Events

Please join us to celebrate Black History Month with our ACC NCR Black & African American Affinity Group hosted by Nicole Greenidge-Hoskins and Kecia Lewis. Our affinity group serves to offer opportunities to get together, share experiences, and discuss topics of interest to Black and African American in-house counsel.   

While this meeting will be virtual, we would like to discuss how Black and African-American employees can maintain visibility in a remote or hybrid working environment.  Have you returned to the office full-time, part-time or not at all?  Does it matter? Let's talk about it!

We know that you may still be getting bombarded with messages about Covid related issues, whether that be on television, social media, or in your work and community networks. In uncertain times like these, anxiety, stress, fear, and negative thoughts can easily take control. You may still be worried about being in crowds, wearing a mask, getting another vaccine or booster for yourself and your loved ones, your office, your clients, your finances or how to manage whatever the future holds as we continue our return to the “new normal” in our personal and professional lives.

Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers. Accordingly, unexpected events like those we are facing as a society will have an even greater impact on lawyers and those who work with them.

In light of this unprecedented crisis and it’s far- reaching impact, Mr. Quinn will discuss:

· Causes, symptoms and common warning signs of alcohol and substance use disorders, as well as mental health issues such as depression, stress and anxiety.

· The impact of the COVID crisis on mental health issues.

· Fear associated with the uncertainty surrounding the future of the legal industry

· Well- being strategies to reduce or alleviate these conditions and maintain a healthy work/life balance.

· Why legal professionals are at higher risk to develop mental health and substance use disorders

· Challenges and barriers facing legal professionals from seeking help

· The free, confidential services provided by Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of PA to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students.

· The role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession
 

Registration & Lunch:        11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.   
Program:                            12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 

This program has been preapproved for one hour of PA professional ethics CLE credit.

NEW DATE ANNOUNCED: Thursday, March 30

The Metaverse: Risks, Rewards, and Realities for Your Business

Join us for an exciting discussion about the metaverse and how it will change how you do business. Stay after the panel for a heated game of virtual reality Top Golf.

"Metaverse" is one of the hottest buzzwords in the business community, but everybody seems to have their own idea of what it means. This session will discuss how businesses and retailers are leveraging the metaverse for brand promotion, R&D, training, and entertainment. The program will also touch on legal issues that could arise, including data rights, data privacy, antitrust, money laundering, securities, intellectual property, and gaming.

Our panelists:

• Chris Iles: Senior Director of Brand Experience & Innovation for the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club
• Michael Proman: Managing Director for Scrum Ventures, an investment fund supporting emerging and cutting-edge businesses
• Aalok Sharma: Sports & Entertainment Attorney at Stinson LLP
• David Kim: Intellectual Property & Technology Attorney at Stinson LLP

AGENDA
11:30 AM - Noon | Check-in and buffet lunch
Noon - 1:00 PM | CLE program
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Virtual reality golf

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 in the City Center Parking Ramp is available.

Thanks to our sponsor, Stinson LLP!

It has been many years since those “Behaving Badly” episodes aired, but that does not mean that people have suddenly become well-behaved, especially in the workplace. Instead, as time progresses, the problems simply evolve. It shows us that the workplace is not immune from the human tendency to push the boundaries of acceptable behavior.

Join us for an entertaining, interactive presentation of true scenarios featuring modern day examples of employees behaving badly and the issues that corporate in-house counsel should consider before they respond.

Presented by Tina Maiolo, Partner at Carr Maloney and Frank Connolly, Vice President and Senior Counsel, Operations at Hilton.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE pending.

Join Cooley and ACC NYC for a networking reception to kick off the March Madness Tournament at Cooley’s New York office.

Meet, mingle and reconnect with your fellow ACC members while enjoying activities, drinks and light bites.

Pre-registration is required as this event has limited capacity, so be sure to register and secure your space.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration // 5:30 - 6:00 PM

Social Networking // 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

This event is FREE for ACC NYC Chapter Members.

Celebrate Global Membership Month with us! If you are in-house counsel & not yet a member, attend this event free of charge to preview one of our stellar Chapter events! During the event, a coupon code will be provided for prospective individual members to receive a $50 discount on their first year of membership!

