December 2018
Dear Members,
Oh what fun! As we reach the end of 2018, I would like to recognize some recent Chapter highlights and accomplishments.
At the ACC Global Annual Conference in Austin on October 21, 2018, our Chapter received the ACC Global Diversity Initiative Award for the Chapter’s Diversity Summer Corporate Internship program. This program places diverse area law students in 15 corporate legal departments for a summer internship. Several interns have gone on to in house careers following this internship, including the current Diversity Committee co-chair, Sadeq Khan, Chief Compliance Officer and Deputy General Counsel at Vertical Screen, Inc. As a prior diversity committee chair and Chapter president, I was extremely proud to accept this award, with Grace Manno, former President and Diversity Committee chair, on behalf of the Chapter. This program offers a unique opportunity for member companies, law students, and local law schools to partner to promote diversity in the legal profession as well as hands on in house experienc
I would also like to recognize three other Chapter committees this year – Communications, Meet Your Counterparts, and Women’s Events. Under the leadership of committee co-chair, Stephanie Hu, the Communications committee has established a strong social media presence for the Chapter on Twitter and Facebook. Our regular and relevant communications improve member engagement and highlights the many CLE, social, and community activities of our Chapter. In addition, our newly-formed Meet Your Counterparts committee, including Jackie Meredith-Batchelor, Pete Prinsen, Pia Biswas, and Chris Pushaw, in partnership with our sponsors, have organized MYC events at some of the area’s top and most popular venues throughout the area, including Yards Brewing, Savona, The Restaurant School, Estia, The Merchant Bar, Camden County Boathouse, and others. Our women’s events continue to be very popular with our members and sponsors. These events offer an opportunity for our members to focus on issues and interests unique to women in-house counsel, at some wonderful area venues, including the popular Logan rooftop and The Love. Thank you to Aileen Schwartz, Lorraine Koc, Lauren Neal, and Jackie Meredith-Batchelor for partnering with our sponsors in planning these events. Our MYCs and women’s events provide a fun networking opportunity and we have been excited to see many new members at these events!
Other programming highlights this fall included an interesting and insightful discussion with chief legal officers at the Tips from the Top program, organized by the Career Management committee, the Paralegal Community, and Street Law, offering classroom instruction to high school students on legal topics.
Last, but not least, our annual Gala at the Please Touch Museum was our biggest yet. The Please Touch Museum was transformed into a true wonderland for an evening of dancing, conversation, carousel rides, and recognition of our summer interns and participating companies. Thank you to our Gala committee, Jackie Meredith-Batchelor, Shahrzad Kojouri, and Robin Seifert, for planning such an amazing evening, and to our many members and sponsors who attended.
In addition to our social events, our committee chairs and sponsors have put together relevant and engaging continuing legal education programs throughout the year.
As I come to the end of my term as Chapter President, I want to thank the officers, Board, past Presidents (especially Mike Crane), committee chairs, sponsors, members, and especially our Chapter administrators Chris Stewart and Joanne Ray for your support and guidance. Our Chapter continues to grow in exciting, inclusive, and innovative directions and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it. Best wishes to President Elect Pete Prinsen for an exciting year ahead!
Best regards,
Anne Bancroft
ACC Greater Philadelphia President, 2018