Association of Corporate Counsel

It’s not every day your name lights up the Nasdaq Tower! This monumental tribute kicks off the ACC 2025 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, where we’ll honor Veta T. Richardson NACD.DC, ACC President & CEO for her remarkable leadership and impact as she prepares to conclude her tenure at the end of this month. As more than 1,800 in-house counsel and legal operations professionals, along with a host of law firms, technology solutions, and legal service providers gather this weekend, we celebrate Veta and the incredible in-house community she has championed. Congratulations, Veta — and thank you for your inspiring leadership.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!  Explore tips for helping your organization avoid being a part of the next scary story.     Our latest Halloween-themed article discusses key cybersecurity topics including:  - Avoid the Unexpected Scare: Assess Cybersecurity Practices  - Don’t Fall for the Disguises: Train Employees on Cybersecurity   - Know Who to Call (and When): Prepare for Data Breaches  - A Trick or Treat? AI & Cybersecurity Read the full article with takeaways from the latest edition of ACC’s Cybersecurity Toolkit for In-house Lawyers. The article features insights from Joe Lazzarotti, Jason Gavejian, Damon Silver, CIPP/US, and Mary T. Costigan of Jackson Lewis P.C., as well as practical in-house tips from Robert Kang, Wei Loong Siow, Stephen H. Baird, and Bunny S.! 

Heading to Philly for our 2025 Annual Meeting? Unsure of what to pack? Then this video is for you! Our colleague Giuseppe Marletta provided some great packing tips for #AM25 attendees! Take a look! Key tip: Be prepared to get those steps in so pack comfy shoes! See you soon!

What does it take to become the kind of general counsel CEOs and boards depend on? In a candid Q&A, Ron Klain, Chief Legal Officer at Airbnb, shares lessons on embedding legal into strategy from day one, balancing innovation with principled risk management, and leading with humility. His advice is a roadmap for aspiring GCs — and a reminder of what it means to be a modern CLO. Read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/eAw3mXw2 Elevate your own leadership journey at the ACC Annual Meeting, with exclusive programming for senior leaders in the CLO Club: https://lnkd.in/eyjq_fk #InhouseCounsel #LegalLeadership #GeneralCounsel #ACCAnnualMeeting #CLOClub

ACC's Annual Meeting is right around the corner - and tomorrow is the final day to secure your spot! Don’t miss timely and forward-thinking sessions on AI, cybersecurity, governance in a complex political climate, and strategies to strengthen your in-house career. Can't join us for for the entire conference? Register for a day-pass and be part of the premier global gathering for in-house counsel: acc.com/annualmeeting #ACCAnnualMeeting #InhouseCounsel #LegalLeadership #Cybersecurity #AI #Governance #ProfessionalGrowth

Are You Ready for Today's Cyber Risks?    More than half of today's chief legal officers feel unprepared to handle data-related risks, according to the 2025 ACC Chief Legal Officer Survey. In today's highly vulnerable landscape, that's a risk your organization can't afford. Cybersecurity leadership isn't just for the CISO. Anyone involved in making and executing cybersecurity decisions needs to be part of managing enterprise-wide cyber risks. This means you! That's why we're excited to introduce a new credential designed specifically for in-house legal professionals: the ACC ECRC (Executive Cybersecurity Risk Credential). This program, provided through ACC's partnership with CLASS LLC, will equip you with the essential cybersecurity skills to provide enhanced guidance and support across your entire organization. The ACC ECRC empowers in-house legal professionals with the knowledge and perspective needed to effectively oversee and govern modern cybersecurity risks. Register and join us in Atlanta December 8-10 for this incredible opportunity! https://www.acc.com/ecrc

New Report Launch: Generative AI’s Growing Strategic Value for Corporate Law Departments ACC’s latest research, developed in partnership with Everlaw, reveals how in-house legal teams are moving from planning to action on AI. Key insights from 657 in-house professionals across 30 countries: - GenAI adoption more than doubled in one year, from 23% to 52%. - 91% cite efficiency as the top benefit, particularly for drafting and research. - Nearly two-thirds expect to rely less on outside counsel as they bring more work in-house. - 59% haven’t yet seen cost savings from law firm AI use — highlighting a growing transparency gap. This report provides critical insight into how GenAI is reshaping legal workflows, vendor relationships, and the future of legal services. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/et4Pp5iK #InhouseCounsel #LegalInnovation #GenerativeAI #FutureOfLegal #ACC #Everlaw #LegalOps #LegalTech

Membership Monday: Maria Crabb Meet Maria Crabb, ACC member and Director, JAPAC Employment Counsel of Palo Alto Networks whose “day in the life” story is a powerful reminder that in-house counsel navigate both the intricate and the everyday with equal resolve. From early strategy sessions and contract reviews to mentoring junior team members and balancing real-time challenges, Maria’s role is a testament to what it takes to deliver value in today’s complex business world. Read her Day in the Life → https://lnkd.in/e8czqc3E As an ACC member, Maria leverages our network, tools, and peer learning to stay ahead, sharpen her skills, and lead with insight. Her story shows how ACC membership supports not just legal work, but meaningful leadership. Thank you, Maria, for being a shining example in our community! #InhouseCounsel #ACC #LegalLeadership #MembershipMonday

“The GC role has evolved far beyond legal counsel. Today’s GCs are trusted advisers guiding their organizations through uncertainty, transformation, and human challenges — all while managing their own and their teams’ well-being.   Positively Legal columnist Caterina Cavallaro, and Associate General Counsel at VGW, explores how in-house leaders can thrive by: - Embracing strengths-based leadership to build engaged, high-performing legal teams - Cultivating resilience in high-pressure environments - Anchoring leadership in purpose to inspire connection and meaning at work   It’s a roadmap for GCs who want to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose — while sustaining themselves and their teams for the long run.   Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eMdNUcsk   Download the ACC Well-being Toolkit for In-house Lawyers, Second Edition: https://lnkd.in/eJbHiAFV #InhouseCounsel #LegalLeadership #Wellbeing #Resilience #ACC

We’re excited to share that Dave Hart, a long-standing member of the ACC Europe Board has been appointed President of ACC Europe – Association of Corporate Counsel! Dave has been a dedicated leader within our community for more than six years, helping guide the Chapter through growth, the challenges of the pandemic, and shaping our long-term strategy, Shift2030. He brings extensive legal leadership experience in telecommunications and financial services and currently serves at Ericsson. ✨ A heartfelt thank you to Maria Rocha Barros for her outstanding leadership as President. Her energy, vision, and commitment have left a lasting impact on ACC Europe, inspiring members and strengthening our community. Join us in congratulating Dave and thanking Maria for their incredible leadership and contributions to the in-house counsel community. #ACCEurope #Leadership #InhouseCounsel #LegalCommunity #LegalLeadership