PROGRAM SCHEDULE
7:30 AM
Registration and Breakfast Buffet
8:00 AM
Welcome and Introductions
James Anderson
VP Legal, Associate General Counsel, Modern Health
Kurt Hadley
ACC Chicago President-Elect, Senior Counsel, Employment Law and Litigation, Ingredion Incorporated
CONCURRENT PANELS - CHOOSE 1 OF 2
8:15 AM
What US Counsel Need to Know About Operating in India and APAC
This topic will cover important points for a US company intending to invest and operate in India and APAC. The panel will cover foreign investment rules, tax nuances, competition law, anti-corruption and other related matters.
Panelists
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Rukshad Davar
Partner and Head of Corporate/ M&A, Majmudar & Partners
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Christopher McVety
Vice-President & General Counsel, M&A, Ingredion Incorporated​
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Thank you to our sponsor
8:15 AM
We Try Cases: How Effective Storytelling Can Help Prevail at Trial (and Avoid Trial)
Join us for this insightful panel presented by an experienced General Counsel and two seasoned employment lawyers, intended for HR experts and internal legal advisors and centering around trial-focused strategies where settlements are either undesirable or unachievable. This session delves into telling a client’s story effectively both before and at trial, the value of effective trial preparation, and mastering courtroom tactics. Attendees will acquire knowledge on constructing a robust case, showcasing influential evidence, and crafting convincing arguments to win over arbitrators, judges, and juries. This workshop also explores risk evaluation, cost control, and managing notable employment disputes. With compelling case studies and engaging dialogue, attendees will gain invaluable tactics and insights to confidently navigate the complexities of trying cases, aiming for successful arbitration and court outcomes, or forcing reasonable resolutions.
Panelists
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Victoria Sloan Lin
Member of the Firm, Epstein Becker Green
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Josef Malik
Chief Legal Officer, Carver Companies
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Johner (JT) Taylor Wilson III
Member of the Firm, Epstein Becker Green
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Thank you to our sponsor
9:15 AM
BREAK
CONCURRENT PANELS - CHOOSE 1 OF 2
9:30 AM
Mastering Internal Investigations: Best Practices and Legal Considerations
Internal investigations are a cornerstone of corporate legal strategy, requiring precision, discretion, and a deep understanding of legal risks. This session explores how corporate counsel can effectively conduct internal investigations that preserve legal privilege, ensure regulatory compliance, and minimize risks such as retaliation claims. It covers structuring investigations to maintain neutrality, handling sensitive employee concerns, applying Upjohn warnings, managing attorney-client communications, and responding to government inquiries from agencies like the EEOC and OSHA. Attendees will also examine the circumstances that warrant engaging an outside investigator, balancing the need for independent assessment against internal oversight. For public companies, unique regulatory challenges necessitate a nuanced approach to investigations, requiring careful coordination with executive leadership and external regulators.
Panelists
Matt Barszcz
Member, Labor & Employment Department, Cozen O’Connor
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Jenny Goltz
Founder, Goltz Employment Law and Investigations
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Ellen Hunt
Vice President - Global Ethics & Compliance Program, Cushman & Wakefield
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Natascha Riesco
Senior Counsel-Employment Affairs, Combined Insurance, a CHUBB company
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Thank you to our sponsor
9:30 AM
Managing the Risk of Trademark Litigation: A Guide for In-House Counsel
This course is a comprehensive guide for managing trademark concerns of both corporate counsel and litigators. In a global marketplace of ideas, a business's trademark has never been so important. At the same time, companies face increasing risks regarding these vital assets: the world is ever more competitive and connected by technology, and product cycles are quickly accelerating. How can in-house counsel help manage trademark risk in the face of these challenges? This CLE presentation will provide a roadmap to in-house counsel for clearing potential trademarks and managing a company's trademark litigation risks, including an overview of up-to-date legal developments and a walk-through of the unique challenges of trademark litigation.
Panelists
Breeanna Brewer
Associate, Willenken LLP
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Shyla Jones-Ali
Director-Legal Counsel, Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
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Jason Wilson
Partner, Willenken LLP​
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Thank you to our sponsor
10:30 AM
BREAK
10:45 AM
MORNING PLENARY
10:45 AM
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Ethics
Join the panel for an early start on the holidays and explore a holiday season full of ethical snowstorms for in-house counsel. As the business landscape turns frostier and more unpredictable than ever, legal professionals are dashing through the complexities of confidentiality, privilege and legal versus business advice. Join us for a merry but thought-provoking discussion as we deck the halls with key insights into the ethical responsibilities and obligations in-house counsel must uphold. The session will include a sleigh ride through the ABA Model Rules and other guidance to be followed by examining real-world scenarios involving AI, communications, conflicts and other ethical issues – all with a holiday twist.
Whether you’re untangling the lights of confidentiality or navigating ethical issues in Santa’s workshop, this session will have you celebrating ethics.
