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John Grupp
ACC Charlotte President, 2022
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Greetings ACC Charlotte Chapter Members.
Well, it is hard to believe summer is over and schools are back in session! Some of us continue to work remote while some of us have returned to the office in a full-time and/or hybrid manner. If you feel like me, it is a welcome change after the challenges we navigated through the past 2 ½ years to have some “normalcy” back.
Just as our respective companies strive to strike the appropriate balance between in-person, remote and hybrid workplaces, our Chapter is also working to strike the appropriate balance for the programming and networking opportunities available to our members. Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey we distributed last quarter to help us gather data that allows us to work to meet the needs of our membership. To that end, we had an engaging, productive and informative Q3 with seventeen (17) events, including 6 CLE’s, 2 women’s events, 3 social events, 2 affinity group events, 1 new to in-house event, 1 new member event and 1 community service event. And, after a 2 year break, we also had a great time seeing each other and having fun in-person at the Casino Night event on August 27th!
While we celebrate the chance to reconnect with our colleagues, families and friends, we of course still face many challenges. Inflation, disruptions to the supply chain, labor shortages and international conflict, among others, create uncertainty and pressure for ourselves and our businesses. But, they also provide opportunities for us to provide leadership and value to our organizations. We hope you will join us for one or more of the events planned in Q4 to expand your knowledge, enhance your skills, and further your network of in-house and outside counsel to support your organizations and our communities.
If you plan to attend the ACC Annual Meeting (October 23 – October 27), please let us know so we can connect. Please also reach out to discuss the Chapter, our programming and any feedback you may have to improve how we serve our members and sponsors. My email is grupp@arrival.com.
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ACC CHARLOTTE MEMBER NEWS | |
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Welcome ACC Charlotte New Members!
June 2022 - August 2022
Jyotirmoy Banerjee, Associate General Counsel, Bank of America Corporation
Leon Beard, Senior Manager - Contracts, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon Technologies
Susan Campbell, General Counsel, Acro Service Corporation
Susan Canning, SVP, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Hayward Industries, Inc.
Nancy Coles, Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo Law Department
Rachelle Corson-Webber, Counsel, Wells Fargo Law Department
Christine Fiarito, Lead ERISA & Benefits Attorney, Brighthouse Financial
Molly Hester, Associate Counsel, Compass Group USA, Inc.
Dexter Hobbs, Corporate Counsel, Compass Group USA, Inc.
Abhishek Kashikar, Assistant General Counsel IP, Honeywell International Inc.
Caroline Keen, Corporate, Securities, and Compliance Counsel, Hayward Industries, Inc.
Soo Min Ko, Counsel – Privacy, Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Lisa Lorenzi, Principal Specialist – Contracts, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon Technologies
Alison Loucks, Business Execution Senior Manager, Wells Fargo Law Department
Seton Mangine, Associate Director, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon Technologies
Richard Mitchell, Sr. Contracts Manager, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon Technologies
Satie Munn, Corporate Counsel, Parsons Corporation
Jennifer Nieves, Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo Law Department
Deborah Palacio, Legal Counsel, Director, Belk Inc.
Stephanie Reilly, Corporate Counsel, Brighthouse Financial
Eric Robinson, Vice President & Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo Law Department
Brittany Simpson, Senior Associate General Counsel, Cambia Health Solutions, Inc.
Warwick Spencer, Corporate Counsel, Contec, Inc.
Tom Stephenson, Director, Legal Operations, Credit Karma, LLC
Stacey Stone, Associate General Counsel, AvidXchange, Inc.
Siri Swayampu, Privacy Counsel, Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Cheryl Williams, Sr. Contracts Manager, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon Technologies
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New Member Lunch
Sponsored by Bradley - 8/23/22
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Thank you to Bradley for joining us to welcome our new members to ACC Charlotte over lunch at Brewers at 4001 Yancey. Great food and conversation was enjoyed by all!
Thank you to Bradley for sponsoring this event.
