2025 Annual Conference on Legal Issues in Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing – in the US and Beyond
by Impact Investing Legal Working Group & Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship
The 2025 Annual Conference on Legal Issues in Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing—In the US and Beyond, co-organized by the Impact Investing Legal Working Group and the Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship, was held on June 3–4, 2025, at New York University School of Law's Vanderbilt Hall in New York City.
The conference addressed critical legal, ethical, and social themes affecting social entrepreneurship and impact investing. Key topics included collaborative models and partnerships in impact investing, shaping the future of impact, and safeguarding purpose in times of change. The program featured opportunities for learning, networking, and celebrating the achievements of lawyers advancing these fields.
The event attracted over 300 students, lawyers, academics, and other stakeholders from around the world. Notable speakers included Ruth Gao, Associate General Counsel for Impact Investments at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Leslie Cornell, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Social Finance; and Alycia Kellman, Deputy General Counsel at the Coalition for Green Capital.
This conference was ideal for legal professionals, social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and academics interested in the intersection of law and social impact. Attendees gained insights into emerging legal issues, networked with peers, and celebrated advancements in social entrepreneurship and impact investing.
Speakers(3)
Alycia Kellman
Deputy General Counsel at Coalition for Green Capital
Alycia is Deputy General Counsel at the Coalition for Green Capital, focusing on climate finance, fund formation, and alternative investments. She holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. in political science from Yale University.
Leslie Cornell
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Social Finance
Leslie is General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Social Finance. She manages the legal team across SFI’s portfolio of Impact Investments and advises on policy and regulatory priorities. Leslie graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Ruth Gao
Associate General Counsel for Impact Investments at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Ruth serves as Associate General Counsel for Impact Investments at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She has experience in private equity, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and initial public offerings. Ruth holds a JD from NYU School of Law and a BBA in Strategy and Accounting from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Event Details
- Date
- June 3-4, 2025
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 New York City, United States
- Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South, New York City
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Legal professionals, social entrepreneurs, impact investors, academics
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending
- Attendees
- Over 300