NBA-CLS 2009 Seminars

Continuing Legal Education

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Newsletter Article: 2009 Corporate Counsel Conference Offers Something for Everyone

True to tradition, the 2009 Corporate Counsel Conference provided attendees with the opportunity to participate in a number of relevant and timely roundtable discussions and CLE seminars. With the backdrop of Lake Las Vegas, this year’s Conference offered an especially diverse array of opportunities for professional development. On the first day of the Conference, attendees gathered at one of the first two roundtables offered, the Outside Counsel Roundtable and the In-House Counsel Roundtable. In each of these roundtable discussions, panelists shared their respective experiences and advice with their colleagues. The discussion was especially lively at the Outside Counsel Roundtable, as the panelists and attendees shared advice on various topics through the use of hypothetical fact patterns, including maintaining client relationships and taking control of your career path.

The Managing Relationships Forum brought together in-house and outside counsel to discuss how to make their working relationships more productive. Both in-house and outside counsel served as panelists. The topics of discussion included negotiating fees, effective communication between in-house and outside counsel, soliciting new engagements and implementing diversity initiatives. The panelists’ candid discussions opened the dialogue between in-house and outside counsel to discuss ways to better manage their relationships.

On the second and third days of the Conference, attendees had the opportunity to choose between four concurrent CLE seminars. CLEs were led by experienced practitioners who discussed current and evolving laws in the areas of business and employment law, intellectual property and general litigation. The CLEs presented were particularly relevant and timely, given the new challenges faced by practitioners in the current economic climate.

In-House Counsel Roundtable

Raymond R. Ferrell (Ideare Media, LLC); Gregory T. Kenney (Exxon Mobil Corporation); Kent Crowl (Shell Oil Company); Asuncion "Sunny" Hostin (Kroll, CNN, Fox News); DeMonica D. Gladney (Exxon Mobil Corporation);

Outside Counsel Roundtable

Karol Corbin Walker (LeClair Ryan); Robert H. Alexander, Jr. (The Law Office of Robert H. Alexander, Jr., P.C.); Reginald A. Greene (AT&T); Lavell Malloy (Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP); Gregory M. Wesley (Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP); Dawn R. Tezino (MehaffyWeber, P.C.);

Forum: In-House and Outside Counsel

David Long-Daniels (Greenberg Traurig LLP); Matthew E. Swaya (Starbucks Coffee Company); Karen Wishart (TV One, LLC); Cynthia Crowe (Shell Oil Company); Steven H. Wright (Holland & Knight LLP); Gordon R. Alphonso (McGuireWoods LLP); Sundria R. Ridgley (Radio One);

Friday, February 20, 2009

Part 1: Navigating the Credit Crisis

What You Need to Know About Doing Business Abroad
Part I: Navigating the Credit Crisis, Stock Options and Other Corporate Headaches
Current Developments in eDiscovery and Outsourcing
Prepare Your Company for the New Legal Horizon: ADA, FMLA, EFCA, Title VII

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Part 2: Financial Restructuring

Business Ethics During Distressed Times
Protecting Your Company’s IP and New Media Rights
Part II: The Credit Crisis – A Financial Restructuring Perspective
To Sue or Be Sued: Litigation Issues & Strategies for In-House Counsel

The First Round of CLEs

The first round of CLEs featured four hot topics. The CLE “What You Need to Know about Doing Business Abroad” addressed key issues routinely faced by domestic companies when doing business with foreign entities, including legal, regulatory, compliance and logistical matters. The panelists used a hypothetical fact pattern to examine issues that may arise as a result of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

In “Navigating the Credit Crises, Stock Options and Other Corporate Headaches,” the panelists examined the current state of the credit crisis and explained the bailout plan and its ramifications on the financial services sector.

“Current Developments in e-Discovery and Outsourcing” highlighted the legal developments in e-discovery, best practices in handling e-discovery issues and outsourcing as a means to maximize cost savings associated with e-discovery.

Finally, in “Prepare Your Company for The New Legal Horizon: ADA, FMLA, EFCA, Title VII, And Other Workplace Changes in the Obama Administration,” the panelists discussed current and anticipated developments in the landscape of labor and employment laws under the Obama administration.

The Second Round of CLEs

The second round of concurrent CLEs continued the lively discussion of pressing legal issues. “Business Ethics During Distressed Times” focused on a variety of ethical issues faced by practitioners in the current economic downturn as well as how to determine ethical obligations when representing clients in multiple jurisdictions.

In “Protecting Your Company’s IP & New Media Rights: What Every In-House Counsel Should Know,” the panelists discussed copyright basics, registration and infringement issues, how to acquire and protect trademark rights and other product development and patent related issues.

“The Credit Crises-A Financial Restructuring Perspective” CLE examined the impact of the current credit crisis on in-house counsel and methods for limiting corporate exposure in business relationships. The CLE also included an overview of global markets, the effects of bankruptcy filings on existing business relationships and tips for evaluating existing and prospective business.

The CLE entitled “To Sue or Not Be Sued: Litigation Issues & Strategies for In-House Counsel” addressed developments in business litigation, practical tips for in-house counsel for managing large scale litigation, and an update on class action practice and alternative dispute resolution techniques.

The broad range of topics addressed during the roundtable discussions and CLE seminars during this year’s Corporate Counsel Conference provided unparalleled opportunities for professional development for in-house and outside counsel alike. Each attendee not only had the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the legal, ethical and social issues that directly impact their practice, but also the opportunity to network with counsel across the nation who face similar issues. Next year’s Conference is sure to bring even more opportunities to address relevant and timely issues facing the legal profession.

By Antoinette N. Morgan, Esq. See Newsletter Article

Download CLE Materials

Slide Decks and Panel Handouts

Conference Overview

22nd Annual Corporate Counsel Conference (Download PDF)
Roundtables and Panelist Biographies (Download PDF)

Seminar Topics

Doing Business Abroad Panel Discussion (Download PDF)
Navigating the Credit Crisis Panel Discussion (Download PDF)
Current Developments in eDiscovery and Outsourcing (Download PDF)
ADA, FMLA, EFCA, Title VII and Other Workplace Changes (Download PDF)
Business Ethics During Distressed Times (Download PDF)
Protecting Your Company’s IP and New Media Rights (Download PDF)
The Credit Crisis - A Financial Restructuring Perspective (Download PDF)
To Sue or Be Sued - Litigation Issues for In-House Counsel (Download PDF)
The Class Action Fairness Act, Litigation, and Settlement (Download PDF)
Protecting Your Business in a Client Bankruptcy (Download PDF)