Symposia Archives

The 2024 BBLJ Symposium brought together various partners and associates from around the Bay Area for three exciting panels to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and upcoming regulatory and market changes within various transactional practices as technological innovations continue. The symposium’s discussions on upcoming regulatory and market changes fed directly into BBLJ’s Spring 2024 issue (Volume…

The 2023 “Bay Area Associate Experience in Business Law” was student-led and aimed at demystifying the different paths in business law practice for new associates. The symposium began with an introductory overview of the divergent life cycles in corporate vs. litigation practices for law firm associates. Then it transitioned into discussions of various corporate transactional…

At the 2022 BBLJ Symposium and BCLB Summer Associate Law Firm Fair, students made recruiting contacts and gained insight into various firms’ cultures. While it did not produce an academic publication, it reinforced BBLJ’s role in professional development. By blending a symposium with a career fair, BBLJ acknowledged that year’s focus on helping students transition…

The 2020 “300 Years of Fraud” symposium conducted a historical and contemporary examination of financial fraud, marking the 300th anniversary of notable financial scams (such as the South Sea Bubble of 1720). Part of a broader BCLB program called “Fraud Fest 2020,” the symposium was adapted to a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…

The 2016 “Silicon Valley Abroad” symposium centered on the globalization of Silicon Valley entrepreneurship and investment. This symposium examined the opportunities and legal challenges for investors and startups expanding internationally (and for foreign startups entering Silicon Valley). It was structured into a morning panel and a keynote conversation: This symposium presaged Berkeley Law’s increased focus…

In addition to the fintech-focused symposium, 2015 saw a special evening panel on April 9, 2015, dedicated to women’s perspectives in business law. Co-hosted by BBLJ, this Women in Business Law Symposium featured a panel of top women attorneys – Linda J. Brewer (Quinn Emanuel), Sonal Mehta (Weil Gotshal), Laura Oswell (Sullivan & Cromwell), Sally…

The 2015 “Bits Bites Plastic: The New World of Electronic Payments and E-Currency” symposium explored the legal and business implications of the boom in electronic payment systems and digital currencies (from Apple Pay and Bitcoin to novel payment apps). This event assembled a panel of investors, attorneys, and academics to “weigh in” on the fast-changing…

The 2014 “Shareholder Activism” symposium explored the rise of shareholder activism in corporate governance – motives of activist investors and their impact on companies. The symposium was structured in three panels plus a keynote: Larry Sonsini (founder, Wilson Sonsini) delivered the luncheon keynote, drawing on decades of Silicon Valley experience to reflect on corporate responses…

“The JOBS Act: Initiatives and Challenges of the New Legislation” symposium revolved around the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012, which eased securities regulations to help small businesses raise capital. The symposium explored contradictions and likely effects of the new law on IPOs and crowdfunding. It featured two main panels: (1) The IPO…