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The U.S. Supreme Court has declared that university admissions policies must be “color blind” under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, breaking with decades of legal precedent and resulting in challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at universities and elsewhere. Many employers worry their own DEI policies and programs may be at risk, with businesses experiencing some high-profile lawsuits and challenges to corporate diversity initiatives.
 Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with three of the firm’s thought leaders on these issues — Jeff Green, Kate Roberts, and Natalie Chan. Jeff is senior counsel in Sidley’s Supreme Court and Appellate practice, Kate is co-chair of Sidley’s Labor, Employment and Immigration practice, and Natalie is a senior managing associate in Sidley’s Labor, Employment and Immigration practice. Together, they discuss how the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action in higher education may impact businesses and how employers can reduce legal risk.

Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

The Supreme Court of the United States is in session. After its seismic decisions last term, SCOTUS has set its sights on another slate of high-stakes cases that could again transform elections, policy, and public life. On the docket are the First Amendment, gun rights, racial gerrymandering, and the power of the executive branch over regulation. Companies are bracing for decisions that could impact the way they do business, while the court faces controversy over its ethics and indeed its legitimacy.
Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with two of the firm’s thought leaders on these issues — Kwaku Akowuah and Rob Hochman, co-leaders of Sidley’s Supreme Court and Appellate practice. Together, they discuss the monumental cases decided by SCOTUS last term and upcoming ones the business community should know about.
Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

Companies are facing more attacks on their information systems. And, as their cyber risk skyrockets, the SEC has stepped in with new regulations, telling businesses what to disclose about these incidents — and requiring detailed disclosures on cyber risk management more broadly. With the deadline for compliance fast approaching, businesses are scrambling to mitigate their legal risk and comply with regulations that some say may be an overreach.
Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with two of the firm’s thought leaders on these issues — Sonia Barros and Colleen Brown. Sonia is a partner in Sidley’s Capital Markets group and co-leader of the firm’s Public Companies practice. Colleen is a partner in the firm’s practices in Privacy and Cybersecurity, Commercial Litigation and Disputes, Crisis Management and Strategic Response, and Insurance. Together, they discuss the SEC’s newly adopted regulations for disclosing information on cyber risk and how companies and their boards can best comply.
Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

Airlines have hit their share of turbulence, from supply chain issues and staffing shortages to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and elevated fuel prices. As interest rates rise and some airlines file for bankruptcy, the industry’s carbon emissions efforts are getting off the ground. 
Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with three of the firm’s thought leaders on the airline industry — Bart Biggers, Michael Burke, and Kevin Lewis. Bart and Kevin are co-leaders of Sidley’s Aviation and Airlines practice, and Michael is a partner in the firm’s Restructuring practice. Together, they discuss the current state of affairs in air travel, emerging trends in the industry, and legal considerations regarding the bankruptcies taking place.

Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

Bank failures have roiled the financial sector, leading consumers and businesses to brace for economic fallout. How did we get here, and how will policymakers respond? What are the tools businesses can use to mitigate risk, and could a crisis like 2008 be repeated?
Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with two of the firm’s thought leaders on the financial industry — Michael D. Lewis and Teresa Wilton Harmon. Together, they discuss just how steady the banking system is and whether regulators can make it any safer. 
Michael represents financial institutions, their investors, and their counterparties in connection with federal and state banking laws. His experience includes advising on complex investment authority and regulatory structure questions, prudential regulation of banking organizations, and bank resolution and receivership issues. 
Teresa is the managing partner of Sidley’s Chicago office and focuses on financial transactions and commercial law. Her financial transactions experience includes secured and unsecured loans, workouts and restructurings, and structured finance and securitization. 
Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

After a contentious State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden faces off against a divided United States Congress over the debt ceiling. The business world is paying very close attention. Will Speaker Kevin McCarthy be able to corral his slim House majority? Are any compromises possible, and can any legislation actually pass? Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with three of the firm’s thought leaders on Congress — Michael Borden, Pattie DeLoatche, and Brittany Bolen. Together, they discuss congressional priorities for 2023 and the potential impact on businesses.

Michael is a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and leads the Government Strategies practice. He offers counsel to clients facing complex and high-stakes challenges involving congressional investigations, legislation and government regulation.

Pattie is a senior policy advisor in Sidley’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the Government Strategies practice. She provides strategic advice to the firm’s clients on legislative and regulatory issues before the administration, the U.S. Congress and federal and state agencies.

Brittany is counsel in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the Environmental and Government Strategies practices. She advises clients on a wide range of environmental regulatory and policy matters across the executive branch and on Capitol Hill.

Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.