Network Awards

ACC presents a variety of annual awards honoring the exceptional contributions of networks, network members, and sponsors.

Award Submission Portal

Check out this article to better guide your application!

15 Tips for a Successful ACC Network Year

Network of the Year Award
The ACC Network of the Year Award recognizes networks and their leaders for outstanding efforts and achievements. One network from the small category (up to 3,000 members) and one network from the large category (3,001+ members) will be recognized for excellence in collaboration efforts, development of resources, global initiatives, leadership development, membership engagement, programs, special projects, and overall accomplishments.

Network of the Year submissions should address all judging criteria listed below, including the "Additional Questions for Network of the Year Submissions." Networks are encouraged to attach a strategic plan, sample communications to current and new members, newsletters, meeting minutes, or additional materials supporting your network's programs. Networks that have earned Network of the Year for two consecutive years are not eligible to submit an application for one year following the two-year winning streak. Network of the Year Awards will be announced and presented at the ACC Annual Meeting. Winners will receive one free registration to the ACC Annual Meeting to be assigned at the chair's discretion.

Download Judging Criteria and Nomination Form

All nominations for the Network of the Year must be received by Monday, June 17, 2024. Submissions must be limited to 25 pages, including exhibits. Materials and activities beginning July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 will be considered for the award. Activities occurring outside of this time frame will not be considered.

Note: Eligibility is only given to networks whose sponsors who are up-to-date with all the prior year's resources.
Network Achievement Awards
The Network Achievement Awards recognize networks and their leaders for achieving objective benchmarks associated with a successful network. The Network Achievement Awards provide networks with a score for accomplishing measurable results in the areas of membership engagement, program development, leadership organization and engagement, resource development, and Annual Meeting participation. Networks earning a score of 1400 will achieve Gold Status, while networks earning 1300 points will achieve Silver status. All networks meeting the minimum requirements are encouraged to apply for Gold or Silver status.

Network Achievement Award submissions should address all questions outlined in the scoring guide. Networks are encouraged to attach a strategic plan and/or additional materials supporting your network's programs. Achievement Award winners will be announced at the ACC Annual Meeting.

Download Scoring Guide

Download Judging Criteria and Nomination Form

All nominations for the Network Achievement Awards must be received by Monday, June 17, 2024. Submissions must be limited to 25 pages, including exhibits. Materials and activities beginning July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 will be considered for the award. Activities occurring outside of this time frame will not be considered.
Jonathan S. Silber Outstanding Network Member of the Year Award

This award recognizes participation in network leadership, contributions to recruitment and participation, efforts in developing network programs and resources; contributions to ACC/in-house practice, and contributions to the community through volunteer work or pro bono activities.

Download Judging Criteria and Nomination Form

All nominations for the Jonathan S. Silber Outstanding Network Member of the Year Award must be received by Monday, June 17, 2024. Submissions must be limited to 25 pages, including exhibits. Materials and activities beginning July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 will be considered for the award. Activities occurring outside of this time frame will not be considered.
Network Sponsor of the Year Award

This award recognizes firms that have provided exceptional support to an ACC network, including assistance with a network’s quality of programs and development, and helping a network meet its goals.

Download Judging Criteria and Nomination Form

All nominations for the Network Sponsor of the Year Award must be received by Monday, June 17, 2024. Submissions must be limited to 25 pages, including exhibits. Materials and activities beginning January 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 will be considered for the award. Activities occurring outside of this time frame will not be considered.

Note: Eligibility is only given to sponsors who are up-to-date with all the prior year's resources.

Network Award Winners

2024 Outstanding Small Network of the Year - Sports and Entertainment Network

This network has demonstrated exceptional commitment through diverse, high-quality programming and a robust partnership with Ogletree Deakins, which has enriched their resources and support.

Key achievements include their innovative “Power Up Your Brand” program, which, through interdisciplinary collaboration, provided actionable insights into personal branding. Their proactive approach is also reflected in their 5.3% membership growth this year, showcasing their ability to attract and engage members effectively.

Additionally, their strategic use of LinkedIn for event promotion and community building has kept members connected and informed. Their focus on relevant, member-centric content and professional development highlights their dedication to excellence. The Sports & Entertainment Network shows us all what it means to lead with innovation and impact.   

