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Past CLEAF Events

March 20, 2015
Federal Reserve Centennial Series Finale Conference


February 20-21, 2015
C-LEAF Junior Faculty Forum


January 23, 2015
The Future Direction of Investor Protection Conference

Video: Keynote Address


November 13, 2014 
The Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy: Traditional and New Tools

Join GW Law's Center for Law, Economics and Finance (C-LEAF) for the third in a series of symposia on the Federal Reserve and the nation’s banking system. This program will focus on the Fed’s important role in setting monetary and economic policy.


November 5, 2014
Financial Stability after Dodd Frank: Have We Ended Too Big to Fail?

The Center for Law, Economics and Finance (C-LEAF) hosted this conference on financial stability four years after the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was passed.

 

November 4, 2014
Berkshire Beyond Buffett: The Enduring Value of Values

GW Law, C-LEAF, and the GW School of Business hosted a discussion and book signing of Professor Lawrence A. Cunningham's new book Berkshire Beyond Buffett: The Enduring Value of Values.

 

November 4, 2014
The Role of Directors in Dealing with Activist Investors

GW Law's Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF) and the Institute for Corporate Responsibility of the GW School of Business hosted a program in the ongoing series on Challenges in Corporate Governance.

 

September 12, 2014 
Federal Reserve Centennial Series: "The Federal Reserve and the Future of Payments, Clearing, and Digital Currencies"

 

March 31, 2014
"Challenges in Corporate Governance: The Relationship of the Audit Committee with the External Auditor and the Chief Financial Officer"

 

December 13, 2013
"The Past, Present, and Future of the Federal Reserve System"

 

October 31, 2013
"The Road Traveled: Assessing Dodd-Frank Five Years After the Crisis"

 

October 21, 2013
"Challenges in Corporate Governance: The Role of Corporate Directors in a Corporate Crisis"

 

September 12, 2013
"Five Years On, Learning Lehman's Lessons from the Panic of 2008: Are We Better Prepared for the Next Financial Crisis?"

Senator Elizabeth Warren and a panel of experts discussed lessons learned from Lehman Brothers' collapse, Wall Street's unprecedented lobbying campaign against new regulations mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act to make our financial markets stronger, and further steps that are needed to protect Main Street and U.S. taxpayers from Wall Street's risk-taking and the potential threat of additional government bailouts.

 

June 12–14, 2013
Banking Law Fundamentals Course

 

May 22, 2013
The Paul A. Volcker Scholarship Award Presentation

The George Washington University Law School and its Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF) are pleased to announce the establishment of the Paul A. Volcker Scholarship Award program. Under this new program, Volcker Scholarship Awards will be given each year to talented GW Law students from diverse backgrounds who intend to pursue public service careers in the field of financial regulation and who demonstrate a strong need for scholarship assistance.

 

April 15, 2013
"Challenges in Corporate Governance: The Role of Corporate Directors in Setting the Tone at the Top"

Hosted jointly by The Institute for Corporate Responsibility of the GW Business School and C-LEAF.

 

March 4, 2013
The 2013 Private Equity M&A Roundtable

This roundtable was presented by The GW Law Center for Law, Economics & Finance and The Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance and Co-chaired by Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Held at The Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance, this discussion featured Chancellor Leo Strine, Jr., Justice Henry duPont Ridgely, notable faculty, key practitioners, and industry experts discussing issues regarding US Private Equity Mergers and Acquisitions, including the outlook for deal activity in 2013.

 

February 26, 2013
"Rethinking Law and Economics in Light of the Financial Crisis"

This program featured a lecture by David Driesen , a University Professor at Syracuse University and author of "The Economic Dynamics of Law" (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2012). Professor Driesen explained how neoclassical theories of law and economics, based on assumptions of rational actors and perfectly-informed markets, led to a widespread belief in self-correcting markets. In turn, that belief encouraged a pervasive deregulation of financial markets after 1980, which allowed financial institutions to engage in speculative risk-taking that precipitated the global financial crisis of 2007-2009. Professor Driesen recommended that policymakers should apply a more holistic approach to economics that emphasizes the importance of controlling systemic risk while preserving long-term economic opportunities.

