Events

Please join the ACC Membership Committee on Thursday, July 31 for Thirsty Thursday Summer Happy Hour!

All ACC members are welcome to stop by anytime between 5:30-7:30 pm and grab a bite and beverage with fellow members. 

We especially encourage new members and those who have not attended an ACC event in a while to reconnect with ACC!

Come see why ACC St. Louis Chapter is a three-time winner of ACC’s Chapter of the Year and six-time Gold Level Chapter of Excellence winner! 

Time: 

5:30 - 7:30 PM 

Location:

Parkers Table
7118 Oakland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63117

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, July 31st at Parkers Table!

Hear from three seasoned in-house counsels in how they deploy AI in their financial services companies while keeping their eyes wide open for the risks and challenges. 

• How to deal with the risk of AI bias and hallucinations so one can rely on the AI outputs? 
• What about contractual safeguards in vendor agreements by adding AI clauses? 
• How to manage cybersecurity and personal data transfer risks? 

Join this session to pick their brains on how to successfully deploy AI in your companies.

Note: This session will be held under Chatham House Rules and will not be recorded.

CPD Point: CPD accreditation has been applied for and is subject to approval by the Hong Kong Law Society. Please note: you need to be logged in under your full name and for the full duration of the webinar to qualify for CPD point(s). CPD cannot be applied for members who join the webinar via telephone

Join the ACC St Louis Litigation PAN and Ogletree Deakins for a virtual program "Litigation in the Age of AI:  Protecting Your Company's Rights and Data" on Wednesday, July 16th via Zoom.

Come away with more information:

Artificial intelligence is changing how companies manage litigation risks, creating both new opportunities and potential pitfalls.

This session will address how AI tools used within companies can inadvertently lead to legal challenges, including disputes over data ownership, protection of confidential information, and the evolution of these tools in discovery.

We'll provide practical strategies for minimizing risks associated with AI use, protecting your company's data and trade secrets, and effectively advising business teams developing AI-driven solutions.

Join us to learn actionable approaches for safeguarding your organization’s competitive advantage and sensitive information in an AI-powered world.

CLE Value:
1.2 Hours - Missouri

Date:

Wednesday, July 16th

Schedule:
11:50 - 12:00 pm - Zoom line open for check-in
12:00 - 1:00 pm - Program

We look forward to seeing you ONLINE on Wednesday, July 16th! 

ACC’s First Member Social Hike for 2025 – Trail, Tales & Tastes!

Lace up, laugh lots, and let’s hit the Morning Trail! Join us for a breezy morning hike on Saturday, 28 June 2025 at 10am, starting from the roundabout at Conduit Road & Hatton Road.

After some scenic steps and lively chats, we’ll reward ourselves with a relaxed lunch at Falconi Pizza at the Peak. 

Partners and family members are warmly welcome—the more, the merrier!

Whether you're up for the hike only, lunch only, or want to enjoy both, we'd love to have you join in whatever way suits you best.

Details:

• Date: Saturday, 28 June 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM for the hike, 12:00 PM for lunch
• Meeting Point: Roundabout at Hatton Road & Conduit Road
• What to Bring: Sunscreen, water bottle, and appropriate footwear
• RSVP: Please text Sandra Wu at +852 6086 9770 to be added to a dedicated WhatsApp group for updates and coordination.
• Please note: lunch will be self-paid.

Let’s kick off the season with great steps, great stories, and great company!

Join us on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, for this ACC MN CLE program and networking happy hour at the Taft office in IDS Center.

Therapist, Referee, Lawyer? Navigating Mental Health Accommodations Under the ADA and FMLA
The EEOC's current Strategic Enforcement Plan prioritizes protecting vulnerable groups, including individuals with mental health-related disabilities. This initiative, along with rising adult mental health diagnoses, demands that in-house counsel and other company leaders handle related accommodation requests effectively. Blair Harrington, Taft Employment Partner, will examine the relevant legal framework and provide practical tips for handling these requests.

AGENDA
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Attendee check-in
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | CLE program
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Networking happy hour (plus)

Admission is free and open to ACC members and to in-house counsel first-time guests.

