Summer School for Social Impact: Legal Insights from NYU Law's Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship Conference + the AI+ Expo

Pictured: Attorney Smith at the AI + Expo at DC's Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

By: Ambur C. Smith, Esq.

School may be out for the summer, but for those of us navigating the evolving intersections of law, social entrepreneurship, and emerging tech, class is always in session. Last week, I attended conferences in New York and DC to stay abreast to the latest developments, across industries:

• NYU Law Grunin Center’s Annual Conference on Legal Issues in Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing

• The Special Competitive Studies Project's AI+ Expo in Washington, D.C

Here are some of the key takeaways from both events, and why they matter for mission-driven founders, creatives, and legal professionals.

NYU Law Grunin Center’s 2025 Annual Conference

Each year, NYU Law's Grunin Center for Social Entrepreneurship and the Law hosts a conference exploring Legal Issues in Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing—In the U.S. and Beyond.

This year’s event tackled timely topics such as:

• Navigating the war on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• Lawyering in times of crisis; and

• The evolving landscape of impact investing

Key Session Spotlight:

Lunch & Learn with Denzel Cadet, Founder of Cadet Legal

During his standing room only table talk, Denzel schooled attendees on creative ways private equity (PE) can serve as a tool for social impact. Key insights included:

• Understanding the Ecosystem:

  • Private Equity (PE) includes Venture Capital (VC) and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

  • PE, VC, and M&A are all tools are used to build businesses and generate value, including social value

• Book Recommendation:

  • These are the Plunderers: How Private Equity Runs—and Wrecks—America is a must-read for understanding the double-edged sword of PE

• Post-Unicorn Era Caution:

  • A shift away from economic fundamentals in the startup and VC world challenges investors and founders alike to rethink their fundraising and investment strategies

• Search Funds & Succession:

  • Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) uses SBA loans and debt to buy lower middle market companies

  • This is particularly relevant for Baby Boomer succession planning

• Challenges & Strategies in PE:

  • As investors take more precautions, it is more difficult to find strong deals (“dry powder” dilemma)

  • Deal-by-deal models offer more flexibility and can align better with impact goals v. fundraising to invest in theoretical opportunities and untapped markets more broadly

  • Alternative tools like seller financing and value-creation strategies beyond cost-cutting are essentialy to empowering the diverse stakeholders impacted by PE

Lawyering for Impact in Times of Crisis

Overall, one theme resonated deeply throughout the Grunin Center conference: the evolving role of forward thinking lawyers in social impact spaces, amidst an all out attack on the policies and programs meant to empowering their clients and colleagues.

Social impact lawyers must now:

• Understand organizational culture

• Build flexible frameworks to adapt to rapid change

• Embrace the counselor role—listening, empathizing, and framing conversations in ways that resonate with diverse stakeholders

• Formalize mission-aligned partnerships through thoughtful legal structuring

AI+ Expo by the Special Competitive Studies Project

Within hours of returning to D.C., I dove into the future of artificial intelligence across industries—from law enforcement to law firms at the AI+ Expo.

Notable Observations:

• Major Players & Startups Alike:

  Google, Microsoft, and lesser know AI innovators presented solutions across industries, with a particular emphasis on defense/law enforcement, data protection and cybersecurity

• Diversity in Innovation?

  The “African Village”, featuring conversations involving speakers from across the African continent was noticeably sidelined this year, in comparison to its location on last year's main stage. This raises important questions about inclusion in global AI development, considering the ample use cases for AI across the continent. Where there is neglect there opportunity. Therefore, Africa’s contributions to tech innovation must not be overlooked.

  
  

With Congress pushing a 10-year moratorium on state-led AI governance, lawyers and innovators of good conscience must remain vigilant and intentional in their contributions to a global AI landscdape; assessing and mitigating the risk of utilizing largely unregulated tools in America and elsewhere, with the support of global-minded regulatory, business, and IP counsel.

Bridging the Gap: From Intent to Impact

These conferences remind us of one core truth: the best attorneys and innovators are lifelong learners—always assessing how to use law and policy to create meaningful change. Now, more than ever, it’s not enough to be aware of the issues plaguing marginalized founders and communities, and simply respond via costly litigation; the best advocates are working alongside their clients to proactively close better deals that speak to their core values, avoiding unnecessary conflict and navigating the current landscape with strategy and intention.

💡 If you’re:

• A founder, nonprofit leader, or creative looking to scale with purpose

• A firm navigating how to use AI responsibly

• Curious about social impact investing or succession strategies through ETA

👉 Book a consultation or 1-hour strategy session today. Together, we’ll explore your next steps at the intersection of law, technology, and social good.

BOOK NOW