 

February 7–8, 2013
"The Political Economy of Financial Regulation"

This conference brought together legal scholars, regulators, judges, practitioners, economists, political theorists and other social scientists to discuss the role of the political process in financial services regulation and the role of money in both.

 

November 28, 2012
"Challenges in Corporate Governance: Role of Corporate Directors in CEO Succession Planning "

This program was the fifth in a series of Challenges in Corporate Governance. Our distinguished panel addressed the challenges to Corporate Directors of developing a succession plan for the CEO, both for the long term and for emergencies. The panel discussed how Boards carry out this role in practice, what they consider, and how they organize to have an effective process and outcome.

October 25 – 26, 2012
"Navigating Dodd – Frank:
Are We Avoiding Another Financial Crisis?"

C-LEAF presented the Fourth Annual Regulatory Reform Symposium, featuring senior regulators, legal experts, market participants, and leading academics.

 

October 10, 2012
"New Derivatives Regulations Under Dodd-Frank: Where to Begin?"

The Center for Law, Economics and Finance presented a day-long seminar-with workshop panels led by senior regulators, legal experts, market participants, and leading academics - reviewed compliance responsibilities under the derivatives market reforms of Title VII.

 

June 6-8, 2012
Banking Law Fundamentals
Banking Law Fundamentals was an intensive program designed to familiarize participants with the basics of banking law.

 

April 11, 2012
"Challenges in Corporate Governance: Executive Compensation"

The event focused on corporate directors' roles in setting executive compensation, with a particular emphasis on "pay-for-performance" initiatives.

 

April 3, 2012
A Discussion with Paul Basta, J.D. '92

One of nation's foremost restructuring lawyers, Paul Basta (J.D. '92), Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, will discuss his experience as a student at GW Law, his career path, and his current bankruptcy and restructuring practice.

 

March 2, 2012
"Striking the Right Balance: Investor and Consumer Protection in the New Financial Marketplace"

GW Law's Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF), the Institute for Law & Economic Policy (ILEP), and the GW Law Reivew, jointly hosted senior regulators, leading scholars and prominent practitioners who examined the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on the regulation of markets for derivatives, securities, and consumer financial products.

 

February 10-11, 2012
Junior Faculty Workshop

GW's Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF) hosted its second annual Junior Faculty Business and Financial Law Workshop and Junior Faculty Scholarship Prizes. The workshop recognized the work of young legal scholars in accounting, banking, bankruptcy, corporations, economics, finance, and securities, while promoting interaction among them and selected senior faculty.

 

Decmber 6, 2011
"Headwinds in the Global Economy and Strategies for Regaining Traction"

The event featured panelists Corrine Ball (J.D. '78) of Jones Day, Paul Roth of Schulte, Roth & Zabel, and the Hon. John Snow (J.D. '67) of JWS Associates. The discussion was moderated by Professor Lawrence Cunningham, and was held at The Penn Club in New York.

 

November 3, 2011
"Challenges in Corporate Governance: Directors Responsibility for Risk Management After Dodd-Frank"

The program focused on corporate directors' role in risk management post Dodd-Frank, with a particular emphasis on financial institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act directs the Federal Reserve Board to require certain large publicly traded financial companies to establish a Board Risk Committee. The event was co-sponsored by the Institute or Corporate Governance at the George Washington University School of Business.

The program focused on corporate directors' role in risk management post Dodd-Frank, with a particular emphasis on financial institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act directs the Federal Reserve Board to require certain large publicly traded financial companies to establish a Board Risk Committee. The event was co-sponsored by the Institute or Corporate Governance at the George Washington University School of Business.

 

November 3-5, 2011
ABA Banking Law Committee Meeting

The event has held at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, DC, and provided networking opportunities with individuals in the banking industry, and from other legal fields as well.

