The Black Lives Matter movement and civil rights protests across the country, triggered by the issue of police violence, have heightened awareness of racial inequality. Public and private institutions are issuing statements of solidarity, re-examining their hiring practices and workplace cultures, and promising social justice. These good intentions should be applauded. But the hard part… Read More

Philanthropy is important to many privately held business owners who often include charitable endeavors as part of their post-exit plans. Yet even those who earmark exit proceeds for their favorite nonprofit sometimes fail to appreciate the savings that charitable planning can create. That helps explain why many business owners overlook philanthropy in their pre-transaction planning…. Read More

It only took 18 characters and a social media firestorm to blow up Baha Nabulsi’s career.  Nabulsi, a real estate professional with eXp Realty, didn’t see the disaster coming. She didn’t even think that much about the three-word post that would ultimately lead to the loss of her job and prompt a storm of online… Read More

It is often said that Corporate Partners struggle to be viewed as strong candidates for General Counsel positions. On the behalf of my executive clients, whom I serve as their personal career agent, I have been told by top-tier executive recruiters that I would not be able to help my clients make the transition from… Read More

When coronavirus burst onto the scene earlier this year, we had no idea how this health crisis would affect every aspect of American life, infecting almost 8 million people nationwide and devastating communities across Illinois. As a former Navy intelligence officer, I learned how to analyze different scenarios from top to bottom, paying particular attention… Read More

The United States and China are currently engaged in a complex relationship. While retaining important aspects of cooperation, it is increasingly characterized by rivalries that span multiple domains, including national security, trade, finance, advanced technologies, cyber, and space.  Often minimized or overlooked, however, is an important ideological element to this competition. To read more, please… Read More

As well all know COVID-19 has turned our world upside down. Business issues and concerns have been amplified due to the impact and unknowns of COVID-19.  Our growing dependence on digital media has amplified the spotlight on CEOs even more.  In his October 2019 article Negative Press is Inevitable for Modern CEOs — And That’s… Read More

So, you have been tapped or want to serve on an audit committee of a corporate board? Other than the Nominating & Governance Committee, the Audit Committee is one of the more prominent committees present on a corporate.  There is a great amount of risk serving on an Audit Committee. Many say that the responsibilities… Read More

Clearly, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) is a hot topic, by why should corporate boards focus on ESG? Looking as far back to 1997, the Business Roundtable published a Statement on Corporate Governance. Here’s an excerpt: “In The Business Roundtable’s view, the paramount duty of management and of boards of directors is to the… Read More

In my opinion, there are two points in the calendar year where board succession is the most prevalent. The first point in the year is in the late Winter/early Spring with February and March being the most active. The second most active point in the calendar year is September and October. So, with now being… Read More