On January 23, 2026, the 29th Annual Business and Law Conference, brought together students, academics and industry leaders at Thomson Reuters. Hosted by Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business’s Hennick JD/MBA program, the conference has for nearly three decades served as a forum for forward-looking dialogue at the intersection of business, law, and policy, addressing some of Canada’s most pressing economic and structural challenges.
This year’s theme, Venturing into the Unknown, explored the dynamic world of venture capital, focusing on the strategic and legal frameworks required to build, finance, and scale innovative businesses. As the Hennick JD/MBA program enters its 50th anniversary year, the conference highlighted the program’s enduring commitment to developing leaders who can navigate complexity across disciplines.
Hosted by JD/MBA students, the event opened with welcoming remarks from Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick and Osgoode Dean Trevor Farrow, who underscored the value of interdisciplinary thinking in an era of rapid innovation. Reflecting on entrepreneurship and decision-making, Dean Zwick shared a memorable insight from Seymour Schulich’s Get Even Smarter: “It’s not a tragedy to strike out,” he quoted, “but it is a tragedy to stand at the plate and never swing.” The advice resonated strongly with the conference’s venture-focused theme.
The keynote address was delivered by Dan Tzotzis (BBA ’02, MBA ’10), Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AWAKE Chocolate. Drawing on his experience building a brand around a functional product, Tzotzis offered a candid look at the challenges of scaling a vision, the importance of disciplined execution, and the critical role that legal and financial strategy plays at every stage of growth.
The conference’s main panel, Maple Capital – The Canadian Venture Capital Landscape, brought together leading voices from law, finance, and entrepreneurship. Panelists included Jeremy Lin, Associate in Emerging and High Growth Companies at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Konata Lake (BBA ’03, JD/MBA ’08), Partner at Torys LLP; Jeanette Wiltse, Chairwoman of the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association; and Shay Nulman (iBBA ’04), Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Mantaro and Instructor at Schulich. Moderated by Schulich Professor Majid Majzoubi, the discussion explored what investors seek, how deals are structured, and the evolving legal and economic considerations shaping Canada’s venture capital ecosystem.
Complementing the panel, an interactive venture capital workshop, challenged participants to role-play as investors, selecting and scaling a firm based on real-world scenarios. Hosted by Shay Nulman alongside Marshall Eidinger, Partner at Bennett Jones, the workshop gave attendees a hands-on opportunity to apply strategic judgment while navigating legal, financial, and operational constraints.
For attendees, the conference offered more than theoretical insight—it provided a rare opportunity to engage directly with professionals shaping Canada’s venture landscape. Students left with a deeper appreciation for the courage required to “take the swing”—supported by disciplined strategy and thoughtful legal counsel. These values continue to define both the conference and the Hennick JD/MBA program.