 

October 21, 2011
C-LEAF Presents "Dodd-Frank's Future Direction: On Course or Off Track?"

GW's Center for Law, Economics & Finance's Third Annual Fall Financial Regulatory Reform Symposium was held in the Jack Morton Auditorium. The daylong event featured two panel discussions dealing with financial regulatory reform topics, including new regulations affecting large, systemically important financial companies and the future of housing finance, as well as question-and-answer sessions. Highlights included the Manuel F. Cohen Memorial Lecture, delivered by Simon Johnson, Ronald A. Kurtz (1954) Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Global Economics and Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a keynote address by The Hon. Sheila C. Bair, former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

GW's Center for Law, Economics & Finance's Third Annual Fall Financial Regulatory Reform Symposium was held in the Jack Morton Auditorium. The daylong event featured two panel discussions dealing with financial regulatory reform topics, including new regulations affecting large, systemically important financial companies and the future of housing finance, as well as question-and-answer sessions. Highlights included the Manuel F. Cohen Memorial Lecture, delivered by Simon Johnson, Ronald A. Kurtz (1954) Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Global Economics and Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a keynote address by The Hon. Sheila C. Bair, former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

October 14, 2011
"Life Lessons & the Practice of Law: Distinguished GW Law Alumni Panel & Discussion"

A timely discussion on careers in law, tips on networking, and more from distinguished GW Law alumni. A networking reception followed the event.

 

September 15, 2011
Presentation by D. Bruce Sewell (J.D. '86), senior VP, general counsel, and secretary of Apple, Inc.

Mr. Sewell discussed his experience at GW Law, his career, and how he got to be the top lawyer at one of the world's most valuable companies. The event was co-hosted by the Banking Law Society and the Corporate and Business Law Society.

Mr. Sewell was awarded the 2011 GW Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award.Learn more.

 

June 7-8, 2011
C-LEAF Presents "C-LEAF in New York: Hedge Fund Regulation and Current Developments"

The keynote address was given by Commissioner Troy Paredes of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other leading practitioners, including three members of C-LEAF's Advisory Board (Tonya Grindon, Elizabeth Schubert, and Jeff Schweon) and GW Law alumnus David Rusoff (J.D. '91) participated in two panel discussions.

 

April 1, 2011
Inaugural Junior Faculty Business and Financial law Workshop and Junior faculty Scholarship Prizes

Sponsored by Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP

C-LEAF hosted its inaugural Junior Faculty Business and Financial Law Workshop and Junior Faculty Scholarship Prizes. The workshop supported and recognized the work of young legal scholars in accounting, banking, bankruptcy, corporations, economics, finance, and securities, while promoting interaction among them and selected senior faculty. By providing a forum for the exchange of creative ideas in these areas, C-LEAF aimed to encourage new and innovative scholarship.

More than 80 junior faculty members from U.S. and international law schools submitted papers, and 12 junior faculty authors were selected to present their papers in person at the workshop.

 

March 25-26, 2011
Financing Innovation: Our Economic Future
Co-Sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Papers were presented by 12 leading U.S. and international scholars and practitioners on topics related to venture capital and innovation.

 

March 20, 2011
"The Dodd-Frank Act: Did It Go Too Far or Not Far Enough?"

Professor and E*TRADE Bank General Counsel John Buchman hosted American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research Fellow Peter J. Wallison and MIT Sloan School of Management Professor Simon Johnson, and Peter Wallison, former Treasury general counsel.

 

January 14, 2011
The Shape of Things to Come: The Financial Regulatory Landscape in the Post Dodd-Frank Era

The event featured remarks from The Honorable Gary Gensler, Chairman, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and Chris Dodd, former senator for the State of Connecticut.

