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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

Columnist Steve Harmon and Aarash Darroodi of Fender discuss the value of good in-house lawyers and how their expertise can serve the buisness as law department leaders. #ACCDocket #legalops

Pretending isn’t dishonest when it’s where you see yourself. See why and how to be a great fake in The ABCs of Work series by Career Path’s James Bellerjeau.
#ACCDocket #fakery #inhouse

Your expert legal advice is often only five percent of the solution needed to achieve the business objective, says GSK’s SVP Brennan Torregrossa. #ACCDocket #inhouse #careeradvice

The term "DEI" has disappeared from some workplaces. Here are some things in-house counsel should consider before moving in this direction, share Mister Car Wash GC Markus Hartmann and Christina Ro-Connolly, a partner in the San Francisco Bay Area law firm Oppenheimer Investigations Group LLP.

Are you resilient enough to overcome a physical disability? Hear how Lori G. Cohen, co-chair of global litigation for Greenberg Traurig, and Jim Merklinger of the ACC Credentialing Institute, faced their challenges. #ACCDocket #DEI #accessibility

The newest US federal holiday, Juneteenth, offers a chance for in-house counsel to reexamine their workplace policies and obligations. ACCDocket #inhouse #Juneteenth

Do you ever wonder how startups navigate the complex world of procurement? It’s all about the Finance and Legal collaboration. Explore how these two departments are joining forces to drive results. #ACCDocket #inhouse