Events

ACC TN & Practice Area Sponsor FTI Consulting invite you to join us for a Social & Networking event at Pins Mechanical Company.

Description:

Come hang out with us for an evening of Duckpin bowling, great food, drinks, and networking!

Duckpin is like traditional bowling’s cooler, more exciting cousin — think smaller balls, shorter pins, and three chances to knock them all down each frame. It’s fast-paced, fun, and seriously addictive.

We’ll be at Pins Mechanical, where there’s something for everyone — from Bocce and Foosball to Giant Jenga and more.

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

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Registration

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
"Hot Topics in Cybersecurity and Privacy: Safeguarding Innovation in Healthcare, Biotech & Pharma"
Presented by Hogan Lovells

As the healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical sectors grow increasingly data-driven, the stakes for cybersecurity and privacy have never been higher. This panel will explore the latest regulatory developments, emerging cyber threats, and best practices for protecting sensitive patient data, proprietary research, and digital infrastructure. Hear from industry leaders and legal advisers as they unpack real-world breaches, evolving global standards, and strategies for building resilient, compliant data ecosystems in an era of rapid innovation.

Speakers:

• Jasmeet K. Ahuja, Partner, Hogan Lovells
• Nathan Salminen, Partner, Hogan Lovells
• Alex Erin, Associate, Hogan Lovells
• Jason Herpel, VP, Associate General Counsel, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals

10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
"Trends and Developments in Preemption in Life Sciences Litigation"
Presented by Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP

The presentation will focus on recent decisions around preemption that is a critical defense for companies in litigation in the life sciences space.  As part of that, we will explore how the recent decision in the Loper case factors into the preemption context.

Speakers:

• Thomas Sullivan, Partner, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
• Kevin Dulaney, Associate, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
• David Rifkind, Chief Legal Officer, Caidya

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
"Licensing as an Alternative to M&A"
Presented by Troutman Pepper Locke

In the current landscape, life sciences companies are facing a volatile public market, fierce competition for public financing and FDA staffing shortages that threaten to slow down approval pathways. Join Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys, Deborah Spranger and EA Weeks, and CSL General Counsel Amy Demediuk as they explore how licensing and collaborations offer a strategic alternative to M&A by allowing companies to overcome funding challenges, share expertise and resources, and accelerate the path to market. 

Speaker:

• Deborah L. Spranger, Partner, Troutman Pepper Locke
• EA Weeks, Ph.D., Counsel, Troutman Pepper Locke 
• Amy Demediuk, General Counsel, Global R&D and Strategy, CSL Behring

Join us at Frawley Stadium for for a fun evening of networking, kid-friendly activities and an exciting ballgame between ACCGP members and our sponsors, where the stakes are high (bragging rights!). 

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Networking

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Charity Softball Game with lots of Extras

9:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Post-game Networking 

Free admission for all that includes: 

• Family-friendly activities...Meet the Mascot, kids run the bases, and the ever popular balloon art and face-painting!
• 50-50 Raffle to support our Diversity Internship Endowment Fund
• Unlimited stadium concessions!

All are welcome, so bring your family and friends. It's fun, free, and all to support a good cause!

Please join the ACC Leadership Development Committee and the VetNet Affinity Group at The Merriweather Café at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens (https://hillwoodmuseum.org/cafe) for a summer tea! Price is $64 per person (which includes tax & gratuity) for the tea. In addition to the tea, if you wish to tour the Hillwood Estate grounds, down below are two tour options:

1. A guided tour of the Mansion is available at 3:30pm after our Tea. The tour will be 1-hour long, lead by a docent and will be an additional $15 cost. If you are interested in a guided tour, please follow the directions specfied on your registration confirmation email.
2. Regular Admission to Hillwood is a $12 suggested donation for a self-guided tour and access to the grounds. You are invited to leisurely explore the mansion, gardens, special exhibition and greenhouse at your own pace. You would pay for admission when you arrive at Hillwood. No advance reservation is required.

Additional information about the day, including the Tea menu, parking, and information on how to submit your payment will be specified on your registration confirmation email. Please note payment for the Tea and the Guided Tour (if you elect to join the guided tour) is due by July 3. 

Any questions? Contact Angeline Chen or Amy Steacy at: angeline.chen@progress.com & asteacy@bbbnp.org

ACC Corporate Recoveries sponsor Bondurant Mixson & Elmore invites you to join us and our panel of experts to discuss common issues and creative solutions for corporate counsel facing actual or potential insurance claims. Our panelists will draw from their extensive experience to educate attendees on various topics including, among others:

• Lines of coverage
• Best practices when a claim or potential claim comes in, including whether and when to provide notice
• Managing communications with brokers and insurance companies, including privilege issues
• Duty to defend and how to handle disagreements regarding choice of counsel

Michael Baumrind of Bondurant will moderate the panel. Our panelists include:

• Gretchen Hoff Varner: Gretchen is Managing Partner of Covington & Burling’s San Francisco office and a leading insurance recovery lawyer. She represents corporate policyholders in high-stakes coverage disputes and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for her clients.
• Mareasa Rooks: Mareasa is Vice President and Insurance & Claims Counsel at Lockton Companies, specializing in management liability lines such as D&O, E&O, and cyber insurance. With over a decade of experience as a business litigator, she now advises corporate clients on complex insurance claims and coverage strategies. Mareasa also serves on the Risk Management & Insurance Advisory Board at the University of Georgia.  
• Christina Jay: Christina Jay is Deputy General Counsel at BlueLinx Corporation, where she oversees litigation and employment matters. With extensive experience in transportation, product liability, and commercial disputes, she brings a strategic, business-focused approach to corporate risk management.

CLE credit will be given.

In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, General Counsel are no longer solely legal advisors—they are strategic risk managers, corporate diplomats, and business enablers, guiding their organizations through geo-political challenges, economic volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and shifting workforce dynamics.

This fast-paced interactive session brings together leading legal and business experts to provide practical insights on the most pressing challenges facing in-house counsel today.

Meet Our Panelist

• Kevin Burwell, VP & General Counsel, Kloeckner Metals
• Herbert Hotchkiss Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Chart Industries, Inc. 
• Miriam Lampert, Partner in the UK Labour and Employment Team at Squire Patton Boggs and expert in international workforce regulations and compliance.
• Naveen Pogula, Partner in the US Corporate Team at Squire Patton Boggs – Specializing in high-stakes transactions and investment strategies.
• Selma Baouch, Partner in the Netherlands Corporate Team at Squire Patton Boggs – Providing a European perspective on M&A, cross-border transactions, and regulatory developments.

CLE information
The following CLE credit is being sought:
Georgia: 1.0 Credit (1.0 General)

Join ACC SoCal for a fun afternoon of Beverly Hills Posh Pickleball on Sunday, May 18 from 2-4 pm. This is a family friendly event located at La Cienega Tennis Center, 325 La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills 90211. $5/person or $10/family. Parking lot at the site is free for the first 2 hours, then $1 for every 30 minutes thereafter (enter going south on La Cienega). Bring your paddle if you have one-if not, loaners will be available. If this is your first Posh Pickleball event, you’ll receive a welcome gift. Bring water to stay hydrated- we’ll have some water at the event as well. All levels welcome! If the event sells out, we’ll put you on the waiting list and let you know. Minimum age is 10 years old.