Brief Encounters

D.C. Bar Communities Office

Listen in for exclusive interviews and conversations with D.C. Bar members and guests about hot topics! To learn more about D.C. Bar Communities, join a community, and/or register for upcoming programs, visit www.dcbar.org/communities Presented by the D.C. Bar Communities Podcast Network. Other network channels include "The Tea on International Arbitration" with the D.C. Bar International Law Community (anchor.fm/DCBarTea) and "Let's Brief It" with the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (anchor.fm/DCLSC). Theme Music: "If" by Broke for Free

  1. 5d ago

    Women on the Front Lines of a Movement for Environmental and Social Justice: The Tiger Widows of West Bengal, India

    Join the leadership of the Human Rights and Immigration Subcommittee of the D.C. Bar’s International Law Community as it examines the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities, in particular, already-vulnerable women whose livelihoods depend upon increasingly threatened habitats. During the past five decades, Royal Bengal tigers have killed at least 3,000 men and women who live in the Sundarbans in India.  These deaths have had particularly serious consequences for so-called “Tiger Widows” whose husbands were killed by tigers while venturing into the forest to hunt or fish.  We will learn about these women’s remarkable resilience along with a recent landmark court victory that recognizes their rights under Indian law.  Additionally, we will discuss how documentary films may serve as a catalyst for social and legal change.    Speakers:   Shalini Iyengar, a lawyer specializing in environmental law and human rights and currently a doctoral candidate in anthropology at Yale, and Kaustuv Mukherjee, an award-winning filmmaker whose first feature-length documentary, The Tiger Widows, centers the stories of a community of women, largely widows, who live in the Sundarbans in West Bengal, India. The world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, the Sundarbans forest is located in a delta region that spans India and Bangladesh.   Additional background on the speakers: Shalini Iyengar is a lawyer and doctoral candidate in Anthropology at Yale University. Her research interests include the political ecology of law-making, fisheries, citizenship, and social movements. Shalini's dissertation explores the history of legal activism among fishers in India since the colonial era. She earned her law degree from the National Law School of India University and advanced degrees in human rights and law and society from Oxford University and Stanford Law School.   Kaustuv Mukherjee is an award-winning independent filmmaker who has written, directed, and produced 12 short films. His work has received critical recognition and numerous awards at various film festivals. His last film, "REVERSE," was selected for 14 festivals (including two Academy Award-Qualifying Festivals: the Tasveer Film Festival and the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival) and won one best short animation award. Kaustuv’s stories center marginalized people seeking social justice.    Additional links:Film Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1208146038/7473c6c163?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Website: The Tiger Widows - One Paper Boat Films Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  2. Aug 14

    Securities Regulation and Enforcement Series: Regulatory Recap – Fraud Prevention, Rulemaking Priorities and Industry News

    In this Season 3 episode, co-hosts A. Valerie Mirko, Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP and leader of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Litigation Practice, and William Nelson, Senior Counsel at Eversheds Sutherland, break down the latest developments shaping the financial services regulatory landscape. They discuss the House Financial Services Committee's report on financial fraud and scams, including key findings and potential policy implications for firms, investors, and regulators. Valerie and William also review the 2026 RegFlex agenda, with a focus on the SEC's proposed e-Delivery framework, exploring how the proposal could modernize investor communications while raising important implementation considerations for firms. Additionally, they discussed the SEC's Retail Fraud Working Group and its focus on combating emerging threats to retail investors, before closing with insights from FINRA's latest enforcement report, highlighting notable trends, enforcement priorities, and practical compliance takeaways. Tune in for a timely overview of the regulatory, compliance, and investor protection issues that financial services professionals should have on their radar. Recent Past Episodes of this Series: Spotlight on CFP Board - Innovation, Investor Protection, and the Fight Against Financial Fraud (7/22/26) ⁠Key Developments in SEC Enforcement, Exams, and Rulemaking⁠ (6/17/2026) ⁠⁠Redefining Retirement: New Rules, New Opportunities⁠⁠ (5/20/2026) ⁠⁠⁠A New Enforcement Era and the Potential Coming Wave of SEC Rulemaking⁠⁠⁠ (4/22/2026) ⁠⁠⁠⁠Congress Puts the SROs Under the Microscope: SEC Oversight, Transparency, and Reform⁠⁠⁠⁠ (3/18/2026) Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  3. Aug 5

    Clearing the Air - A Conversation with EPA’s former Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe

    Host Jivan Ramesh sat down with former Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Janet McCabe to discuss the endangerment finding, the Clean Air Act, and changes in the EPA. The Deputy Administrator provided a forward-looking insight into how environmental law has changed, how it's likely to change in the future, and what this may affect. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  4. Jul 22

    Securities Regulation and Enforcement Series: Spotlight on CFP Board - Innovation, Investor Protection, and the Fight Against Financial Fraud

