ACC Update - September 9, 2005 (Plain Text Version)

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ACC Acts to Help Members in the Aftermath of Katrina

ACC is undertaking a variety of activities to help its members and others affected by the devastation of hurricane Katrina.  We are collecting disaster-response resources to add to the Virtual Library, allowing member companies to post new jobs on ACC’s In-house Jobline free of charge, and developing opportunities for members to offer pro bono services, among other initiatives.  Find out more.

ACC is undertaking a variety of activities to help its members and others affected by the devastation of hurricane Katrina.  We are collecting disaster-response resources to add to the Virtual Library, allowing member companies to post new jobs on ACC’s In-house Jobline free of charge, and developing opportunities for members to offer pro bono services, among other initiatives.  Find out more

Question of the Month

Question: I plan to hire a new employment and labor lawyer for my legal department.  I want to make sure that I find the right person and set up their position in the most effective way.  Does ACC have resources that can help? Answer:  From insights on job titles and sample job descriptions to searching for the right candidate and training them, look to ACC:

• New: Job Titles for In-house Lawyers: What Companies Are Doing
This Leading Practice Profile investigates how six companies approached setting job titles for in-house lawyers.
Director, labor and employment law job description
Assistant General Counsel job description
• Get advice from your colleagues on ACC’s Employment and Labor Law committee by joining the listserv.
• Post your job listing and find top candidates on ACC’s In-house Jobline.  Member companies receive discounted rates.
• If your hire is new to the in-house world, consider sending them to Corporate Counsel University where they will learn how to succeed as in-house counsel.

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Upcoming ACC Webcasts

Diversity Matters
Wednesday, September 14, 1:00-2:00 PM (EDT); 6:00-7:00 PM (GMT)
Learn how to create a diverse and inclusive work environment to help you achieve business objectives.
Litigation Readiness...Being Proactive in the Face of Litigation
Thursday, September 15, 1:00-2:00 PM (EDT); 6:00-7:00 PM (GMT)
Find out how to control skyrocketing costs, inconsistent processes, and increased risk.
In-house Counsel as Targets: Fact or Fiction?
Wednesday, September 21, 1:00-2:00 PM (EDT); 6:00-7:00 PM (GMT)
Is the SEC targeting in-house counsel? Find out!
New Product Launches in Europe: IP Protection and Pitfalls
Thursday, September 22, 2005, 1:00-2:00 PM (EDT); 6:00-7:00 PM (GMT)
What are the key issues you need to consider when dealing with European intellectual property?
Survey Evidence: A Year in Review
Tuesday, September 27, 1:00-2:00 PM (EDT); 6:00-7:00 PM (GMT)
This session will cover topics such as how to apply survey evidence in IP cases.
Leveraging Benchmarks to Build a Defensible Corporate Records Program
Wednesday, September 28, 1:00-2:00 PM (EDT); 6:00-7:00 PM (GMT)
Learn how benchmarking can help you reduce risks, be more compliant, and save money.
MGM vs. Grokster: The Aftermath and Implications
Wednesday, October 5, 12:00-1:00 PM (EDT); 5:00-6:00 PM (GMT)
Find out what two lawyers deeply involved in this precedent-setting case think about its implications.

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This Month in ACC Docket

The September “Back to School” issue covers topics that in-house counsel face every day.  You can read all the articles online.  Here are just a few:
• “Contracts Illustrated” will teach you how a modular approach to drafting contracts can free up your time.
• “Marketing Stew: A Cookbook for In-house Counsel” is a guide to the basics of marketing law, which will ensure that you are including all the right ingredients.
• “The Firing Line: Using a Few Ounces of Prevention Instead of an Outside Counsel Cure” provides proactive strategies to prevent that multi-million dollar HR case from being filed.

Do you have feedback or ideas you want to share with ACC Docket readers?  Send a letter to the editor at alvey@acca.com.

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New and Updated Resources Available

You can save time and money by using ACC InfoPAKs, which pull together everything you need to know about a variety of topics.
New: Drafting And Interpreting Contracts
New: Retiree Health Coverage and Prescription Drugs
New: Training for the Board of Directors: What Companies Are Doing
Email and the Internet
Global Law Department
Law Department Management

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2005 Annual Meeting: Latest Announcements

Participate Via Live Webcasts: If you can’t make it to ACC’s 2005 Annual Meeting (October 17-19 in Washington, DC) but still want to benefit from the unique CLE opportunity, become a virtual attendee! The most popular CLE programs from the meeting (20 in all) will be available to members via live audio webcast. A complete listing of webcasts is posted online at http://www.acca.com/am/05/webcast.php. From this site, you can order your desired sessions in advance, test your system to ensure compatibility, and much more. ACC members receive discounted rates on these programs. For more information, or to register for the meeting or a live webcast, visit the Annual Meeting website

ACC Committee Activities:  Be sure to add the Committee Networking Luncheon and Committee Business Meetings to your ACC 2005 Annual Meeting agenda. The luncheon is a great opportunity to network and develop mutually beneficial relationships with in-house colleagues. During the business meetings, you can provide input on the committees’ annual agendas and help to select committee leadership.  A special meeting focusing on the financial sector has been added to the list of practice areas. There will also be several evening receptions held specifically for various ACC committees. Please contact Jacqueline Windley (windley@acca.com) for more information about these events or visit the Annual Meeting networking page.

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ACC's 4th Annual Corporate Counsel University Announced

Have you recently entered a new phase in your legal career? If you are new to in-house practice, or are moving up as a manager in the law department, ACC's 4th Annual Corporate Counsel University: New Challenges, New Solutions (May 21-23, 2006, Baltimore, MD) is for you. Open only to in-house counsel, Corporate Counsel University (CCU) will provide first-hand experience from your in-house colleagues, with a focus on the basics you need to succeed. Like all ACC programs, CCU will emphasize practical tips and hands-on advice, with plenty of opportunities to interact with faculty and other attendees. Visit Corporate Counsel University online for more information.
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Recruit A Member and Win a Prize!

ACC is currently running a membership campaign that offers incentives to all ACC members who recruit in-house counsel to the organization.  ALL members who take part will receive a Starbucks card loaded with $5 for EACH member recruited. Recruit two or three members and receive a chance to win an Ipod. Recruit four or five members and receive a chance to win a digital camera. Recruit six or more members and receive a chance to win a MAC or PC of your choice worth up to $1,500.  The membership campaign ends on October 31, 2005. To learn more about the program, visit the website or contact ACC at 202.293.4103, ext 360.
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National Community Service Day—September 24

Later this month, ACC is supporting National Public Lands Day as part of our community service program. Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. Several ACC chapters are participating in activities that focus on giving back to their community by helping to preserve local parks and other public lands. Find out more.
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Earn ACC Dollars With Thomson West

Earn ACC Dollars to pay for any ACC-related purchase, including membership fees and event registration.  Thomson West has partnered with ACC to provide ACC Dollars through the ACC Alliance program.  ACC Dollars may be earned through the purchase of West products that fulfill your organization's research needs.  West provides the business and legal information most important to corporate legal departments. They have products that can be customized to fit the unique needs of corporate counsel, and ACC members can use ACC Dollars to purchase a variety of West legal products. For more information about these products, call 800.248.2449.
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