Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Speaking on 5 Most Common Law Mistakes when Starting a Business


Great time today speaking in GSU College of Arts Jeff Boortz #GraphicArts class on the 5 biggest law mistakes in starting a business. ⁦

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Speaking on Law Essentials for Entrepreneurs



Looking forward to speaking this Fall on Law Essentials for Entrepreneurs for these GSU groups:
- WomenLead Entrepreneurs
- Management Consulting Club
- Graphic Artists class

Thursday, July 11, 2019

My "L.I.G.H.T. B.U.L.B." Moments for Teachers


I try my best to live up to this in class...

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Closing Speaker at The Future of Education Conference in Florence



Speaking on one of my favorite topics: Using Social Media to Teach Justice Issues with a Teacher’s Passion Project Case

The Future of Education, Florence, IT

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Universities Embrace Technology, But Distance Learning Faces Controversy



From the archives (New York Times, 1999):   Binder "couldn't tell an A drive from a C drive before 1995."

Universities Embrace Technology, But Distance Learning Faces Controversy
Although 1998 saw a flurry of new ventures promoting online distance learning for both college-level and graduate courses, it was also a year when faculty members in large numbers began questioning whether the computer screen was an adequate replacement for the classroom.
At the same time, technology became more embedded in campus life, affecting everything from how students apply to college to how professors conduct class discussions.
Expect more of the same in 1999.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

At 93 years old, she earned her college degree from Georgia State


Best graduation story of the year at my university!
Joyce Lowenstein had some health setbacks that delayed her degree, but it didn't stop her from achieving her dream.

At 93 years old, she earned her college degree from Georgia State

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Motivational Graduation Speech for High School and College Graduates


Your Graduation Inspires Me

When I participate in graduation ceremonies, I often imagine delivering my own speech to the graduates, as if I were the commencement speaker:


Good morning chancellor, president, deans, faculty members, staff, students, friends, and family members.  And to the graduates:
Every one of you is special.

Every one of you is a productive member of society.
Every one of you is what inspires ME - because… 
Every one of you has a story to tell.
I just wish I had the time to hear every one of them, and to be there as your career paths unfold.

You have already accomplished a huge milestone on that journey.  The biggest step though was just showing up.  That’s it.  The secret most people don’t get until it’s too late.  Just showing up as young freshmen was a threshold event.  Trying something which may be hard for the first time.  Experiencing new things, even if it’s unknown whether the objective is attainable.


To me, the greatest barriers to success, however you define that, are a fear of the unknown, a fear of change, and a fear of failure.  But you need a game plan, and hopefully you can lean a little on what you learned in school to figure out that route.  No matter what you do in life, you always will have your education.


I hope you made some lifelong friends here.  Frankly, I learned more about life from my peers than from my professors.  And I hope you got more than knowledge from your profs because you can get that from a book.  I’m hoping you gained insight on whatever subject, and then stamped your own original perspective on how to resolve issues and solve problems.


Many times the things you do won’t work.  And you will fail at some things you try.  That’s just a fact of life.  Abraham Lincoln once said:  “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” 


And you will make mistakes.  A lot of them!  Both in your careers and your lives.  That’s just another fact of life.  But that’s okay.  The trick is figuring out how to deal with setbacks.  Your family and friends will always be there for you.  And your education will continually serve as a foundation to get you back on track.

Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “We are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of our own minds.”  Graduates, each of you must unlock your mind and blaze a path built on reason and purpose.  Life is too short to spend it bouncing around like a random and aimless ball in a game of Pong.®  And whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 years young, it is never too late to test the boundaries of your dreams. 

Finally, I want all of you gathered in front of me to please lose the title of “former” student, because you will be my students for many years to come.  And I expect in return that I can become your student, as I learn about your professional successes, trials, and tribulations.

Every one of you is special.
Every one of you is a productive member of society.
Every one of you is what inspires me – because...
Every one of you has a story to tell.

What will your next journey be?

Excerpt from 99 Motivators for College Success

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Great Time Speaking with 8th Graders / After School All Stars Atlanta


We did a simulated First Day of Class in College.  After going over the syllabus, we covered:


LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS – First Day of Class

Theme 1: The Consequences of Winding up in Court
Theme 2: How to Protect Your Business Before Its Formation
Theme 3: Knowing Your Individual Legal Rights

Civil and Criminal Cases

Example of Civil Case: Negligence

1-      Does the defendant owe a duty to plaintiff?
2-     Did defendant breach that duty? ...
3-     By proximately causing …
4-     Damages

Palsgraf case and Proximate Cause
a-     Were the events foreseeable? or …
b-     Did the series of events break the chain of causation?

Example of Criminal Case: 4th Amendment

Warrant to search home - Police need probable cause, based on “objective, articulated facts.”

What is suppressed evidence?
-          It depends – Were the police lawfully present?

Exclusionary rule
-          Fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine