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Law department leaders are continually being asked to do more with fewer resources, which often means seeking to reduce expenses, implement efficiencies, and use data analytics and technology to drive value-enhancing legal advising.

Some practical advice to help you think through the types of features you do — and don’t — want to have in a contract automation solution before you start scheduling demonstrations with technology vendors.

Ahead of his retirement, Bob Santamaria spoke to ACC Australia to reflect on some of the skills and lessons that he has applied to manage a high-profile and complex legal department during one of the most disruptive decades in the global finance industry.

When combined with the broader risk mitigation that results from proactive and holistic information governance, this data makes a strong case for why in-house legal departments should prioritize their ability to keep pace with digital transformation initiatives.

Diversity and inclusion cannot stop at the door of the legal department. As in-house lawyers, we typically control budgets, select firms, and review and approve legal bills. Here are a few concrete steps in-house lawyers can take to help effect change in law firms.

Because in-house counsel are trusted advisors, key decision-makers, and know their CEOs and chairpersons best, they are particularly positioned to advocate for board diversity in their companies. But once you have a seat at the table, what do you say? These 14 compelling arguments can be used to convince your company to pursue board diversity.

Converting to PDF isn't enough. When converting the format of a document, whether it is from word to PDF or another form, the document’s original content is stored and preserved as metadata in the new PDF file.

With this change of circumstance from office to home reviewing, in-house counsel rightfully still expects their outsourced providers to ensure that strict confidentiality and data security requirements are upheld. The seemingly many variables presented by at-home work mean corporate counsel need to ask their law firms and legal service providers “who is doing my document review — and where?" 

Those affected by COVID-19 are asking why governments do not have stockpiles of treatments or a vaccine in hand, ready to go. But developing a vaccine is complex, expensive, risky, and takes time.

This article offers a roadmap for legal departments that want to learn how recent ACC Value Champions implemented cost-saving legal operations by dedicating resources to the transformation, securing the backing of the chief legal officer, and leveraging the skills and knowledge of company employees.

More in-house lawyers should consider working for a startup, writes Anne Graue, who experienced the pace of business in Berlin’s startup scene.

Tara Rosnell, associate general counsel, IP at Procter & Gamble (P&G), has a unique story as an attorney who not only started her career in-house, but works for an organization that has supported hiring directly from law schools in the past (herself included). Here, she discusses her career path to P&G, as well as how the company attracted and integrated new in-house lawyers into the legal department and organization as a whole.

ACC got a chance to talk to Angelique Strong Marks about how she rose to the top of the in-house legal practice, why she "does something amazing" each year for her girls, and how she has earned flexibility from her employers.

Words of wisdom from Fendi GC on becoming a corporate board member while working for a separate company.

As the general counsel of IT firms Infosys and Atos IT Solutions and Services Inc., Fayiaz Chaudhri has gained the managerial, budgeting, and strategic skills needed to become CEO of AIMACTEK, a startup that specializes in machine learning platforms. Chaudhri relates how his varied professional experience and legal acumen gave him an edge to join the C-suite and eventually run the show.

In this Q&A, Karen shares a little about her path to Walmart, the importance of embracing the opportunities presented by change, and how using technology can help manage those changes (and the legal department), the work the company is doing to promote diversity and inclusion in the profession, and more.

EI is all about understanding what makes you and those around you tick. It’s about understanding and being able to control your emotional response and the impact you have on those around you.

A day in the life of Hayley Cassidy, Chief general counsel and director at BNZISL.

In this conversation with Pearson general counsel and chief legal officer Bjarne P. Tellmann, the award-winning general counsel, author, and former ACC Docket Career Path columnist discusses the best “partnering” approach, updated legal vendor processes, and the future of legal supply chain management.

A day in the life of Matt Nolan,

Whether it’s COVID or new laws that conflict with your company’s values, events planned at outside venues may need to be canceled. Consider these contract options and strategies from Jesse Raben in case this happens to your company. #ACCDocket #contracts #conventions

The Dutch Supreme Court has confirmed the right of foreign in-house lawyers to benefit from legal professional privilege, but only if (i) they are members of an EEA or Swiss bar or are otherwise entitled to work as a lawyer with legal professional privilege in their home country, and (ii) they have an agreement with their employer guaranteeing their independence and freedom to comply with rules of professional conduct. . #attorneyclientprivilege #inhousecounsel #professionalprivilege #ACCadvocacy

Religious beliefs and how they are practiced in the workplace can potentially become an issue for employers after a recent US Supreme Court ruling. #ACCDocket #inhousecounsel

Cost-effective employees are not necessarily the most-qualified. #ACCDocket #Monday Motivation

Read how improv comedy benefited a skeptical in-house counsel. Assistant General Counsel J.B. Perrine of Huntington Ingalls Industries shares how improv sharpened his in-house counsel skills. #ACCDocket #inhousecounsel

Most lawyers say they are now a constant part of the C-suite. Learn more and participate in the ACC 2023 Chief Legal Officers Survey.
ACCDocket #legaloperations #inhousecounsel #generalcounsel #ESG #EnvironmentalSocialGovernance #compliance #humanresources #HR

In workplaces where DEI is not taken seriously, consider these under-the-radar strategies to move the needle.
#ACCDocket #DiversityEquityInclusion #DEI

Caregiver, parent, and lawyer — in-house counsel Yosr Hamza shares her experiences in the hopes that others will learn the importance of DEI and why it’s important to share stories about your reality. #ACCDocket #DiversityEquityInclusion #DEI #careergrowth

American Health Information Management Association GC David Gilmartin and Kerry Childe, senior consultant for Contoural, outline how to develop a plan for retaining personal information that the entire company can follow. #ACCDocket #GDPR #CPRA #IG #PrivacyLaw

Equity-based assets can be swapped in India — an important finance opportunity — just make sure you know the law. #ACCDocket #ACCIndia #MergersAndAcquisitions #M&A