Lawbalization

Jonathan Bench speaks with Jerry Fang, partner at Zhong Lun Law Firm, former Chinese judge, and U.S.- and China-qualified attorney, about the realities of cross-border legal practice between the United States and China. Jerry shares his unconventional path from the Chinese judiciary to Columbia Law School and international law firms, explaining how judicial experience shaped his approach to litiga...

Jonathan Bench speaks with BYU professor, speaker, and FollowHIM podcast host Hank Smith about high-trust organizations, the role of religion and moral frameworks in modern society, and the connection between meaningful relationships and long-term personal and professional success. Drawing from his research in educational leadership and years consulting with schools, businesses, and families, Hank...

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and associate dean at the University of Utah, to explore what drives long-term economic prosperity at the intersection of law, policy, and business. Drawing on her experience advising governors, leading economic research, and shaping public dialogue, Natalie breaks down Utah’s "economic...

In this episode of Lawbalization , Jonathan Bench sits down with Hana Al Khatib, Partner at Global Advocacy and Legal Counsel in Abu Dhabi, to explore how law, culture, and business intersect in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Hana shares insights from her cross-border career spanning Jordan, Europe, and the UAE, unpacking how companies navigate structuring, disputes, and rapid growth in...

Jonathan Bench speaks with Seth Olson, an FDA regulatory attorney at Kirton McConkie, about navigating the complex and often misunderstood world of FDA regulation across the life sciences industry. Seth shares how his experience inside the FDA and in private practice shapes his approach to advising companies on compliance, enforcement, and product strategy throughout the full product lifecycle. Th...

Jonathan Bench sits down with Rod Andreason, seasoned commercial litigator and author of  Unite or Fall , to explore what years in high-stakes disputes can teach us about conflict, communication, and the growing divide in society. Together, they discuss how the skills used to resolve complex business litigation—focusing on core issues, cutting through noise, and seeking resolution—offer a blueprin...

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with David Liddicoat, founder of Ascend Global Consultants, about building and scaling global teams through strategic offshoring. Drawing on his experience across the U.S., Philippines, India, and Europe, David explains how companies can access international talent while navigating legal, cultural, and operational complexities. He shares why the Philippines has eme...

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Arnaud Daurat, founder of Exxovantage and Astelia Robotics, about how AI, exoskeletons, and humanoid robots are transforming the future of work. Arnaud shares how his journey from construction to advanced robotics was driven by a desire to reduce human strain and create meaningful global social change. They explore how these technologies are augmenting—not rep...

In this episode of  Lawbalization , Jonathan Bench speaks with Matthew (Matt) Pruitt, a corporate attorney at Kirton McConkie with a unique background in the entertainment industry, including work with multi-platinum bands like The Killers and Imagine Dragons. Matt shares his path from booking shows and scouting talent to practicing law, and how that experience informs his approach to contracts, n...

Jonathan Bench speaks with Akinsola Jegede, founder and CEO of VitalSwap, about building cross-border payment infrastructure for emerging markets and the legal, regulatory, and liquidity challenges that shape global commerce from Africa outward. Akinsola shares how personal experience with currency scarcity and payment failures led him to create a fintech platform designed to bridge local currenci...

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Friederike Henke, a corporate M&A partner at Buren in Amsterdam, about the realities of managing cross-border transactions between Germany, the Netherlands, and beyond. Friederike explains how cultural differences—particularly around regulation, negotiation strategy, and documentation—shape the way deals are structured and executed. They discuss the often-...

Jonathan Bench sits down with Michael “Mike” Criddle, CPA and leader in Eide Bailly’s International Tax Services Group, to unpack what it really takes for companies to operate across borders—and why international tax remains a rare specialty outside the coasts. Together, Jonathan and Mike explore the constant churn of U.S. tax law—sunset provisions, delayed-effective-date surprises like Section 17...

In this episode, Jonathan Bench speaks with Medlir Mema, Director of the AI Ethics and Governance Institute and professor of international relations, about the rapidly evolving global landscape of artificial intelligence policy and regulation. Drawing on his journey from Albania to the United States and his work at the intersection of technology, democracy, and public trust, Medlir unpacks how AI...

