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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.

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This session will explore the key role corporate counsel plays in integrating and embedding ESG within their organization, and how they can prepare for and respond to a growing field of regulations enforcing ESG pillars.

5:30 pm               Registration 

6:00 pm               InSide Diversity Program and Panel Discussion

                             Confronting Bias in Divisive Times: The Impact of Bias on the Practice of Law and How to Overcome It.

This presentation will feature an interactive and thoughtful discussion regarding conscious and unconscious bias and the impact on the legal profession from client relationships, hiring, promotions, trials and beyond. Panelists will discuss the true definition of bias, including how and why it is impacts the legal profession so significantly, how it impacts our evaluation of talent, people and situations, and how it impacts cross-cultural communication and diversity efforts. Engage in awareness exercises that will help you (and help you help others) identify unconscious biases and learn ways to overcome them individually and organizationally.

1 hour Elimination of Bias CLE 

7:00 pm               Profiles IN Diversity Recognition: Renee Benjamin, Associate General Counsel, CalPortland

7:15 pm               Reception

Please join us for a presentation from George Fatheree — a partner in Sidley’s Los Angeles office — who led a pro bono team of lawyers from across the country to create a framework for a historic reparative real estate transaction.

In June 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to return Bruce’s Beach to the descendants of Charles and Willa Bruce, a Black couple who operated a successful resort on the property that was unjustly taken by the City of Manhattan Beach in 1924 as a result of racial animus.

George will describe the complex federal, state, and local legal issues involved in the matter — including constitutional claims, property rights, valuation methodologies, and tax considerations — and how the team fought to protect the interests of the Bruce family’s descendants, while developing a winning strategy to return the property that would withstand legal challenge and serve as a model for similar efforts throughout the U.S.

For additional information in advance of the presentation, a profile highlighting the work is available here. George’s bio can be accessed here.

CMS
8 pages

Learn about how the Human Resources function can help to measure their organization's performance regarding the Social dimension of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

CMS
16 pages

Learn about the most important terms and phrases within the Social aspect of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).

  • Diversity & Inclusion 
  • Unconscious Bias
  • Discrimination
  • Unlawful Discriminatory Practice
  •  Best Practices

Making Real Gains in Diversity and Inclusion in Corporate America 


Learn from top D&I officers, key executives and internal and

external legal counsel on legal and practical issues regarding eliminating implicit bias through establishing effective bias 

interrupters and promoting meaningful D&I initiatives.  

 

We will address the history of D&I efforts, identifying what has worked, what has not, and the steps to take to maintain and grow a progressive, integrated and diverse workplace. Importantly, we will discuss effective ways to measure and track progress on D&I goals.

ACC Colorado Presents 

 

Empowering Women: Effective Strategies for Effecting Change 

The Pandemic forever changed the workplace settings of many organizations including culture, work and communication styles, and objectives. Join us for this informative panel discussion of women leaders regarding new perspectives on post-pandemic labor and employment issues including leading hybrid workforces, cultivating employee culture, rebuilding and maintaining essential networks, and new wellness and well-being strategies. Lunch will be served. 

Program Agenda 

11:45 am
Registration & Luncheon Seating

Noon
Introductions & Opening Remarks
Moderator:
Meshach Y. Rhoades, Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP

12:30pm 
Panel Topic Discussions
Leading a Hybrid Workforce 
Cultivating a Strong Employee Culture, Serving Internal Clients
Building a Network that Works
Resilience and Well-Being Strategies


Panelists:
Gina Casias, Associate General Counsel, Danone
Penelope Dixon, Counsel, Lenovo
Kimberly Pryor, General Counsel, JBS USA Foods
Robin Ricketts, Vice President & General Counsel, Lockheed Martin Space

1 :30 pm
Closing Remarks & Conclusion 

Approved for One (1) CLE Credit

AGENDA:
  • 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast/Registration/Networking (free professional head shots available)

  • 9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.  –  Musicopia and Welcome Speech

  • 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.  – Session I

  • 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  – BREAK (free professional head shots available)

  • 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  – Session II

  • 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.  – BREAK (free professional head shots available)

  • 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.  – LUNCH (Affinity Group Speakers + Table Talk)

  • 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.  – BREAK (free professional head shots available)

  • 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  – Session III

  • 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.  – BREAK (free professional head shots available)

  • 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.  – Session IV

  • 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  – BREAK (free professional head shots available)

  • 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  – Session V

  • 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  – Cocktail & Hors d'oeuvres/Networking


Session I - The Intersection of DEI and ESG: Navigating Uncharted and Ever-evolving Terrain presented by Duane Morris LLP

In the last several years a constellation of stakeholders has steadily exerted influence and communicated expectations in the ESG space. Companies are far more conversant at the board level on issues of governance and the environment than social issues, and particularly those rooted in DEI. This presentation looks at the confluence of those expectations, examines the risks inherent in nascent or token DEI efforts; examines the future of the overlap of DEI and identifies actions companies should take to prepare themselves for the next iteration of this dynamic.

Session II — Diversity vs. Tokenism: Drawing Parallels Between the Legal and Tech Industries presented by Armstrong Teasdale LLP

With nearly every organization working to invest in diversity, equity and inclusion strategies, ensuring true diversity across the board for legal and tech industries relies on representation and intentional actions to ensure a sustainable future. Join our panel as we discuss tokenism without change, creating inclusive spaces and the future of diversity in technology.

Session III — Benchmarking for Impact presented by Cozen O'Connor

The session will provide a review of the answers to the DEIB Benchmarking Survey and offer a discussion of the tools and mechanisms that companies can use to make DEIB effective and sustainable. One of the questions to be addressed: is there a baseline of internal measures that helps ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace?

Session IV — Cultivating Change Communities at Work: Leveraging Employee-led Associations to Foster Diversity, Equity and Inclusion presented by Dechert LLP

Affinity groups (also known as employee resource groups) have become a popular and powerful means of fostering community and connection among employees who share common demographic and cultural profiles. Multiple studies have found employers that have Affinity groups attract more diverse candidates, reduce turnover and increase employee morale. Join our panel of Chief Diversity Officers as they discuss the role and impact of Affinity groups in their organizations, how leveraging these employee-led groups helps to infuse diverse perspectives into workplace culture, and practical tips for implementing Affinity groups at your organization.

Session V — Broad Based Efforts to Cultivate DEI: Can We Do More Than Check the Box? presented by Anderson Kill P.C.

How many times have you looked at the DE&I question on a form and thought about what it means to check the diversity box?  While we would like to think that mandating DEI in our hiring, outside counsel and vendors and corporate communications makes a meaningful difference, aren't we starting at the finish line rather than starting at the start?  In this session, we will hear from a CCO, Dean, and CEO of a not for profit, about the ways in which we can all challenge ourselves and our organizations to make real progress in achieving meaningful DE&I - and do more than just check the box.

Register below.

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