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As 2024 comes to a close, we're excited to highlight the top 10 ACC Docket articles that have provided invaluable insights and key takeaways from our in-house professionals. Take a look at the best of 2024 (including two popular series).

Data protection agreements need to consider the changing legal landscape. ACC IP Network’s Stacie McNulty and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton’s Farah Cook and John Brigagliano give you strategies for negotiating relevant DPAs. #ACCDocket #ACCNetworks

Based on ACC survey data, this article provides a high-level analysis of the state of legal operations by covering the extent to which departments are employing legal operations staff, examining at what point they tend to do so, as well as sharing salary data for these professionals. #ACCDocket #ACCResearch

You’re not always going to get support from the top, but that doesn’t mean you can't achieve great results. #ACCDocket #MondayMotivation

But while technologists work daily to demonstrate (to regulators, to investors, and to consumers) the road-readiness of autonomous vehicles, the actual rhythm of the shift to widespread autonomy is one that will be dictated first by public policy and second by science.

Change invariably comes packed with a lot of big emotions, including fear, elation, depression, and exhaustion. It is important to recognize this as a natural part of the process; so you should know that the emotional roller coaster your team is about to get on has its own cycle of stages. Recognizing those stages makes them easier to manage.

Gone are the days when lawyers could argue that legal is not a business, but rather a profession. It is critical for in-house counsel to be part of the push by applying business practices that strive to maximize value by streamlining operations and creating efficiencies. By adapting lean, Six Sigma, and project management tools, your company can uncover countless opportunities to team up with key business partners and make your organization more valuable.

For a company facing allegations of internal misconduct, whether from government regulators or prosecutors, whistleblowers, or the plaintiffs’ bar, an independent internal investigation performed by outside counsel may be an obvious next step. Often in these scenarios, outside counsel’s “independence” is conflated with “absolutely no prior work done for the subject company.” Indeed, some companies and boards categorically refuse to hire outside counsel to handle internal investigations if the firm has previously performed work for the company, out of concern that the government will assume such counsel cannot conduct an “independent” investigation.

This article will help the reader think about whether a professional rotation program for an in-house legal department makes sense for an employer and its legal team. It will help identify the purpose of such a program and showcase the costs and benefits. It will also address the critical steps to successfully implement such a program.

Erik Lindberg discusses his current position as assistant general counsel with Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives, Inc. (IEA).

A good manager helps the team understand when “good enough” is just that and when it is time to put “pencils down.” The quest for perfect often thwarts the more important goal of simple completion. I coach colleagues on this all the time.

After much consideration and research, my predictions for the hottest legal trends in 2021 are below, recognizing that there is carryover from last year’s list and their critical status has only increased.

Liu’s life has taken a few turns — a few lucky turns, according to him — and he intends to pass that luck along. But as he tells his legal department, you can’t get lucky if you’re afraid of risk.

More than a popularity contest, building strong work relationships can also help you do your job more effectively.

With AI already routinely deployed in certain repetitive tasks, it is apt to explore how AI can be harnessed in the area of regulatory compliance.

Employers are continuing to examine how to properly identify, audit, and address equal pay issues within their organizations. To increase pay transparency and expand the limited “equal work” standard under federal law, US states have enacted pay equity laws that, among other things, prohibit salary history inquiries and require equal pay for “substantially similar” work.

A ceramic fish sits on General Counsel Carolyn Herzog’s desk at Arm Limited. It’s a gift from her current team and a reminder of a story from her days at Symantec, a cybersecurity software and services company, when Herzog was living in the United Kingdom overseeing legal for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

For companies to generate lasting change, they must work with law firms to increase opportunity. Toyota’s Counsel in Motion program gives law firms’ senior associates a chance to be in the driver’s seat of their careers. #ACCDocket #DEI #DiversityEquityInclusion

Positively Legal columnist Caterina Cavallaro provides several techniques that in-house counsel can use to cultivate creativity and positivity through communication while ensuring Al does not supersede human efforts. #ACCDocket #WellnessWednesday

VISCHER AG summarize efficiency gains for Swiss group companies under a new Swiss corporate law. Here are some practical tips for in-house counsel to make use of the new options. #CorporateLaw #InHouseCounsel #ACC #Docket

Woke-washing may start from the best intentions. Without careful attention, however, those good intentions can create significant ESG risk. Learn what to avoid. #ACCDocket #ESG #woke-washing

For 2023’s first edition, Positively Legal columnist Caterina Cavallaro asks 7 GCs about their favorite positive practices. #ACCDocket #wellnesswednesdays #inhousecounsel

Expedia’s Head of Global Legal Operations Mike Russell talks to columnist Steve Harmon about specialized expertise, strategic thinking, and communicating a vision. #ACCDocket #inhousecounsel #legalops

Positively Legal columnist Caterina Cavallaro emphasizes the importance of setting and prioritizing attainable goals and incorporating meaningful positive habits into your day. #ACCDocket #inhousecounsel

Three experienced privacy professionals, Maureen Dry-Wasson, VP, group general counsel and privacy officer at Allegis Group, Melissa Abramowitz, VP, legal and compliance officer at CAA Club Group, and Sara Azargive, director, privacy compliance and privacy counsel at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, offer their guidance. #ACCDocket

Throw out the old advice-only model and learn customer service to become a valuable GC and partner in your company’s business.
#ACCDocket #Leadership #ACC

Columnist Steve Harmon and Twilio’s Head of Legal Operations Andy Krebs discuss the importance of metrics in legal departments. #ACCDocket #inhouse #legalops

DEI, Esq. columnists describe steps organizations can take to create effective and successful inclusive leaders. #ACCDocket #inhouse #DEI

How do you develop an AI compliance program for long-term risk mitigation? Legal Tech columnist Olga Mack offers 4 helpful tips #AI #ChatGPT #Risk #ACC #ACCDocket

Join the world's top CLOs in tackling global issues and making cross-border connections in a private, intimate setting designed for general counsel, by general counsel. #ACC #education #ACCDocket