Events

ACC Chicago and Crowell & Moring invite you to a timely and engaging roundtable, hosted by Crowell international trade partner Dan Cannistra, part of a team that has filed more than 200 cases seeking refunds at the trade court since April 2025, including the lead case in the tariff refund litigation. This roundtable offers a unique opportunity to explore how recent and anticipated tariff measures are affecting various sectors, and to gain critical insights into what legal teams should be preparing for in the months ahead. We will delve into the tariff landscape, the pillars of the 2025 tariff regime, section 232 compliance, the recent Supreme Court decision in Trump v. V.O.S. and the ability to seek refunds following that decision, among others.  

All attendees are welcome to stay for Crowell’s celebratory open house, featuring cocktails and small bites, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

We hope you will join us for a thoughtful afternoon of peer-to-peer discussion, practical insights, and networking. This roundtable will be discussion-driven and interactive, rather than a traditional presentation. Please note that it is not eligible for CLE credit.

Agenda:
3:00 – 3:30 pm: Registration
3:30 – 4:30 pm: Roundtable Discussion
4:30 – 5:00 pm: Networking and Cocktails

More information coming soon!

the ACC St. Louis and Washington University Olin Business School for a half day program on Friday, April 17th at the Knight Center at Washington University.

Today's corporate attorneys are frequently called upon to make critical decisions that impact many different stakeholders. These high-risk, high-opportunity decisions are often made under considerable time pressure. How much weight do we give to analytics and data versus experience, emotion and intuition?

Session #1:  Who Owns Intelligence:  AI, Data and the Redefinition of Innovation in a Fragmented World.
Speaker:  Professor Minyuan Zhao
In an era where machines learn from existing knowledge at scale, traditional distinctions between innovation and imitation are increasingly blurred. The central strategic question is no longer how to enforce intellectual property (IP) rights, but how to define the boundaries of protectable innovation itself.
This lecture examines how ownership claims over data, training corpora, algorithms, and model outputs are reshaping global IP strategy across jurisdictions that diverge sharply in doctrine and enforcement. As more firms incorporate AI into their innovation processes, businesses must rethink IP portfolio, value appropriation strategies, and the geopolitical risks associated with algorithmic sovereignty.

Session #2:  Power and Influence in Organizations.
Speaker:  Professor Alyssa Liang
Success at work rarely depends on the formal position you hold. In today’s organizations, much of the real work gets done through informal networks — the relationships that connect people across functions, levels, and boundaries. These networks form the foundation of social capital, a critical driver of career success.

This session is designed to help you build your network more intentionally. You will gain practical insight into what effective networks look like, assess the structure of your current network, and learn evidence-based strategies to strengthen your network in more effective and meaningful ways.

Date:

Friday, April 17, 2026

Schedule:

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast, Networking and CLE Check-in (Second Floor)   
8:30 - 8:45 a.m. Olin Leadership; Olin Engagement
8:45 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome Session with Speakers:  Professor Minyuan Zhao and Professor Alyssa Liang
9:15 - 10:30 a.m.  Who Owns Intelligence?  with Professor Minyuan Zhao
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Break   
10:45 - 12:00 p.m. Power and Influence with Professor Alyssa Liang
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Box Lunches served

Location:
Charles F. Knight Center at Washington University
Throop Drive and Snow Way Drive
St. Louis, MO  63130
Parking Validated in Knight Center Garage  

Please note that this is a Complimentary, Members Only Event.

No-Show or Cancellations made after 5:00 pm on Monday, April 13th will be charged a $65 fee. 

Missouri CLE Approved:  3.0 Hours

Celebrate an early St. Patrick’s Day in Haynes Boones’ new event space overlooking Rockefeller Plaza, with sweeping views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Enjoy a curated Irish whiskey tasting and festive hors d’oeuvres while connecting with fellow in house counsel and legal leaders in an elegant, relaxed setting.

On March 4, 2026, please join DLA Piper and ACC Georgia for an informative lunch program exploring how companies can manage the risks of successor liability in mergers and acquisitions.

Our speakers will discuss how current enforcement trends are shaping expectations for acquirers, and why thorough pre- and post-acquisition diligence may be key in mitigating risk and maximizing outcomes.