Panelists
Moderator & Panelist, Helena Ledic
Associate General Counsel, CSC
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Christine Binotti
Managing Counsel, Health Care Service Corporation
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Amy Keenan
Senior Counsel at Camping World and Good Sam (CWGS)
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Katherine Sams
Chief Legal Counsel Americas, DeLaval​​​
Thank you to our sponsor
11:45 AM
BUFFET LUNCH
CONCURRENT PANELS - CHOOSE 1 OF 2
12:30 PM
Building Influence and Value: Establishing the In-House Counsel Role as a Strategic Business Executive
This program will explore how to successfully establish and elevate the role of in-house counsel within a business. Attendees will gain insights into how to position themselves as indispensable executives and trusted business decision-makers. From understanding organizational priorities to integrating legal strategies with business objectives, this session will provide practical guidance and actionable strategies to ensure that in-house counsel is not seen as the “voice of no” or as a costly expense, but as a pivotal component to a company's success.
Panelists
Moderator & Panelist Alfred Coleman
Partner, Saul Ewing
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Jeff Kemp
Deputy General Counsel, Koch
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Lisa Kpor
Litigation Counsel, United Airlines
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Marcus LeBeouf
Executive Vice President, Legal Affairs & Human Resources, Chicago Blackhawks​​
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Franco Spraggins
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Eversana
Thank you to our sponsor
12:30 PM
Employment Law Considerations for AI Usage
This panel will explore AI usage in hiring and other HR decisions. Panelists will provide expertise in the:
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Review of key legal considerations, including discrimination and privacy protections
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Overview of the current regulations and proposed legislation
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Practical legal guidance for in-house counsel, including risk mitigation and best practices
Panelists
Moderator & Panelist, Ashley Orler
Partner - AI Practice Group Co-Chair, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP
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Jainine Fletcher-Thomas
Director, Associate General Counsel, Sprout Social
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Melissa Hirst
General Counsel, Inspire11
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Andrew Schulkin
Senior Counsel, Legal & Regulatory Compliance, BMO Financial Group​​​
Thank you to our sponsor
1:30 PM
BREAK
3:30 PM
BREAK
CONCURRENT PANELS - CHOOSE 1 OF 2
1:45 PM
Smart Deals, Safe Data: Navigating AI Vendor Contracts & Risk
As AI becomes deeply embedded in enterprise operations, negotiating contracts with AI vendors—and managing how vendors use AI on your behalf—has never been more critical. This panel explores best practices for structuring AI vendor agreements, ensuring transparency, and aligning on ethical and operational standards. We’ll dive into key clauses to watch for, strategies for ongoing vendor oversight, and how to conduct robust risk assessments to safeguard your organization’s data, reputation, and compliance posture. Whether you're drafting your first AI contract or refining your vendor governance model, this session will equip you with the insights to make smarter, safer decisions.
Panelists
Marcus S. Harris
Partner, Taft
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Nicholas P. Brankle
Partner, Taft
Elizabeth Winkowski
Associate, Taft
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Aihong Yu
VP, Chief Privacy Counsel, CDK Global​​​
Thank you to our sponsor
1:45 PM
Corporate Governance Essentials: SEC Compliance in a Changing Regulatory Landscape
This course offers a comprehensive overview for managing SEC reporting and disclosure obligations for corporate counsel. With potential changes to longstanding requirements under consideration by the SEC under the Trump administration, now is an essential time to stay informed on what’s new and what’s likely to change. This CLE presentation will provide in-house counsel with a roadmap to navigate these critical SEC requirements and will cover key updates of recent developments from shareholder advocacy groups to learnings from litigation, providing the tools to stay ahead in this shifting regulatory landscape.
Panelists
Joseph Adams
Partner, Winston & Strawn​
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Julianne Cook
Managing Counsel, Gallagher Bassett
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Dominique Fry
Associate, Winston & Strawn
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Marissa Sims
Associate, Winston & Strawn​​​​​​
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Thank you to our sponsor
2:45 PM
BIG SNACKS BREAK
CONCURRENT PANELS - CHOOSE 1 OF 2
3:15 PM
Global Data and Cybersecurity
With data breaches and cyber threats increasingly prevalent, understanding how to practically navigate the global landscape of data protection and cybersecurity has never been more important (or more challenging!) for legal professionals. This expert panel, with speakers from the US, Hong Kong and the UK will discuss ways to navigate some of the key complexities of the laws, regulations, and best practices across different jurisdictions. Key areas will include:
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Current Threat Landscape: An overview of emerging cyber threats and their implications for businesses and individuals.
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Legal Frameworks: Discussion around the globally diverging data protection laws, including GDPR, CCPA, and other regional regulations that shape compliance strategies.
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Risk Management Strategies: Insights into effective technical and organizational cybersecurity measures and incident response planning to mitigate risks.
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Cross-Border Challenges: Discussion on the difficulties of navigating data transfers and cybersecurity compliance in a global context, particularly with the rapid rise of AI deployment.
