Events

Join ACC San Francisco Bay Area for an exclusive evening at Oracle Park’s Cloud Club in San Francisco! Connect with fellow members, expand your network, and enjoy a memorable Member Mixer in a stunning setting. 

We invite you to bring a colleague & share what ACC SFBA is all about!

Agenda

5:30PM-6:00PM - Check-In/Networking

6:00PM - 6:30PM - Fireside Chat:  

Jack F. Bair - Chief Legal Officer & President, Giants Development Services 

Amy Tovar - Senior Vice President & General Counsel

6:30PM - 7:30PM Networking, food & drinks in the Cloud Club

For more information on membership at the Cloud Club, please contact Brian Eck at beck@SFGIANTS.com

Earn up to 6 CLE credits while connecting with colleagues at the 14th Annual ACC MN In-House Counsel Conference on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in downtown Minneapolis. 

Eight standard CLE sessions will be offered, from which you choose four: 

• How to Showcase Your Value Amidst AI Advancements
• Strategic Contract Negotiation & IP Portfolio Management
• Leveraging Social Media Against Claims from First Report to Jury Selection
• Climbing the In-House Ladder: Developing the Leadership and Business Skills to Get to the Top
• The In-House Counsel’s Guide to Appeals: Five Key Strategies for Navigating the Appeals Process
• The Dynamic Between Inside and Outside Counsel
• Protecting Confidential Information and Customer Goodwill in a Post Non-Compete World
• The Looming Threat of Immigration Raids at Your Workplace: What to Do When ICE Comes Knocking

Earn special-category CLE credits, too, at the two keynote programs:

• Ethics keynote, Deposition Conduct: The Good, The Bad, and The Sanctionable, at 8:20 AM 
• Elimination of Bias keynote, Navigating AI Bias: Ethical Obligations for Attorneys Using Large Language Models in Legal Practice, at 1:00 PM

A buffet breakfast starts the day at 7:15 AM. Lunch and an end-of-day reception are also included with registration.

BONUS #1: Validated parking for the 11th & Harmon Parking Ramp

BONUS #2: Prize giveaways at the reception

Registration is open to in-house counsel and a terrific value for all attendees: 

     $99 for ACC members
     $199 for non-members

Many thanks to our ten presenting sponsors: 

Ballard Spahr LLP | Barnes & Thornburg LLP |
Bassford Remele, P.A. | Bowman and Brooke LLP |
Greene Espel PLLP | Latitude |
Maslon LLP | Nelson Mullins |
Robins Kaplan LLP | Saul Ewing LLP

The Conference has been approved for 6 CLE credits in Minnesota.

Online registration is closed. On-site registration will be available on June 12.

ACC Georgia Business Litigation Summit

March 26, 2025

Cobb Chamber
1100 Circle 75 Pkwy #1000
Atlanta, GA 30339

Agenda:

Lunch & Check-in: Noon - 12:45 PM 

IP Enforcement in the Online Marketplace: 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

Who Gets the Check? Recovering Fees & Expenses in Affirmative Litigation (or Never Paying Them at All) 1:55 PM - 2:55 PM

Navigating Litigation When the Government is Involved: 3:05 PM - 4:05 PM

Cocktail reception: 4:05 PM - 5:00 PM

IP Enforcement in the Online Marketplace

Many of the largest online retailers, including Amazon, Temu, and Walmart, have developed mechanisms allowing companies to enforce their IP rights against copycat infringers without entering into litigation.  We will explore the enforcement mechanisms offered by these online retailers and the benefits and legal challenges experienced in enforcing IP rights in the online marketplace. 

Who Gets the Check? Recovering Fees & Expenses in Affirmative Litigation (or Never Paying Them at All)

This program will provide tools to help companies best enforce their rights while driving revenue from their legal departments.  The panel will first give an overview of corporate recovery opportunities. Then they will discuss various tools available to cover or recover attorneys’ fees, expenses, and other costs of litigation.  Topics will include:  contract provisions; Georgia and Federal statutes; fee arrangements; and litigation finance. 

Navigating Litigation When the Government is Involved

Litigation is always complicated, but litigation involving the government introduces complexity that the standard litigation playbook doesn’t cover.  This program will help prepare you to advance your company’s interests when federal, state, or local governments get involved, using real-world examples to demonstrate best practices and business-oriented solutions.

Opportunities in your career equating to success are rarely happenstance, they're a result of strategic planning and knowing how to accurately portray your professional story.

Join ACC St. Louis on Thursday, March 27th for Program #3 in this 3-part VIRTUAL series.

From cultivating trust among team members to mastering the diverse qualities of exceptional leadership, this series will provide practical strategies for enhancing your effectiveness as a leader, your value to your organization and help you both “survive and thrive” in an in-house environment.

Each webinar will feature Mike Williams, BarkerGilmore Strategic Advisor and Coach and former Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary of Staples Inc.

