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Bid protests are an important part of the government procurement process, and can be a useful tool for contractors if used effectively.  This panel will focus on practical advice for in-house counsel on identifying protest grounds, identifying and mitigating protest risks during all stages of the procurement, using debriefings effectively, deciding whether and where to protest, and deciding whether to continue to litigate or withdraw.  We will also cover timing issues and discuss recent case law developments.

Presented by Dave Johnson, Dan Graham and Jamie Tabb, Partners with Vinson & Elkins LLP and Franklin Parker, Senior Counsel, BAE Systems Intelligence & Security.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE credit pending.

The Coronavirus Pandemic has exposed supply chain risks and vulnerabilities that affect the economic and national security of the United States.  Actions taken in the early months of the Biden Administration to strengthen key supply chains include the January 25 Executive Order on ensuring the future is made in all of America by all of America’s workers, the February 24 Executive Order on America’s Supply Chains, and the March 31 release of The American Jobs Plan.  Key affected industries include pharmaceutical, semiconductor, energy storage, defense, information and communications technology, public health, mining, transportation, and agriculture.  

Please join this experienced panel for a wide-ranging discussion of business, legal, and policy issues relating to supply-chain management in this era of tariffs, pandemics, and heightened geopolitical and economic competition, including:

* Current status report and potential next steps in Congress for legislative action relating to the Executive Order on America’s Supply Chains and The American Jobs Plan

* Supply chain and business continuity planning, including the need to update supply chain compliance and risk management plans

* Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER) policies and management systems to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in the supply chain  

* Market access, retention of talent, and reputational considerations relating to ESG/SER supply chain issues

* Potential funding opportunities, including investment capital for domestic manufacturers, debt and equity investments for manufacturing, and potential federal incentives for investment in critical goods and materials

* Commercial and contractual considerations relating to supply chain relationships

* Emerging regulations and existing frameworks (voluntary and mandatory) on ESG and supply chain due diligence, including landmark legislation in the EU aiming to address human rights and environmental risks throughout the value chain of certain companies

* Taking stock on the Biden administration’s potential approaches to the China Tariffs

Presented by Thomas Knox, Patrick J. Togni, and Alexis Early Partners at King & Spalding and Jesse Glickstein, Environmental & Human Rights Counsel, Ethics & Compliance Office at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE credit pending.

The ACC NCR DE&I Committee is excited to invite you to join members and sponsors* in taking the “Self to Systems Training Course.”  This three-part course and custom workbook tackles how to accomplish systemic change on issues of equity and inclusion by breaking it into three dimensions: the individual, interpersonal relationships and communities, and organizational dynamics and institutions. The course includes: 

• Three core video trainings from Jennifer Brown, Tiffany Jana, Edgar Villanueva, and Lily Zheng, plus five bonus trainings with Patrisse Cullors and Mary-Frances Winters and more.
• Practical strategies to create more just and equitable systems
• Ready-to-use frameworks for dismantling oppression in organizations through anti-racist, decolonization, and inclusive leadership practices
• Tools for facilitating tough conversations about how systems oppression affect workplace relationships and organizational structures
• Membership portal with eight downloadable course video lessons, audio, PDF transcripts, custom course workbook, plus four bestselling ebooks from our trainers 
• An optional certificate of completion

Learn more at https://learning.bkconnection.com/self-to-systems-training-course-LZ.

As noted on the website, the course is available directly to individuals for $297.  The initial sale price of $59 is no longer available, but ACC NCR is able to now offer it to members and sponsors* for $76 and will facilitate shared learning over the next seven months (see below for details) for those who are interested.     

The ACC NCR DE&I Committee will host the following series of programs to encourage and support engagement with and implementation of the information in the course:

• April 16, 12:30 – 1:30 pm – Kick-Off
  
  Over the following six weeks, in preparation for May 21 program:
  • watch one hour long core training video and one 30-minute bonus video 
  • read bestselling book: How to Be an Inclusive Leader
     
• May 21, 12:30 – 2:30 pm – Part 1: The Self; Anyone Can (and Should!) Be an Inclusive Leader
  
  Over the following 10 weeks, in preparation for July 30 program:
  • watch one hourlong core training video and two 40-minute bonus videos
  • read bestselling books: Subtle Acts of Exclusion and The Ethical Sellout
    
• July 30, 12:30 – 2:30 pm – Part 2: Community & Organizations; How to Invite Teams into Social Change Work
  
  Over the following 7 weeks, in preparation for Sept. 17 program:
  • watch one hourlong core training video and two 30-minute bonus videos 
  • read bestselling book: Decolonizing Wealth
     
• September 17, 12:30 – 2:30 pm – Part 3: Systems & Society; What We Can Learn from Racial Justice Movements
  
• October 8, TBD - Final Recap & Celebration
  
• November 12 – Save the Date for ACC NCR’s Second Annual DE&I Conference
  

To participate, register and pay by March 31 and please note if:

1. you will participate in the program series (invitations for individual programs will be sent separately)
2. you would like to be assigned to a small-group cohort in addition to participating in the program series
3. you will participate independently

* annual relationship sponsors may register up to two representatives (Diamond may register three) ($59 fee applies per person)

On January 11, 2021, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Amendment Act of 2020, which bans nearly all employee non-competes and affords increased protections for “moonlighting.” As more states consider introducing legislation that would limit the enforceability of restrictive covenants, employers must start to consider different strategies to protect business interests.

This panel will examine current law in D.C., MD, and VA, and review case studies and alternative strategies to protect employer interests.

Presented by Deneen Howell and M. Elaine Horn, Partners at Williams & Connolly, Helen Dooley, Senior Vice President of Talent Representation and General Counsel, Tandem Sports + Entertainment and Zoe Sharp, VP, Deputy General Counsel, Optoro.

1.5 Hours of VA MCLE credit pending.

Diversifying your legal team will lead to more innovation, better work product and higher employee engagement. So, how do you attract and hire a more diverse legal team? This program WILL NOT BE RECORDED so be there in person to hear what our speakers have to say.

Join Major, Lindsey & Africa’s Deborah Ben-Canaan and a panel of in-house and talent acquisition leaders who will share practical advice as they explore:

• laying the groundwork and developing relationships,
• retooling job descriptions and position requirements,
• recruitment in new candidate markets, 
• Mansfield Rule and similar efforts,
• working with a recruiter aligned with your goals and values, and more.
  
  Sponsored by Major, Lindsey & Africa and cohosted by our own Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.
  
  Speakers include:
  
• Jerald S. Howe Jr., Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Leidos Holdings Inc.
• Cherée Haswell Johnson, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, W.R. Grace & Co.
• Aisha Jorge Massengill, Vice President, Managing Counsel, Employment & Teammate Relations, Under Armour, Inc. 
• Vanessa Allen Sutherland, Executive Vice President; Chief Legal Officer; Board Director, Norfolk Southern Corporation
  
  Moderator:
  
  Deborah Ben-Canaan, Partner & Senior Practice Leader, In-House Counsel Recruiting at Major, Lindsey & Africa