It's hard to believe a new year is almost upon us. With this new year, I'm proud to be taking over the reins as President of the ACC-Michigan Chapter from Rob Fine, who did a magnificent job during the past year in navigating the challenges of facilitating member engagement amidst return-to-office uncertainties.  

This coming year, I aim to drive further success for our ACC-Michigan Chapter by reminding our members of the fantastic member benefits our ACC memberships afford us. The recipe for obtaining and maintaining this success is in our 2022-2023 Strategic Plan. It includes encouraging more effective in-person social and substantive activities, spotlighting the numerous ACC member-exclusive resources, and ensuring our members know how the ACC can aid in promoting professional development opportunities for all.  

We realize many in our solid member base are at various comfort levels for in-person activities, so we will strive to consider all preferences and feedback we receive when planning our future events and initiatives. Therefore, please don't hesitate to contact Nichole Fisher, CMP, Executive Director, or me with any ideas or suggestions to help make the most of your ACC membership!

I wish everyone a very Happy Holidays and a Prosperous 2023! We look forward to interacting with you and to us all succeeding as an ACC-Michigan Chapter in the new year.

Pervin R. Taleyarkhan

President

ACC MI

Amber Beebe

Erica Bell

Timothy Cumings

Edward Duplaga

Juyon Ham

Alesa James

Johnathan Jones

Kevin Landino

Jennifer Lawter

Margaret Lynch

Keith McLean

David Michael

LaRae Neal

John Ortoleva

Ronda Ross

Spencer Sattler

Keyur Shah

Rebecca Szetela

Camille Toney

Always Stay Connected & Informed!

ACC365: the ACC experience in the palm of your hand. With one tap you are plugged into the people, resources, knowledge that accelerate your career.

Access the following:

• ACC Newsfeed
• Membership Directory
• Discussion Forums
• ACC Jobline
• Calendar of Events
• ACC Twitter

Find download instructions here.

Top 10 Ways to Boost Your Energy at Work

Egon Zehnder (an ACC Global Resource Provider)

For an in-house counsel, work can bring continual challenges in high-pressure situations. You may be exploring risks, enhancing efficiencies, and handling other key issues covering all divisions of your company, while liaising with the board, regulators, and other demanding role-players. The pandemic may have added new pressures and the company might have cut costs, so you need to do more with fewer people.

Read More

February 2023 Events

2023 ACC-Boston University Mini MBA for In-House Counsel

February 13-23, 2023 |Online

Master the executive skills needed to ensure that you—and your organization—continue to move forward.

2023 ACC In-House Counsel Certification Program

February 5-15, 2023 | Online

This unique program will help you position yourself - and members of your team - as indispensable to the corporate client and raise the stature of your law department overall.

ACC Docket

Did you know that ACC has its own publication? The ACC Docket, features articles authored by your fellow members and our sponsors covering topics relevant to in-house practice areas. These articles range in topics from global substantive legal issues to professional development. If you haven't already, we encourage you to take a look! And if you're ever interested in authoring or co-authoring an article, feel free to let us know!

Top 5 ACC Resources

1. Top Ten Issues in Corporate Governance Practices in India
2. Privilege and Confidentiality Disclaimer
3. Top Ten Cases Involving Ethical Issues for In-House Counsel (United States)
4. Awarding Employee Bonuses in a Nonprofit Organization (United States)
5. Software/ Technology Services Contract Review Checklist

Annual Foley & Lardner LLP State of the Law Update Exceeds Expectations

Sponsored by: Foley & Lardner LLP

Click here for the program presentation

The Annual Foley & Lardner LLP State of the Law Update: While You Were Quarantining: Key Developments and Takeaways was held on Thursday, November 13, at Kingsley Bloomfield Hills. The post-COVID and post-lockdown world ushered in critical changes and current trends in the law. Participants discussed the updates on essential court decisions over the last three years, ongoing woes in the supply chain, and critical issues in employment law, compliance, and taxation. The program also addressed planning and suggestions for companies as they prepare for potential economic uncertainty ahead.

Participants enjoyed fabulous snacks, an evening reception, and signing children's books for Thanksgiving baskets for families of the Boys and Girls Club of America. Foley & Lardner LLP has a national partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Foley attorneys and business professionals have donated more than 2,500 hours to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America. They work with the Clubs to implement mentoring programs, education efforts, book and backpack drives, and multiple other events to promote safe, positive, and inclusive environments for youth all over the country.

Foley &Lardner LLP Speakers included Jason Conti, Nicholas Ellis, Michelle Freeman, Vanessa Miller, Felicia O'Connor, and Jennifer Neumann from American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.

What our members are saying…

• The program's content was good as it addressed many of the current challenges of in-house counsel: Force Majeure, recent contract cases, employment law re RIFs, and anti-trust.
•  You guys nailed it on topics! 
•  Loved the topics
• The discussion of the most relevant and recent cases was helpful.

West Michigan Committee December Social is Pure Joy

The West Michigan Committee held their first in-person social event on Thursday, December 1st, at Gravity Clubhouse and Grill. Seventeen in-house counsels enjoyed holiday cheer, appetizers, and most importantly, the time interacting on both work and social fronts. ACC MI is excited about the participation and momentum of the West Michigan Committee for 2023.

Photo - Members from left to right:

Elizabeth Peters (Steelcase), Chris Haven (Meijer), Olayinka Ope (Meijer Inc.) , Christopher Stemler (Trinity Health), Matthew Cameron (Whirlpool), Pervin Taleyarkhan (Whirlpool), Katie Bundyra (Primerus), Julie Westra (Steelcase) and Bryce Hunter (Enlyte).

ACC Michigan Winter Social

Sponsored by: Brooks Kushman

The Winter Social, presented by Brooks Kushman, was an extraordinary experience at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. Members and guests enjoyed a unique evening filled with holiday cheer, the art of charcuterie design and dinner. 

A Lawyer Helps Program

The State Bar of Michigan's A Lawyer Helps program celebrates lawyers who make a difference. A Lawyer Helps focuses on the legal profession's priority of pro bono: free legal help for the poor and financial donations to the Access to Justice Fund to support civil legal aid for the poor. In addition, A Lawyer Helps also recognizes lawyers who give time to other community efforts beyond pro bono. See the A Lawyer Helps website for more information.

Thank you again for your interest in pro bono and the Honor Roll. We hope that the information provided was helpful and will assist you in understanding what counts as pro bono service in Michigan. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact SBM Pro Bono Service & Justice Initiatives Counsel Robert Mathis at rmathis@michbar.org.

Leveraging LinkedIn to Advance Your Career:

A Two-Part Career Development Series (Virtual Lunch & Learn)

Wednesday, January 11 & Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Part One: Ever Wanted to Know Exactly How You Should Set Up Your LinkedIn Profile with the Right Content? | January 11 - 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Chris Batz, President of the Lion Group, will share with you the principles and format that best showcase your experience. His content is based on principles and formatting that can be applied to any in-house attorney. Don't wait till you are looking for the next opportunity. Take the time now. It will pay dividends.

Register January 11

Part Two: What if You are Not Visible on LinkedIn? | January 18 - 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Sure, maybe some folks on LinkedIn occasionally see you but are they the right people? Would you mind getting inquiries to open positions by employers or recruiters and stay informed with who is looking and what market value the viewer can bring to you? Learn the LinkedIn algorithm and the 4 Steps to LinkedIn Visibility. Learn how LinkedIn can work for you while you sleep and enjoy life.

Register January 18