· Part 1:  Leadership
· Part 2:  If I Only Knew Then, What I Know Now
· Part 3:  Making Yourself Valuable to the Organization

In Part 3, Mike will offer invaluable insights into: 

1. Companies do not discard valuable assets - make yourself one

2. What steps you should take to improve your visibility in your department

3. Learn the common characteristics of valuable team players

Date: 
Thursday, March 27th

Schedule:
11:45 - 12:00 pm - Zoom line open for check-in
12:00 - 1:00 pm - Program

We look forward to seeing you ONLINE on Thursday, March 27th!

In this program, the panel will discuss recent developments in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) government contracting programs affecting both small and large contractors.  Topics will include:

• The future of SBA programs under the Administration, including the 8(a) and HUBZone programs;
• SBA’s new recertification rule, which impacts both small and large businesses that may be involved in acquisitions involving small business set-aside contracts;  
• Potential changes to the rules governing mentor-protégé joint ventures; and
• Updates to the small business subcontracting program.

Speakers: John Prairie and George Petel, Partners at Wiley Rein, and Chelsea Knudson, Assistant General Counsel at Leidos.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE approved.

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE CLE WEBINARS

WEBINAR LINK:

https://accinhouse.zoom.us/j/97085731372

(Use the same Zoom Link for all three sessions)

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
"Recent Developments and Important Considerations in Asserting the Attorney-Client Privilege"
Presented by Ballard Spahr

Current issues, developments and considerations for in-house counsel concerning the attorney-client privilege.  Included in this would be discussion of the scope of ACP under current caselaw and in light of recent decisions; determining who is the “client”; and preservation of privilege in the contact of vendor relationships.

Speakers:

• Terence Grugan, Partner, Ballard Spahr
• Matthew Smith, Ballard Spahr
• Jaime Skinner, General Counsel, Brenntag NA

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
"Crisis Mode: Best Practices for Ethical Client Communication And Attorney-Client Privilege In a Crisis"
Presented by Dechert LLP

In a crisis, how do you maintain attorney-client privilege when there are multiple stakeholders?  This CLE course delves into the best practices for maintaining clear, honest, and effective communication with clients, particularly in times of crisis. Participants will explore strategies for managing communications with multiple stakeholders, maintaining attorney-client privilege, and best practices for retaining PR firms. The course will also cover the ethical implications of communication methods, including email and other digital platforms, and provide practical tips for avoiding common pitfalls. By the end of the session, attorneys will be equipped with the tools to enhance interactions with clients, PR firms, and consultants, while upholding their ethical obligations.

Speakers:

• May Chiang, Partner, Dechert LLP
• Thomas Cordova, Senior Counsel, GSK
• Stephen Helvin, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel - Ethics & Investigations, Verizon

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
"Ethical Oversight and Best Practices: AI Integration in Compliance Departments"
Presented by Troutman Pepper Locke

Compliance departments face new ethical challenges and responsibilities as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into corporate operations.  This session will explore the critical need for AI use guidelines and oversight, including how to implement robust policies, procedures, and best practices. The discussion will also cover how compliance departments can leverage AI to enhance their functions and strategies in this evolving landscape.

Speakers:

• Hyung P. Steele, Partner, Troutman Pepper Locke
• Abigail Hazlett, Partner, Troutman Pepper Locke
• Jeffrey Scott, Lead Compliance Counsel - Digital, Reporting, and Analytics, Pfizer, Inc.

CAREER MANAGEMENT WEBINAR

WEBINAR LINK:

https://accinhouse.zoom.us/j/98231925672

"Leveraging LinkedIn for Career Growth & Professional Visibility"

In today’s digital-first world, a strong LinkedIn presence is essential for career growth, networking, and business development. This session will cover key strategies to enhance your profile, build meaningful connections, and leverage LinkedIn’s tools for visibility and engagement. Whether you're actively job-seeking or looking to strengthen your industry presence, you'll walk away with actionable steps to elevate your LinkedIn strategy.

Speaker:

Richard Bliss is the CEO of BlissPoint Consulting and a distinguished figure in LinkedIn training and social selling. Named as one of LinkedIn's Top Voices in Sales, Richard brings exceptional expertise having trained organizations across 22 countries. His company, BlissPoint Consulting, has been recognized as the #1 LinkedIn Sales Training Company, making him an ideal partner for elevating your social branding capabilities.

Join us for an ACC Hong Kong-hosted webinar on March 11th, 2025, where we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 with a lively panel discussion inspired by this year’s theme: “Accelerate Action.”

Our distinguished panelists – Giselle Bates, Iris Deng, and Julie Prickett – will share their career journeys, the pivotal actions that helped propel their success, and practical steps managers and individuals can take to drive meaningful progress in their careers.

Moderated by Kat Kukreja and Eddie Bao, this interactive session will explore strategies for career advancement, leadership, and the power of intentional action in fostering gender parity.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and be part of the conversation on how we can all take action to accelerate progress.

Register now to secure your spot!

In advance of the The Global Women in Law & Leadership Symposium & Honors Dinner in the Delegates Dining Room at the UN on June 18th,  the ACC Foundation is excited to host a week of complimentary virtual programing that will explore the issues confronting women in the workplace, celebrate their achievements and contributions in law and business, and offer strategies and solutions for further advancement. This programing will focus on career strategies, leadership, mentoring/sponsorship, and wellness, and is open to all - registration is required.