Professional ethics for lawyers used to be all about what lawyers should and should not do as they represent their clients.  The cry of "where were all the lawyers?" in response to any major corporate debacle places corporate counsel in the crosshairs of "gatekeeper" and liability concerns, suggesting that lawyers should be responsible not only for their own behavior and standards, but also for those of their clients.

ACC is dedicated to providing necessary analysis of these trends and offering practical suggestions to help you navigate the difficult path of balancing your role as zealous advocate, judicious and confidential counselor, compliance and business conduct leader, and ethical gatekeeper responsible for enterprise risk management.

Focus Documents 

ACC Reports - In-House Counsel in the Liability Cross-hairs

article Download PDF 2007

A report on liability trends affecting in-house counsel in recent civil and criminal prosecutions.

In-house Attorneys as Gatekeepers: Practical Advice for Navigating in the Post Enron Era

article Download PDF 2007

This outline highlights the Government's enforcement focus on corporate gatekeepers - attorneys, auditors, and independent board members - and the ever increasing demands on companies that focus causes.

Corporate Governance Programs for Reporting Concerns: What Companies are Doing

Practice profile Download PDF 2007

Profile on reporting concerns and whistleblower issues to help in-house counsel benchmark their company's efforts against others, allowing them to see how several other companies have created and maintained such programs.

How Can Corporate Counsel Avoid Getting Caught in the Crosshairs?

ACC white paper Download PDF 2005

This paper provides a broad overview of issues surrounding third party requests of in-house counsel, including requests to testify or disclose confidential corporate information. This resource attempts to serve as a guide through the issues that typically arise.