2024 Outstanding Mid-Sized Network of the Year - Financial Services Network

The Financial Services Network started gaining attention by providing access to meaningful resources through their monthly newsletter, the FSN One Stop Shop, impactful membership initiatives, and standout programming, despite operating without a sponsor this year. The FSN increased their membership by 16%, adding over 1,500 new members, further demonstrating the remarkable resilience and success of its leadership.

A highlight of their achievements is a unique Masterclass series designed to assist in transition members. With 13 noteworthy topics and an average of 300 participants per session, this initiative has provided invaluable support to ACC’s global community. Additionally, they co-sponsored 25 programs with various networks over the past year, showcasing their collaborative spirit and broad reach.

With their innovative programming and dedicated leadership, the Financial Services Network exemplifies excellence and perseverance and is truly deserving of this honor.

 

2024 Outstanding Large Network of the Year - Compliance and Ethics Network 

The Compliance and Ethics Network did extraordinary work during this year’s award season. The Network boosted membership by 17.28% and saw an impressive 90 average attendees per monthly Legal Update. Their standout programs include the C3 Compliance Counsel Connect mentorship initiative, which has already matched mentors and mentees, and a successful increase in member engagement through committee participation, leading to a robust leadership pipeline.

The Network's adaptability was evident when they seamlessly onboarded Gibson Dunn as a new sponsor, implementing a comprehensive programming and publication schedule within months. They co-sponsored seven major events with other networks, covering critical topics like AI compliance and crypto enforcement, drawing significant participation.

Their strategic use of social media and the creation of a Communications Sub-Committee further enhanced their visibility and outreach.

Outstanding Small Network of the Year - Sports and Entertainment Network

Outstanding Mid-Sized Network of the Year - Compliance and Ethics Network

Outstanding Large Network of the Year - Compliance and Ethics Network
Network Sponsor and Member Award Winners

Outstanding Sponsor of Year - Law Department Management Network sponsor Seyfarth Shaw

Seyfarth Shaw, as dedicated sponsor liaisons, Lisa Damon and Jenny Lee, have been instrumental in the Law Department Management Network's success, providing invaluable support and creative ideas. Their efforts include facilitating engaging monthly updates, webinars, and Annual Meeting sessions, leading to a 12.35% increase in membership and a 5.74% boost in web attendance. Lisa and Jenny have also contributed extensively by offering Change Management Leadership Training and producing numerous articles for the ACC library. Their commitment has kept LDMN’s engagement among the highest in ACC networks, making them the clear winners for 2024’s Sponsor of the Year Award.

Jonathan S. Silber Outstanding Network Member of the Year Award - Krystal Saab 

Krystal Saab has made remarkable strides in supporting attorneys in transition through her work as the Chair of the Small Law Departments newly established In-Transition Subcommittee where she worked to provide tailored resources and support. This initiative includes a checklist for job seekers, a webcast, and a brown bag lunch session, with more events planned.

Her commitment extends to personal advocacy, including an upcoming article for the Docket on her own transition experience during COVID-19, aiming to offer valuable insights and normalize these challenges. Krystal’s efforts symbolize her dedication to enhancing support and fostering community within the ACC.

Jonathan S. Silber Outstanding Network Member of the Year Award - Susan Duarte
Susan Duarte has made a profound impact on the ACC community. As Chair of the Financial Services Network, she revitalized the leadership, reestablishing the network’s presence, and supporting the cultivation of timely quality education. This significantly boosted attendance at monthly legal updates by 75%.

In response to her own career transition, Susan created a Masterclass Series covering topics like personal branding, interviewing tactics, and successful retirement plans to help all ACC members feel prepared for the next stages in their careers. This series quickly became a global success with over 2,200 participants in just three months.

Susan also brought fresh and engaging elements to the 2023 ACC Annual Meeting at FSN’s NetConnect, with a memorable "Name That Tune" game, further enhancing community, networking, and fun.

Seyfarth Shaw - Network Sponsor of the Year Award

Krystal Saab - Network Member of the Year

Susan Duarte - Network Member of the Year