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FEATURED PLATINUM SPONSOR | |
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Bradley is a national law firm with a reputation for skilled legal work, exceptional client service, and impeccable integrity. The firm provides business clients around the world with a full suite of legal services in dozens of industries and practice areas.
With 10 offices located in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, Bradley has an extensive geographic base to represent clients on a regional, national, and international basis. They frequently serve as national coordinating counsel, regional counsel, and statewide counsel for clients in various industries.
Although Bradley is a large law firm with more than 600 lawyers, clients still enjoy the personal attention, responsiveness, and deep relationships they would expect from a boutique firm. Attorneys combine legal experience and knowledge with a sophisticated understanding of industries to find practical, strategic solutions specifically tailored to our clients’ business operations. Bradley lawyers use their talents, judgment, work ethic, and experience to go above and beyond expectations to help clients meet their goals.
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Contracting in Uncertain Times: Skilled Negotiation for Future Flexibility
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Businesses must constantly adapt to changes in political, regulatory, and economic conditions. Executives often view changes as presenting opportunity – while attorneys often view them as obstacles.
A key challenge in any legal practice is navigating the appropriate balance between opportunity and obstacle: rather than advising against any assumption of risk, an attorney able to guide clients to evaluate key risks and assist in eliminating or mitigating them becomes a trusted business partner.
Contracts aren’t usually known for flexibility. Too often, contracts become paper in a file drawer instead of road maps for execution. But skilled attorneys can negotiate terms and conditions to serve as precise tools providing options and managing outcomes of future changes.
Many risks are specifically identifiable, even if their impacts remain unknown as of contract execution. Consider today’s volatile supply chain: where parties anticipate future price decreases, it may be wise to negotiate a material escalation (or de-escalation) provision allowing parties to adjust pricing pursuant to a commodity price index. And every contract in 2022 should include an acknowledgement of known COVID-19 impacts, with a procedure to address future potential impacts.
Other risks are more broad and unpredictable (and are often seen as low probability events). Experienced counsel, however, knows that having contractual protection for such risks may be the difference between ultimate success or failure if the risk actually occurs. Carefully-negotiated material adverse change, change in law, force majeure, and excusable event provisions can narrow these unknown risks into a contract appropriately-tailored for the business’ assumption of risk.
Of course, there is no way to predict the future. The risks facing businesses now are not likely to be the same risks we encounter next year. As new risks arise, sophisticated parties and their counsel must quickly adapt to manage them.
Monica Wilson Dozier is a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, where her practice focuses on risk mitigation and dispute avoidance in the renewable energy industry.
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What a pleasure to see so many faces over these last few months! Thanks to all who have joined us at our in person events and especially our Casino Night! Please enjoy the summaries below of our 3rd Quarter events.
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eXtravaganza Depot - 8/27/22 | |
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Thank you to all who joined us for our 10th Annual Casino Night at the Extravaganza Depot! We had over 150 people in attendance and enjoyed great food catered by Delectables by Holly and we had some outstanding prizes donated and won by our members and sponsors at the end of the evening. We are proud to have collected 824 lbs of non-perishable items for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Metrolina.
Thank you to LegalPeople, Onit, and TCDI for sponsoring this event.
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Retail Affinity Group Event:
El Thrifty Social
Sponsored by McGuireWoods - 8/10/22
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Attendees experienced El Thrifty Social - a Mexican cantina, bar and upscale gaming venue located in Optimist Hall. Our members were hosted by McGuireWoods attorneys and enjoyed camaraderie, chased with curated cocktails and a delicious dinner.
Thank you to McGuireWoods for sponsoring this event.
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New to In House: Conversations and Connections
Sponsored by Parker Poe - 9/14/22
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New to In House members gathered for wisdom-sharing and connection building. Participants learned from each other via TED Talks and small group discussions to create new connections and deepen relationships. ACC members and Parker Poe attorneys enjoyed sips and small plates at Dressler’s in Midtown.
TED Talk Speakers:
Jessie Basner – Trane Technologies
Burton Powell – Kleinfelder
Topics:
1. How I have gotten to know my business—what resources I’ve discovered (especially if any financial educational related resources), what I’ve found helpful and how I’ve formed positive relationships with non-legal teams/colleagues.
