ESQ 2019, the Business Law Society’s annual professional networking symposium, gave first-year students an opportunity to meet and gain career advice from accomplished alumni and practitioners in a range of businesses, entrepreneurial ventures, and practice areas.

Welcoming the students and alumni in attendance, Garrett Perconti ’20, co-president of the Business Law Society (with Kim Grinhaus ’20), told them to “make three meaningful connections” in the course of the weekend: “Introduce yourself and most importantly, follow up. Follow up throughout the spring and summer to let each other know how you’re doing.”

The event began with Friday evening keynote address by Stacey Friedman '97, executive vice president and general counsel of JPMorgan Chase & Co., who offered students advice for career success. After small-group meetings and sessions on Saturday morning, Kerry Abrams, the James B. Duke and Benjamin N. Duke Dean of the School of Law moderated a conversation and Q and A session about career paths and success with Caroline Gottschalk ’90, a partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in New York, and Brandon Neal ’08, senior counsel at Wells Fargo in Charlotte.

ESQ is sponsored by the Business Law Society in conjunction with the Career & Professional Development Center and the Alumni & Development Office.