ACC is pleased to recognize Randy Milch, former EVP and GC at Verizon, and ACC Australia Legal Profession Uniform Law Sub-committee as winners of the ACC Advocacy Award.
WASHINGTON (April, 12, 2016) –– The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), a global legal association representing more than 40,000 in-house counsel in 85 countries, today announced corporate counsel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment and service to the in-house counsel community in the area of advocacy. ACC is pleased to recognize the following two winners of the inaugural ACC Advocacy Award:
- Randy Milch, former executive vice president and general counsel, Verizon
- ACC Australia Legal Profession Uniform Law Sub-committee
"From its inception, ACC recognized the importance of advocacy by and for in-house counsel," said Veta T. Richardson, president and CEO of ACC. "Whether addressing the professional role and status of in-house counsel or practice and licensing matters, these individuals have greatly contributed to enacting change on issues that directly impact the in-house practice of law, both within the legal and business communities."
Milch has influenced both the Joint Virginia State Bar and Virginia Bar Association Corporate Counsel Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Pro Bono Service by In-House Counsel in New York to allow in-house lawyers working in these states to perform pro bono work without unnecessary restrictions. Furthermore, he founded Verizon's award-winning pro bono program and widely encouraged Verizon lawyers and other companies to volunteer their services.
"I am honored to receive ACC's inaugural Advocacy Award and do so on behalf of the members of Verizon's Public Policy, Legal and Security Department, who have served so many individuals through their pro bono work," said Milch.
The ACC Australia Legal Profession Uniform Law Sub-committee has worked closely with Australian regulators to ensure that the Legal Profession Uniform Law fully considers the unique position of in-house legal practice. As a result, regulations have been implemented to assist the in-house legal profession throughout Australia with transitioning into the new regulatory system, and the Legal Profession Admission Board has provided assistance to foreign admitted lawyers in an effort to help obtain either full or conditional admission to practice.
"It is fantastic for our subcommittee to be recognized for this work, which facilitates and clarifies representation of companies by in-house counsel," said Lori Middlehurst, director APJ Employment Law at VMware, Inc. "This piece of advocacy resulted in a direct positive impact on the licensing of in-house lawyers and fortified and clarified the ability of those lawyers to assert attorney-client privilege."
The ACC Advocacy Award will be presented at the 2016 ACC Mid-Year Meeting in New York on Tuesday, April 12 during the networking lunch. For more information on the conference, visit www.acc.com/education/mym.
About ACC: The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is a global legal association that promotes the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel who work for corporations, associations and other private-sector organizations through information, education, networking opportunities and advocacy initiatives. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel.® For more information, visit www.acc.com and follow ACC on Twitter: @ACCinhouse.
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