Corporate Law Lab

Cincy Lawcast

This podcast is hosted by Neil Taylor, the Director of the Corporate Law Center, who brings decades of international corporate law expertise. Having connected with corporate lawyers from various countries, Neil shares their stories and experiences on this podcast. Tune in to hear from professionals around the globe and gain insights into what it’s like to be a lawyer in the corporate world.

  1. 6 days ago

    Both Sides of Employment Law: A Conversation with Josh Smith

    What does it take to build a career in labor and employment law—and eventually become a partner and business owner? In this episode of the Corporate Law Lab, Director of the Corporate Law Center Neil Taylor and 3L Corporate Law Fellow Nate Steineker speak with Josh Smith, a 2014 UC Klekamp Law graduate and partner at SSP Law. Smith shares how his military service and law school experiences shaped his career, what drew him to employment law and the lessons he has learned representing both employers and employees. The conversation explores preventative counseling, litigation and trial preparation, managing client expectations, transitioning from associate to partner and using artificial intelligence cautiously in legal research. Smith also offers practical advice for law students and new attorneys about building relationships, taking ownership of their work and understanding the business behind practicing law.

  2. 1 Oct

    AI, E-Discovery and the Future of Legal Work with Bob Roberts

    What happens when lawyers use AI to sort through vast amounts of evidence—and where does human judgment still matter? On this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor talks with UC Klekamp Law alumnus Bob Roberts, president and COO of Bright Line Counsel. Bob shares how he moved from litigation into legal services and explains how e-discovery and AI are changing the way law firms and companies handle investigations and lawsuits. They also discuss the limits of AI, opportunities for firms of different sizes, and why law students should learn to use these tools without giving up the critical thinking that makes them valuable.

  3. 17 Sept

    Becoming a Lawyer Cultivating Your Professional Identity

    What does it truly mean to become a lawyer? Listen to an insightful conversation between Director of the Corporate Law Center and Externships Neil Taylor and Dean Emeritus Louis Bilionis as they explore professional identity and how law students can intentionally cultivate their own. Drawing on their varied legal careers, Taylor and Bilionis discuss finding the right professional fit, navigating unfamiliar situations, developing essential skills, balancing personal and professional values, and learning from the unexpected directions a legal career can take. Created with students in mind, this episode offers practical guidance for reflecting on externships and other professional experiences, identifying what feels meaningful, and taking ownership of the journey toward becoming a lawyer.

  4. 20 Aug

    Mastering the Unknown: Cross-Border Transactions with Kai Bitter

    What does it take to guide an international company through the complexities of doing business in the United States? In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor is joined by Corporate Law Fellow Greta Propp and FBT Gibbons partner Kai Bitter for a wide-ranging conversation about international law, cross-border transactions and the changing legal profession. Bitter shares his path from legal education and practice in Germany to building an international practice in Cincinnati. He discusses the differences between European and American dealmaking, the challenges of helping foreign companies navigate the U.S. legal system and the growing demand for cross-border legal expertise in the Midwest. The conversation also explores high-pressure transactions, career advice for aspiring international lawyers and the role of artificial intelligence in legal work. As Bitter explains, succeeding in an international practice requires lawyers to become comfortable with uncertainty and learn how to “master their ignorance.”

  5. 6 Aug

    Building a Legal Career That Fits: Networking, In-House Counsel & Starting a Law Firm with Nick Kowalski

    In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor is joined by attorney Nick Kowalski for a candid conversation about building a legal career through uncertainty, reinvention and relationship-building. Nick reflects on his path from international studies and law school at the University of Cincinnati to working in litigation, serving as in-house counsel and ultimately founding Kowalski Law, a firm focused on fractional general counsel services for businesses. The discussion explores networking, imposter syndrome, the realities of the legal job market during the Great Recession, working with startups and small businesses, and how lawyers can find career paths that genuinely fit their strengths and goals. Whether you are a law student, young attorney or experienced professional considering your next move, this episode offers thoughtful insights into navigating the legal profession and building a meaningful career.

  6. 30 Jul

    From Garage to Global: AI, Crisis Counsel and the Future of Corporate Law

    In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor and Corporate Law Fellow Greta Propp are joined by Foley & Lardner LLP partners Louis Lehot and André Thiollier for a wide-ranging conversation about international careers, emerging companies and the evolving practice of corporate law. Lehot and Thiollier share how their experiences in Europe, Brazil and the United States shaped their approaches to cross-border transactions and client service. They discuss counseling companies from their earliest stages through financing, expansion and exit; preparing businesses and boards to respond to unexpected crises; and building the trust and relationships that distinguish great lawyers from merely technically proficient ones. The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence is changing legal research, due diligence, law-firm economics and the development of young associates. As technology eliminates more traditional “grunt work,” lawyers will need to master new tools while continuing to develop the legal expertise, business judgment and interpersonal skills clients rely upon. The guests also reflect on the endurance of the billable hour, alternative fee arrangements, memorable transactions and why they remain optimistic about the future of the legal profession.

  7. 16 Jul

    Women, Power, and the Confidence to Lead with Dr. Jane Sojka

    Dr. Jane Sojka, distinguished teaching professor of marketing and professional selling at the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, joins host Neil Taylor on Corporate Law Lab to discuss her book, Women in Power: How Confidence and Resilience Shape Women’s Success. Alongside Corporate Law Fellows Olivia Wagoner and Abby Vitali, Jane explores the self-limiting behaviors that can hold professionals back, including perfectionism, people-pleasing, over-apologizing, busyness, and fear of failure. The conversation also examines how confidence and resilience can be developed, why professionals should become comfortable asking for what they want, and how cooperation and shared success can create stronger workplaces. Whether you are entering the legal profession, building a career in business, or learning to recognize your own power, this conversation offers practical strategies for leading with confidence while remaining authentic, compassionate, and connected to others.

  8. 9 Jul

    Real Estate, Economic Development, and Community Impact with Michelle Reid

    In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor and Corporate Law Fellow Phoebe Uttermohlen sit down with Michelle Reid, general counsel and chief administrative officer of the Catalytic Fund of Northern Kentucky. Michelle shares her path from studying economics at the University of Louisville to law school at UC Law, private practice, commercial real estate, and her current role supporting community-focused development across Northern Kentucky. She discusses how her early interest in economic development led her to real estate law, why practical legal experience and mentorship matter, and how students can make the most of clerkships, externships, and networking opportunities. The conversation explores commercial real estate practice, public-private partnerships, historic redevelopment, community development financial institutions, and the role of the Catalytic Fund in helping close financing gaps for projects that bring value to local communities. Michelle also reflects on the transition from private practice to an in-house legal and administrative role, including the importance of understanding business goals, risk tolerance, and organizational operations. Michelle also discusses the growing role of artificial intelligence in legal practice, comparing AI to a calculator: a powerful tool, but one that still requires lawyers to understand the fundamentals, check the work, and know when something is missing. Whether you're interested in real estate law, economic development, in-house practice, public-private partnerships, or emerging legal careers, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how lawyers can help shape the communities around them.

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About

This podcast is hosted by Neil Taylor, the Director of the Corporate Law Center, who brings decades of international corporate law expertise. Having connected with corporate lawyers from various countries, Neil shares their stories and experiences on this podcast. Tune in to hear from professionals around the globe and gain insights into what it’s like to be a lawyer in the corporate world.

Information

  • Creator
    Cincy Lawcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Cincy Lawcast
  • Show Website
    Corporate Law Lab