Capital Law’s Annual Business, Tax Institute, 10/16/09, Broadens Focus To Benefit Executives, Counsel Navigating Turbulent Economy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Nichole Johnson, Director of media relations and communications, Capital University, (614) 236-6945 Cell: (614) 440-9158.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Capital University Law School’s Sixth Annual Business and Tax Institute is shifting its focus this year from tax and estate planning to new corporate governance issues emerging out of the financial crisis, and transaction options for distressed companies trying to stay afloat in choppy economic waters. The conference topic is “The Financial Crisis: New Administration Initiatives and How Practitioners Should Advise Clients as a Result.” It will be held Friday, Oct. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, 275 E. Broad St., in downtown Columbus. Featured speakers and panelists include nationally recognized practicing attorneys, business financial advisors and academics, such as:

• James Wilson, immediate past chair of the American Bar Association’s Section on Antitrust Law and a partner in the Columbus office of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP;
  
• Michael J. O’Sullivan, a corporate partner in the Los Angeles office of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP and blogger at provided, however, a blog devoted to corporate law issues; and
  
• John P. Beavers, managing partner at Bricker & Eckler LLP and founder and director of Bricker & Eckler’s Counsel for Boards and Executives.

“The financial crisis has shaken the foundation of our economy, and in many ways, executives are trying to regain their footing on ground that hasn’t settled yet,” said Regina Burch, associate professor of law at Capital, corporate governance expert and blogger for the Corporate Justice Blog. “Our intention with this institute is to offer practical advice from a legal and business perspective to executives, boards and their counsel as they steer their organizations through a turbulent economic environment.”

The morning sessions will focus on the financial crisis and the governance of private and publicly held for-profit and nonprofit corporations. Afternoon sessions will address financial transactions for distressed companies, including bankruptcy, restructuring and raising capital. The day will conclude with a presentation by James Wilson, who will highlight the new Department of Justice antitrust enforcement policy and its impact on business combinations designed to help financially troubled business organizations. Other conference speakers and panelists include:

• Anthony Blanchard, vice president, Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance LLC, in Detroit, Mich.
  
• Kevin M. Kinross, associate, Bricker & Eckler LLP, Columbus, Ohio
  
• Trish D. Lazich, assistant chief of the Collections Enforcement Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, where she manages the bankruptcy portfolio
  
• Jeannine R. Lesperance, of the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, in Washington, D.C.
  
• Andrew M. Malek, assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and affirmative civil enforcement coordinator for the district
  
• Jeffrey A. Marks, principal, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP, in Cincinnati, Ohio
  
• Victoria E. Powers, partner, Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co. LPA, in Columbus, and co-leader of the business restructuring and creditors’ rights practice group and coordinator of the creditors’ rights and corporate trust practice area
  
• Michael P. Shuster, partner, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, in Cleveland, Ohio

Up to 7.0 continuing legal education credits are available. For more detail on the speakers, agenda, costs, registration and more, visit <http://www.law.capital.edu/GradLawConference>.