Events

Please join the ACC NCR Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Affinity Group for a casual night of bowling. Come for an evening of fun, friendship and a chance to show off your bowling skills!  

All members are welcome and feel free to invite friends, family, significant others, etc.  As these events are casual and non-sponsored, all attendees are responsible to buy their own bowling games, shoe rentals, and any drinks. We will have some appetizers to share!

By registering for this ACC NCR event, you acknowledge that you have read ACC NCR’s Code of Conduct for Events and agree to comply with its terms.

Join us at noa in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, for a late-afternoon CLE program and happy hour with ACC colleagues.

Trade Secrets vs. Patents: Determining the Best Protection for Your IP

While patents and trade secrets each offer protection for intellectual property (IP) assets, they differ in several key aspects, including the nature and duration of protection offered, the criteria for obtaining them, and the means of enforcement. Understanding these distinctions equips businesses and innovators to make informed decisions on how to most effectively protect their IP.

During this presentation, Fish & Richardson attorneys Craig Deutsch and Kiersten Batzli will compare and contrast patents and trade secrets, including how to obtain and enforce them and how to determine which is best for your IP. Craig and Kiersten's discussion will cover:

     •  The basics of patents and trade secrets     
     •  Strategic considerations for securing IP protection.

AGENDA
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Check-in and refreshments
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | CLE program
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Social hour

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

Validated parking will be provided for the IDS Center Ramp if so requested during registration.

Thanks to our sponsor, Fish & Richardson P.C.!

Big data remains companies’ most valuable asset, and most companies are looking at ways to leverage their data for creative, important, and lucrative data projects, including with regard to development of AI tools.  However, such projects create significant legal risks for companies, particularly related to data privacy and security. Join us as we discuss this important trend, while also reviewing the types of AI tools already in use and issues related to their development and implementation. We will also address the advances in generative AI tools, the legal risks associated with using generative AI tools in your companies, and best practices for addressing such risks now and moving forward.

Presented by Iliana Peters, Shareholder at Polsinelli and Devi Mehta, Associate General Counsel for Privacy at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Agenda:

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm - Roundtable Presentation

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Reception

This event is for informational purposes only, no CLE will be offered.

New regulations, a changing political landscape, advances in technology, and many other developments are driving the conversation and raising new questions about ESG. This year, as ESG transitions from recommended initiatives to an essential component of corporate strategy, companies and their in-house attorneys need to be aware of and plan for the many developments in this area and their potential impacts. This program will focus on the current hot topics and will cover:

• Latest disclosure laws and rules, including the newly adopted SEC climate-risk and cybersecurity rules, and expected human capital management rules; and
• Recent enforcement efforts, shareholder derivative suits, and false marketing litigation. 

To put these issues together in a practical way, our panelists will use a case study to demonstrate how to collaborate across internal teams and departments to mitigate risks and comply with ESG regulations.

Presented by David Eaton, Ty Lord, Scott Marrah, Adria Perez, Todd Roessler, Partners at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton and Mondi Kumbula-Fraser, Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel at Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE pending.

ACCGP's Annual Women's Summit will be held on May 15th in King of Prussia.  This event will focus on topics specific to women, but all are welcome to attend.

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast

Session 1 - 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
"You Can Have Your Cake And Eat It Too"
Presented by Fisher Phillips

It’s no secret that working women are excellent jugglers. And while COVID gave many the lingering ability to work remotely, it left us with is the ever increasing demands for our time that seem to be 24/7. So how do you have a productive, satisfying and effective professional life and juggle the personal demands of family, household responsibility, mental and physical wellness and still be happy? Join Deniz Reilly and (IHC) as they lead an interactive discussion about what works, what doesn’t and how to have some humor and happiness in the midst of it all.

Speakers:

• Deniz Uzel Reilly, Esq., Partner, Fisher Phillips
• Teleicia J.R. Dambreville, Esq., Director, Managing Counsel, Burlington Stores, Inc.
• Pamella Raison, Esq., Senior Corporate Counsel, Farmers Insurance
• Michelle Warner, Esq., Counsel & Chief Ethics Officer, Delaware River and Bay Authority
• Shannon Young, Esq., Associate General Counsel, Employment & Benefits, Accession Risk Management Group
  

Session 2 - 9:40 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
"Beyond Blind Justice: Understanding Bias in AI-Driven Legal Tech Solutions"
Presented by Cozen O'Connor

(1 CLE Credit)

As the use of AI grows, businesses and their in-house counsel must evaluate its potential benefits, risks, and rewards. The session will cover current rules and laws governing AI use in the legal industry and address the ethical and legal obligations that arise. After laying the foundation, the presenters will explore AI tools that businesses are using, address the AI bias found in these tools, and explore ways individuals can identify and mitigate this bias.

