Exploring Careers in Business Law and Law Student Reception

Event Description

Exploring Careers in Business Law CLE and Law Student Reception co-sponsored by the MSBA's Business Law Section, Hamline University School of Law Business Law Institute, the University of Minnesota Law School Corporate Institute, University of St. Thomas School of Law and William Mitchell College of Law Center for Law and Business.

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Exploring Careers in Business Law  
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Law Student Reception

Hear from a diverse group of business lawyers, including in-house counsel, corporate and nonprofit counsel, governmental counsel, and business executives about the array of opportunities available to those with a law degree and an interest in business. Learn what they do, why they love what they do, and what you can do to prepare yourself for a successful career in law and business.

A reception with appetizers and beverages will follow the program. Members of the Business Law Section are encouraged to attend and share their experiences and advice with law students interested in a career in business law. 

Location:

University of Minnesota Law School, 229 - 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis

The panel discussions will be in Room 20, Mondale Hall, downstairs on the Plaza Level.  The law student reception will be in Auerbach Commons on the street level, upstairs from Room 20.

Panelists:

David Fisher (Panel Moderator)
David Fisher is an experienced former general counsel with The Pillsbury Company, ADC Telecommunications, Inc., and G&K Services, Inc., as well as former Minnesota Commissioner of Administration for Governor Jesse Ventura.  He is the Executive Director of the Corporate Institute at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Government Perspective
Connie Ireland, Executive Director, MN Governor’s Workforce Development Council

Public Company General Counsel
James L. Chosy, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, U.S. Bancorp
Jim Chosy is Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company and the parent company of U.S. Bank.  Jim previously served as Managing Director of Piper Jaffray Companies and as its General Counsel and Secretary.  Jim has served as a member of the Board of Governors at the Children's Theatre Company and as a member of the Board of Advisors at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Non-profit and Social Enterprise
Heidi Christianson, Nilan Johnson Lewis, P.A.
Heidi Christianson is a partner at Nilan Johnson Lewis, P.A. where she counsels nonprofit corporations and social enterprises, including health care, higher education, and other tax exempt organizations regarding tax and corporate matters.

Large Law Firm
William Thornton, Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd 
Mr. Thornton’s practice focuses on domestic and international business transactions, with an emphasis on: international licensing, distribution, franchising, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general commercial matters. He works with clients regarding the business aspects, as well as the legal aspects, of various business transactions.

Solo Practice/Small Law Office
Toni L. Halleen
Engaging others is what inspires Toni Halleen.  With over 25 years of employment law experience, Toni segued her impressive corporate career into the management and administration of the highly regarded law firm of Schaefer Halleen.  Prior to becoming an owner of Schaefer Halleen, Toni spent 11 years at The General Counsel, Ltd. (The "GCL").  Before that, Toni spent five years as an in-house employment lawyer for a leading telecommunications firm, and an additional eight years practicing employment law at one of the Twin Cities’ top law firms.  In addition to her legal career, Toni is the founder of Fun With Law, having converted her experience as an improvisational comedy performer into a fresh, fun approach to professional development for lawyers. Toni is a 1988 graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School.

Compliance Panel:
Professor Jill Barclift, Director, Business Law Institute, Hamline University School of Law
Professor Jill Barclift is Director of Hamline Law's Business Law Institute. Professor Barclift brings more than 15 years of corporate law experience to Hamline. Prior to teaching at Hamline University School of Law, she was executive vice president, secretary and general counsel of a financial services company in Minneapolis. Her practice areas included corporate law, governance, corporate disclosures, negotiation of corporate purchase and sale of assets, and financial services.

Jennifer O’Brien, UnitedHealthCare Chief Compliance Officer
Jennifer M. O'Brien is the Chief Compliance Officer for UnitedHealthcare, including UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. Jenny provides oversight and strategic direction for the business’ compliance programs, collaborating with leaders from across the organization to ensure the business exceeds the federal government’s compliance requirements. Jenny is on the Board of Directors and past president of the Health Care Compliance Association, a board member of the Phillips Eye Institute Foundation in Minneapolis, and a member of Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit & Compliance Committee for the Bon Secours Health System in Maryland.  Jenny has also served as adjunct professor at Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, MN.

Liane Budge, Senior Compliance Examiner, Federal Reserve of Minneapolis
Liane Budge is a senior examiner in the Supervision and Regulation division of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.  Since joining the Federal Reserve in 2008, her work has focused on federal consumer financial protection laws and regulations as well as compliance management at supervised financial institutions.  Liane has lead and managed compliance examinations and enforcements at numerous financial institutions in the Ninth District of the Federal Reserve System.  She is also an adjunct professor at Hamline University School of Law for the Certificate in Bank Compliance program.  Liane received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 2004 and her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 2008.

CLE Credit:

1.5 hours of Professional Development credit applied for | Event code: 202526   

Cost:

There is no cost to attend.

Remote Participation: 

Teleconferencing and webcasting will not be available. 

To Register:

Please click the register button below.  Law students will need a profile to use online registration.  If you have not yet created one with the MSBA, click the Register button and then click the Sign Up button on the Log In page. (Note that you will not be joining the MSBA, only creating a profile to register.)

Questions? Contact Sue Bores | 612-278-6325