The following list contains information on all of the portable ACC programs available to Chapters. ACC staff developed some of these programs, while ACC members and Alliance partners developed the remaining programs. The CLE, Images of Lawyers in Film, was developed by Nancy Rapoport, Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center, and has become a very popular program among ACC Chapters. Thank you all for your contributions.
ACC Ethics Programs
Ethical Issues for Corporate Counsel
(Presented by ACC Staff and Faculty)
This interactive session incorporates professionally produced video case studies and mediated discussion of eight ethical dilemmas commonly faced by in-house counsel. Designed to deliver practical guidance and training for corporate legal departments, the presentation and structured discussion provide a platform to effectively explore the grey areas of corporate practice.Video vignettes serve as talking points for on-point discussion about corporate ethical issues that in-house counsel must be ready to address. Not if, but when the time comes, be prepared. For more information, read the descriptions of the eight individual scenarios including the relevant responsibilities and rules and the recommended presentation duration. Download descriptions (PDF).
Corporate Counsel in the Crosshairs
(Presented by ACC Staff and Faculty)
The role of the in-house lawyer is changing and much of the change is being driven by an increasingly heated prosecutorial environment, which seems to live by the mantra: "all corporations are created evil." By examining recent prosecutions against in-house lawyers, relevant ethical and professional regulations, emerging theories of corporate white collar liability, and in-house legal whistleblower issues, faculty will interactively engage the audience in a discussion aimed at helping in-house lawyers understand better how to navigate the challenges of corporate practice in the post-Enron era, ensure a more ethical and healthy corporate culture, and offer policies and procedures that can be implemented in your legal department to promote professional and ethical conduct amongst lawyers for the company and the clients they serve.
The Internal Investigation: An Ethical Minefield for Corporate Counsel in Three Scenes
(Presented by ACC Staff and Faculty)
This program addresses ethical concerns facing in-house counsel when conducting an internal investigation into employee wrong doing. To present the program, you will need approximately four individuals to read the script and "role play". ACC suggests a panel of two to four individuals with a moderator to address discussion questions. Successful programs have used panelists with diverse legal backgrounds such as lawyers, judges, legal ethics professors and lawyers in private in-house practice. Audience participation is encouraged.
Ethics program (1.5 to 2 hrs credits). Requires role-playing by panel. Two scripts are provided: One for the faculty, containing the suggested answers for the discussion questions. The second is for the audience and contains only the dialogue.
Attorney-Client Privilege for In-house Counsel, Recent Developments
(Presented by ACC staff)
This program addresses the attorney-client privilege from the perspective of the in-house counselor, providing information useful to preventing the loss of the privilege.
Ethics program (1 hr credit). This program discusses the application of the attorney-client privilege to in-house counsel, and recent developments in case law. Participants should gain an understanding of challenges to the attorney-client privilege in the corporate setting. Hard copies of the slides are included in the materials, as well as, a bibliography. This program also requires an LCD for an Internet based slide presentation.
If are you interested in hosting any of the above ethics programs, please contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337. Additional programs are listed below.
ACC Leadership/Leading Practices Programs
Executive Leadership Institute
At a time when resources are scarce and corporate legal demands remain high, the need for effective law department management and leadership has never been more critical. Our Executive Leadership Institute provides the insight you need to strategically navigate the challenges of law department management and to lead department staff through these anxious times.
For individuals who have significant responsibilities managing other attorneys, or others who aspire to be effective leaders in their legal departments regardless of title, this program addresses the challenges faced by both small and large departments. Contact us for pricing and availability.
Leading Practices in Value-Based Inside-Outside Counsel Relationships
The ACC Value Challenge has generated unparalleled access to and understanding of the cutting edge practices, concerns and trends transforming the hundreds legal industry. We’ve drawn from this experience to help your firm or department better connect value to the cost of legal services. In this program, we demonstrate the processes, tools and metrics that in-house counsel and law firms can share to drive better outcomes and cost management in the performance of value-based legal services.
The program can be either facilitation of engaged dialogue (recommended) or a presentation for all types of department or firm events including retreats, summits, or in-office sessions. Contact us for pricing and availability.