Speaker:

• Nicole Gill, Chair and Managing Member, CODISCOVR, Cozen O'Connor

Session 3 - 10:50 a.m. - 11:50 p.m.
"Walking The Line With Diversity-Based Shareholder Activity"
Presented by Dechert

(1 CLE Credit)

Women have been historically under-represented in board rooms and executive roles.  And while the statistics for female leadership have been slowly improving in recent years, a company’s failure to diversify their leadership and offer women a seat at the table has uniquely shaped recent shareholder activity. This panel will examine current diversity-based derivative litigation, activism, and settlements and offer an interactive discussion on best practices for walking this line. 

Speaker:

• Carla Graff, Associate, Dechert LLP
• Bina Peltz, Dechert LLP
• Joslyn Ewart, Founder, Entrust Financial LLC

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon

Session 4 - 1:10 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
"Impact and Influence: How Women’s Health Care is Driving Career Decisions"
Presented by Armstrong Teasdale

Demanding careers oftentimes demand complicated decisions, especially when it comes to considering your future professionally and personally. COVID-19 has even further shifted expectations about work/life balance and pushed employees globally to more carefully consider what matters most. From mental health to the path to parenthood, women face unique health hurdles in the workplace that can ultimately impact their career trajectory. Armstrong Teasdale lawyers Sandy King and Lizl Leonardo, alongside esteemed in-house counsel, discuss the impact women’s health has had on their careers and share tips to overcome potential biases in the workplace related to taking leave or alternative paths to leadership.

Speakers:

• Sandy King, Partner, Armstrong Teasdale
• Lizl Leonardo, Associate, Armstrong Teasdale
• Brionna Denby, SVP, General Counsel, WSFS Bank

Session 5 - 2:20 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
"Pivoting with Purpose: Women Lawyers’ Strategies for Change-Making"
Presented by Reed Smith

Join a panel of Reed Smith partners across multiple practice areas, as they discuss their personal paths in legal practice, practical tips for keeping forward momentum, and strategies for moving beyond obstacles. Audience members will learn about the “fem-tech” revolution and recent focus on women’s healthcare, among other examples of substantive legal issues putting women at the forefront of innovation and opportunity.

Speakers:

• Nicole Aiken-Shaban, Partner, Reed Smith
• Dana Janquitto, Partner, Reed Smith
• Heather Ritch Rocks, Partner, Reed Smith
• Ellie O'Brien-Fabeny, Associate General Counsel, Optum

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cocktail Reception

You are invited to volunteer for a Pro Bono Clinic with Maryland Legal Aid

Topic: Security deposit advice and assistance with pro se forms.
Clients: Low-income individuals and families
When: Wed. July 24, 2024, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Training begins at 9:30 AM (1 hour) followed by scheduled 1 hour client meetings from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM.
Where: Virtual via Microsoft Teams.
Who: Maryland-barred attorneys and non-attorney professionals (non-attorney professionals will be paired with a Maryland-barred attorney).
Experience: None required.
Training: 1 hour live training followed by 1 hour of client consult time.
Support: Maryland Legal Aid attorneys will be available for questions during the client meetings.
Time: Limited, with no ongoing commitment.
Work: Meet virtually with a low income Maryland client to discuss options for return of a security deposit the client feels was improperly retained by a prior landlord. For many residents a security deposit can present a substantial barrier to their ability to obtain housing, particularly when they are living paycheck to paycheck. When a landlord improperly withholds a deposit it can create a significant hardship on the client and their family. Maryland has created a statute specific to security deposits that clearly articulates a landlord's responsibilities and provides tenants a recourse through small claims court. Often these matters can be resolved through a strongly worded demand letter or properly filed complaint. By helping tenants understand their rights and assisting with drafting a persuasive demand letter or small claims complaint you can have a significant impact on the client and their likelihood of obtaining a positive outcome.
Insurance: Provided by Maryland Legal Aid to all volunteers.

Note: If you are interested in participating but are not barred in Maryland, please contact Angus Derbyshire at ADerbyshire@mdlab.org for information on waiving into the Maryland Bar for purposes of providing pro bono services with MDLAB. MDLAB covers the fees and provides the paperwork. Please allow 45 days for this process.

*Please respond by July 17.

ACCGP Members are invited to a Meet Your Counterparts with Stradley Ronon at one of South Jersey’s most beloved restaurants - Caffe Aldo Lamberti in Cherry Hill.

Attendees will enjoy an evening of networking and delicious Italian food and drink.

Attendees will have the option to enter a raffle at the event for two Diamond Club Phillies tickets - row 1 against the netting behind the Phillies on-deck circle!

Join our friends at Perkins Coie for this upcoming CLE!

This CLE delves into how seemingly minor changes in limitation of liability clauses can significantly alter their impact. We'll examine various forms of these clauses, highlighting the specific benefits and risks associated with each. You'll also learn how legal technology and generative AI can streamline the assessment of these clauses, but we'll also address potential pitfalls in their use.

We'll analyze the prevalent variants of clauses granting agents the right to rely on information it is provided. This exploration will cover:

• Common forms of "right to rely" clauses in agency contracts.
• Key differences between prevalent variations of these clauses.
• How legal technology and generative AI can help make this assessment and enhance analysis and drafting.
• The Pitfalls in the Use of Legal Technology and generative AI in this process.