic technique for colorectal cancer is the colonoscopy. Gastrointestinal doctors are working with computer scientists to develop AI-based technologies to help enhance outcomes. We are fortunate to have Professor Doctor Julia Mayerle of the University of Munich as our guest. Dr Mayerle, Chair of the Department of Medicine at LMU, a recognized center of excellence for research in oncology, is an expert in gastroenterology and hepatology with a distinguished career at premier med ..read more

Host Gary J. Ross talks with David Willbrand, Chief Legal Officer of Pacaso and author of Seed Deals. David discusses the ins and outs of startups and how they differ from small businesses, noting that startups “focus on innovation and disruption, doing something new,” typically leveraging technology and intellectual property with a focus on growth over profit. Gary and David discuss topics relevant to seed-stage companies, including convertible debt instruments, the movement towards using a simple agreement for future equity (SAFE), the post-money SAFE, and how founders and investors evaluate ..read more

In Episode 3, host Jordan L. Fischer, Esq. interviews Amit Elazari, co-founder and CEO of OpenPolicy, https://openpolicygroup.com/, a policy intelligence and engagement technology platform. In their discussion, Amit provides insight into the challenges with an increasingly complex policy and regulatory environment, and the capability of businesses to engage with key stakeholders on policy development. Jordan and Amit discuss how technology-related policies have evolved over the last decade, and predictions for where policy will focus in the coming months, including Artificial Intelligence, bre ..read more