April 21, 2025

Preparing the next generation of business-savvy legal professionals

At the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, the Business and Corporate area of expertise is redefining legal education by merging legal strategy with business acumen through dynamic academic programs, expert faculty and real-world experiences.

 

Building on this foundation, ASU Law’s Business and Corporate area of expertise offers robust opportunities across all five of its degree programs — Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Human Resources and Employment Law (MHREL), Master of Legal Studies (MLS) and Master of Sports Law and Business (MSLB) — providing students with tailored pathways to explore the intersection of law and business. 

 

The college supports hands-on learning through three specialized clinics, fosters community and leadership through six student organizations and encourages scholarship and discourse through three dedicated law journals. Additionally, this school year, 44 students are gaining experience working for business and corporate employers, exemplifying the college’s commitment to real-world application and industry engagement. ASU Law’s strength in this area is nationally recognized, with a No. 35 ranking in tax law and No. 41 ranking in business and corporate law by U.S. News & World Report.

 

Faculty who bridge law and business

 

ASU Law’s esteemed faculty members bring cutting-edge scholarship and real-world expertise into the classroom. 24 faculty experts published 393 articles, books and book chapters relevant to business and corporate. 

 

• Laura Coordes, professor of law, co-authored Law of Bankruptcy, published in November. The book serves as a key reference for academics, students, practitioners and judges working in the bankruptcy field. She also recently released her co-authored volume Municipalities in Financial Distress in March, which gives an in-depth examination of local government financial struggles and the unique challenges of public-sector bankruptcy.

• Aaron Fellmeth, Dennis S. Karjala professor of law, science and technology, authored Introduction to International Business Transactions, a leading textbook that anchors his International Business Transactions course. He also founded the IBTBlog, the first of its kind at any law school, offering real-time insights and updates on cross-border trade, foreign direct investment and international legal developments. The blog is supported by student editors who research and draft the posts.

   

• Professor of Practice Don Gibson teaches the Law and Business of Sports Branding, where students explore how legal frameworks like trademark and copyright law intersect with brand development. Through hands-on group projects, students analyze branding opportunities and challenges in the sports world, preparing them for business and legal decision-making in competitive markets.

   

• Erin Scharff, associate dean of research and faculty development and professor of law, co-authored the 19th edition of one of the most prominent Federal Income Taxation casebooks. Her mentorship has helped graduates like Michael Shaw and Michael O’Neill secure highly competitive clerkships with the U.S. Tax Court, launching careers in corporate tax law.

   

• Susan Chesler, clinical professor of law and a leader in contract law education, co-authored Contracting for the Company’s Culture with ASU Law alum Liz Porter. The paper will be featured at the upcoming 10th Biennial Conference on Applied Legal Storytelling at the University of Michigan Law School this summer. Chesler also integrates generative AI into her contract drafting curriculum, giving students a forward-thinking approach to legal tech and innovation. 

   

• Zach Gubler, Marie Selig professor of law, published The Neoclassical View of Corporate Fiduciary Duty Law in the Chicago Law Review, offering a fresh perspective on Delaware corporate law. The piece argues that directors owe duties not to individual stockholders, but to the corporation’s long-term equity capital. The model was later cited with approval by Delaware Vice Chancellor Travis Laster in McRitchie v. Zuckerberg, 315 A.3d 518 (Del.2024). In December, Gubler followed up with an online essay in the Cornell Law Review, The ‘Section 122 Revolution’ in Delaware Corporate Law and What to Do About It, analyzing a major statutory change that allows corporate boards to delegate decision-making authority by contract. The piece explores the tension between this change and Delaware’s traditional board-centric model and offers a path forward through targeted legislative refinement.

   

• Robert Miller, Jonathan and Wendy Rose professor of law and a leading scholar in Native American economic development, teaches the course Economic Development in Indian Country. He is the author of Reservation Capitalism: Economic Development in Indian Country, with the second edition forthcoming in early 2026.  His recent article, Tribal Sovereignty and Economic Efficiency Versus the Courts, was published in the 97 Washington Law Review (2022). Miller’s work bridges legal scholarship and real-world application, offering students a comprehensive understanding of tribal sovereignty and economic policy. 

 

Real-world preparation through immersive programs

 

Intellectual Property Law: 

Ranked A+ by National Jurist in 2024, this program allows students to study patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret law while gaining access to faculty and professional opportunities through innovative partnerships, preparing them for successful careers in IP law. 

The newly established Wolin Family Center for Intellectual Property Law further enhances this experience with hands-on learning and a focus on emerging issues like AI-generated content, digital copyright and data privacy. Students also benefit from the McCarthy Institute, which explores the intersection of trademark law, marketing, technology and consumer behavior. It also hosts regular symposia, workshops and networking groups to foster dialogue and career connections. Meanwhile, the Center for Law, Science and Innovation leads dynamic projects and programs that constantly evolve to address challenging governance and policy issues through curriculum, practical experience, conferences and workshops.

 

Antitrust Law: 

This program focuses on educating students about antitrust law, organizing related events and facilitating engagement with leading practitioners and policymakers. It prepares students for high-demand careers in both the government and private sectors.

 

Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business: 

The MSLB program is the only U.S. master’s degree combining sports, law and business into one comprehensive program. It provides students with legal knowledge and extensive networking opportunities to propel them into the sports industry. Eighty percent of MSLB graduates are working in sports within six months of graduating. 

 

International Rule of Law and Security: 

This program prepares students for impactful careers in international development, with an emphasis on justice, governance, human rights and security in global contexts. Based in Washington, D.C., IRLS provides specialized training in the rule of law, governance in fragile states and security issues such as terrorism. Fellows engage in research, prepare white papers for the government and interact with leaders in government, diplomacy and nonprofits, with opportunities to visit New York and The Hague to meet with global legal and human rights officials.

 

Signature events and student opportunities

 

The Business and Corporate area of expertise hosts a range of events, including IP Con, NBA Trade Deadline Competition, Wiring the Rez, the Judy Stinson Lecture and the Selig Speaker Series. These events bring students together with top practitioners and thought leaders, creating invaluable networking and learning opportunities.

 

Through a forward-thinking program, expert faculty and a commitment to real-world learning, ASU Law’s Business and Corporate area of expertise is empowering the next generation of attorneys to lead at the intersection of law and business.

 

For more information on the business and corporate area of expertise, visit https://law.asu.edu/business-corporate.

Written by Crystal Jimenez