Next Phase of the ACC Value Challenge to Focus on In-house Counsel Successes

Posted: Nov 14, 2011

Washington, D.C. (November 14, 2011) –The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), announced today the launch of the “ACC Value Champions” the next phase of its ACC Value Challenge initiative. This new recognition program will identify, celebrate and publicize successful law department value initiatives and law firm/client collaborations under the banner of the ACC Value Challenge. ACC Value Champions will showcase individuals in departments and law firms who are making a difference for their organizations through creativity and value-based legal management skills.

“Over the past three years, ACC has challenged outside and inside counsel to reconnect value to the delivery of legal services and the efforts have paid off tangible dividends by focusing attention on the importance of clients obtaining real value and measurable results for their legal spend,” said Veta T. Richardson, President & CEO of ACC.  “This next phase will look at tactics implemented and celebrate the lawyers who have developed value-based services for their clients in ways that can be replicated by other in-house lawyers.”

This recognition program emanates from the success stories that ACC and others have witnessed in the continuing effort to ensure that client expectations – not outside legal spend - drive the legal services equation.  In identifying Value Champions, ACC recognizes that there are many factors that contribute to driving value; therefore, the significance of results will be relative to the organization, the scope of the given project and its objectives. 

ACC will be accepting nominations from now until March 15, 2012.  Nominees will define the scope and duration of the project being highlighted; provide metrics on spend, predictability and/or legal outcomes; and an informational narrative on how the results were achieved.  Emphasis should be on description of fee structures, efficiency, staffing/training, relationship/collaboration and other practices. All sizes of law departments and law firms are encouraged to apply. More details and nomination forms are available online at: www.acc.com/valuechampions.

“We’ve seen significant changes in how in-house counsel approach their relationships with outside counsel and their corporate clients,” said Jonathan Oviatt, ACC Board Chair and Chief Legal Officer and Secretary for the Mayo Clinic.  “ACC will leverage its network by offering its in-house counsel members practical resources and best practices learned from the experiences of the Value Champions.”

About the ACC Value Challenge:  The ACC Value Challenge, launched in 2008, has provided resources and training for in-house counsel and law firm attorneys to help affect change within the legal industry. By re-aligning relationships and promoting value-based fee arrangements and other management tactics, such as project management process improvement, efficient use of technology and knowledge management tools, the market for the delivery of legal services benefits from the same insights and wisdom upon which every other service industry relies to provide world-class value to their customers.  For more information, visit www.acc.com/valuechallenge.

About ACC: The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world’s largest organization serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations and other private-sector organizations around the globe. ACC promotes the common interests of its members, provides resources to help save time, money and effort, contributes to their continuing education and provides a voice on issues of global importance. With more than 29,000 members in more than 75 countries, employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel.^®  For more information, visit www.acc.com.

#          #          #

View all press releases