LAB Program Events

LAB Fellows Sydney Moore and Brooke Sanders organized and facilitated a Lunch & Learn conversation with Chief Legal Officer of Yeti, Bryan Barksdale. In a conversation moderated by Sydney Moore, Bryan discussed YETI and his role there, his transition from private practice to in-house work, and his experience leading the legal function at a growing public company. This event was a valuable opportunity for students to learn about in-house legal work and what to consider if they’re interested in eventually moving in-house.  

Co-hosted by the University of Texas School of Law and the McCombs School of Business, the Director–Executive Summit brought together corporate directors, senior executives, investors, and thought leaders for two days of high-level dialogue on governance, strategy, and leadership.

Through keynote conversations, fireside chats, expert panels, and candid peer discussions, participants gain practical insights into emerging business challenges—from shareholder activism and boardroom dynamics to geopolitical risk and transformative technologies. Designed for decision-makers navigating complex markets, the Summit offers an unparalleled forum for exchanging ideas, building relationships, and sharpening strategic judgment.

“Built over two years of rigorous curriculum development and pilot testing, rubi’s flagship program, The Transactional Practice Guide: M&A, is designed to take a brand new lawyer and train them to operate at the level of a second-year associate. 

rubi is thrilled to announce that The University of Texas School of Law, in collaboration with the Texas Law and Business Program, has signed on to provide platform access to the entire law school. 

“Our program bridges the gap between legal education and the realities of transactional practice,” said Prof. Eliot Cotton, the Texas Law and Business Program’s director. “rubi is designed to help students develop skills that have traditionally taken years in a firm to learn: context, structure, and a clear understanding of how deals actually work. Providing this platform for our students is a tremendous opportunity for us, and we’re excited to get started.”

Jerath and Keeble are particularly excited for the partnership. “By offering rubi to every student at Texas Law before they even enter the profession, Texas Law is demonstrating its continued commitment to giving its students a competitive edge. Madison and I are both proud graduates of UT Austin, and rubi was built right here in Austin. To have rubi in the hands of Texas Law students is deeply meaningful to us both,” said Jerath.”

Read more here.

Law students, faculty and staff gathered for a conversation with alumnus Michael Levy ’72, founder of Texas Monthly, as he shared his journey from law school to the journalism and business world. Levy discussed his experience in building one of the most influential publications in Texas and how his time at Texas Law contributed to his success. This was a unique chance to learn from a Texas Law graduate who has built an iconic Texan magazine with more than 2 million readers per month. 

Room: TNH 2.137 (Gayle Classroom)
Time: 9am to 3pm

The Law and Business’s Accelerated Business Fundamentals Bootcamp is a three-day intensive program aimed at providing future attorneys with foundational business knowledge. Faculty from the McCombs School of Business will deliver condensed graduate-level instruction tailored to help law students bridge the gap between their legal education and the business acumen necessary to serve future clients effectively.

Topics:
– Session 1 (Monday): Financing, Accounting, & Excel – Professor Dan Fannin
– Session 2 (Tuesday): Business Strategy & Marketing – Professor Chris Aarons
– Session 3 (Wednesday): Macro/Microeconomics – Professor Dirk Mateer

Room: TNH 2.137 (Gayle Classroom)
Time: 9am to 3pm