The program will also cover how acquiring companies can effectively leverage the Department of Justice’s Safe Harbor Policy through strong compliance integration – and, in some cases, self-disclosure – to help reduce their exposure.

Attendees will learn practical guidance, real-world considerations, and best practices to help organizations strengthen their M&A processes and protect themselves both financially and reputationally.

We look forward to seeing you there. 

Speaker

Naana Frimpong
Partner and Head of Litigation, Atlanta
DLA Piper

Laura Komarek
Associate
DLA Piper LLP

CLE information

DLA Piper LLP (US) has been certified by the State Bar of California, the Illinois MCLE Board, the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, and the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an Accredited Provider. The following CLE credit is being sought:

• California: 1.0 General Credit

• Illinois: 1.0 General Credit

• New Jersey: 1.2 General Credits

• New York: 1.0 Professional Practice Credit (Transitional/Appropriate for Newly Admitted & Experienced Attorneys)

CLE credit will be applied for in other states where DLA Piper has an office, with the exception of Minnesota, North Carolina, and Puerto Ric

ACCGP's Corporate Counsel University is a program geared toward in-house counsel who are new to in-house practice, while also offering introductory programs in general practice areas that may be of interest to more experienced lawyers. 

9:00 a.m.  - 9:30 a.m.
Registration

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
"Employment Law Trends New In-House Lawyers Can’t Ignore"
Presented by Fisher Phillips

This presentation provides a practical roadmap to the most significant employment law developments impacting in-house teams today—separating meaningful change from background noise. Designed for attorneys new to the in-house role, it focuses on how emerging trends affect day-to-day advice, policy decisions, and compliance strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• AI, automation, and algorithmic decision-making risks
• Pay transparency and wage equity developments
• Heightened scrutiny of DEI programs
• Social media, employee speech, and reputational risk
• Knowing when a “trend” requires action vs. monitoring

Speakers:

• Kelsey Schiappacasse, Partner, Fisher Phillips
• Michael Galey, Partner, Fisher Phillips
• Sandra McLelland, VP, Associate General Counsel – Global Employment and Labor Relations, MillerKnoll

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
"From the EEOC to the Workplace: Strategic Legal Support for HR in Investigations, Accommodations & Discrimination Claims"
Presented by Cozen O'Connor

As enforcement priorities shift and workplace expectations evolve, the role of general counsel in supporting human resources has never been more critical. This CLE provides a practical roadmap for in-house legal teams and HR professionals to partner more effectively in handling workplace investigations, accommodation requests, and discrimination complaints — all grounded in current EEOC focus areas and trends.

Starting with an analysis of the EEOC’s latest enforcement guidance and priority areas, the program translates federal enforcement signals into best practices for internal compliance, risk mitigation, and thoughtful management of complex employee issues. 

Speakers:

• Dan Blanchard, Member, Cozen O’Connor
• Ben Shechtman, Member, Cozen O’Connor
• Dave Dambreville, Senior Vice President, Head of Legal, Power Home Remodeling

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Luncheon

12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
"Protecting Competitive Advantage: Drafting and Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants"
Presented by Fisher Phillips

Restrictive covenant law is evolving rapidly, and in-house counsel needs to stay on top of these developments to protect goodwill and trade secrets while reducing litigation. This presentation will provide a practical framework for drafting, reviewing, and enforcing non-competes, non-solicitation agreements, and confidentiality agreements, with a focus on key elements of enforceability, evolving standards of reasonableness, and consideration issues. In addition, we will address common drafting pitfalls and offer strategies for compliance for employers operating in multiple states.