Panel presentations by leading financial commentators and leading scholars on financial regulation included David Wessel of the Wall Street Journal, author Sebastian Malaby, former NASD Chairman Robert Glauber, former Federal Reserve Board Vice Chairman Donald Kohn, Jim Cox, Anna Gelpern, Gary Gorton, Michael Greenberger, and GW Law Professors Jeffrey Manns and Arthur Wilmarth.

 

November 11-12, 2010
The Dodd-Frank Act and the Road for Financial Regulatory Reform

The Dodd-Frank Act is the most far-reaching piece of financial services legislation enacted since the Great Depression. C-LEAF's second annual financial regulatory reform symposium will assess the likely impacts of this massive 2,300-plus page law, focusing especially on the areas of consumer protection, the regulation of large, complex, "too big to fail" financial institutions, and whether the act adequately addresses the causes of the recent financial crisis, did not go far enough, or perhaps went too far.

Event included a keynote address from Federal Reserve Board Governor Daniel Tarullo and Sullivan & Cromwell Senior Chairman H. Rodgin Cohen. Panel presentations by senior regulators included the general counsel of the Federal Reserve Board, the chief counsel of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and leading practitioners.

 

September 15, 2010 
"The Remaking of Wall Street"

Prominent past and current regulators, bankers, attorneys, journalists and agency rating representatives will delve into the details surrounding the financial crisis, how and why the industry is changing and how ethical implications will impact the financial industry in the future.

 

June 3, 2010
C-LEAF Presents New York

 

April 1, 2010
Securing the Ballot: A Conference on Proxy Access

Shareholder activism has resulted in major initiatives by the Securities and Exchange Commission to provide shareholders with greater rights to participate in corporate governance. This conference will bring together major thinkers and participants in the debate to evaluate the merits of these developments.

 

March 18, 2010
Executive Compensation: Real Reform or Back to Business as Usual?

 

March 10, 2010
Madoff One Year Later: What Have We Learned?
Sponsored by the Center for Law, Economics, and Finance & Labaton Sucharow LLP

This event celebrated the launch of GW's Center for Law, Economics, & Finance, a think tank within the Law School, designed as a focal point in Washington, D.C. for the study and debate of major issues in economic and financial law confronting the United States and the globe.

The panels and discussions focused on the climate and controversy surrounding the Madoff debacle-why and how it happened, and what's next. Speakers addressed these topics from diverse points of view, including the law, the media, academia, and finance.

 

November 6, 2009
The Emerging Regulatory Landscape: A Roundtable Conference (cosponsored by the Institute for Law and Economic Policy and Huntington Bank)

This conference brought together important legal scholars to consider the state of financial reform, primarily in the area of capital markets, including f the legislative agenda, the shape of resulting federal enforcement, and the enforcement role of states and private parties.

 

October 23, 2009
Regulatory Reform at the Crossroads: What is the Right Response to the Financial Crisis?

Presented with the GW Law Banking Society, this conference was designed to assess the current state of financial regulatory reform and evaluate appropriate responses. The event featured a morning keynote address by the Honorable Gary Gensler, chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and a luncheon keynote address by the Honorable Kenneth R. Feinberg, special master of TARP executive compensation, U.S. Department of the Treasury. Panels covered topics including systemic risk regulation and the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

 

April 3-4, 2009
The Panic of 2008: Causes, Consequences, and Proposals for Reform (cosponsored by The GW Corporate and Business Law Society and the SEC Historical Society.)

As the nation's economy collapsed into recession, GW Law brought together experts from a variety of disciplines, policymakers, and practitioners, to discuss the causes and consequences of the Panic of 2008, and offer proposals for reform Highlights of the event included the delivery of the 28th annual Manuel F. Cohen Memorial Lecture, delivered by David M. Rubenstein, founder and chairman of the Carlyle Group, and several panel discussions on topics ranging from historical context to global implications of the crisis.

Professor Frank Partnoy of the University of San Diego School of Law spoke on one of two panels about financial regulation and accounting. In a May 2008 Wall Street Journal article, Partnoy said the conference was "the best academic conference to date on the financial crisis."