Getting Into Government Affairs: A Practical Seminar for Upskilling Law Department Leaders

A Practical Seminar for Upskilling Law Department Leaders

European Union regulation increasingly affects regulatory and business decisions around the globe. For in-house lawyers aspiring to global leadership roles that include government relations functions, a firm understanding of EU politics and policymaking is essential to succeed. 

To fill this skills gap, ACC offers this new small-group virtual seminar designed to equip participants with a broad understanding of the role, activities, opportunities, and challenges of global government relations teams.

Seminar participants will receive exclusive opportunities to learn and practice for their future:  

• Expert preparation in two foundational aspects of a government affairs role: Policy and Investigations
• A rare and valuable chance to engage directly with an EU official on European cartel investigations

Capacity for this unique event is limited to 25 participants.

Special ACC member seat reservation fee: EUR 49   

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Part 1 – Intro to Policy: EU Government Affairs

23 April 2025 | 16.00-17.30 CEST 

Participants will build a common standard of knowledge around corporate government relations, policymaking, and the European political system. 

With Irina Michalowitz, an internationally recognized expert in government relations and political corporate communications, seminar participants will:

• Learn the basics of EU governance
• Gain an understanding of in-house leaders' responsibilities in overseeing government relations functions 
• Explore the issue of Legal Professional Privilege—a uniting issue among in-house lawyers—as a use-case for EU decision-making   

Part 2 – Meet with a Competition Official | Interacting with the European Commission During a Cartel Investigation

30 April 2025 | 16.00-17.30 CEST

By actively engaging with the official, participants will gain a first-hand understanding of how the European Commission runs cartel investigations, discussing the do’s and don’ts of impacted companies. 

The session will consist of:

• Introduction of EU competition law and its importance for inhouse counsel
• Guest regulator presentation regarding how a European Commission’s cartel investigation process is carried out
• Robust Q&A with the regulator

Participants taking part in the experience walk away understanding the practical steps of a cartel investigation, and what they mean for the companies concerned: 

• How the Commission interacts with external stakeholders
• The role of inhouse counsels and external lawyers in an ongoing cartel investigation
• Expert feedback on issues surrounding a cartel investigation