In Part 2 of our interview, Jordan Bleznick — longtime tax counsel to Carl Icahn — opens up about structuring billion-dollar deals, the fine line between tax avoidance and evasion, and colorful moments like Herbalife, TWA, and Hertz. A candid look at the tax strategies and corporate battles that shaped modern activist investing.
Corporate Law Lab host Neil Taylor sits down with Jordan Bleznick, the outstanding tax lawyer whose almost forty-year professional relationship with renowned activist investor Carl Icahn included serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Counsel for various Icahn entities from 2002 to 2023. Jordan shares stories from his Cincinnati upbringing, explains how he became Carl Icahn’s trusted advisor, and offers insights into structuring complex transactions.
This conversation explores why Icahn—founder and controlling shareholder of Icahn Enterprises—is regarded as one of Wall Street’s most successful investors and a pioneer of activist investing. In the 1980s Icahn was often called a “corporate raider,” but Jordan explains Carl's unique and relentless approach to activist investing, which often resulted in his acquisition of controlling interests in companies. Carl viewed tax planning as an indispensable component of maximizing his after-tax investment return. He gave Jordan unusual latitude to structure transactions to be more tax efficient (sometimes to the dismay of the CEO and other senior officers of the company).
There’s so much to unpack that this episode has been split into multiple parts—this is Part 1. Tune in now and enjoy!
In Part 2 of our conversation with Joe Ankus—President of Ankus Consulting, Inc. and former Big Law attorney—we move from personal journey to professional insight. Joe lifts the curtain on the legal recruiting world, sharing candid stories, industry truths, and valuable advice for lawyers navigating the market.
From understanding what makes a great recruiter to avoiding the pitfalls of "ghost posts" and vague job listings, Joe’s decades of experience offer a rare look behind the scenes. He explains why recruiting is more than just matchmaking—it’s about trust, honesty, and knowing when not to make a deal.
Topics include:
Corporate Law Lab is hosted by Neil Taylor and produced by Cincinnati Law.
Missed Part 1? Go back and hear Joe's powerful personal story of leaving Big Law for a healthier, more fulfilling path.
In this powerful episode of Corporate Law Lab, Neil Taylor is joined by Joe Ankus, President of Ankus Consulting and a former Big Law attorney who walked away from traditional legal practice to build a new career—and a healthier life. Joe shares his deeply personal journey through anxiety, burnout, and transformation. This conversation dives into the importance of mental health, the reality of legal recruiting, and the value of putting your well-being first.
This is Part 1 of a special two-part series. In this episode, we focus on Joe’s personal journey—what led him to step away from Big Law, how he navigated fear and burnout, and what he learned along the way.
📌 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we take a deeper dive into Joe’s work today, his approach to legal recruiting, and how he’s helping others find their path in the legal profession.
Topics Include:
Resources:
Nami: https://www.nami.org/about-nami/
Linktree: https://zurl.co/QeXeY
In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor is joined by Dinsmore’s current Managing Partner Joshua Lorentz and former Managing Partner George Vincent for an in-depth look at law firm leadership across generations. From navigating the Great Recession to scaling the firm from a regional player to a coast-to-coast presence, Josh and George open up about what it takes to lead through both change and continuity.
Topics include:
The four pillars that shaped Dinsmore’s culture
Managing through the 2008 financial crisis
Lessons from firm growth and mergers
Building and maintaining trust across a national firm
The evolving role of AI and the billable hour
A must-listen for anyone interested in the business of law, leadership succession, and the future of legal practice.
In this episode of the Corporate Law Lab, Neil Taylor sits down with Kenneth Van Winkle, Vice Chair at Womble Bond Dickinson and longtime managing partner of Lewis Roca, to explore the evolution of leadership in law firms. From his early career in Phoenix during the real estate boom to leading law firm mergers and expanding firm culture across markets, Ken shares his insights on building a sustainable firm, navigating economic downturns, and mentoring the next generation of lawyers.
The conversation also delves into the challenges of maintaining a personal leadership style in today’s professional environment and the potential impact of AI on legal practice.
Note: Due to a technical issue during recording, the audio quality for our guest is different from our usual episodes. Thanks for bearing with us—it’s worth the listen.
In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor sits down with Jody Brant, President and CEO of Katz Teller, to explore what it means to lead with purpose in the modern legal industry. Jody shares insights on building a culture that values transparency, mentorship, and collaboration, how AI is changing the billable hour, and why trusting your team matters more than micromanaging metrics.
This episode of The Corporate Law Lab turns the tables: Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi interviews Neil Taylor, Director of the Corporate Law Center and the usual host of the podcast.
In a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation, Neil reflects on his trajectory from litigator to international in-house counsel —and ultimately, academic leader. Along the way, he shares insights into managing legal complexity across cultures, leading high-stakes negotiations, and the real-world lessons that continue to shape his approach to legal education.
It’s a rare opportunity to hear from two legal minds exploring the evolving relationship between corporate law practice and academia.
David Willbrand didn’t set out to become a startup lawyer — he climbed smokestacks for the Ohio EPA before landing in law school “by default.” Today, he’s the Chief Legal Officer of Pacaso and a nationally recognized leader in venture and startup law.
In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor (Director of the Corporate Law Center at UC Law) talks with David about what separates lawyers who “get it” in startup land from those who don’t, why earnouts usually end in litigation, and how founders distort reality — and why that’s not always a bad thing.
