UC Law lecture series tackles NFL anthem policy, First Amendment rights and more

The University of Cincinnati’s College of Law will host the 2^nd annual UCNext: Converge. Connect. Celebrate. event on Saturday, Oct. 27, bringing together some of the country’s leading thought leaders to discuss legal and business issues that impact their fields.

Topics include the NFL Anthem Policy and First Amendment rights; innovation centers that encourage entrepreneurship; issues surrounding renewable and sustainable resources; internet branding and policing; online education’s impact on legal work, and more.

This TedX-style event will be held from 3-8 p.m. in Room 114 at the College of Law. Attorneys can earn 2.5 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) hours while making invaluable connections with UC Law alumni and attorneys.

Darryl O. Ledbetter (’90) is a sports writer for The Atlanta Journal Constitution. With years of experience in both law and journalism, Ledbetter will tackle the NFL Anthem Policy and its inherent conflict with a player's First Amendment right. Over the last 25 years, there has been little discussion on the role of the African American athlete in society.  With former San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s poignant protest—kneeling during the National Anthem—the sociological impact of players has since been widely discussed. Where have we been, what’s going on now and where are we headed as players are taking a knee to address social and racial injustice?

Phyllis Turner-Brim (‘93), assistant general counsel at Starbucks: discussing how the tech revolution is affecting the legal services industry. The tech revolution has introduced innovative designs to our world that has changed the way business and law are handled. Blockchain, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and deep machine learning will alter our world—are you ready?

Jonathan Holifield (‘96), author & director of National Historically Black College and University Project: discussing the income disparity between citizens on the economic edge to those in the top echelons. Innovation centers that encourage creativity, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, to name a few, should be created and invested in to bring diversity and different perspectives into American business.

Scott Coye-Huhn (‘04), co-founder, vice president, and chief legal officer of Aloterra, LLC:  discussing the shift from petroleum products to bio-based industries and its impact. He will cover contracts, human resources, insurance, and other legal issues surrounding new renewable and sustainable sources.

Adria Nobles Kimbrough (‘00), pre-law advisor at Dillard University’s Center for Law and Public Interest: discussing how our nation is becoming increasingly diverse. In 20 years, people of color will represent the majority of all Americans. As the nation’s diversity increases, the legal profession lags behind. Fortunately, there is a solution.

Whitney Gibson (‘04), partner at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP: discussing the changes in online retail and seller enforcement and policing, including innovative and novel legal tactics, cyber investigation, the efficiencies of technology, and tactics that not only help remove unauthorized online products for sale, but also stops them from returning.

Un Kyong Ho (‘10), filmmaker, writer, impact producer: discussing representation and why it matters. There is a call for inclusion, diversity, equality, and justice in every facet of life—from movie screens to boardrooms. How is this fight affecting larger struggles for justice?

Rebecca Lawrence (‘13), Title IX coordinator, Southern New Hampshire University: discussing how the internet has interrupted “traditional” higher education. Focusing on how online education has impacted legal work, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of its positive effects on those with disabilities juxtaposed with threats of cheating and viral content.

Join us as we delve further into the innovations and disruptions the legal and business professions are facing and learn how to evolve with them. This will be an exciting opportunity to foster community and knowledge. It will serve as a great environment to gain understanding and connection while interacting with people from all over the country.