Panelists

Ted Claypoole leads Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP’s IP Transactions and FinTech Teams. He resides in the Atlanta office where his practice focuses on AI and data analytics strategies, privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance with relevant laws and contracts. He also is a regular speaker and writer on privacy and security issues, has authored several books on technology and law, and edits Womble Bond Dickinson’s HeyDataData Blog. Previously, Claypoole served as in-house data and technology counsel at Bank of America and CompuServe. Claypoole has a BA in Public Policy from Duke University and a JD from Ohio State University College of Law.

April Dawson is the inaugural Associate Dean of Technology and Innovation and a Professor of Law at North Carolina Central University School of Law and oversees the operation of the NCCU Technology Law & Policy Center which works to develop diverse, practice ready tech-driven legal professionals. She teaches and has taught a wide range of law school classes, including Artificial Intelligence Foundations and the Law and Legal Technology Equity & Leadership. Dawson has a degree in computer science from Bennett College and earned a JD from Howard University School of Law. Dawson is a member of the ABA Center for Innovation Governing Council, co-host of the ABA Innovation Network Podcast, Vice Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Future of Law Committee, and immediate past Chair of the AALS Section on Technology, Law and Legal Education.

Bill Garcia is Chief Practice Innovation Officer at Thompson Hine LLP in D.C. Garcia guides practice groups in new product and service initiatives, identifies emerging market opportunities, and steers the creation of pioneering technologies. He also develops legal project management and related processes, procedures, and tools, and works with clients to foster more efficient legal service delivery. Previously, he served as inside counsel at Gannett Co., Inc., and advised on antitrust, advertising, distribution, and other matters and managed the commercial litigation docket. He later served as Vice President/Compliance Oversight at MCI during its emergence from bankruptcy. Garcia also practiced at two international law firms. He earned his AB from Harvard University and JD from the University of Chicago Law School.

Joe Kennedy is the Willie Person Mangum Distinguished Professor and Martha Brandis Professor of Law at the UNC School of Law. Kennedy teaches Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure Investigation. He has in the past taught Cybersecurity Law, Constitutional Law, International and Comparative Criminal Law and Lawyering Skills. Prior to teaching, Kennedy worked as an advocate at a center for the homeless in Los Angeles and practiced law as a litigation associate for Morrison and Foerster and as a public defender in San Francisco. Kennedy earned his BA in History from Stanford University and his JD from the University of California at Los Angeles where he served on Law Review.

Aaron Kirschenfeld is a Clinical Associate Professor of Law and Digital Initiatives Law Librarian at UNC School of Law. His teaching and research interests include legal research and legal bibliography, with a focus on the assessment of legal information tools and platforms. Kirschenfeld earned an AB in History from Duke University, MS in Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his JD from UNC School of Law.

Jennifer Venable is the Vice president, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. Previously she was the General Counsel at Alfresco Software, Inc. and prior to that, she was Commercial Counsel and Senior Partner Manager at Red Hat, Inc., in-house counsel for an internet start-up, in private practice, and a judicial clerk to the Honorable Henry E. Frye of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Venable has a BA in Government and Sociology from The College of William and Mary and a JD from UNC School of Law.

Lissa Broome is the Burton Craige Distinguished Professor, director of the school’s Center for Banking and Finance, faculty adviser to the North Carolina Banking Institute journal, and head of the school’s Director Development Initiative (DDI), which works to help match aspiring board members, particularly those from underrepresented groups, with for-profit and nonprofit board opportunities. The DDI also provides training for those interested in corporate board service. Broome serves as the University’s Faculty Athletics Representative to the Atlantic Coast Conference and the NCAA. She teaches Banking Law and Secured Transactions. Broome has a degree in finance from the University of Illinois and earned a JD from Harvard Law School.

Caleb Griffin is an Associate Professor at UNC School of Law. Griffin’s research focuses on corporate law, corporate governance, and technology policy & regulation. He teaches courses including Contracts, Business Organizations, Mergers & Acquisitions, and related business law courses. Before joining the University of North Carolina, Griffin served as a professor at law schools in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia. Prior to teaching, Griffin practiced corporate law at Vinson & Elkins LLP in Houston, Texas. He earned his BBA from Oklahoma Christian University and JD from Harvard Law School.

Thomas Hazen is the Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor of Law. He teaches Business Associations and Securities Regulation and is the author or co-author of casebooks in corporations, corporate finance, broker-dealer regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and securities regulation. Tom is also the author of a widely regarded six-volume treatise on Securities Regulation, a three-volume treatise on derivatives regulation, and a two-volume treatise on broker-dealer law. He has served as an expert witness in a number of high-profile securities cases. Tom received his undergraduate and law degrees from Columbia.