2. With no billable hour and no longer a profit-generating role, how I quantify my contributions to the company.
Mentor/Mentee Panel:
Makila Scruggs – Trane Technologies
Mary-Fletcher Mullikin – Compass Group
Pam Hutson – US Bank
Kerry-Ann Archer – Wells Fargo
Please Note: All ACC members are welcome to join the New to In-house (NIH) Affinity Group which was formed in 2020 to provide formal and informal mentoring and to exchange best practices for in-house attorneys. Experienced in-house attorneys (5+ years in-house experience) and attorneys that are new to in-house roles (< 5 years’ experience in-house) are encouraged to gather as we get to know one another, create formal and informal mentoring, facilitate connectivity and deepen in-house relationships.
Thank you to Parker Poe for sponsoring this event.
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS | |
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Community Service Event: Hygiene Kits with Roof Above
Sponsored by Alston & Bird - 8/25/22
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ACC Charlotte members and Alston & Bird attorneys joined together for a phenomenal community service event assembling hygiene kits to be distributed to Charlotte area residents who are experiencing homelessness and those transitioning to stable housing! Together we packaged 300 hygiene kits for women (to be sent to Salvation Army) and 450 for men (to be sent to Roof Above). Randall Hitt from Roof Above spent time presenting and educating us about his organization which is an amazing nonprofit with a goal to end homelessness.
Thank you to Alston & Bird for sponsoring this event.
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Women's Event: Spa Day
Sponsored by Ogletree Deakins - 7/21/22
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ACC Charlotte and Ogletree women gathered at The Spa at Ballantyne for a morning of relaxation and catching up over brunch. ACC Charlotte women were treated to massages from the incredibly Ballantyne Spa and enjoyed great food at the in-house restaurant - but best of all was the great conversation and connections made with Ogletree women attorneys.
Thank you to Ogletree Deakins for sponsoring this event.
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Women's Event: Mix and Mingle
Sponsored by Bradley - 8/30/22
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The women of ACC Charlotte and Bradley joined together at The Cocktailery in SouthEnd for an evening of cocktail mixing and mingling. The event featured interactive cocktail stations where attendees learned how to mix three different cocktails (or mocktails!) while networking with others. Members also enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres.
Thank you to Bradley for sponsoring this event.
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Topgolf
Sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson (US) - 7/28/22
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ACC Charlotte members and Womble attorneys gathered at Topgolf FORE a Par-tee. The weather was beautiful and attendees enjoyed cocktails, a summertime dinner and enjoy catching up with friends!
Thank you to Womble for sponsoring this event.
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Axe Throwing
Sponsored by Jackson Lewis - 8/18/22
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BATL Axe Throwing provided a perfect venue for some serious competition! ACC Charlotte members and Jackson Lewis attorneys learned proper axe throwing technique and competed for high scores. Networking, delicious food and beverages were abundant!
Thank you to Jackson Lewis for sponsoring this event.
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President's Cup Par-Tee!
Sponsored by Bradley - 9/20/22
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ACC Charlotte members and Bradley attorneys gathered at The Captains Club during the President's Cup at Quail Hollow Club for the Practice Round! The Captains Club was a shared hospitality tent located left of #1 Fairway with views of Hole #1, #8 & #18.
Our members were digitally transferred tickets the day before the tournament and were able to arrive at the tournament anytime they wished. They then met the Bradley attorneys between 2-3 pm in The Captain's Club for food and drink. After this mid-afternoon meet-up time, some attendees chose to walk the course and some hung out in The Captain's Club. Bradley attorneys split up to spend time with ACC members and great networking was enjoyed by all.
Thank you to Bradley for sponsoring this event.
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Preservation Strategies for Corporate Counsel to Address the Advent of New Technologies
Sponsored by Winston & Strawn - 7/19/22
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Preservation in the context of litigation is fraught with risk in light of newer communications and technology platforms. This panel CLE presentation explored the case law and best practices around the preservation of electronically stored information, including how “reasonable steps” to preserve are defined and applied in practice under the federal and state corollary rules of procedure, whether reliance on a legal hold notice alone is enough to satisfy a company’s preservation obligations, and automated steps you can take to implement preservation across your enterprise.
