ACC Colorado In-House Counsel Forum is set for Thursday, May 2, 2024! Time to register and plan to reconnect with your ACC network for an afternoon of CLE education, serious networking, and a
hosted reception at the
Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel at 1550 Court Place.
REGISTER NOW!
ACC Member Price - $50
Member rate extended to paralegals and contract managers. Non-Member Price - $75
Approved for Four (4) CLE Credits | 1:00 P.M. – 1:50 P.M. – 2 Sessions (1 CLE Credit)
2:00 P.M. – 2:50 P.M. – 2 Sessions (1 CLE Credit)
3:00 P.M. – 3:50 P.M. – 2 Sessions (1 CLE Credit) 4:15 P.M. – 5:15 P.M. – General Session
(1 CLE Credit)
5:15 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. – Hosted Reception |
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM – 2 Sessions Majestic | Vail |
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What Corporate Counsel Need to Know About Patent Damages
With reports of nine figure jury awards in patent cases being almost commonplace, corporate counsel need a comprehensive understanding of patent damages to effectively navigate intellectual property disputes and protect their company's interests. What are cost-effective and efficient ways to maximize (from the point of view of patent owners) or minimize (from the accused infringer’s perspective) patent damages? By staying informed about patent damages principles and practices, corporate counsel can effectively advise their companies on intellectual property matters and mitigate risks associated with patent infringement litigation. Presenters:
Ted Mayle, Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend
Kevin Bell, Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend
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So, You’re the First (or Only) Attorney at the Company
Join us for a discussion with Jon Watson, Partner at Spencer Fane LLP, and Lance Goeddel, Chief Administrative Officer at B&R Auto Wrecking, as they share Lance’s invaluable experience as the first in-house attorney for multiple organizations.
Drawing from real-world examples, Jon and Lance will explore strategies for navigating this unique role, including how to balance various legal challenges while also working to add strategic value to your organization. Jon and Lance will focus on presenting practical insights and actionable advice that will empower you in your role as the first (or only) attorney at your company.
Presenters:
Jon Watson, Partner, Spencer Fane LLP
Lance Goeddel, Chief Administrative Officer, B&R Auto Wrecking |
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM – 2 Sessions 
Emerging Trends in the Digital Space: Practical Risk Management for Increasing and Evolving Litigation and Enforcement Threats
Few areas of law are as complex and fast-moving as data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI regulation. While legislatures and regulators seek to “catch-up” with digital trends, in-house counsel have the unenviable task of preparing their clients for such risk during a time of meteoric change and growth. Whether dealing with unanticipated regulatory enforcement, novel legal theories asserted in expensive class actions, or board pressure to manage the risks of digital innovation, all in-house counsel (not just privacy officers) need to (1) be aware of the latest legal trends and risks, and (2) develop strategies to mitigate those risks. Against this backdrop, Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s Denver privacy and cybersecurity team will provide an overview on these emerging trends and explain how to put your company in the best position to mitigate the risks. On the compliance side, we will discuss recent legislative and enforcement action at the state and federal level, including highlighting hot topics that might impact the way companies collect, use and disclose customer data. On the litigation side, the panel will discuss the current privacy class-action landscape, and the novel legal theories being asserted by the Plaintiff’s Bar that may put your company at greater risk in the future. Finally, the panel will address the emergence of AI technologies, the legal frameworks that apply, and the policies all companies should have in place now to mitigate AI’s legal and reputational risks. Presenters:
Camila Tobón, Partner, Shook Hardy Bacon LLP
Dan Rohner, Partner, Shook Hardy Bacon LLP
Susan Hubbard, Assistant General Counsel, Ping Identity
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Navigating AI In the Workplace This session will explore common legal issues and risks associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace. The panel will discuss the current state of the law concerning works, inventions, and work product created with the assistance of AI, including guidance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office concerning the ownership of AI generated materials.
