New UC Davis Center for Business Law and Society Pursues Social and Economic Impact
By Sue Walther Jones
Business law is critical to creating a more just society. That concept underlies UC Davis School of Law’s new Center for Business Law and Society (CBLS). The law school will launch the center at a symposium, “California and the Future of Business Law,” on Thursday, Jan. 29 at King Hall.
UC Davis Law is known for its longstanding and deep commitment to developing lawyers who strive to advance the public interest. While many choose public service careers, others find ways to impact society through business and tax law. The new center will serve as a research hub while connecting law students with alumni and practitioners.
“Law shapes business, and business shapes the world,” said CBLS Director and UC Davis Law Professor Afra Afsharipour. “Located in California, a state that continually pioneers the nexus of business ethics and public policy, the center is dedicated to forging a new generation of legal minds who view corporate responsibility and governance as central to the pursuit of a just society. Our focus is the active translation of legal principles into equitable social and economic impact.”
The symposium will examine how California’s unique legal and policy landscape continues to redefine business law. It will feature keynote speaker Khalil “KC” Mohseni, Commissioner of the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation, as well as panels on California dealmaking, tax law and the role of California’s world-leading pension funds. The symposium will also highlight insights from “King Hall GCs”—a growing community of general counsel at leading finance and technology companies.
UC Davis Law Dean Jessica Berg said the new center will build on the school’s strengths in business law.
“We have a deep bench of business law faculty, who work across a wide range of areas including corporate law, tax law, employment and labor law, commercial law and bankruptcy to name just a few,” Berg said. “This center provides an important unifying framework under which to examine cutting edge issues in business law and society.”
UC Davis Law’s location near California’s capital, along with its nationally recognized business and tax law faculty, ideally situate it to lead in business law and policy. A highly respected corporate law scholar, Afsharipour is joined by prominent affiliated faculty, including the center’s two associate directors, UC Davis Law Professors Amelia Miazad and Menesh Patel.
The center’s experienced and innovative advisory board have energized its development. Members include Brian Bartow, general counsel of CalSTRs; Robert W. Hillman, UC Davis professor of law emeritus; James Lim, co-founder & CEO, QUBE Industrial; Brandon C. Parris, co-chair, Transactions Department, Morrison Foerster; Sanam Saaber, general counsel, Axonius; Saba Shatara, partner, Reed Smith; and Tina Singh, founder and CEO, Singh Law Corporation.
The symposium is open to the public, in person or remote via livestream—register here. Learn more about the Center for Business Law and Society.