*****POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY 27, 2022 ***** 

Join ACC and Holland & Hart for a candid and thoughtful conversation about fostering equity and inclusion in career development.

During this program, our panelists will share insights about their personal career paths and the challenges they faced along the way. They will discuss common obstacles – both internal and external – to designing and realizing professional development goals in a variety of legal settings.

Additionally, our panelists will explore organizational and institutional changes that have helped diverse team members succeed. And, most importantly, they will identify tangible initiatives attendees can advocate for within their organizations to promote change.

5:00 - 6:15 pm | Panel Discussion

6:15 - 7:30 pm | Reception

Space for in-person attendees is limited to 35 participants. We can accommodate an unlimited number of attendees on the webinar option.

PARTICIPANTS

Phyllis Wan, Moderator
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Holland & Hart LLP
View Bio

Gary Armstead, Panelist
Director of Legal Affairs and Global Head of Litigation
Arrow Electronics
View Bio

Gina Casias, Panelist
Associate General Counsel
Danone
View Bio

Clark Yeh, Panelist
Assistant Counsel
Western Union
View Bio

COVID INFORMATION

Masks are required for everyone attending in person. Social distancing protocols will be in place during the event.

VIRTUAL OPTION

This event will be offered both in-person and virtually via webinar. Those who RSVP for the webinar option will receive a link prior to the date of the event.

Employment law considerations when using diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria in selecting outside counsel

On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, join Norton Rose Fulbright lawyers and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Minnesota as our panel of speakers explores employment issues relating to hiring outside counsel. The group will explore how much can be demanded of outside counsel to provide diverse lawyers to work on matters without violating Title VII. The discussion will address tools that companies’ legal departments can use to move the needle without running afoul of employment law.

Besides earning CLE credit, you'll enjoy the gracious setting of The Minikahda Club and the fine food of its renowned executive chef, Vincent Francoual.

AGENDA

Registration: 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM CT

Program: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM CT

Networking: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM CT

As a courtesy to other attendees, we ask that you wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth during the CLE program and when you are moving through the event space. When you are consuming food or beverage, you may temporarily remove your mask.

The program is open to ACC members and in-house counsel guests. Program admission is free for ACC members. 

1 Elimination of Bias CLE credit is pending in Minnesota. 

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Thanks to our sponsor, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP!

AGENDA

8:30 am - Welcome & Keynote Speaker Ernest A. Tuckett, Co-Founder of the Black General Counsel 2025 Initiative and Vice President, Associate General Counsel of VeriSign, Inc.

9:00 am - Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on Boards: Why it is a Strategic Game Changer

Boards play an essential role in leading their companies through business and social change for strategic advantage. This panel will explore diversity, equity, and inclusion and compliance for corporate committees, stakeholders, and boards of directors, specifically as they relate to the NASDAQ’s proposed listing requirements, California’s new requirements for board diversity, and transparency in disclosures, such as diversity of employment populations and why it matters to a company’s success.

Presented by Valerie Dahiya and Jill Louis,Partners at Perkins Coie and Chasity Wilson Henry, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of CECO Environmental Corporation.

10:10 am - Racial & Social Justice Challenge Spotlights

10:20 am - Psychological Safety and Driving Inclusion

Psychological safety is one of the key drivers of employee engagement, as well as workplace inclusion and belonging. During this panel discussion, we will define and explain what psychological safety is, then discuss the conditions that managers and leaders must create in order to optimize engagement, inclusion and belonging. This program will also discuss the obstacles leaders face when working toward psychological safety, as well as best practices for maintaining momentum in the drive for diversity and inclusion and steps to overcome diversity fatigue.

Presented by Narges Kakalia, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Mintz, Dr. Constance Noonan Hadley, an organizational psychologist and speaker for Stern Strategy Group, and Sandy Paik, General Counsel of DC Green Bank.