ACC Alliance Partner Programs
Managing Your Career
ACC Alliance Partner Jordan Lawrence has developed a program focusing on how to build a successful legal career.
Participants will learn the new rules of career management, workplace trends, and strategic ways they can plan. They will also learn the best ways to create a resume. To host this program in your chapter or for more information, call Robert Half Legal at 1.800.870.8367 to locate your local representative.
Recruiting, Hiring and Managing Employees
ACC Alliance Robert Half Legal has developed this program focusing on recruit, hire, and managing employees.
This program addresses how to enhance your human resources practices by maximizing your recruitment process—from how to assess your staffing needs to locating the most qualified candidates, evaluating applicants, and finalizing your hiring decision. It also discusses useful techniques for motivating and managing your employees. To host this program in your chapter or for more information, call Robert Half Legal at 1.800.870.8367 to locate your local representative.
Building Better Communication with Your Boss
ACC Alliance Robert Half Legal has developed this program addressing how to enhance communication with your boss and watch your career blossom.
The program identifies why effective communication is important and how it can help you in your career. It also discusses 10 foolproof techniques for building better communication with your supervisor. To host this program in your chapter or for more information, call Robert Half Legal at 1.800.870.8367 to locate your local representative.
Successful Partnering with Outside Counsel
ACC Alliance Partner Thomson West has developed the program 'Advice From the Experts: Successful Partnering Between Inside and Outside Counsel.' Many ACC Chapters have already partnered with West to produce this program and several have broken their attendance records. The panelists include the general counsel of major corporations and the chairmen or managing partners of major law firms. Registrants at this program receive the critically acclaimed four-volume treatise, Successful Partnering Between Inside and Outside Counsel, which was published in a joint venture between ACC and West. The book will serve as the course materials for the program. To host this program in your Chapter or for more information about this program, contact Bob Haig, editor-in-chief of the Successful Partnering treatise at 212.808.7715.
ACC Committee Programs
Intellectual Property Program
The Intellectual Property ("IP") Committee's subcommittee on Chapter relations has developed with their committee sponsor, Kilpatrick Stockton, course material for a 90-minute IP program on trademark licensing, co-branding, and sponsorships that can be replicated by Chapters. The course materials are ideal for a lunch-and-learn, continental breakfast, or other informal setting. The Georgia Chapter was the first to host this program. To host this program in your Chapter or for more information, email Kristi Vaiden, Chapter Relations Subcommittee Chair.
ACC Chapter Programs
Insider Trading Prevention Program and Video
Brumberg Publications, in conjunction with the Northeast Chapter and the SEC Enforcement Division, developed the Think Twice Prevention Video Series. Loaner copies of the series are available to ACC Chapters for educational meetings. The new version of the video "Think Twice: The Sequel" can be developed into an interesting local Chapter meeting on insider trading prevention and education. You can combine showing the video presentation (18 minutes) with a panel discussion on insider trading law and education presented by local law groups and in-house counsel. Brumberg Publications has also prepared a PowerPoint that speakers can use during the event. The executive producer of the video, if you are interested, may be available to speak at your event. If you would like to receive a loaner copy of the video to host this program or for more information, contact Bruce Brumberg at 617.734.1979.
Images of Lawyers in Film
Images of Lawyers in Film is a three-hour informative, light-hearted, and highly interactive ethics discussion in which video clips of popular movies that portray lawyers (including The Client, Devil's Advocate, Rainmaker and many others) are used to explore how Hollywood films subconsciously influence, both good and bad, the public and our client's perceptions of lawyers. Nancy Rapoport, dean of the University of Houston Law Center, created this program. To host this program in your Chapter or for more information, contact Nancy Rapoport at 713.743.2100.
ACC Annual Meeting Programs
Handling Common (& Difficult) Contract Negotiation Issues
Negotiating a perfect contract can be a challenge for any in-house lawyer. For small law department practitioners in particular, who don't have the time or in some cases the leverage, the task becomes even more daunting. Take home tips on what's important, what's not and the strategies to implement during difficult negotiations or "take-it-or-leave-it" contracts.