    In this Season 3 episode, co-hosts A. Valerie Mirko, Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP and leader of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Litigation Practice, and William Nelson, Director of Public Policy and Associate General Counsel at the Investment Adviser Association, speak with Erin Koeppel, Managing Director, Government Relations & Public Policy Counsel at CFP Board. Valerie, William, and Erin discuss CFP Board’s role as a standard-setting organization, its certification program, and its public policy and advocacy priorities. Erin also shares insights on CFP Board’s recently issued fraud research, including the role of CFP® professionals as financial first responders,   legislative efforts to address fraud and better support victims of fraud. The conversation also explores the SEC’s regulatory agenda, including its focus on innovation, and CFP Board’s complementary emphasis on investor protection as a core public policy priority. This episode is a must-listen for securities lawyers, compliance professionals, regulators, and anyone navigating today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Recent Past Episodes of this Series: Key Developments in SEC Enforcement, Exams, and Rulemaking (6/17/2026) ⁠Redefining Retirement: New Rules, New Opportunities⁠ (5/20/2026) ⁠⁠A New Enforcement Era and the Potential Coming Wave of SEC Rulemaking⁠⁠ (4/22/2026) ⁠⁠⁠Congress Puts the SROs Under the Microscope: SEC Oversight, Transparency, and Reform⁠⁠⁠ (3/18/2026) ⁠⁠⁠⁠Congress Puts the SEC Under the Microscope: Accountability, Due Process, and Reform⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2/11/2026) Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  5. Jul 19

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Social Pillar

    Join us for an engaging conversation on the social pillar of well-being with Maryland based psychotherapist, Cintra Harbold. This episode concludes the Lawyer Well-being Community’s series, The Six Pillars of Well-Being. In this dynamic discussion with your community host, Winsome Gayle, a social justice lawyer and leadership coach, Cintra provides practical ways for us to connect. From Aristotle to the outdoors, Cintra, a nature certified therapist, tells us how we are built to connect and why it is important for our personal and professional well-being. And, if you are an introvert, Cintra shares some useful tips for you as well! Learn more about Cintra Harbold’s practice here. Learn more about Winsome Gayle here. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  6. Jul 18

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Spiritual Pillar

    Join us for a conversation on the spirituality pillar of well-being with best-selling author and psychotherapist Claudia Cauterucci. This episode is part of the Lawyer Well-being Community’s series, The Six Pillars of Well-Being. In this lively exchange with your community host, Winsome Gayle, a social justice lawyer and leadership coach, Claudia shares practical and accessible ways to (re)connect with your sense of purpose, meaning, and community. In 2025, Claudia launched two books: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: Rebuild from Relationship Trauma and Find Your Light Again, and the 2nd edition of The Empath Leader. Claudia is known for translating complex psychological and spiritual ideas into grounded, practical, and inspiring conversations. Learn more about Claudia Cauterucci here. You can also access herpodcast channel here. Learn more about Winsome Gayle here. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  7. Jul 17

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Intellectual Pillar

    In the episode on intellectual well-being, attorney Lee Robbins speaks with Carlyn Schofield about the misconception that intellectual well-being always means adding more information, learning, or productivity to our lives. Instead, we explore the idea of “intellectual exhale”, which includes engaging with creativity, curiosity, and ideas outside of work in ways that nourish rather than deplete us. We discuss the importance of creating more, consuming less, stepping back regularly, and treating the brain like a muscle that needs both use and rest. Different ways of thinking and creative engagement can help us make new connections that ultimately strengthen our work and careers. Particularly for attorneys, the answer is not always to do more. In fact, trying too hard to constantly “be better” at your job can actually make you worse at it over time. You have to give yourself a break. Intellectual well-being often requires doing less, making space for reflection, creativity, and recovery so that insight and sustainable growth are actually possible. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  8. Jul 16

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Physical Pillar

    Join us for a discussion on the physical pillar of well-being with internationally-recognized educator and researcher Dr. Stella Volpe, PhD. This episode is part of the Lawyer Well-being Community’s series, The Six Pillars of Well-Being. In this insightful discussion with your community host, Tom Kane, a former government attorney who is currently active in public health and exercise science education, advocacy, and policy, Dr. Volpe discusses how one can meet the prevailing Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and why the environment in the DMV, as annually evaluated by the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual American Fitness Index, is especially conducive for meeting those Guidelines. Dr. Volpe is currently the Chair of the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech and is a Past President of the ACSM. Dr. Volpe’s research focuses on obesity and diabetes prevention using nutrition and exercise, and she has conducted research on athletes across all levels of sports activity. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

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About

Listen in for exclusive interviews and conversations with D.C. Bar members and guests about hot topics! To learn more about D.C. Bar Communities, join a community, and/or register for upcoming programs, visit www.dcbar.org/communities Presented by the D.C. Bar Communities Podcast Network. Other network channels include "The Tea on International Arbitration" with the D.C. Bar International Law Community (anchor.fm/DCBarTea) and "Let's Brief It" with the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (anchor.fm/DCLSC). Theme Music: "If" by Broke for Free

Information

  • Creator
    D.C. Bar Communities Office
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © D.C. Bar Communities Office
  • Show Website
    Brief Encounters

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