Jonathan Bench speaks with Hemang Parekh, a Mumbai-based partner at DSK Legal, about India’s accelerating emergence as a global economic force and what it means for investors, founders, and advisors operating at the intersection of law and business. Hemang shares practical insights into India’s sustained IPO momentum, evolving regulatory landscape, and growing private equity and M&A activity,...

In this episode of  Lawbalization , Jonathan sits down with entrepreneur and technologist Brad Bacigalupi, founder of Red Wolf Technology, for a global conversation on China, Hong Kong, and the forces reshaping modern manufacturing and trade. Drawing on decades of experience building and scaling on-demand manufacturing systems across more than 160 countries, Brad shares firsthand insights into Chi...

Jonathan Bench speaks with Charly Greaux, founder of Glabtech and SBIX, about building “sovereign” infrastructure from the tiny island of St. Barthélemy and applying that mindset to compliance in regulated finance. Charly shares his journey from early coding and teaching to launching a solar business and later securing independent internet infrastructure (including an autonomous system and IP bloc...

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with technologists Cameo Doran and Krystee Miller for a wide-ranging conversation to set the stage for Utah Tech Week. Together, they unpack how AI and “vibe coding” are changing the way products get built, from rapid prototyping and AI-accelerated development to the very human challenges of trust, planning, and execution. Drawing on their experience in high-sta...

Jonathan Bench speaks with Rogelio Vargas Méndez, senior partner leading the labor division at Rivadeneyra, Treviño & de Campo, about how Mexico’s employment law is evolving amid nearshoring, globalization, and shifting workplace expectations. They explore what makes Mexico’s system distinctive—one federal labor law nationwide, rooted in constitutional “social” rights—and how the landmark 2019...

In this episode of  Lawbalization , Jonathan Bench sits down with Ryan Boswell, founder and CEO of Relay, a modern venture studio focused on helping founders turn ideas into operating businesses. Ryan shares his journey from early content creation and sports marketing to startups, venture building, and investing, and explains how storytelling, relationships, and execution have shaped his career. H...

In this episode of Lawbalization, Jonathan Bench speaks with David Ackert, CEO of Pipeline Plus and author of  The Short List , about modern law firm business development and the power of authentic client relationships. David shares his unconventional path from television actor to legal industry advisor and explains why traditional marketing models often fail lawyers who are highly analytical and...

Jonathan Bench speaks with Vidaur Mora, a Mexico-based managing partner at Rivadeneyra Treviño, about Mexico’s rapidly evolving investment and manufacturing landscape. Vidaur provides on-the-ground insights into nearshoring, USMCA renegotiations, and how global supply chain realignment is reshaping foreign direct investment—from automotive and aerospace to data centers and advanced electronics. He...

Jonathan Bench speaks with Dr. Zach Boyd, Director of the Office of Artificial Intelligence for the State of Utah, about the state’s pioneering approach to AI governance and innovation. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI capabilities, how Utah balances pro-business regulatory clarity with consumer protection, and what effective public-private partnerships look like in an era of fast-moving tec...

In this episode of  Lawbalization , Jonathan Bench speaks with Julia Pazos, partner at Cescon Barrieu Advogados and a leading voice on technology, AI, and intellectual property in Brazil. Julia shares her journey into IP law, what fuels her passion for the fast-moving innovation economy, and why Brazil is at a pivotal moment as it shapes its AI and tech governance landscape. She and Jonathan discu...

Jonathan Bench speaks with Dr. W. Scott Stornetta, widely recognized as the co-inventor of blockchain technology and CEO of SureMark Digital, about the evolution of trust in the digital age. They trace the origins of blockchain from its early research roots at Bell Labs to its modern implications for data integrity, digital identity, and the fight against deepfakes. Dr. Stornetta explains how dece...

In this episode of  Lawbalization , host Jonathan Bench speaks with Isaac Stone Fish, founder and CEO of Strategy Risks and author of  America Second . A leading expert on China risk and geopolitics, Isaac shares insights on how companies can identify and manage their exposure to China, the complexities of decoupling, and what global executives often overlook about political and ethical risks. He...