Events

Agenda
(Central Time)

1:00-1:30 PM
Registration

1:30-2:30 PM
The Delaware Debate: New Thinking on the State of Incorporation Decision
Prof. Matt Sweeney (Nashville School of Law)
Craig Enoch, Esme Thoman & Doug Weissinger (Butler Snow)

2:30-3:30 PM
When the Government Comes Calling: Preparing Your Company for Unexpected Visits
Damon Griffin (International Paper)
Amanda Barbour & Ed Stanton (Butler Snow)

BREAK

3:40-4:40 PM
Catastrophic Incidents and Events: Strategies for Prevention, Preparedness, and Proactive Response Management
Brad Hendrix (CBL Properties)
Lem Montgomery & Tom O'Conner (Butler Snow)

4:40-5:40 PM
How Companies are Leveraging AI - and What that Means for In-House Counsel
Maria Cardena (Arcosa)
Jay Lifschultz (William-Sonoma)
Mitch Carrington (Butler Snow)

5:45 PM
Cocktail Reception

Kruger Carson PLLC Presents: Wash Your Hands of It! Limiting Contingent Liabilities and Understanding Seller Protections in Purchase and Sale Transactions
Kruger Carson lawyers, Ryan Sullivan and Crystal Aker, explore factors to consider when selling corporate facilities, whether it be office, indutrial/wharehouse, retail, or any other space used by your company. Ryan and Crystal discuss the best ways to protect the Seller from lingering contingent  liabilities and how to effectively cap/liquidate remedies against Seller, so you rest assured that a disposition of an asset allows you to truly wash your hands of it, or at least get close.

One hour of Texas MCLE General Credit is Pending for this presentation.

AGENDA

• 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM - Registration and Lunch

• 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Presentation

• 1:30 PM - Close, networking

PARKING Street and garage parking available.

Come celebrate the Holiday Season with your In-House colleagues at the ACC St. Louis Holiday Social on:

Wednesday, December 3rd   
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Cleaver & Cocktail 

Savor delicious hors d'oeuvres and engage with fellow members while enjoying a glass of your favorite wine or spirits.

Drawings for fun prizes and spirits will take place throughout the evening!

Let's make a positive impact on our community this holiday season.  Please contribute a non-perishable food or personal care items. Everyone who brings a donation will get an extra chance to win an attendance drawing!

The ACC St. Louis will deliver all donations received at the Holiday Social to:  Operation Foodsearch, the 2025 Pro Bono Community Service Partner.

 *This is a complimentary Members Only event.  A credit card will be required to complete registration, but will ONLY be charged for late cancellations within 48-hours of event or no-shows.* 

Location:
Cleaver & Cocktail
13360 Clayton Rd
St. Louis, MO  63131

Please join ACC St. Louis for the General Counsel Forum Dinner on Tuesday, November 18th at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - Chesterfield.

This dinner is open to General Counsel/Chief Legal Officers only.

Location:
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
16493 Wild Horse Creek Rd
Chesterfield, MO  63017   

Time:
5:15 - 5:30 Check-In and Networking
5:30 - Dinner and Discussion  

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 18th at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse! 

WEBINAR LINK:

https://accinhouse.zoom.us/j/92190620905

Please use the same link for all three webinars.

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
"Running the Gauntlet – Managing Major Civil and Criminal Investigations"
Presented by BakerHostetler LLP

This comprehensive webinar explores the life cycle of corporate investigations, beginning with their genesis and the triggers that prompt internal or external action and scrutiny.  Our panel of senior former federal prosecutors and in-house counsel will provide insights into the distinctions between civil and criminal investigations—and when both may apply—while navigating the evolving governmental landscape of enforcement priorities. The panel will delve into initial scoping techniques and investigative strategies, followed by effective response and negotiation approaches. They will also address how organizations can maintain operational continuity and manage risk during an investigation, concluding with a discussion on resolution pathways, whether through negotiation or judicial proceedings.

Speakers: 

• Edward McAndrew, Partner, BakerHostetler LLP
• Jacqueline Romero, Partner, BakerHostetler LLP
• Om Kakani, Counsel, BakerHostetler LLP
• Jan Call, Global Head of Litigation, dsm-firmenich

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
"Forums & Choice of Law: Does It Really Matter? "
Presented by Reed Smith LLP

This presentation will address strategic considerations on choice of law and forums, which may be useful for both transactional lawyers and litigators. Panelists will discuss how it matters (and if it matters), considerations about whether and where to arbitrate or litigate, arbitration clause provisions and the available governing bodies, and new developments in some potential forums, including Texas’s new business courts and the Delaware Court of Chancery. 

Speakers:

• John Ellison, Partner, Reed Smith LLP
• Nicholas Rodriguez, Partner, Reed Smith LLP
• Heather Ritch Rocks, Partner, Reed Smith LLP
• Lisa Szymanski, U.S. Property Coverage Officer, AON

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
"What to Expect When You’re Expecting (a Customer’s Bankruptcy)"
Presented by Saul Ewing LLP

From 2023 to 2024, business chapter 11 filings were up almost 20%.  From July 2024 to July 2025, filings were up 78%, year-over-year.  Heading into 2026, the financial world could be approaching the perfect storm. The threat of tariffs, uncertainty in interest rates, and inflationary pressures continue to have a significant economic impact on businesses as they head into the new year. This one-hour webinar will focus on how in-house counsel can minimize risk for their internal clients, survive and thrive despite an economic downturn, and—when and if it gets before a bankruptcy court—tricks, tips, do’s, and don’ts in litigating in front of a bankruptcy judge.   

Speakers:

• Luke Murley, Partner, Saul Ewing LLP
• Debi Willet, Senior Legal Counsel, Cencora, Inc.

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.

Before the holiday hustle begins, join us to take a moment to unwind and reconnect.

Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to host a relaxed networking evening with ACC NYC at The Madison Lounge in Midtown — come raise a glass, enjoy conversation, and kick off the season with gratitude.

Steps from Grand Central Station for your convenience!

ACC-NYC and Fisher Phillips invite you to an unforgettable culinary experience!

This hands-on evening combines networking and fun in a welcoming, interactive setting. Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres on arrival, then roll up their sleeves for a 75-minute cooking session guided by professional chefs. Together, we’ll prepare a delicious three-course meal — crafted by you, plated by the chefs, and served by the staff.

More than just a cooking class, this event is about connection, collaboration, and a little dancing to the Gypsy Kings along the way. Leave the details to us — just bring your appetite for food and community!

This session will explore the ways in which in-house counsel can work with trial counsel to efficiently and effectively litigate complex commercial cases. 

Topics will include:

• First moves that can save resources while positioning the company for success;
• Managing lawyers, witnesses, and resources for success;
  
• Managing up and across: keeping leadership and the business apprised while minimizing disruption;
  
• Winning the battle and the war—guiding business decisions during litigation;
  
• Litigating efficiently to set up early, advantageous resolution.

Presented by Ted Bennett and Suzanne Salgado, Partners at Williams & Connolly, and Hillary Irvin, Litigation Counsel at Uber.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE pending.

Under Executive Order 14117, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) finalized its new Data Security Program (“DSP”), aka the Bulk Data Rule. This new rule restricts the transfer of U.S. “bulk” sensitive personal data to countries of concern or covered persons. Bulk data is defined as a “collection or set of sensitive personal data relating to U.S. persons, in any format, regardless of whether the data is anonymized, pseudonymized, de-identified, or encrypted. As of October 6, 2025, all aspects of the Bulk Data Rule will be fully in force.

Join us to learn more about how the rule may be interpreted and enforced, who it may affect, and the potential risks of noncompliance.