11:30 am - ACC NCR Racial & Social Justice Challenge Spotlights

11:40 am - Closing Remarks 

11:45 am – Small-Group Networking via Breakout Rooms 

12:30 pm - Conference Concludes

The Intersectionality Between Race, Poverty and the Criminal Justice System

As persistent and staggering disparities continue in our criminal justice system for people of color, the intersectionality of poverty adds another layer of complexity to be unraveled. Despite less overall representation in the general population, Black Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate of white Americans. Latinx individuals are incarcerated in state prisons at a rate that is 1.3 times the incarceration rate of whites. Join our esteemed panelists for a dialogue on the intersectionality of race, poverty and the criminal justice system. As we understand the causes and destructive consequences, key take-aways will include what our legal community can do to foster and effectuate change for both the policies, as well as the day-to-day practices that drive these inequalities and disparities systemwide.

The ACC Annual Women's Forum will return in-person on November 12, 2021

All in-house counsel (regardless of gender!) are invited to attend ACC Austin’s fourth annual Women’s Forum sponsored by Perkins Coie and Waller Law. Join us for lunch, then sessions, followed by a happy hour. This is a free event for both current and prospective ACC Austin members, so bring a colleague who is interested in learning more about ACC Austin.  Prospective members who attend and would like to join ACC will receive a discount code for their first year membership.

TOPICS:

Career Growth and Resiliency - Keynote Address

Speaker:

• Kathy Richardson, HR Legal Search, Austin, TX

Persuasive Speaking From Your Seat - Panel

This presentation incorporates the latest research on how women communicators are perceived in the workplace, including the promising finding that effective women communicators frequently lead teams and companies that are more productive and profitable. You will learn about unique approaches we women should consider in our persuasive communication styles when speaking impromptu in a meeting. Presenters Karen Lisko and Janice Ta will provide practical strategies for powerful verbal and nonverbal communication that will allow you to increase your effectiveness as a communicator – all without losing who you are.

 Speakers:

• Karen Lisko, Ph.D., Senior Litigation Consultant and Persuasive Communications Advisor, Perkins Coie
• Janice Ta, Senior Counsel, Perkins Coie
• and more

Managing Work in a Hybrid Environment - Panel

More details to come!

ATTENDANCE AND COVID SAFETY INFORMATION:

Attendees must be fully vaccinated.  The event venue is a semi-outdoor space.  We will be monitoring local COVID guidelines closely leading up to the event and will provide detailed guidance the week of the event. 

PARKING: Free on-site parking available.

CLE CREDIT:  We were unable to obtain CLE certification for the event topics.

AGENDA:

• 11:30am -12:00pm - Registration and Networking
• 12:00 - 1:00pm - Keynote Address and Lunch
• 1:00 - 3:00pm - Panel Discussions
• 3:00 - 4:00pm - Happy Hour

Join us on September 30 for a Women's Floral Arranging Event as we create a Pinterest-worthy flower arrangement with proud female founder-led company, Alice’s Table. The workshop will include step-by-step instruction on flower arranging while teaching top tips and tricks of the trade. Each guest will receive a delivery of farm-fresh flowers and vase 1 to 2 days prior to the event. All you need to provide is a pair of floral clippers or scissors…and a cocktail, of course. Live streaming instruction and shipment tracking will be communicated the morning of the event.

FULL / WAITLIST

You are cordially invited to join us for this unique virtual event.  ACC Northeast's DE&I Committee, along with Verrill Dana LLP, have crafted this session to offer some light entertainment along with engaging story-telling and conversation about breaking through barriers to "belong."

Rachel Childers, the first female member ever of the brass section in the Boston Symphony Orchestra , will start off with a pre-recorded performance of a piece by one her favorite female composers.  Rachel, along with Jamie Whitney of State Street and Regina Hurley and Gene Dahmen of Verrill Dana, will share their "stories" that reinforce that we share more commonalities than differences and how these commonalities can create a culture that promotes belonging.  Robin Walker of Goldfinch Bio will moderate the discussion.

This virtual event will be the highlight and offer a great ending to your work day.

Please RSVP below to attend.  Registrants will receive dial-in information 24 hours in advance of the event.

If you are a GC or CLO, we'd love to have you to join us for our next IN-PERSON GC/CLO Lunch Club gathering!  We will be meeting in King of Prussia at The Capital Grille, where our discussion will focus on recruiting and retaining diverse talent in the Legal Department and beyond.

There is no charge for GC/CLO chapter members to attend this luncheon, but pre-registration is required.  CANCELLATION POLICY:  48-hours’-notice required to chrisstewart@accglobal.com.

Please RSVP below.