Member Spotlight: Chris Hughes, Business Law Section

For Chris, leadership in the Business Law Section is about more than titles. It’s about creating opportunities for collaboration, education, and policy impact. We caught up with Chris to learn about his path into business law, some of the challenges shaping the field, and what’s next for the Business Law Section.

Q: What’s your origin story – how did you decide to go into law, and how did you get into business law specifically?

Initially, when I started law school, I wanted to practice civil liberties, primarily representing people with disabilities, to help be a voice for those who needed it. But then I started taking courses in securities, intellectual property, e-commerce, and federal income tax, and I discovered that I really enjoyed business law. I still have a passion for representing those who need it, but now I tend to assist these individuals through my volunteer and pro bono work.

While I was still in law school, I also started developing an interest in being both a trial attorney and an accomplished negotiator. Ultimately, that’s what led me into bankruptcy litigation. Complex Chapter 11 bankruptcies can have numerous parties negotiating simultaneously about very complicated issues and each party will have competing interests and goals. The idea of working in that kind of environment was very attractive to me. I liked the challenge of finding a solution that works for everybody, but I also liked knowing that if we couldn’t arrive at the best negotiated result for my client

, I could go into court and argue the merits of our case.

Q: What inspired you to get involved with the Business Law Section?

Two friends of mine suggested that I get involved with the Insolvency Law Committee, which is one of the standing committees within the BLS. Based on their recommendation, I applied and became a member for a three-year term. Over time, I was asked to be the vice chair of legislative affairs for the ILC, then co-vice chair, and eventually co-chair

When I started, I knew nothing about the BLS. I didn’t even know much about CLA other than it had recently separated from the California State Bar. I was very insulated within the ILC. But once I became co-chair, it broadened my horizons. I started to see more of what the BLS and CLA were doing, and I thought, this is something I’d like to be a part of.So, as I was finishing my co-chair term, I applied to be part of the larger section. I served as co-vice chair of the Programs Subcommittee, then vice chair of Standing Committees, and then I was nominated and elected to be the chair the BLS for the 2024-2025 term.

Q: What is the most valuable benefit of serving on the Executive Committee?

The rewards are vast. You build a strong network of incredibly gifted attorneys. That was true in the ILC, too. The folks I worked with there and in the BLS are still colleagues I rely on today. They’re the people I call when I run into an issue: Did you see this case? Or how are you handling this new issue? That kind of peer network is invaluable.

But it’s not just about networking. You also get a chance to have an impact on policy, to see things coming down the pipeline, and to weigh in. It’s a place where your voice really matters. And then there are the educational opportunities. You’re still learning all the time, but you also get to be the one teaching, whether it’s through publications or programs. It’s an incredible chance to get your voice out there and to be heard by thousands of attorneys.

Q: Are there any upcoming projects, events, or initiatives you’re especially excited about?

We always have legislative initiatives in the works. Our members draft, debate, and build consensus around affirmative legislative proposals and then work with CLA’s lobbyists to move forward. Those sometimes turn into bills, and then laws. In fact, one was just signed into law by the Governor in July. That’s always exciting to me. Legislation and being able to impact policy was one of the biggest draws for me to both the ILC and the BLS.

We also have the Roland E. Brandel Lifetime Achievement Award, which we present every year at a luncheon during the CLA Annual Meeting. That’s always a highlight. We have the privilege of honoring an incredible person who’s had a lifetime of accomplishments, and it’s a lot of fun to get together with everyone and hear from all the speakers at that event. And this year, we have a very large incoming class of new BLS members joining our Executive Committee, which means fresh perspectives and new energy. I think that’s going to be great for the section.

Q: What trends or challenges in business law should practitioners watch?

Keeping up with change. Things feel like they are happening within nanoseconds, and it can be overwhelming to try to stay on top of everything so we can advise our clients and the BLS constituents appropriately. But at the same time, some of these new technologies, such as AI and machine learning, if used correctly, might help us find ways to process and evaluate all the new changes and maybe even help us come up with ways to solve various challenges.

Q: AI always comes up as a hot topic. How do you think it will impact business law?
Artificial intelligence is probably the single most impactful technology for the future of law, but it has challenges.

AI is probably the biggest technology that will affect us in the future, but it’s not without significant problems.

In my experience, what I see is that people tend to go through three phases: first, they know nothing about AI. Then suddenly, it’s magic, and they think it can do everything. And then, once they realize it makes mistakes, they dismiss it completely. In my opinion, none of those views are right.

I think it’s a fantastic tool if you use it the right way. But we’ve got to move past those extremes, learn how to apply it properly, and understand what it can and, more importantly, what it cannot do.

Q: How do you see business law practice evolving over the next few years?
In my opinion, there’s no way to predict this. It’s like the difference between an old flip phone and an iPhone. When the first flip phone hit the market, virtually no one could imagine back then that one day, you’d be able to sit on a train and shop for goods in China or France on your phone.

I’m old enough to remember life before the internet. At that time, the idea of doing legal research without going to a library was unthinkable. Now, we can’t imagine life without the internet. I think AI and machine learning are going to be similar. Things will change, but it’s tough to predict where we will be in just a few years from now.

Q: What advice would you give to newer business law attorneys?
It’s a fascinating time to be an attorney, and I wouldn’t want to be in any other profession right now. It’s a little like a rollercoaster without the tracks. You don’t know where the ride will take you, but it will be fast and thrilling, with lots of ups and downs. Be professional, be adaptable, be dependable, and be fascinated with everything around you. Never be afraid to try new things and always strive to learn anything and everything you can, and then, you’ll be ready for anything.

We’re grateful to Chris for sharing his insights and for his leadership of the Business Law Section. With his vision and dedication, the section is poised for an exciting year ahead.