In-house ACCess : In-house ACCess: Association of Corporate Counsel : ACC : The In-house Counsel Bar Association

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ACC’s Annual Meeting in Boston might have kicked off on Sunday night, but things really got underway on Monday as thousands of in-house counsel arrived at the Hynes Convention Center to register and begin their immersion into what brought them together: learning, engaging and sharing. Having been involved with past meetings, I was struck today by the upbeat demeanor, levity and humor interspersed throughout the sessions, in the exhibit hall and with members and sponsors chatting amongst themselves. At a time when negative news seems to own the limelight, the positive, good-natured vibe was a much welcomed change.

A real treat of the day of the day (and likely to be one of the highlights of the conference) was Chair’s Choice: A View from the Frontlines, which gave attendees the unique opportunity to hear from Ivan Fong, former ACC Board Chair and currently the General Counsel of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Fong’s first-hand account of transitioning from General Counsel at Cardinal Health to one of the largest government agencies was both captivating and insightful. He shared how managing the many hundreds of lawyers and issues at DHS were similar, as well as different, from managing lawyers and matters in-house at the companies he previously worked for. Most notably, Ivan noted that the “hallmarks of being a good lawyer – the foundations on which everything is based – were the quality of the legal analysis, responsiveness, sound judgment and the ability to be a trusted advisor, all of which translate well into the public sector.”

Fong’s candidness and honesty provided everyone with a snapshot of his day-to-day activities, as well as his long term goals for success. The session was so fascinating that it warrants its own detailed summary (To be posted on In-House ACCess following the meeting.)

The day’s luncheon, sponsored by Lex Mundi, drew a packed room to join ACC President Fred Krebs in welcoming in ACC’s new Board Chair, Pat Hatler, and new Board members, Sabine Chalmers, Chief Legal and Communications Officer at Anheuser-Busch Inbev; John Page, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from Golden State Foods; and Norman Wain, Vice President, Corporate Legal Affairs and Assistant General Counsel at the Finish Line. 

Krebs explained that each year in lieu of speaker fees, ACC contributes to a worthwhile charity, and this year a $5,000 donation was given to Camp Letts, a YMCA summer camp that serves youths from the inner cities of Washington, DC and Baltimore. 

Krebs also reminded everyone that, “Last year at this time, we predicted we would be at the 25,000 member milestone and I am happy to say we have reached that threshold. This year has truly exceeded our expectations on many fronts.”

He went on to acknowledge ACC’s two new chapters – the South Carolina Chapter and the North Florida Chapter, bringing the association to 51 chapters in more than 70 countries with members who represent over 10,000 organizations.

On a solemn note, earlier this year ACC was saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Banks, Sr., an extraordinary in house counsel for Xerox for many years and the leading founder of ACC. “Bob Banks gave us a great gift,” Krebs shared, “He gave us all an organization that permits us to change and improve our profession and ourselves. We are here today because of him.”

Krebs announced that ACC would be honoring Banks with the ACC Robert Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund, starting in 2010. This scholarship will help support those members who are in transition or need additional support to attend the Annual Meeting. Co-founding member, Carl Liggio, and Banks’ son, Bill Banks, were both on hand to share their heartfelt, personal memories and appreciation for Banks’ tireless efforts, dedication and historic legacy.

Dan Fitz, formerly Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Misys and the 2009 ACC Board Chair, presented this year’s winner for Excellence in Corporate Practice to David Allgood, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the Royal Bank of Canada. As General Counsel at one of the largest and most respected legal departments in Canada, Allgood is known as the person who sets the tone and introduces the best practices in law department management and leadership. Fitz noted that, “David's progressive posture on "value" issues, as promoted by the ACC Value Challenge, is setting both the tone and pace for other departments interested in reconnecting the cost of legal services to their actual value in the marketplace.” 

In addition, Fitz recognized Ogilvy Renault LLP as a firm that has gone above and beyond for their support of ACC and presented them with the 2009 President’s Award. “Not only has this firm supported ACC through advertising and sponsorships,” Fitz explained, “But they are also the lead sponsor of ACC’s popular CLO ThinkTank series of programs and they provide ACC with valuable insight on legal issues in Canada.”

The luncheon culminated with Pulitzer Prize winning author, Doris Kearns Goodwin, who shared her lifetime of studying and writing about great leaders with a captivating tale of her own personal observations and what everyone could learn from the great leaders she had studied. Her uncanny ability to bring history to life, to speak in pictures so as to draw everyone in, left everyone speechless. She shared her fascinating first-hand experience, as well as findings from in-depth research, and everyone hung onto her every word.  

The hundreds of people waiting in line to have Goodwin sign her latest book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, following the lunch was a true testament to the respect she garnered and the interest provoked among those in attendance. As Ivan Fong’s session earlier in the day was so enthralling that it warranted its own write up, so, too, does Goodwin’s speech. (To be posted on In-House ACCess following the meeting.)

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Coverage of ACC’s 2009 Annual Meeting will continue with interviews with ACC’s supporters and sponsors, over 100 of the world’s leading legal industry professionals.

* Susan E. Jacobsen, formerly ACC’s Director of Communications, was retained by ACC to cover this year’s Annual Meeting and will be providing coverage of the sessions and networking events throughout the conference.