In this episode of Season 2, A. Valerie Mirko, Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP and leader of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Litigation Practice, joins William Nelson, Director of Public Policy and Associate General Counsel at the Investment Adviser Association, to discuss the ongoing government shutdown and two recent speeches by SEC Chairman Paul Atkins on enforcement and corporate governance.

Chairman Atkins has announced plans to revamp the SEC’s Wells process, aiming to make the agency more transparent in sharing investigative findings and to give firms greater opportunity to respond before enforcement actions move forward.

He also signaled a potential shift in the shareholder proposal framework under Exchange Act Rule 14a-8, suggesting the SEC may allow companies to exclude precatory, or non-binding, shareholder proposals - a move that could reshape how corporate governance issues reach the ballot.

Finally, Valerie and William explore the implications of the government shutdown, noting that its full impact on rulemaking and policy may take time to unfold.

Past Episodes of this Series:

From Memecoins to Custody: What Firms Need to Know About Crypto (9/24/25)

⁠Corp Fin in Flux: What the SEC’s Latest Moves Mean for Issuers and Investors⁠ (8/13/25)

⁠⁠AI in the Investment Adviser Industry⁠⁠ (7/16/25)

⁠⁠Harnessing AI: What Attorneys and Financial Industry Professionals Need to Know⁠⁠ (6/18/25)

⁠⁠SEC Leadership, Crypto Policy, and FINRAs Regulatory Refresh⁠⁠ (5/21/25)

⁠⁠New Leadership, New Priorities: Paul Atkins at the SEC⁠⁠ (4/23/25)

⁠⁠How the New Administration and Congress Will Shape the SEC⁠⁠ (3/26/25)

⁠⁠Reflecting on 30 years of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act⁠⁠ (2/26/25)

⁠⁠Insights on SEC Transition and Policy Priorities with Pete Driscoll⁠⁠ (2/5/25)

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Retired Judges Thomas Moukawsher and Bennett Rushkoff speak on the role of dynamic judges in guiding the course of litigation so that it moves efficiently to a reasonable and just conclusion.
Judge Moukawsher is the author of "The Common Flaw: Needless Complexity in the Courts and 50 Ways to Reduce It." The book critiques the complexity of modern litigation and judicial practices and proposes a series of suggestions to bring greater efficiency to court proceedings, as well as greater public respect for the courts.
Judge Rushkoff brings to bear his experience as an D.C. Administrative Law Judge, where the guiding role of the judge is very important.
The discussion is moderated by Don Allen Resnikoff of the D.C. Bar Public Interest and Courts Community.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this latest episode of the series, "Intersections: Energy and Environmental Issues in Law and Tech," Cathy Pagano of the Women's Bar Association of D.C. (WBA) interviews Lorraine Spradley Wilson, Founder and Strategic Advisor at Blue Horizon.
Lorraine explains how she founded Blue Horizon, a DC based advisory firm that helps organizations from early-stage startups to nonprofits, achieve sustainable growth. She also explains how thoughtful sustainability reporting and the resulting data help these organizations become more resilient and successful. In addition, Lorraine shares resources for organizations starting this process.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this episode of Season 2, A. Valerie Mirko, Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP and leader of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Litigation Practice, joins William Nelson, Director of Public Policy and Associate General Counsel at the Investment Adviser Association, for a timely discussion with David Adams, Member at Mintz, on the evolving world of crypto assets.

As crypto moves further into the mainstream, investment advisers and broker-dealers face both new opportunities and heightened regulatory scrutiny. The conversation covers how the SEC and FINRA currently view crypto—from memecoins and mining to stablecoins—and what to expect from upcoming SEC rulemaking over the next 6–12 months.

The episode also explores how advisers are using crypto today, whether as investment products, portfolio diversifiers, or tokenized assets, and examines the fiduciary-duty challenges that come with digital assets. On the compliance front, the discussion highlights how firms can prepare for examinations and enforcement, with special attention to custody - the top concern for many advisers.

Finally, the group looks ahead with practical guidance for advisers and broker-dealers considering crypto products, offering insights to help navigate this fast-changing landscape.

