S. The Role of the General Counsel in the Modern Economy

This course will begin on January 31, 2024 and will meet on the following dates: January 31, February 7, February 28, March 6. Instructor is Michael Ullmann, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Johnson and Johnson (retired), where he oversaw all legal matters.

The course will explore the role of the General Counsel through the lens of real-world issues facing practitioners today, with a focus on the practical skills necessary to advise a business in the modern economy. The course will first address the fundamentals — including who is, and is not, the General Counsel’s client, as well as how expectations of the role of in-house counsel have evolved alongside increased velocity in business decision-making. The course will then turn to issues facing General Counsels today. The course will close with an examination of the challenges and opportunities associated with leading and managing a large, diverse, global workforce. Apart from the course materials, students will also hear from business, government, and legal professionals who will share insights about the topics covered.