2011-2012 Business and Transactional Law Center Speakers and Events
November 15, 2011
Kansas Politics: An Inside Look at Government Relations
Kansas lobbyist, Natalie Bright, '98, offered a lunch presentation to students on November 15, 2011 titled "Kansas Politics: An Inside Look at Government Relations."
In her talk to the students, Bright first explained how her law degree aids her career as a lobbyist. Bright discussed how the skills she gained from law school help her understand the dynamics of legislation, how legislation impacts a client, and strategies for debate. She then described what she does as a lobbyist. "For every rule in the legislature, there is another rule that can break it," she said. Her job is to represent her clients in maneuvering through that process. Bright explained that a bill rarely gets passed in the first session, and how as a lobbyist she "babysits" the bill.
Several students inquired about the current issues that Bright faces as a lobbyist. In response, she explained the healthcare, tax, and immigration reform challenges that have become prominent issues in representing businesses and associations.
Bright received her law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1998, after completing a joint degree in business administration and political science at the University of California-Riverside. After graduating from Washburn, she began her lobbying career by working at the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Bright worked on the 1998 reform of the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals and also the 1999 Comprehensive Transportation Program. She left the State Chamber in 1999, and began working as a contract lobbyist in Wichita, Kansas. Approximately a decade later, Bright and Marlee Carpenter, '99, established Bright and Carpenter Consulting, Inc., a Wichita-based lobbying firm that evaluates the political and legislative climate in relation to its clients' interests.
October 6, 2011
Law School: Not Just for Lawyers Anymore
Distinguished Practitioner in Residence Steve Minnis, '85, President of Benedictine College, presented "Law School: Not Just for Lawyers Anymore." Learn more about Steve Minnis and his visit.
September 22, 2011
Second Annual Business Law Student Reception
The Business and Transactional Law Center will host its second annual Business Law Reception on September 22, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. (Photo from last year's reception)
The Business and Transactional Law Center student organizations: the Business Law Society, the Tax and Estate Planning Association, the Environmental Law Society, the Real Estate Society, the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and the Intellectual Property Society, in conjunction with the Business and Transactional Law Center, will be hosting the Second Annual Business Law Wine and Cheese Social Event at the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center.
This event is intended to serve both as a social business event, at which students can be exposed to the type of business social meeting you might encounter in the professional world, as well as to provide information to students on each of the listed student organizations. Dress is business casual. All students, and especially first year students, are encouraged to attend to find out more information about the goals, events and opportunities sponsored by these organizations. The event will include information tables for all organizations and a brief presentation at 5:45 from each group as well. You may arrive and depart as you wish to attend to other obligations during the event.