(Must be in-house counsel to register).

UPDATED: Sponsor COVID & Building Security Protocols:

If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and/or have recently been exposed, please follow CDC guidelines to determine if you may attend this event.

 Additionally, if you do not feel well leading up to the event (COVID-19 symptoms or other illness), we ask that you not attend. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please note that guest names and emails will be provided to the sponsor and building management for the purpose of building security. Information will not be shared for any other purposes.

Please be sure to bring your physical ID with you when you arrive to the event.

For more information, please email Susan Homer at Cooley LLP.

 ACC is proud to present a day of invaluable programs for San Diego's general counsel community. High-caliber and targeted industry content conveniently scheduled into one day with dual tracks.

Your ticket includes:

• Two MCLE options each hour
• Continental breakfast
• Plated lunch with in-house counsel award presentation
• Happy Hour with complimentary cocktails and appetizers outside in the Santiago Courtyard

Make a great first impression with a new portrait!
ACC San Diego will be offering complimentary headshots during the event.  A good headshot helps build a credible reputation when hunting for a  job or building your company’s brand identity. Stand out in the crowd  with a professional headshot from Brent Haywood Photography! (ACC members only.)

Downloadable Schedule

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Breakfast
8:30 - 9:30 AM

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 1
9:30 - 10:30 AM
What To Do When the Government Knocks on Your Door

Speakers:
  
Pamela Naughton, Partner, DLA Piper
Rebecca Roberts, Of Counsel, DLA Piper

Becoming the target of a government investigation is what keeps General Counsel up at nights. This presentation gives specific and practical guidance on government investigations: what triggers them, what steps companies should take in response, how to navigate through the investigative process, and what to do when the company is the victim of a crime.  (1 General Credit)

Topics that will be discussed:

• What events typically trigger a government investigation?
• What to do if subjected to a search warrant?
• Which government agencies are most likely to investigate?
• Who should be on the Emergency Response Team?
• What steps should the Board of Directors take?
• Who should be told about the investigation?
• How do we approach the employees? 
• Plus much more...

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 2
9:30 - 10:30 AM

Alphabet Soup: Practical Advice to implement GPC, LDU, RDP and other CPRA Obligations

Speakers:
    
Wynter Deagle, Partner, Sheppard Mullin
Orson Lucas, Principal, Cyber Security Services, KPMG 
Andy Medlin, Vice President & General Counsel, Hot Topic

The CPRA has ushered in a new era of privacy, signaling a continued evolution by legislators toward a more mature, technology-centric approach to managing consumer and employee privacy rights. This applies with implementation of technical controls to enable Global Privacy Control (GPC), restriction of data processing (for example with Google’s Restricted Data Processing (RDP) and Meta’s Limited Data Usage (LDU)).  But it also represents more proactive enforcement in identifying non-compliant companies. This session will explore practical approaches to proactively address CPRA’s key obligations, as well as legal and enforcement perspectives to help ensure organizations stay off the enforcement radar. (1 General Credit)

                                                                                                           
                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 3
10:45 - 11:45 AM
Wage and Hour PAGAs and Class Actions: New Laws & Settlement Strategies

Moderator:
Hon. Kenneth K. So, Mediator, Signature Resolution

Speakers:
      

Monique Ngo-Bonnici, Mediator, Signature Resolution
Hon. Amy Hogue, Mediator, Signature Resolution

In addition to a comprehensive discussion on the Supreme Court’s 2022 enforcement of agreements to arbitrate individual PAGA claims in Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana, panelists will provide an in-depth analysis of recent changes in the law, including the pending Uber/Adolph case, and how such changes will impact on-going settlement strategies.  Panelists will discuss how the various courts are handling PAGA and class action cases and how mediation can be used to as tool toward resolving these cases cost effectively. (1 General Credit)
 

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 4
10:45 - 11:45 AM
Drive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Speakers:
        

Michelle Meek, Principal, Jackson Lewis PC
Stephanie Kierig, Associate, Jackson Lewis PC
Guillermo Escobedo, Principal and Office Litigation Manager, Jackson Lewis PC
Diana Cohen, Head of Legal & Compliance, Lilt, Inc. and ACC San Diego Incoming President

