CINCINNATI, OH - The University of Cincinnati College of Law will host the 35th Annual Corporate Law Center Symposium on Friday, March 6, 2026, bringing together leading voices in corporate law to examine one of the field's most consequential and evolving areas: corporate ethics and compliance. The daylong event, "Corporate Ethics and Compliance Programs 30 Years After Caremark," will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 160 at the College of Law.
The symposium will convene scholars, senior in-house counsel, practitioners, alumni, and law students for a robust exchange of ideas on emerging challenges and best practices in corporate governance. Now in its 35th year, the symposium has become a signature gathering for thoughtful debate and cutting-edge scholarship on pressing issues in corporate law.
CLE: 2 HR Ethics and 3 Hrs General approved for OH and KY.
Cost: $75/individual; sponsorships are available.
This year's program will center on the legacy and continuing impact of In re Caremark International Inc. Derivative Litigation, the landmark 1996 decision from the Delaware Court of Chancery. In that ruling, the court emphasized that rational corporate fiduciaries should take into account the federal organizational sentencing guidelines, which provide for reduced penalties when companies maintain effective compliance programs. The decision is widely regarded as a foundational moment for the modern compliance industry, shaping both corporate governance practices and board oversight responsibilities for decades.
Symposium participants will explore the intended and unintended consequences of Caremark, including the rise of anonymous reporting mechanisms as a core feature of effective compliance systems. Panels will also examine how companies develop and implement internal policies on ethics and compliance, and whether the Caremark framework continues to promote strong governance across established corporations, start-ups, and companies navigating mergers and acquisitions.
In addition, speakers will discuss best practices for designing and administering ethics and compliance programs that not only mitigate legal risk but also foster a culture of accountability and integrity. By bringing together academics and practitioners, organizers hope to bridge theory and practice and generate practical insights for organizations of all sizes.
Panels include:
- Whistleblowing might be bad for Whistleblowers: Is there a Better Way to have an Ethical Culture than Promoting Whistleblowing
- The Efficacy of Zero Tolerance Policies: Is Adopting a Zero Tolerance Policy a Coherent Strategy?
- The Value of the Caremark Precedent in Light of Changing Conditions
- What Works: Best Practices in the Creation and Administration of Corporate Ethics and Compliance Programs
Noted speakers include:
- Ronald Brown, UCBA '73, Bus '75, Ret. Chairman & CEO of Milacron Inc.
- Bridget McGraw, Law '03, General Counsel, Technology & Operations, GE Aerospace
- Breck Weigel, Law '85, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
- David Willbrand, Law '96, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, Pacaso, Inc.
First held in 1988, the Corporate Law Symposium is co-sponsored by the University of Cincinnati Law Review.
