Bite-Sized Business Law

• Startups Start Here: Behind the Scenes of the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic: Katherine Hughes, Kathryn Berman, Liam Keane

  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

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• FTX, Fraud, and the Fight for Redemption: Sam Bankman-Fried's Appeal

  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

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• The Corporate Fiduciary Fallacy

  Should we still be referring to corporate directors and officers as fiduciaries? During this episode, we challenge one of the bedrock assumptions of corporate law: that corporate officers and directors act as fiduciaries. Turns out they don’t, according to today’s guest. Their decisions, protected by the business judgment rule, made with limited liability and free to contract around, reflect something closer to discretion than duty. Marc Steinberg, the Rupert and Lilian Radford Chair in Law at SMU Dedman School of Law, proposes replacing the term “corporate fiduciaries” with “corporate discretionaries.” Why does it matter? Marc’s new book, Discretionaries Not Fiduciaries, explains why and shares a wealth of knowledge about the relationship between labels and standards in our legal system today. Key Points From This Episode:What inspired Marc to write his latest book, published with Oxford University Press.The history of the term “fiduciary” and why director standards have become so relaxed. How exculpation statutes were born and what they necessitate.Why a higher degree of misconduct is required to hold a director liable for gross negligence than to convict someone of criminal negligence in Delaware. What led Marc to start using the word ‘discretionaries’ and how he hopes it will be used.The implications of this label shift.Why the current legislation is so permissive and why this is a problem.How the SB21 saga has reinforced his views.The business judgment rule and the neutrality of AI board members.Other examples of where we are mislabeling concepts in the law.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Marc SteinbergMarc Steinberg on LinkedInMarc Steinberg Google ScholarCorporate Director and Officer LiabilityRethinking Securities LawAmerican Book FestMarc Steinberg BooksFordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center

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• The End of Quarterly Reporting?

  Challenging the long-established bedrock of U.S. financial regulation, a proposed rule change to shift public companies from mandatory quarterly reporting to a semiannual schedule has reignited a critical debate over corporate efficiency, investor demands, and the core philosophy of corporate governance. Is this the end of quarterly reporting? Joining host Amy Martella once again is James (Jim) Park, professor of law and the director of community quality and justice at UCLA Law School. In his previous appearance, they discussed his book The Valuation Treadmill. Today, he returns to share insights on President Trump’s suggestion to shift away from quarterly reporting and what it means for corporate America. He unpacks the SEC rules that mandate reporting, breaks down the proposal—including how President Trump came to support it—and explores the key arguments from its supporters. They also discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks, why the SEC should consider retail investors’ perspectives, and how reporting practices in other countries compare to the U.S. For more on the shift away from quarterly reporting, including whether moving from four reports to two is truly significant, and Jim’s take on what the Trump administration might gain, be sure to listen in!Key Points From This Episode:Jim unpacks quarterly reporting and the rule and/or regulation that requires it.Breaking down quarterly reports: earnings, projections, and forecasts.Jim’s insights on what changed the appetite for annual reporting.The ins and outs of President Trump's new proposal and how he got the idea.Proposal supporters and the argument for why it should go through.Potential benefits to investors under a reduced reporting model.The drawbacks and challenges critics are highlighting. Jim’s thoughts on why the SEC should consider listening to retail investor arguments.Is the move from four to two times a year really that meaningful?How other countries handle reporting: transparency, information, and stakeholders.What’s in it, politically, for the Trump administration: reducing the role of government with respect to regulation.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:James (Jim) Park on LinkedInThe Valuation TreadmillU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Paul AtkinsPresident Donald J. Trump on XSecurities Exchange Act of 1934Amelia Martella on LinkedInFordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center

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• The Index Revolution: How One Heretical Idea Changed Investing Forever

  Index funds may seem like a no-brainer today, but they were once dismissed as boring and even reckless. In this episode of Bite-Sized Business Law, host Amy Martella is joined by Robin Wigglesworth, global financial correspondent for the Financial Times, where he serves as the editor of Alphaville, and author of Trillions, to trace the unlikely rise of passive investing and what its future holds. Robin recounts how renegade academics and innovators built the first index funds, challenged Wall Street orthodoxy, and sparked a quiet revolution that democratized investing. He brings to life colorful characters like Jack Bogle and Mac McQuown, whose stubborn determination made indexing mainstream. The conversation then turns to today’s challenges, from the explosion of ETFs to the concentration of corporate power among the “Big Three” asset managers. Robin also shares his views on ESG, shareholder activism, and the risks of over-financialization. He offers a preview of his upcoming book, The Greatest Show on Earth, which explores the overlooked but powerful history of the bond market. Listen in for a fascinating journey through the past, present, and future of investing!Key Points From This Episode:Some background on Robin and how he became a financial reporter.Why he wrote Trillions and how index funds became “the water” of investing.The first index funds and the academics who proved that active managers underperform.How figures like Mac McQuown and Jack Bogle made indexing mainstream.The role of Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco in the indexing story.Personal reflections on Jack Bogle: his drive, and his complicated legacy.Today’s indexing challenges: ETF proliferation and the blurred line between active and passive.Concerns about power concentration among Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street.The debate over ESG, shareholder activism, and symbolic divestment.Why index funds still beat most active managers in the long run.Human nature and why many investors still choose active management.An overview of Warren Buffett and his lasting legacy.Robin’s thoughts on AI, systematic strategies, and the future of markets.A sneak peek at Robin’s next book, The Greatest Show on Earth, on the 1,000-year history of the bond market.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Robin WigglesworthRobin Wigglesworth on LinkedInTrillionsThe Greatest Show on EarthFinancial Times | AlphavilleFordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center

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