Panelists
Moderator & Panelist, Frank Nolan
Partner (US) Eversheds Sutherland
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Dave Hughes
Partner (UK), Eversheds Sutherland
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Deepa Menon
Partner (US), Eversheds Sutherland
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Joe Prempeh
Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer, Tenneco
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Frankie Tam
Partner (Hong Kong), Eversheds Sutherland
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Thank you to our sponsor
3:15 PM
Making Privilege Practical: Real-World Guidance for the Busy In-House Lawyer
In-house counsel walk a daily tightrope when it comes to preserving attorney-client privilege. This panel will tackle real-world pitfalls that in-house counsel face, from inadvertently waiving privilege during joint-venture negotiations to missteps in boardroom discussions. Featuring seasoned outside general counsel with deep industry insight, an in-house counsel from a fast-paced construction management firm, and an appellate practitioner who will dissect recent rulings, this session is packed with practical strategies and war stories. Whether you are imbedded in operations or advising the C-Suite, you’ll leave with a sharper toolkit to protect one of your most critical assets – confidential legal advice.
Panelists
Moderator & Panelist, Irina Dmitrieva
Partner, HeplerBroom, LLC
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Kiran Advani
General Counsel, SQN Associates
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Aleen Tiffany
Partner, HeplerBroom, LLC
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Stephanie Weiner
Partner, HeplerBroom, LLC
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Thank you to our sponsor
4:15 PM
BREAK
AFTERNOON PLENARY
4:30 PM
Professional Career Counseling Opportunities from ACC
By Jan Anne Dubin, CEO and Founder, Jan Anne Dubin Consulting
4:45 PM
Best Practices of General Counsel
This program explores the evolving role of the general counsel as both a trusted legal advisor and a key member of the executive leadership team. Our stellar panel of general counsels from Fortune 500 companies and other leading-edge organizations will discuss best practices in corporate governance, serving as a business advisor to your client, CEO and board management, crisis management and how to become a general counsel. Emphasis will be placed on aligning legal strategy with business objectives, fostering a culture of ethical conduct, and building strong partnerships with executive leadership, the board of directors, and operational teams.
Panelists
Moderator, John Lewis Jr.
Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon
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Scott D’Angelo
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, UL Solutions
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Jeremy Gordon
Head of Legal, Americas, Thoughtworks
Bob Malone
General Counsel Americas SBU, Capgemini​​​
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Meredith Ritchie
SVP, General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Government Affairs Officer, Alliant Credit Union
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Thank you to our sponsor
5:45 PM
NETWORKING
BEVERAGES
HORS D’OEUVRES
Thank you to our sponsors
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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Registration Fees
Members may register for $100.00 and non-ACC members for $125.00. Early bird pricing - members may register for $75 until August 29th. See registration site for details.
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Location
The Summit is an in-person only event. The Union League Club is located at 65 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604. Smart Casual Attire is required throughout the Clubhouse and is defined as: A relaxed, well-dressed look. Smart Casual may include jeans, denim, and collar-less shirts.
Parking
Discounted Parking is offered through the Club - both Valet and Self-Parking. Visit https://www.ulcc.org/.
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Overnight Accommodations are available
Standard rooms are offered at a daily group rate of $259.00 per room + 20% per night surcharge. Reservations are available by calling 1.800.443.0578. Please reference: ‘ACC Chicago’ for the group rate which expires August 27th. Guests pay their own charges. Please have a credit card number ready to provide as a guarantee.
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Illinois Continuing Legal Education Credits
ACC Chicago is an Approved Provider with the Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois. The association will be seeking CLE credit for seven (7.0) hours with the State of Illinois including 1.0 (pending) for Professional Responsibility – Ethics. To receive MCLE credits with Illinois, an attendee must sign in when they arrive and turn in a timesheet prior to leaving for the day. Attendees must provide their Illinois ARDC number and email address to ACC Chicago.
Summit Registrations – Transfers and Cancellations
Transferability: Registrants will be permitted to transfer their registration to another person prior to Friday, September 12th at 5:00 pm. After that date and time, registration cannot be transferred.
Refunds and Cancellation: Registrants may cancel their registration, prior to Wednesday, September 10th at 5:00 pm, subject to a $10 administrative fee which will be deducted from the refund.
ABOUT ACC AND ACC CHICAGO
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The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is a global bar association that promotes the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel who work for corporations, associations and other organizations. ACC anticipates and understands the needs of the in-house bar; helps members deliver services to their corporate clients efficiently; promotes the value of in-house services; influences the practice of law as it affects the in-house bar; and delivers a mix of relevant, timely services including information, education, networking and advocacy.
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With more than 40,000 members employed by over 10,000 organizations in 85 countries, ACC connects its members to each other and to the people and resources necessary for their personal and professional growth.
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ACC Chicago is one of the largest, most progressive and highly successful Chapters within ACC. We have about 2200 in-house counsel members representing virtually every leading local, national and international company in Chicago and the surrounding areas. ACC Chicago is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of the Chicago in-house counsel community. We also proudly focus on promoting diversity and the legal pipeline. We strongly encourage members to become more involved with our Chapter, and non-member in-house counsel to join. We believe that you will find it to be both professionally and personally rewarding.
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Visit acc.com/chicago for more information.