If you would like to have this program presented by its creator or if you would like guidance on how to organize this program, contact Maureen Dry at 410.361.8635 or David Glynn at 480.315.3042 or. If you would like the program materials, contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337.
Codes of Conduct for Multinational Corporations
In creating and enforcing organizational standards of conduct, multinational employers face the challenge of multiple and sometimes conflicting legal requirements. In-house counsel representing those organizations must resolve such conflicts and also reconcile their actions with corporate codes of ethics and values. This program will examine these challenges, provide practical advice to address competing global business standards in the face of these challenges, and provide a strategy for communicating legal responsibility to your organization.
If you would like to have this program presented by its creator or if you would like guidance on how to organize this program, contact Lori Shapiro at 770.437.2458 or Philip Weis at 212.733.4856. If you would like the program materials, contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337.
Care & Feeding of the Board of Directors
As in-house counsel for your company, one of your many roles may be to provide support and guidance to the board. But you need to stay on top of the trends in order to provide the best legal advice possible. Here is your chance to get up to speed as this course will teach you about current best practices in board process, director communication, and on-boarding new directors. You’ll also take home practical tips on the hottest legal issues affecting directors today, including duties and liability, D&O insurance, and corporate governance.
If you would like to have this program presented by its creator or if you would like guidance on how to organize this program, contact John C. Tanner at 404. 847.1607 or jtanner@mcgriff.com. If you would like the program materials, contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337 or at payne@acc.com.
Budgeting for the New Attorney Manager
Have you prepared a budget in your new role of manager? If not, this program will share some steps to uncomplicate the process. In-house counsel budget wizards will provide insights on understanding your responsibilities and what the budget will potentially cover, determining set vs. anticipated costs, accounting for overhead, establishing the legal department as a cost center, shadow billing, and much more.
If you would like to have this program presented by its creator or if you would like guidance on how to organize this program, contact Carolyn Adler at 650.624.2660, Marc Lemberg at 908.953.4960, or Barbara Wagner at 513.784.8616. If you would like the program materials, contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337.
Law Department Alignment with Company Goals
The legal department and corporate practitioners are no longer islands unto themselves. In-house counsel are looked to by management to contribute to the company's bottom line and help attain overall corporate goals. How does your department measure up? This program will include a rousing open discussion on creative ways to demonstrate your department's alignment with the goals of the company.
If you would like to have this program presented by its creator or if you would like guidance on how to organize this program, contact Carla Garrett at 301.664.9167, George Madison at 212.916.4750, or Andrea Zopp at 847.286.3410. If you would like the program materials, contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337.
Hallmarks of the Effective In-house Counselor
This program involves a discussion on setting priorities and effective decision-making.
Program participants will learn how to add direct value to the corporate bottom-line and in the process, make themselves the hero to the management team. Other topics include enhancing communication with management, deciphering legal from business advice and enhanced professional growth. If you would like to have this program presented by its creator or if you would like guidance on how to organize this program, contact Bruce Becker at 503.297.0508. If you would like the program materials, contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337.
Labor & Employment ABCs
The program will cover the basic, but essential labor and employment law subject areas of discrimination, harassment, labor relations, wage and hour, and wrongful discharge.
Participants will be able to discuss these issues with an expert in the field. If you would like to have this program presented by its creator or would like guidance on how to organize this program, contact Archangela M. DeSilva at 713.627.5204. If you would like the program materials, contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337.
Small Law Department Metrics
As quantitative management approaches become more common, we hear that it’s all about the numbers! How do you translate the value and worth of your small law department into something quantifiable? Better yet, how can you use the numbers to your benefit? Come and share your thoughts with our panel of experienced veterans on how to communicate your results in a way that the number crunchers will understand.
If you would like to have this program presented by its creator or if you would like guidance on how to organize this program, contact Henry J. Sacco at 908.252.3029 or henry.sacco@brother.com; or Albert Peters at 717.920.7315. If you would like the program materials, contact Tori Payne at 202.293.4103, ext. 337.
