Business and Finance Skills for Law Students

October 14, 2011

Annita M. Menogan is currently responsible for oversight of all legal matters for Red Robin, including compliance and corporate governance, and is a member of the Educating Tomorrow's Lawyers Advisory Committee. She recently sat down with us to talk about the future for law students and new law graduates in the profession. In her Voices from the Field interview, Menogan raises several issues about the current state of legal education, and some possible solutions, including:

  • Hiring new attorneys doesn't always provide an immediate, tangible benefit for firms or a company, but taking them on provides a benefit for the profession as a whole
  • Graduates need an understanding of business and finance, so that they have a fuller understanding of how transactions work beyond the classroom
  • Law schools should incorporate practical activities to supplement textbook learning and potentially partner with businesses to get students hands-on insights

Annita M. Menogan is currently responsible for oversight of all legal matters for Red Robin, including compliance and corporate governance. Prior to joining Red Robin, Annita served as vice president, secretary, and deputy general counsel with Molson Coors Brewing Company (formerly Adolph Coors Company). Annita was formerly in private practice, and has more than 27 years of experience in law with an emphasis on SEC and public companies work, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate law. Before turning to law, Annita was a commercial artist and graphic designer.

Annita grew up in Denver, Colorado. She received her bachelor's degree in fine arts from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, Calif., and her juris doctor from the University of Denver. Annita has chaired and served as an officer of several bar associations and Colorado Supreme Court committees; co-chaired Governor Owens' Task Force on Business Law Courts; and is actively involved with several community organizations. In 2010, Annita was named as one of the Lawyers of the Year by Law Week Colorado for her work on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession with the Center for Legal Inclusiveness.