Speakers:

• Andrew Gallinaro, Partner, Fisher Phillips
• Kathleen Laubenstein, Of Counsel, Fisher Phillips 
• Aya Salem, General Counsel, FFF Enterprises

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
"Preventing and Defending Class Actions in the Age of Emerging Technology and AI"
Presented by Holland & Knight

As companies increasingly deploy website technologies to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency, they are also facing a new and evolving wave of class action litigation. This presentation explores the rapidly changing litigation landscape driven by emerging technologies—including AI-powered chatbots and AI-enabled interactive voice response (IVR) systems. We will examine current trends in class actions targeting these technologies, with a particular focus on claims alleging violations of consumer protection and wiretapping statutes. The presentation will also provide practical, defense-oriented guidance for companies deploying the AI technologies. Topics include how design choices, disclosures, and consent mechanisms can significantly impact litigation exposure. We will discuss how companies can proactively position themselves for defensibility—both to deter claims and to strengthen defenses when litigation arises — by aligning technology implementation with legal and compliance best practices. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how emerging technologies are reshaping class action risk, what plaintiffs are targeting today, and how organizations can responsibly innovate while mitigating legal exposure in an increasingly AI-driven environment. 

Speakers:

• Paul Bond, Partner, Holland & Knight
• Kristen Ricci, Senior Counsel, Holland & Knight
• Dustin Martino, Assistant General Counsel, Aramark

IMPORTANT REMINDER: ACC GREATER PHILADELPHIA EVENTS ARE STRICTLY RESERVED FOR ELIGIBLE IN-HOUSE COUNSEL and INVITED guests and sponsors.  ACCGP reserves the right to confirm eligible status of all event registrants and cancel unqualified registrations.  Click Here to learn more about & how to join ACC Greater Philadelphia.

Join us on Thursday, March 12, 2026, for this ACC MN CLE program and networking happy hour at Chi-Chi's West End.

Navigating Legal Uncertainty in a Dynamic Environment
The past year has brought more uncertainty than we might typically see in a decade. But lawyers tasked with providing timely advice cannot simply throw up their hands and indicate that we are in uncharted waters.  This presentation addresses issues that have come up in the past year and provides specific ideas that attorneys can apply to these interesting times.

PRESENTERS

• Chad Blumenfield, Attorney, Greene Espel PLLP
• Emily McAdam, Partner, Greene Espel PLLP

AGENDA

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Check-in and conversations 

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | CLE program

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Networking happy hour

Admission is free and open to ACC members and in-house counsel first-time guests. 1.0 Standard CLE credit is pending in Minnesota.

Convenient free parking abounds in the adjacent lots and ramp.

Thanks to our sponsor, Greene Espel PLLP!

You are invited to attend our March  CLE- in-person at Paesanos Lincoln Heights or via Zoom. Our friends at Jackson Walker are bringing us a presentation entitled "The Evolving In‑House Counsel Role in 2026: Changes in a World of AI, New Case Law, and a Shifting Dispute Resolution Landscape".

In‑house counsel continue to face rapid changes driven by new case law developments, new available venues and trends in jurisdictional reach, and the expanding influence of artificial intelligence on the general counsel’s role and how you provide legal solutions to your company. This one‑hour CLE (with 0.5 hours of Ethics) offers a practical update on how these shifts are reshaping legal strategy and daily responsibilities of in house counsel.

The program highlights key developments in the dispute resolution landscape, including practical insights on experiences with the Texas Business Courts, risk management around California’s expanding jurisdictional reach, and other trends related to where your company may choose or be forced to face litigation.  We will also talk about the practical implications of AI and its use in your role as a general counsel from exploring how AI‑generated drafting and comments are affecting your role and the negotiation process, the ethical risks of using AI‑produced materials in court or responding to AI-generated materials from your business teams, strategic considerations as AI becomes woven into discovery and diligence, and the implications of AI‑generated meeting summaries and recordings. The session also will touch on notable intellectual property issues surrounding AI‑created work at your company and provides a pragmatic look at AI protocols you may want to implement.

The CLE concludes with updates on other fast‑moving areas and additional emerging issues relevant to issues expected to impact your company in 2026.

Please feel free to pass this invitation on to other individuals within in your organization who would like to learn more about this topic!

Are you constantly balancing increasing accountabilities, client demands, and attrition rates? Do the responses ‘burned-out’ and ‘overwhelmed’ sound too familiar?

Join Saul Ewing for a Professional Development and Wellness event. This panel discussion is designed to present an overview of key practice management standards related to competence, practice management, and wellness; and impart strategies for in-house lawyers to lead with resilience and manage workload in alignment with organizational priorities to allow for efficient delivery of legal services.