This program has been approved for 1 Standard CLE credit in Minnesota.

Thanks to our sponsor, Taft!

Please join us for a CLE program on best practices and market trends in negotiating manufacturing and other third-party vendor contracts. 

ACC's Wellness Committee will also be co-hosting a presentation by JOYA preventative skin health, which will include complimentary facial analyzer scans and sunscreen, and membership giveaways. 

Agenda:

Registration & Light Dinner

5:00 - 5:30 pm

CLE Presentation (1.0 CLE Credit)

5:30 - 6:30 pm

Networking & Skin Checks by JOYA

6:30 - 7:00 pm

Speaker:

Christina McSparron, Rutan Corporate Partner

Sponsored By:

ACC Well-Being Committee, Rutan & Tucker, and JOYA 

This webinar provides critical insights for in-house counsel navigating the evolving landscape of government contracting, particularly in the defense sector. The program will equip attendees with strategies to mitigate risk and capitalize on M&A opportunities in 2025 and beyond. Key topics include:

• Setting the Stage: An overview of the current environment, including rising defense budgets, increasing unpredictability, and the unique challenges faced by government contractors and defense tech startups.
• Trump-Era Shifts: Analysis of policy, procurement, and legal risks arising from the prior administration, including Buy American mandates, contract renegotiation risks, and shifting DoD priorities.
• FCA Enforcement and Compliance in 2025: A review of False Claims Act enforcement trends, including targeting of cyber compliance, SDVOSB/8(a) fraud, and TINA violations, with a focus on M&A successor liability and due diligence.
• SBA Programs, Affiliation & Growth Constraints: Examination of risks related to small business eligibility, including recertification, size protests, and affiliation issues, particularly for venture-backed startups.
• Transactional Trends & M&A Outlook in Government Contracts: An assessment of the current M&A landscape, including drivers of slowdown, key sectors (AI, cyber, ISR, dual-use tech), and critical deal readiness considerations for in-house counsel.
• Q&A and Strategic Wrap-Up

Presented by Mike McGill and Naomi Hartman, Partners, and Tom Pettit and Trevor Schmitt, Senior Associates, at Arnold & Porter, and William King, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at QinetiQ US.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE pending.

Registration for this event has reached capacity and is now closed.

Join ACC Alabama for its first full-day CLE Conference, designed for in-house and corporate counsel.  This exciting program will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at The Valley Hotel in Homewood, Alabama. 

The CLE Conference features up to 6 hours of CLE credit* including Ethics and includes the Chapter's annual View from the GC panel as well as plenty of networking time. 

• This program is accredited for Continuing Legal Education by the Alabama State Bar

ACC TN & Gold Sponsor Fisher Phillips invite you to join us for a Social & Networking Event

Description:

Join Fisher Phillips and ACC Tennessee for an unforgettable summer evening of great company, great food, and live music at one of Nashville’s most iconic venues. We’ll kick things off with networking, cocktails, and heavy hors d'oeuvres in the exclusive VIP balcony from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, followed by a private view of the live music showcase from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Space is limited, so RSVP by Wednesday, July 23 to reserve your spot. We look forward to mixing, mingling, and making memories with you!

ACC TN members, as well as any in-house attorneys interested in learning more about ACC TN, are welcome to attend.

Parking Information:

The Listening Room Cafe in Nashville has $15 Valet Services that will be covered by Fisher Phillips.

The Conference Agenda includes:

Session One: 2-Hour Ethics Session: Providing Competent Legal Counsel in Compliance with Your Ethical Obligations in an Ever-changing Legal and Regulatory Environment - sponsored by Crowell

Session Two: Innovative Acquisition Authorities – Understanding Other Transaction Authority - sponsored by Haynes Boone

Session Three: What All Government Contractors Need to Know About AI: Contractual Considerations, Compliance Strategies, and Emerging Policies - sponsored by Hogan Lovells

Click HERE for a detailed Agenda with session summaries.

2.0 hours of VA MCLE Ethics Credit and 2.0 hours of VA MCLE have been approved.

(This conference is free for members; there is a $50 charge for non-members.)