The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world's largest organization serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations, nonprofits and other private-sector organizations around the globe.
The Supreme Court is under ever-increased levels of scrutiny as its decisions are often viewed by the public through a political lens. Chief Justice John Roberts has taken note, with his last two year-end reports discussing judicial independence and the impartiality of the judiciary. Yet the Court is unlikely to escape the spotlight with several high-profile cases yet to be decided. The presentation will discuss significant recent decisions, key decisions on the horizon, and how the Chief Justice is working to combat some of the narrative about the current Court.
As workplaces continue to evolve, states have passed a wide range of new employment laws and compliance requirements. These include expanded workplace notice and paid leave provisions, updated job posting and pay transparency requirements, extended statutes of limitations for wage and discrimination claims, emerging regulations around the use of AI in the workplace, new restrictions on “stay‑or‑pay” training repayment agreements, enhanced WARN notice requirements, and more. We will discuss new employment laws that take effect in 2026, examine key U.S. Supreme Court and appellate rulings, and offer best practices for in-house counsel to help their organizations stay compliant.
Co-sponsored with the International Legal Affairs Network and the Law Department Management Networks Jenny Fernandez, MBA is an executive and team coach who works with senior leaders and their teams to become more effective, collaborative, and resilient. She repositions leaders for success. Jenny is a LinkedIn “Top Voice,” TEDx speaker, and professional development facilitator. She is Columbia Business and NYU faculty, Gen Z advocate, and former CMO. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Learn more at Fernandez Coaching & Consulting.
ACC is pleased to host this webinar featuring three distinguished former federal judges from the Article III Coalition, a non-partisan civic education initiative of Keep Our Republic. The Coalition—composed of 52 former U.S. District and Circuit Court judges appointed in equal measure by Republican and Democratic presidents—is dedicated to strengthening public understanding of the rule of law and the essential role of an independent judiciary.
This session will explore why judicial independence is critical not only to American democracy, but also to the stability and predictability of our economy—and therefore central to the work of in-house counsel as they navigate risk, compliance, and long-term business planning. The judges joining us are:
Judge Robert Cindrich, a former U.S. District Judge appointed by President Clinton, who brings a distinctive blend of judicial, corporate, and government experience, having served as General Counsel of U.S. Steel and UPMC and on the boards of Mylan and Allscripts Healthcare.
Judge Allyson Duncan, appointed by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, who previously served as a law professor, law firm partner, Chief of Staff of the EEOC, the first African American President of the North Carolina Bar Association, and a North Carolina state court judge.
Judge Deanell Reece Tacha, appointed by President Reagan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and later serving as its Chief Judge, who also served as Vice Chancellor and Professor of Law at the University of Kansas and as Dean of Pepperdine Law, and is a recipient of both the Devitt Award and the ABA John Marshall Award for distinguished service.
The judges will discuss the real-world consequences for businesses when court orders are ignored, when the rule of law is weakened, or when judges face intimidation or coercion—and why these issues should matter deeply to every legal department. The discussion will be moderated by Justin Connor, Director of Global Chief Legal Officer Engagement, ACC.
Join Ogletree as they share their knowledge & innovation journey. From traditional practices in knowledge management to developing key tools and resources that assist legal departments add value.