Bite-Sized Business Law

Corporate statements about race have become commonplace, yet they often deliver far less than they promise. In this episode of Bite-Sized Business Law, host Amy Martella speaks with Atinuke Adediran, Professor of Law at Fordham Law School, about her book Disclosureland: How Corporate Words Constrain Racial Progress. Drawing on research at the intersection of business, law, and society, Professor Adediran examines how corporate disclosures shape public understanding of racial inequality, and how companies frequently treat public statements as a stand-in for real action. The conversation addresses the surge of corporate commitments following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, when companies rapidly issued public statements on racial equity after years of relative silence. Professor Adediran introduces the idea of race-conscious image construction, explaining how companies use these statements to build reputations that benefit them, even when meaningful follow-through is limited. The episode also explores the growing pattern of companies revising or removing earlier commitments amid political and legal pressure, a process Professor Adediran calls race-conscious retraction. She closes by explaining why racial progress cannot rely on corporate speech alone and why stronger oversight and accountability remain essential. Listen to the full conversation for a clear, timely examination of how corporate words can shape and limit racial progress.Key Points From This Episode:What inspired Disclosureland and Professor Adediran’s research into the inauthenticity of corporate language and its impact on racial progress.An overview of the wave of corporate statements after George Floyd’s murder.Examining how rare public disclosures about race were before 2020.The kinds of racial commitments companies began making during this period.Why companies turned to disclosure as a response to public and employee pressure.Defining “race-conscious image construction” and its role in corporate reputation.How racial disclosures can boost reputation without actually changing internal practices.The problem of pledges made without context, history, or measurable grounding.How companies use past statements to block shareholder audits and scrutiny.Introducing “race-conscious retraction” and what it looks like in practice.Political and legal pressures driving companies to revise or erase commitments.How empty commitments and later retraction actively constrain racial progress.Why federal government involvement is essential for accountability and racial progress.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Atinuke AdediranAtinuke Adediran on LinkedInAtinuke Adediran | Fordham Law SchoolDisclosureland: How Corporate Words Constrain Racial ProgressAmelia Martella on LinkedInFordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center

What happens when corporations start to look and act more like states, including jumping into political debates and providing services that we traditionally expect from government? Matteo Gatti, professor of business law at Rutgers Law School, unpacks his new book, Corporate Power and the Politics of Change, the culmination of years studying how business decisions interact with democratic institutions and social movements. Matteo discusses the history of the corporation from early state-serving charters and infrastructure projects to today’s corporate responsibility debates and culture wars. Matteo introduces his concept of “corporate governing” and explains how corporate speech and corporate action now interact with politics and social movements. The conversation also delves into the incentives and risks for companies that enter into socio-political advocacy, the democratic and institutional costs of relying on corporations to fill public gaps, and why standard corporate governance tools are a poor fit for public governance. Join the conversation to find out what lies ahead for the corporate landscape and what corporate power looks like when companies start acting like countries. Tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:How Professor Gatti became interested in the intersection of corporate power and politics. The evolution of corporations and the role they played in providing public functions.Hear how a shift in expectations caused companies to engage with socio-economic issues.Learn what “corporate governing” is and the interplay between corporations and government.Key drivers behind the rise in corporate advocacy and the cost of remaining silent.What changes in politics have created a backlash against corporate responsibility.Explore whether corporate governance is good for democracy and public governance.Unpack the undemocratic nature of corporate decision-making and its impact on politics.Why government solutions are more general, stable, and durable than corporate initiatives.His critique of leveraging tools from corporate governance for solving socio-economic issues.Lessons about the importance of authenticity, stakeholder expectations, and political risk.Professor Gatti’s future outlook and his proposals for revitalizing public governance.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Professor Matteo Gatti Professor Matteo Gatti on LinkedInCorporate Power and the Politics of ChangeEuropean Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)Fordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center

Effective regulation is essential for cryptocurrency to develop successfully! Today, we are joined by New York State’s first Superintendent of Financial Services and the CEO of the Lawsky Group, Benjamin Lawsky, to discuss how the regulatory landscape has evolved since the early days of crypto and where he sees Bitcoin heading next. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Benjamin’s interesting career, how it led him to where he is today, his initial reaction to the concept of the BitLicense, how the regulations were written, and more. We delve into what the BitLicense is and why it’s important before discussing state versus federal regulation and how regulation has become more challenging over time. Benjamin even tells us how he keeps up with an industry that evolves so quickly. Finally, our guest tells us how he sees crypto evolving in the near future. To hear all this and be inspired to always say yes in the early stages of your career, be sure to press play now!Key Points From This Episode:An introduction to today’s guest, Benjamin Lawsky, and an overview of his career. He tells us what he was doing when the idea of a BitLicense arose and his involvement. What the BitLicense is, what it does, and the process of writing the regulations. How the stakes have risen for regulation over time, and state vs. federal regulation. Benjamin explains how he bridges the expertise void in crypto as a regulator. Why he loves working with students and the power of always saying yes. How Benjamin sees cryptocurrency evolving in the near future. He shares his advice for young lawyers who are interested in this space. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Benjamin Lawsky on LinkedInBenjamin Lawsky in XThe Lawsky GroupNYDIGAmelia Martella on LinkedInFordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center