This episode is full of real talk for law students, young lawyers, and anyone wondering what it takes to thrive at the legal edge of innovation.
Can you do good while working in big law? Petra shares how she reframed her perspective on impact, influence, and making a difference in the corporate world. Tune in to hear her journey from aspiring public defender to commercial litigation attorney.
In this special episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor sits down with Gary Garfield, former CEO and General Counsel of Bridgestone Americas, to explore the fundamentals of leadership. From navigating corporate crises to developing a strong company culture, Gary shares invaluable insights on resilience, emotional intelligence, and what makes a great leader.
This episode is a preview of Empowering Lawyers to Lead, an interactive leadership workshop happening on April 11th at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Whether you're a lawyer or a business professional, this conversation will provide actionable strategies to elevate your leadership skills.
Register for the event: https://zurl.co/ex6nw
In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor sits down with Associate Professor Kate Jackson to discuss her unconventional path from West Point to corporate law, the evolution of fiduciary duties, and how business law intersects with power and governance. Tune in for a deep dive into corporate law, policy shifts, and the personal choices that shape legal careers.
How do you build a successful in-house legal career? Stephen Ewald, General Counsel, CCO, and Corporate Secretary at Medpace, Inc., joins Neil Taylor on Corporate Law Lab to share his journey from contract review to leading a legal team.
In this episode, they discuss:
1. How taking an unexpected opportunity can shape your career2. The challenges of starting in-house straight out of law school3. The importance of risk management and understanding contract details4. Lessons learned from working in private practice vs. corporate legal
Don’t miss the 34th Annual Corporate Law Center Symposium onMarch 7, 2025, featuring top academics, corporate counsel, and practitioners discussing the evolving landscape ofadministrative law and its impact on business.
🔗Register here:https://www.alumni.uc.edu/get-involved/college-networks/law/corporate-law.html
Ever wonder what it’s like to win a high-stakes corporate lawsuit—only to have your client say,“Thank you so much, and I hope I never see you again”?
In this episode of theCorporate Law Lab Podcast, hostNeil Taylor, Director of the Corporate Law Center at theUniversity of Cincinnati College of Law, sits down with an industry-leading litigator Beth Naylor to discuss the evolving world of corporate law. From the pressures of high-profile trials to the growing importance of preventative legal strategies, this episode is packed with insights for attorneys, business leaders, and law students alike.
Don’t miss the 34th Annual Corporate Law Center Symposium onMarch 7, 2025, featuring top academics, corporate counsel, and practitioners discussing the evolving landscape ofadministrative law and its impact on business.
🔗Register here:https://www.alumni.uc.edu/get-involved/college-networks/law/corporate-law.html
In this episode of The Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor speaks with Raul Tellez, General Counsel at Luminex HDF, about his journey from litigator to in-house counsel, the importance of communication in law, and the evolving role of corporate attorneys.
Also, don’t miss the 34th Annual Corporate Law Center Symposium on March 7, 2025, featuring top academics, corporate counsel, and practitioners discussing the changing landscape of administrative law and its impact on business.
🔗 Register here: https://www.alumni.uc.edu/get-involved/college-networks/law/corporate-law.html
In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor, Director of the Corporate Law Center at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, sits down with Kasey Ingram, a UC Law graduate, former Corporate Law Fellow, and nuclear submarine veteran. Kasey shares how his unique background shaped his legal career, his insights into navigating opportunities as a young lawyer, and practical strategies for building global compliance programs. This episode offers a rich exploration of Kasey’s fascinating journey and invaluable advice for law students and legal professionals.
Corporate Law Symposium- https://www.alumni.uc.edu/get-involved/college-networks/law/corporate-law.html
Join Neil Taylor, Director of the Cincinnati College of Law Corporate Law Center, as he speaks with George A. Ssamula, a seasoned legal professional navigating cross-border corporate law from Kampala, Uganda to Europe and back. Discover insights on international finance, M&A, and the complexities of balancing global and local legal systems in high-stakes transactions.
Join host Neil Taylor as he sits down with Andrew, the leader of the International Arbitration practice for Asia/Pacific and the Middle East for global law firm Linklaters, to explore his fascinating journey from Australia to the heart of global legal hubs in London and Singapore. Discover Andrew’s insights on navigating high-stakes cross-border disputes, the importance of collaboration between in-house and external counsel, and the role of AI and developing technology in modern legal practices. This episode provides a behind the scenes look into the complexities of investment arbitration and corporate dispute resolution worldwide.
Tune in to learn how seasoned legal professionals approach challenges in doing business and managing disputes internationally!
In the second episode talking to litigators Neil interviews Scott Kane, a partner at Squire Patton Boggs and co-chair of the firm’s global litigation practice. With over 25 years in the field, Scott brings deep insights into the evolving role of litigators as problem solvers and strategists, balancing corporate goals with pragmatic advice.
In this episode, Scott delves into his path to becoming a litigator, from early ambitions and unique experiences like his time in the military to his professional journey in Cincinnati. He shares stories of career-defining moments and candid reflections on managing relationships between corporate and outside counsel, emphasizing trust, open communication, and the importance of realistic litigation goals. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on navigating complex client relationships, staying adaptable in changing legal landscapes, and finding their own voice and approach in the profession.
Tune in to hear Scott’s advice for young lawyers and discover how he has built a successful career by combining legal acumen with a commitment to teamwork and client service.
