Jones Day Talks

Leaving law school and starting a career can feel overwhelming. In fact, a recent survey indicates that nearly half of new law associates believe that law school did not prepare them adequately for their current roles. In this edition of Jones Day Talks’ “Perspectives and Pathways” series, Shirlethia Franklin, Ashley Gullett, and J’Niah Kupoluyi discuss practical steps and strategies new lawyers can consider to shorten the learning curve and position themselves for early success.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (or OB3) is overhauling policy for tax, real estate, energy and infrastructure investment. It brings changes to energy tax credits, on-shoring incentives, and real asset financing, creating new risks and opportunities for investors and developers. In this “breaking news” edition of Jones Day’s “Real Assets Roundup” program, Jones Day partners Brian Sedlak, Sean Jackowitz, James Kinnebrew and Colleen Laduzinski talk about what to expect as a result of the OB3.

Institutional investors are redefining investments in “hard assets,” such as real estate, energy, and infrastructure into a combined “real assets” category. This change is driven by numerous factors and presents significant opportunities and challenges, which will be examined by Jones Day partner Brian Sedlak and his colleagues from across the Firm in an extended series of Jones Day Talks programs. In this kickoff episode of “Real Assets Roundup,” Brian, along with partners Vica Irani and Kit Rockhill, discuss the new definition of “real assets” and talk about the issues, themes, and legal considerations to be addressed in subsequent programs.

Corporate fraud remains a persistent and potentially damaging threat to companies across industries, sectors, and borders. The risks are substantial and the penalties are daunting. Jones Day partner Jeff Schenk, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney who led the prosecutions of Theranos executive Elizabeth Holmes and Pacific Gas & Electric, gives a first-hand account of those high-profile trials, and explains what corporate counsels need to know about keys issues involving corporate fraud investigations.

Though rare, cases of prosecutorial misconduct do occur in cases at all court levels and across jurisdictions. Partner Neal Stephens, co-author of Prosecutorial Misconduct: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers, recently published by the American Bar Association, talks about what defense lawyers must know and do to protect their clients at every stage of a criminal case. Read the full transcript.

Down round financings recently reached their highest levels in 15 years, leaving investors, growth-stage companies, and other venture capital market participants searching for guidance and clarity. Jones Day partners Tim Curry, Taylor Stevens, and Alexandre Wibaux explain how down rounds work, and talk about what affected parties need to know as we look toward 2025. Read the full transcript.

Jurisdictions are requiring large corporations and other entities to report on the environmental risks they face and how their business operations impact the climate. In the second in a series of JONES DAY TALKS® podcasts regarding significant climate disclosure rules, our panel discusses the SEC’s rules announced in early March, the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the State of California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act and Climate-Related Financial Risk Act. Read the full transcript here.

Corporate Venture Capital, or CVC, continues to play a major role in investment and deal activity across numerous growth industries. Jones Day partners Tim Curry and Taylor Stevens discuss who’s investing, the opportunities they’re targeting, and the special factors to consider in a corporate venture investment. Read the full transcript here.