At Eighth Annual Business Boot Camp, Students Learn from Alumni Experts

More than 28 alumni returned to Brooklyn Law School in early January to participate in the eighth annual Business Boot Camp. The program, presented in collaboration with Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, is a four-day intensive winter session course designed to enhance the business and financial savvy of students and to better meet the needs of today’s evolving global business marketplace.

More than 53 students and 30 alumni participated in this “mini-MBA,” Jan. 6-9, led by Professor Michael Gerber, an internationally recognized expert in bankruptcy law, and John P. Oswald ’84, President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Trust Group and member of the Law School’s Board of Trustees. The program gives students an opportunity to learn from alumni business leaders and entrepreneurs who serve as speakers, panelists, and participants in breakout sessions.

Business Boot Camp covered a range of topics at the intersection of law and business, including buying and selling a business, handling mergers and acquisitions disputes, financing a business, business plans and accounting principles, and Bitcoin/blockchain issues. The curriculum is enhanced by daily panels featuring alumni who share their expertise in business and entrepreneurship.

The first day featured Q&As with Gloria Greco ’98, Global Wealth & Investment Management Compliance and Operational Risk Executive at Bank of America Corporation and member of the Brooklyn Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors; and Frederick E. Curry, III ’03, Deloitte’s U.S. anti-money laundering and economic sanctions practice leader and member of the Brooklyn Law School Board of Trustees.

“The J.D. degree opens doors,” said Curry to students. “The business and legal aspects of your education are all integrated.”

Dean Michael T. Cahill conducted an interview with Stacy Kanter ’84, former chair of the Corporate Finance Practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and a founding member of Brooklyn Law School’s Women’s Leadership Circle. She discussed her career path and offered advice to students looking to enter corporate practice.

“We don’t expect [new associates] to come in knowing a lot about what we do,” said Kanter. “We’re looking for people who are highly motivated, who are curious, who are going to have a good attitude and inspire trust and have humility, somebody who is going to be a team player. It’s been a pleasure to get to know Brooklyn Law School students, because that humility has been a hallmark of all the Brooklyn Law graduates I’ve had a chance to work with at Skadden.”

The Jan. 7 panel discussion covered advising new ventures and small businesses, and featured alumni Anna Ashurov ’12, partner and senior director of strategy at Anheuser-Busch InBev and a Recent Graduate Trustee; Evan Azriliant ’92, president of S & E Azriliant P.C.; Denise Faltischek ’00, chief strategy officer of Aphria Inc.; Kenneth Faltischek ’00, president and chief operating officer of Sandata Technologies; Neil Goldstein ’68, chairman of Robinson Brog’s Real Estate Transactions & Management Department; Ricky Liang ’15, CEO of Sun Sun Group; Louis Smookler ’02, general counsel of Insomnia Cookies and adjunct professor of law; and John Rudikoff ’06, adjunct professor of law.

The Jan. 8 panel discussion advised students on buying and selling businesses and featured Angelo Bonvino ’96, partner at Paul Weiss; Katie Chastaine ’06, general counsel and chief compliance officer of Trillium Management; Robert Engelke ’17, associate at Fried Frank; Asim Grabowski-Shaikh ’02, counsel at BakerHostetler; Jennifer Horowitz ’96, partner in the firm of Cole Schotz and Co-Chair of the firm’s corporate department; Eileen T. Nugent ’78, former co-head of the Global Transactions Practice of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and member of the Brooklyn Law School Board of Trustees; and Mitchell Littman ‘83, founding partner of Littman Krooks.

Other alumni who participated in the Boot Camp include David Barse ’87, founder and chief executive officer of XOUT Capital and member of the Brooklyn Law School Board of Trustees; Meeka Bondy ’94, senior vice president of legal affairs at HBO; Michelle Gitlitz ’04, global head of Crowell & Moring’s blockchain and digital assets practice; Jason Jia ’11, managing partner of Jia Law Group; Kevin Mahoney ’88, vice president and general counsel for Spencer Spirit Holdings; Joshua Peirez ’96, chief executive officer of Sterling; Jeremi Roux ’12, general counsel and chief compliance officer of Hamlin Capital Management; Steven Scheinfeld ’85, global chair of Fried Frank’s corporate department; Robert Schmidt ’89, partner at Kramer Levin; David Ugelow ’11, head of the legal and business affairs team for Group Nine Media; and Kevin Weinman ’10, chief financial officer of Rebag.

The course concluded with additional breakout sessions and a reception attended by participants.

View photos here.