The practice of collaborative law offers plaintiffs and defendants in legal disputes a structured process of settling their differences– an alternative to court processes that can often become costly and emotionally draining. The practice enables couples seeking separation and divorce to focus on family issues that will benefit their children by establishing a cooperative environment, as opposed to litigation. Black and White talks to Susan DiGirolamo, a collaborative law practitioner in Pennsylvania, about the quickly growing trend. DiGirolamo has been practicing law for 15 years. Her collaborative law practice is nearly two years old.

The failure of American Insurance Group (AIG) and subsequent government rescue has cast a sharp focus on other insurance firms on Wall Street. While much of the public did not initially associate an insurance firm with high-risk securities, it is well know that insurers have a substantial amount of cash generated from premiums that […]

Michael Jonas is an American who has lived in China for the past three years. Black and White talks to Jonas about living and working in China– touching on the issues of Chinese transportation and health care systems and environmental conditions in rural and urban China. The discussion also covers the Chinese nationalism that Jonas experienced.

Toi Derricotte is a writer and poet, author of five books, and co-founder of Cave Canem, a summer workshop for African American poets. She is currently a professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh. Black and White talks with the writer about her early influences as young writer, the influence of singer Billie Holiday, how her writing voice is changing, and her present work that positions her as a role model for young writers.

For over a decade, University of Maryland geophysicist Dr. Dan Lathrop has been on a quest to construct and run tests on spherical models that simulate the physics of the Earth’s magnetic field. Now completing work on the fourth model, his academic group is close to their biggest feat yet: filling the rotating sphere with sodium to create a self-generating magnetic field. Black and White talks with Dr. Lathrop about his work and influences.

Andro Wekua’s installation in the 55th Carnegie International entitled “Get out of my room” is a hauntingly evocative piece. Of this work Wekua explains: “Although the work is meant to be exhibited and looked at, the figure in the installation is secluded, and resists being looked at.” John Eastman interviews the young Georgian-born artist.

Wachovia Capital Partners, the private equity investing arm of Wachovia Corporation and fourth largest bank holding company in the U.S., has acquired web hosting firm HostMySite.com. In this recent transaction industry executives Art Zeile and Joel Daly, former founders of Inflow, are installed in the roles of CEO and COO respectively. Black and White talks with the new CEO Art Zeile about how the transaction developed, what the future holds for the firm, and what other potential acquisitions may be forthcoming.

Sharon Lockhart is a photographer and filmmaker that was born in Norwood, MA and lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. Since 1992 she has exhibited her work in Germany, Portugal, France, Spain, Japan, the Netherlands, and across the U.S. Her film ‘Pine Flat’ was screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006. The intimate photographs from her series of the same name capture the emotional portraits of the children that she came to know while living in a cabin in the foothills of the Californian Sierra Nevada Mountains. Black and White discusses her influences, her approach to her subjects, and her upcoming work.

Ranjani Shettar’s sculpture “Just a Bit More” at the 55th Carnegie International features a room-sized netted sculpture made out of uniquely formed organic materials. The work, the fourth in a series of her beeswax pieces, is at once both joyful and serene. The colorful palette of the skillfully netted hanging material draws the viewer and entrances them.

Mr. Akhilesh K. Verma is a citizen of India and a Senior Advocate, practicing for over 15 years in New Delhi, India. Black and White talks to him about the current happenings, U.S.-India relations, and issues of global concern.