Nadine Jones, Adjunct Professor, Fordham Law School; VP Kuehne + Nagel Inc.; Former Executive Director, The Initiative

What led you to pursue corporate compliance as a career?

I was first smitten by the Compliance bug as an associate in a Washington, D.C. law firm.I was placed on secondment with one of the firm’s then-biggest clients, and was part of the legal team responsible for developing guidelines.The guidelines could not be crafted in isolation of the business units and field sales representatives responsible for carrying them out in their day-to-day business.I loved that!Compliance can only be effective to the extent the business live it day in and day out.

Describe your research interest or area of expertise within the field. Include any significant publications, podcasts, etc.

I authored Corporate Antitrust Compliance: Disrupting and Dismantling Environments That Encourage Illegal Competitor Agreements.    I also have participated in webinars and podcasts in my capacity as Co-Founder of a nonprofit organization called The Initiative: Advancing the Blue & Black Partnership.   My discussion with MentorCore April 2021  demonstrates how versatile corporate compliance skills are beyond corporate compliance.  

Describe a professional accomplishment that you are most proud of.

I am most proud of having developed a compliance program for a multibillion organization that was relevant to the business needs, did not impede employees’ ability to carry out their duties, but yet implement meaningful controls and guardrails.To achieve this you need to form relationships, and to have employees who are unafraid of change and want what is best for both the company and for themselves.

Why did you decide to teach at Fordham and what class do you teach?

Antitrust was and remains my first love.I consider it a privilege to be able to introduce Fordham students to antitrust compliance.

What is your teaching philosophy and style?

I am interactive, and welcome the sharing of ideas.I also like to introduce real-world events into class that are relevant to what we are learning. Corporate compliance cannot exist in a vacuum.

What do you hope students will learn from taking your class?

My hope is that students will grow to love antitrust compliance, and will understand that compliance violations are oftentimes bad decisions made by desperate people. I want my students to be sensitive to those conditions that might be fertile ground for violations.

What do you enjoy most about working with students in the compliance program?

I enjoy the questions, because it demonstrates that the students are processing what’s being taught.I enjoy even more when they return to class the following week with examples of antitrust implications that they either saw or heard in the news! There is no greater feeling.