LESA Event

The Law and Entrepreneurship Student Association (LESA) is proud to present this year's In-House Counsel Forum

LESA board members Tom Moseman and Kaci Callahan bracket speakers Ed Gerdes from Café Yumm, Ian Richardson from Gleaves Swearingen, and Kristie Gibson from Gibson Holders. March 2008

February 11, 2009
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Room 184
Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

Ever wonder why you've heard "In-house Counsel" is the best gig in the legal profession? It is a career path that offers worlds of opportunity to ambitious business law students.

In-house attorneys do a little bit of everything. You may find yourself working in areas such as transactions, acquisitions, and contracts. Many corporations have a global presence; therefore, international law may come into play, as well.

If you enjoy working on a wide range of legal issues and do not want to be pressured to specialize, which may happen at a law firm, in-house work could be right for you. In-house attorneys are expected to foresee potential problems and stop them before they happen. Attorneys at law firms quickly learn to recognize the legal issues in a business agreement. However, an in-house attorney works more closely with owners and high-level management to establish business terms, identify legal issues, and decide what type and level of risk is acceptable. Those in the General Counsel position are most likely to function as trusted business advisors and often report directly to the CEO. The Law and Entrepreneurship Student Association (LESA) is presenting a panel discussion with several Oregon in-house counsel attorneys. Lawyers with experience in private practice, as well as in-house counsel for corporations, will join our panel to discuss their individual career paths, the pros and cons of working in-house, and how corporate counsel differs from private practice. All students are welcome; those students interested in business law, corporate law, international law, and the in-house counsel role are especially encouraged to attend this event.

Hors d'oeuvres and wine will be provided and there is no charge to attend. However, space may be limited. Please RSVP to the LESA organizers now to reserve your spot:
Rachael Kim
Tom Moseman
Steve Thompson

Confirmed speakers are:
Edward Gerdes, Vice President and General Counsel of Beau Delicious! International, LLC, franchisor of Cafe Yumm!

Kristie Gibson, Corporate Counsel and President of Gibson Holders, Inc.

Professor Roger Saydack, Regional VP for legal affairs and business transactions of PeaceHealth

Randolph Turnbow, Corporate Counsel of The Douglas County Individual Practice Association, Inc. (DCIPA)

If you are a 1L or 2L and have an interest in engaging in more business law opportunities at the law school, consider applying to be a part of next year's LESA Board of Directors. LESA will hold elections in the near future for additions to the Board next year; so, come get a taste for what Law and Entrepreneurship is all about at this In-house Counsel event, and look for LESA Board application announcements later this semester.

Finally, LESA sponsors events such as Law of Beer (in the fall), Law of Wine (later this spring semester), Intellectual Property forums, and Venture Capitalists panels, in addition to offering business cards and local wine. Keep your eyes open for announcement of these stellar events.