What does it actually look like when law students become the primary lawyers for real-world startups and mission-driven businesses? In this episode, host Amelia Martella goes behind the scenes of the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic at Fordham Law School to explore how experiential learning prepares students for high-stakes corporate practice while serving New York’s entrepreneurial community. Amelia sits down with Professor Katherine Hughes, director of the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, and clinic students Kathryn Berman and Liam Keane, who are all currently working with real founders on real legal problems. Together, they delve into what a law clinic is, how the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic differs from traditional litigation-focused offerings, and how corporate and transactional work can be leveraged as a powerful pro bono tool to support low-income and mission-driven organizations. They also explore real-world examples, common startup pitfalls, how the clinic manages client expectations, and Professor Hughes’ approach to supervising students. Join the conversation to hear how the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic is shaping future big-law associates and expanding access to legal support for small businesses. Tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:Discover what a law clinic is and how it supports the entrepreneurial community. The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic (ELC) at Fordham and what sets it apart from other clinics. Kathryn and Liam share what drew them to the ELC and how the experience is structured. Example of how the ELC is helping an entrepreneur to overcome the typical startup pitfalls.Hear about the common challenges and hurdles of working with entrepreneurs and startups.Learn about the expected time horizons and how transitioning students is handled. Professor Hughes’ approach to teaching students and working with entrepreneurs.How clients are selected and vetted through cold emails, legal services, and incubators.What Professor Hughes finds most rewarding about her pro-bono work and corporate law. Find out what motivates Professor Hughes and how students benefit from law clinics. Kathryn and Liam’s biggest takeaways from their time working with Professor Hughes.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Katherine Hughes on LinkedInKathryn Berman on LinkedInLiam Keane on LinkedInLincoln Square Legal Services Inc.Fordham University | Entrepreneurial Law Clinic (ELC)FrameShareCommunitas VenturesAmelia Martella on LinkedInFordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center

The rise and fall of FTX remains one of the most shocking financial scandals in modern history, and the story is far from over. In this special live episode of Bite-Sized Business Law, host Amy Martella moderates a discussion on FTX, fraud, and the fight for redemption, examining what Sam Bankman-Fried’s ongoing appeal could mean for his legacy and for crypto itself. Joining the panel are Richard Squire, Fordham Law professor and bankruptcy expert; Jennifer Taub, Wayne State Law professor and author on white-collar crime; and Jonathan Jones, Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist with The Center for Investigative Reporting. Together, they revisit how a single tweet triggered FTX’s collapse, the governance failures that let it happen, and the overlapping bankruptcy and criminal cases that followed. The panel then unpacks Bankman-Fried’s appeal, including claims of judicial bias, mishandled evidence, and a defense arguing he acted in good faith, believing no one would lose money in the long term. Closing with lessons for investors, lawyers, and regulators alike, the conversation explores whether redemption is possible when trust and billions of dollars have been “lost.” Tune in for a sharp, timely look at the legal and moral fallout of the FTX saga.Key Points From This Episode:Jonathan’s reporting on Bankman-Fried and what prompted his investigations.How and why FTX entered bankruptcy under the guidance of Sullivan & Cromwell.An outline of Bankman-Fried’s indictment, trial, and 25-year sentence.Understanding the overlap between FTX’s bankruptcy and criminal case.How to distinguish ordinary Chapter 11 filings from bankruptcies spurred by criminal activity.Details of Bankman-Fried’s appeal, including claims of judicial bias and excluded evidence.Unpacking whether prosecutors moved too fast before bankruptcy losses were known.A breakdown of the “good faith” defense: Bankman-Fried’s claim he meant no harm.Examining Sullivan & Cromwell’s dual role at FTX and potential conflicts of interest.Debating whether this could have been a governance scandal rather than criminal fraud.Crypto asset valuations and repayment timing in a bankruptcy case.The costs of bankruptcy and who profits when companies collapse.Lessons from FTX: buyer beware, demand oversight, and don’t invest based on the vibe.Audience Q&A: exploring political influence and crypto’s regulatory future.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Richard SquireRichard Squire on LinkedInJonathan JonesJonathan Jones on LinkedInJennifer TaubJennifer Taub at Wayne State LawJennifer Taub on LinkedIn‘FTX’d: Conflicting Public and Private Interests in Chapter 11’The Dual StateThe Secret Story of FTX's Rise and Ruin Part I, Reveal PodcastThe Secret Story of FTX's Rise and Ruin, Part IIAmelia Martella on LinkedIn