Thank you to Winston & Strawn for sponsoring this event.
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Advertising, Copyright, Trademark and Avoiding Trouble
Sponsored by Moore & Van Allen - 8/4/22
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Corporate counsel are navigating a new world of advertising and marketing issues that include copyright, trademark, competitive advertising and product claims, social media influencers and the technology that makes nearly everyone an “advertiser.” This CLE helped our members learn how to spot issues in a marketing team’s efforts, and ultimately help them get to “yes” for the exciting creative they are developing. Presenters gave an overview of trademark and copyright law and how to register for each, and then covered advertising law in a world where everything from claims on a website to testimonials by influencers can be advertising. The presentation drew on regulatory guidance to help attendees identify risks that may emerge from marketing, and outline best practices for avoiding trouble – from regulators, competitors and customers alike.
Thank you to Moore & Van Allen for sponsoring this event.
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Building a Healthy Workplace Culture
Sponsored by Parker Poe - 8/11/22
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Many organizations want a quick fix to building a healthy culture and minimizing toxicity. This can be likened to trying to cure a patient by writing a prescription without first understanding the patient’s underlying health condition. However, long-term wellness requires more than just a magic pill. Organizations, and societies alike, must resist the impulse to seek immediate relief for the symptoms, and instead focus on the disease. Failure to do so will result not only in poor workplace cultures that are revolving doors for employees, but may also lead to exposure for organizations if left unchecked. Effective training involves exploring the impact of what we say and do as well as the perceived intent of what we say and do. In-house counsel are uniquely positioned to lead their business’ operations in this regard by building healthy cultures within their legal departments and modeling appropriate and effective relationships and modes of communication. ACC Charlotte members, Parker Poe attorneys, and speakers from the L.I.F.E. Group participated in this Diversity CLE event to define Microaggressions, Microinsults, Microassaults, and Microinvalidations and illustrate how they can dilute relationship building opportunities, as well as contribute to exposure for underlying legal claims, discuss various personality traits we encounter in business as well as the triggers we must manage, and identify healthy boundaries, professional levels of engagement, and how to promote yourself and your team without attacking others.
If you missed this CLE, we would love you to watch it here.
Thank you to Parker Poe for sponsoring this webinar.
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Transactions Involving Privacy, Security, and Related Transfer Risk
Sponsored by Troutman Pepper - 9/8/22
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Presenters provided insights into the current state of negotiating privacy, security and risk transfer related thereto in transactional agreements (e.g., M&A, commercial, and technology transactions). ACC members learned about common reps & warranties on privacy issues, related indemnities and limitations on liability, and security and notification obligations for service providers and receiving parties. The structure of the one hour session was in panel format, where the speakers interacted with each other.
Thank you to Troutman Pepper for sponsoring this event.
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Antitrust Primer and Developments –
From NIL rights, to LIV Golf, to poultry and pork price fixing
Sponsored by Fox Rothschild - 9/13/22
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This presentation covered antitrust basics including some ‘hot’ recent cases. It included recent developments and trends in the law so corporate counsel can simply and effectively remind business leaders of some of the most critical do’s and don’ts when it comes to antitrust and unfair competition. Following this CLE, our members enjoyed networking and delicious food and cocktails! Fox also did three giveaways which included a $25 Amazon gift card and other branded gifts!
Thank you to Fox Rothschild for sponsoring this event.
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Did you miss an event?
Past presentation materials are available on our website to members only.
Please log in as a member HERE.
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The contents of this newsletter are intended to convey general information only and not to provide legal advice or opinions. The contents of this newsletter should not be relied upon for legal or tax advice in any particular circumstance or fact situation. The information presented may not reflect the most current legal developments. No action should be taken in reliance on the information and we disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law. An attorney should be contacted for advice on specific legal issues.
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