We will discuss the intersection of successful DEI policies, workplace laws, and a company culture of respect, performance, and retention. (1 Recognition and Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession and Society Credit)

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Lunch
11:45 - 1:00 PM
Short program and announcing the winners of the 2023 ACC San Diego In-House Counsel Awards
 

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 5
1:00 - 2:00 PM
DOJ and FDA Regulatory and Enforcement Trends

Speakers:
  

Adam Braverman, Partner, Morrison Foerster
Stacy Cline Amin, Partner, Morrison Foerster

This session will be led by former DOJ prosecutors, a former in-house compliance officer, and the former Chief Counsel of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Deputy General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to discuss DOJ and FDA enforcement trends and policy changes. Specifically, our team will provide insights regarding DOJ and FDA’s approach to investigations and enforcement regarding the False Claims Act, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, and FDA regulatory guidance.  (1 General Credit)
 

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 6
1:00 - 2:00 PM 
Cloud Chaos: Key Terms and Gotchas in Software, SaaS and Cloud Computing Agreements

Speakers:

Charles Haley, Partner, Cooley LLP
Brian Busse, General Counsel, Arlo Technologies, Inc.

This session will provide an overview of the key provisions in, and heavily negotiated provisions of, a cloud-based, Software-as-a-Service agreement.
 

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 7
2:15 - 3:15 PM
The Robots Are Coming: Navigating AI and the Growing US Regulatory Landscape

Speakers:

Peter Stockburger, San Diego Managing Partner, Dentons

The presentation will tackle new laws impacting the use of artificial intelligence, how businesses are leveraging artificial intelligence to gain market advantage, and what the future legal and regulatory landscape looks like for organizations looking to leverage artificial intelligence across their organizations and functions. (1 General Credit)

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 8
2:15 - 3:15 PM
What In-House Counsel Should know about the Pay Transparency Law

Speakers:
 
Jennifer N. Lutz, Esq., Shareholder & Co-chair, Employment & Labor Group, Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin
Amanda Chafin, Associate General Counsel, General Dynamics NASSCO

Pay transparency legislation has proliferated in recent years and California recently adopted one of the most comprehensive workplace equity laws in the US. Various states including California are now required to disclose salary and benefit offerings to job applicants as well as employees. This presentation will discuss recent pay transparency law developments and practical real-world tips on what to expect from enforcement agencies. Discussion will also include best practices and strategies to ensure your company is prepared and in compliance with these new requirements. (1 General Credit)

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 9
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Boilerplate Contract Clauses Through the Litigator’s Lens: How to Make Your Contracts Work for You

Speakers:
        
Andrew Skale, Litigation, Mintz
Randy Jones, Litigation, Mintz
Nicole Rivers, Litigation, Mintz
Natalie Prescott, General Counsel & Vice President, Fulgent Genetics

Corporate counsel are being pushed to do more with less, streamline their teams, and leverage every dollar spent on outside counsel. While efficiency should always be the goal, increasing the company’s exposure to risk should not be the unintended consequence. This program will focus on the pitfalls and risks of using boilerplate contract language in business contracts and recent developments in employment law that make arbitration agreements more favorable if drafted correctly. While not every term of a contract should be customized, it is too late to understand what boilerplate means when a relationship sours and contract provisions become fodder for litigation.

Our panel of seasoned trial lawyers will highlight key issues to avoid and provide insight into how they review, analyze, and dissect some commonly used boilerplate provisions when preparing for trial. (1 General Credit)

Topics will include:

• Indemnity provisions: We agreed to do what?
• Choice of law
• ADR provisions in employment agreements

                                                                                                               ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Session 10
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Protecting the Crown Jewels… Tips and Trends in Trade Secret Law

Speakers:

Mindy Morton, Partner, Procopio 

The Defend Trade Secrets Act was passed in 2016, providing federal jurisdiction for trade secret cases. Since then, we have seen a surge in trade secret cases filed. This program will discuss trade secret protection under state and federal laws, including how to identify and protect trade secrets, litigation trends, and practical guidance for companies trying to stop trade secrets from leaving he company and those accused of infringing trade secrets. (1 General Credit)

                                                                                                              ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

4:30 - 5:30 PM
Happy Hour!

