The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world's largest organization serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations, nonprofits and other private-sector organizations around the globe.
When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, nonprofit organizations face the same challenges as their for-profit cousins. A merger with another nonprofit organization or acquisition by or of another organization is an ever-increasing possibility. However, there are some important differences. For example, the road to a merger or acquisition has the additional issues of complying with both federal and state issues in maintaining its nonprofit status, or in the alternative, complying with the dissolution requirements of the IRS for the standard business.
You might first notice a leaflet being handed out just off the corporate campus, a notice on the bulletin board, a website that springs up. Then you see the first picketer. There is an effort afoot to organize a union at your company and you are being looked to for guidance. What to do? This presentation addressed union avoidance, organizing campaign do’s and don’ts, and tips on otherwise managing an organized workforce. Panelists also presented an update on recent and anticipated changes in traditional labor law.
Your company spends big bucks on creating and communicating your brand and its continued marketplace success is essential. But there are those who would undercut it at every turn if you are not diligent. This panel explored the ways you can unite with police and local private forces to stop the fakers who are diluting the value of your company’s brand. Get our experts’ views on appropriate investigatory tactics and practical tips on how to get the local authorities to provide effective remedies in a timely fashion.
Real estate leasing issues often cross the desks of in-house counsel. This course reviewed the basic types of real estate leases, retail leases and industrial/warehouse leases primarily from the tenant’s perspective, highlighting pitfalls to avoid and explaining commonly misunderstood and difficult lease provisions. The course also addressed other types of ancillary agreements that frequently arise as part of lease negotiations such as the guaranty and work letters.
Increasingly, law departments are responsible for more than just practicing law — they are also responsible for efficient and fiscally responsible operations. Managing costs, reducing risk, and improving productivity are all priorities for corporate counsel because law departments are being evaluated against the same standards as other departments within their companies. To meet this challenge, law departments need new tools for measuring value and results.
Outsourcing of legal services to non-US entities is a significant trend. Corporate counsel must understand how this will affect their role and services to their clients and be prepared to address questions raised by senior management as this practice becomes more widespread. Topics covered included outsourcing legal services to non-US entities, relevant ethical considerations, practical considerations such as monitoring and controlling quality, types of matters that can or even should be outsourced to non-US counsel, and privilege and confidentiality issues.
Law departments continue to face unique challenges resulting from Sarbanes-Oxley. As new regulations are introduced, the list of requirements that businesses must satisfy becomes more complex and exhaustive. Simultaneously, law departments face budget constraints, competitive pressures requiring rapid-fire responses, and the risks created by internal “silos.” Today, a law department’s structure directly impacts the ability of supervising attorneys to manage operations and deliver quality client service.
Negotiation skills are critical in a multitude of personal and professional relationships, and many lawyers—both new and seasoned—seek the necessary skills to achieve the desired outcome while creating synergy and fostering good, long-term relationships.
Many times we view the development of law department managers for leadership as a one-and-done affair. No matter how long in-house counsel has been managing the department or a unit within the department, the journey to effective leadership has no final destination. This session helped you find out how to continue to develop your leadership skills despite your long (or even short) tenure. You learned how to keep your leadership skills honed, and also how to provide others with the resources required to increase their chances of success.
Purchasing international health benefits is an increasingly complex responsibility. Don’t be caught unaware. A wide variety of US laws and regulations (federal and state) and other jurisdictions’ regulations may apply to the coverage that employers purchase for their global employees. Understanding the compliance environment is the first step in developing a strategy to manage and minimize the risks associated with purchasing international benefits.