Past Episodes of this Series:

Corp Fin in Flux: What the SEC’s Latest Moves Mean for Issuers and Investors (8/13/25)

⁠AI in the Investment Adviser Industry⁠ (7/16/25)

⁠Harnessing AI: What Attorneys and Financial Industry Professionals Need to Know⁠ (6/18/25)

⁠SEC Leadership, Crypto Policy, and FINRAs Regulatory Refresh⁠ (5/21/25)

⁠New Leadership, New Priorities: Paul Atkins at the SEC⁠ (4/23/25)

⁠How the New Administration and Congress Will Shape the SEC⁠ (3/26/25)

⁠Reflecting on 30 years of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act⁠ (2/26/25)

⁠Insights on SEC Transition and Policy Priorities with Pete Driscoll⁠ (2/5/25)

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

President Trump's August 7 executive order directs the Labor Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue guidance allowing employers and plan sponsors to include various private assets in 401(k) plans and other defined contribution plans. The permitted assets could include private equity, hedge funds, private credit, real estate investment trusts (REITS), venture capital funds, and crypto-assets. The program discusses the potential risks posed by such alternative assets to investors in defined contribution plans.

Three experts in the field explain the President’s order and its potential impact: Art Wilmarth, professor emeritus of law at GW Law School, Hilary Allen, Professor of Law at the Washington College of Law at American University, and Amanda Fischer, Policy Director and Chief Operating Officer for Better Markets. Don Resnikoff participated as co-moderator.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Gwendolyn Cooley, recent Chair of Attorneys General Antitrust Task Force, discusses state and D.C. AG antitrust enforcement. Using case-specific examples, she explains how state-level AGs often coordinate with federal antitrust authorities, and also independently bring cases of local interest. She also talks about instances where state-level enforcers take enforcement positions that differ from federal authorities. Finally, she comments on the prospects for future state and federal cooperation.

The podcast moderator was Don Allen Resnikoff of the Antitrust and Consumer Law Community.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Gaëlle Bastien, steering committee member of the D.C. Bar Early Career Lawyer Community, sits down with D.C. Bar President Sadina Montani, Partner at Crowell & Moring LLP. The two discuss law school misconceptions, imposter syndrome, and advice they wish they had known when starting their 1L years.

Register Here for our free Back to Law School Mixer on September 9 at the D.C. Bar Headquarters!

Want to "find your people" and get involved with the D.C. Bar? Join the Law Student Community today! Your membership will include programs and leadership opportunities tailored specifically for law students, a free professional headshot, and free or discounted access to Communities content and networking events.

Love podcasts? Want to host your own? Learn more and apply to host the D.C. Bar Law Student Community Podcast, Let's Brief It, HERE.

Want the chance to hone your leadership skills by working on a D.C. Bar steering committee with seasoned attorneys? Learn more about the Karen Hastie Williams Leadership Fellowship HERE.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this episode of Season 2, A. Valerie Mirko, Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP and leader of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Litigation Practice, joins William Nelson, Director of Public Policy and Associate General Counsel at the Investment Adviser Association, for a timely conversation with Michelle Heisner, Partner at Baker McKenzie LLP and a member of the Firm's Global Corporate and Securities Practice Group.

With the SEC keeping law firms and GCs on their toes this summer, this episode dives into three key themes: tighter disclosure requirements, increased scrutiny on foreign issuers, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding ESG regulations. One key takeaway: If you're advising issuers, now is the time to revisit your disclosure playbook. The SEC is signaling change, and companies that adapt early will be better positioned for what's ahead.

Tune in for key insights on how these developments are shaping the regulatory landscape

Past Episodes of this Series:

AI in the Investment Adviser Industry (7/16/25)

Harnessing AI: What Attorneys and Financial Industry Professionals Need to Know (6/18/25)

SEC Leadership, Crypto Policy, and FINRAs Regulatory Refresh (5/21/25)

New Leadership, New Priorities: Paul Atkins at the SEC (4/23/25)

How the New Administration and Congress Will Shape the SEC (3/26/25)

Reflecting on 30 years of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (2/26/25)

Insights on SEC Transition and Policy Priorities with Pete Driscoll (2/5/25)

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.