Join us for the Annual Nonprofits and Associations Conference!

ACC National Capital Region’s Nonprofits & Associations Committee is joining forces with the ACC Global Nonprofit Network again this year to present a conference for in-house nonprofit counsel on crisis management.  This year's conference will focus on developing tools needed to manage legal, financial, and public affairs risks related to unexpected organizational emergencies and critical situations.

During three sessions, experts will discuss three topics through the lens of a concrete, practical crisis scenario:  The building blocks of a crisis management “toolkit” to prepare for future challenges;  practical tips for conducting or cooperating with investigations; and strategies for developing and carrying out effective crisis communications. 

Our panel partners will provide substantive insights that will help you synthesize your teams and coordinate your response to potentially pivotal challenges.  Charities, associations, and other nonprofit organizations interested in learning how to nimbly, quickly, and effectively respond to adverse events with high potential for legal, financial, and reputational risk should join the conference to gain critical insights on building and improving their crisis management skills. 

Conference Agenda:

8:30 - 9:00 am ET - Breakfast and Registration for In-Person Attendees

9:00– 10:00 am ET - SESSION 1: Before the Storm: Creating Your Crisis Management Tool Kit. Presented Caplin & Drysdale

10:15 – 11:15 am ET - SESSION 2: Batten Down the Hatches: Practical Tips for Conducting or Cooperating with Investigations in a Crisis.  Presented by Polsinelli

11:30 am – 12:30 pm ET - SESSION 3: Keep Calm & Try to Carry On: Strategies for Developing and Carrying Out Effective Communications. Presented by Loeb & Loeb,

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm ET - Networking Event and Lunch for In-Person Attendees 

For a detailed Agenda with session blurbs click HERE.

While we offer this conference virtually to reach members beyond the DMV area, we strongly encourage those in the area to attend in-person to take advantage of some dynamic networking opportunities with peers and our sponsors.

3.0 Hours Virginia MCLE pending. 

CLE is not mandatory in: DC, MA, MD, MI, and SD

All other jurisdictions: ACC NCR will not seek credit on the attorney’s behalf. A fillable certificate certifying attendance will be issued after the conference. Where applicable, utilize your state self-file process within 30 days of completing the course. If you are interested in doing so, please consult with the applicable jurisdiction for requirements and information regarding the process. 

ACC NCR staff is able to answer questions only with regard to Virginia MCLE.

Join ACC NCR and in-house counsel from around the region to discover what your organization can do to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within and beyond its walls.  Many organizations have expressed and even demonstrated a commitment to fostering and advancing DEI, and now there is a need to build upon momentum to create a lasting culture of inclusion and equity. Come learn what techniques organizations are employing to evolve their culture as well as practical tools you can use to make an impact.

The agenda includes:

• Keynote by DEI Strategist Michele Shelton: Navigating the Ever-Changing Landscape of DEI
• A session on Legal Interconnection of Retention and Promotion of Diverse Lawyers  sponsored by Perkins Coie 
• A session on Successfully Partnering with Outside Counsel to Implement Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives sponsored by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
• Insight into the ACC Foundation DEI Maturity Assessment with ACC Foundation Program Director KJ Forest 
• Learn about Minority Corporate Counsel Association and their data-driven approach for DEI growth

We will close the conference with break-out sessions designed to provide an opportunity for you to benchmark with your peers and learn more about how to play an active role in your organization's DEI efforts.

Click HERE to see a detailed Agenda of the Conference.

For informational purposes only, no CLE will be offered.

*ACC NCR annual relationship sponsors may send two representatives, except Diamond, which may send three.

As more and more companies attempt to shore up their bottom-lines through cost-cutting measures in 2023, hiring freezes, compensation adjustments, furloughs, and RIFs are increasingly becoming part of the solution. We will cover the dos and don’ts of implementing such measures, including a successful workforce reduction that achieves operational goals while effectively minimizing legal and employee-relations risks. 

Presented by D’Ontae Sylvertooth, Of Counsel and Benjamin Delancy, Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins and Crystal Barnes, Associate General Counsel at Lockheed Martin.

Moderated by Michael J. Murphy, Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE pending.