In addition, the presentation will address confidentiality, ethics, accuracy, transparency, and privacy associated with the use of AI tools in the workplace. An overview of the European Union’s new Artificial Intelligence Act and how it will impact business over the next two years will be covered. Throughout the presentation, we will provide guidance on how to reduce the legal risks associated with the use of AI in the workplace. Overall, the presentation will help in-house attorneys develop policies and practices regarding the use of AI at your company. Presenters:
Pete Kinsella, Partner, Perkins Coie
Sean Belding, Associate, Perkins Coie
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3:00 PM – 3:50 PM – 2 Sessions  Cultural Shifts in the Post-Pandemic Workplace For 18 months in 2020 and 2021, the world shut down. The American workplace that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic was in many ways unrecognizable, yet it changed “working” forever. “Remote work” will forever be a part of workplace lexicon, as will issues related to vaccinations, paid sick leave, hybrid schedules, and more. The passage of time has started to solidify the labor and employment issues that will remain legal and organizational challenges in the future. Our panel of inside and outside counsel will discuss the long-lasting impacts of the pandemic on hiring, firing, discipline, accommodation, and workplace rules generally, as well as the workplace culture shifts that have accompanied these legal changes and how companies can embrace this “new world order” and still maintain cohesion and productivity. The panel will consist of in-house counsel who can share their unique experiences in surviving the pandemic and the post-pandemic shift from an organizational perspective and employment and workplace safety attorneys who can discuss the short-term and long-term legal impacts. Presenters:
Lyle Wallace, Member, Sherman & Howard
Meghan Martelon, General Counsel, ET Investments, LLC
Sarah McKinney, VP Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Ent Credit Union
Brooke Colaizzi, Member, Sherman & Howard | 
Rocky Mountain Fright:
Complying with a Scary Set of New Colorado Employment Laws Colorado’s sweeping changes to employment laws affect every employer in 2024. For prospective employees, employers should be cautious of how they advertise job openings and what they ask of job applicants. For current employees, there are significant changes to leave protections and workplace harassment laws that will likely alter internal policies and procedures. In this presentation, the speakers will examine Colorado’s pay transparency amendments, the Job Application Fairness Act, the Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance Act, and the Protecting Opportunities and Workers’ Rights Act. Presenters:
William Cusack, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
Rebecca Lindell, Associate, Ogletree Deakins
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Elevating Your Executive Presence: Unleashing Your Leadership Superpower  In the fast-paced world of business, true leaders stand out not just for their expertise, but for their commanding presence - their Executive Presence. EP is that intangible quality that captivates a room, inspires confidence, and drives results. It’s that multifaceted blend of gravitas, communication skills, emotional intelligence, authenticity, authority, and credibility that inspires trust, even in the most challenging situations. The world is waiting for leaders who inspire, empower, and drive change. By honing your Executive Presence, you can unleash your full leadership potential and make a lasting impact on your organization and beyond. This IHCF general session brings together proven leaders to explore how corporate counsel, just like you, may elevate your Executive Presence and unleash your Leadership Superpower!
Are you ready to step into the spotlight and lead with confidence? Your journey starts now!
 Moderator: Mary Gritzmacher, Chief Legal Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary, CoorsTek, Inc. Mary Gritzmacher currently serves as Chief Legal Officer & Secretary of CoorsTek, a leading global manufacturer of technical ceramic products that provide solutions for complex customer needs in a wide variety of essential industries. In her current role, Mary oversees and manages all the company’s global matters related to legal, trade compliance, corporate compliance and ethics, intellectual property, and government affairs. With over 15 years of experience as an in-house attorney, Mary Gritzmacher also brings a wealth of legal expertise and perspective as a current board member of the ACC Colorado Chapter. Mary has built an impressive career marked by achievements in strategic transaction negotiation, global regulatory compliance, and intellectual property optimization. Mary received her law degree from Case Western Reserve University and started her career with Ballard Spahr in Denver.  Jamey Seely, General Counsel, Crusoe & Senior Advisor/Executive Coach, Barker Gilmore Jamey Seely serves as General Counsel for Crusoe where she is an accomplished executive specializing in securities, board governance, mergers and acquisitions, finance, and project development, along with human resource matters and high-risk litigation management. Jamey also is recognized by the community for outstanding contributions to her field, award-winning service to her organization and a frequent speaker and author. Jamey also is a Senior Advisor at BarkerGilmore where her breadth of executive and industry experience reflects high-level positions in multiple global, publicly traded companies across the energy, technology, and industrial sectors and her expertise includes operational optimization, change management, crisis management, corporate governance, and the Corporate Secretary function. She serves on the board of the Colorado LGBT Bar Association, the executive committee of the General Counsel Mentoring Program in Colorado, and is a member of the Women’s General Counsel Network, Women of M&A, and LaddHer Up.  Patricia Elias, Chief People & Culture Officer, Vantage Data Centers Patricia Elias is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience in corporate governance, securities law, leadership development, human resources, and executive coaching. In her role as Chief People and Culture Officer for Vantage Data Centers, the leading global hyperscale data center provider, she blends legal acumen, technical savvy, and people strategy to drive business outcomes through high-performing teams. Passionate about creating an inclusive environment where success is available to all, Elias serves as an executive sponsor of Vantage’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council, was a founding member of the executive committee of the Colorado General Counsel Mentoring Program, and is a certified professional co-active coach (CPCC).  Stephanie Fielding, CFA, Chief Financial Officer, Stord As a strategic CFO and Qualified Financial Expert, Stephanie Fielding has a 20-year business background building, scaling, and delivering transformational growth across global consumer, supply chain, health-tech, enterprise software, renewable energy industries at companies. A thought partner to the CEO, Executive Team, and the Board, Stephanie builds SEC and governance strategies while driving results through mastery of business and operational finance including financial reporting, working capital management, financial planning and analysis, investor relations, treasury, SOX, IPO readiness, data analytics and business intelligence. Notably, she launched 3 new, iconic programs, including Amazon Prime’s evolution from two-day to one-day in the U.S., the sub same-day delivery (US & Japan), and Amazon Day. 
Sponsor5:15 PM – 6:30 PM | Hosted Reception & Networking |
