Membership Growth, Increased Pro Bono And Advocacy Efforts Highlights Of Past Year

The first nine months of 2004 have been productive for the Northeast Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). Membership has never been higher, our programs are substantial and well attended, and our pro bono and advocacy efforts increase.

At outset of year, we established three initiatives for the chapter: (1) to grow membership, (2) to continue to contribute to the community through our local pro bono and advocacy efforts, and (3) to provide even better educational and networking opportunities to our members.

I am pleased to report substantial progress on each of these initiatives.

Membership Growth

Our membership has grown by 35 members from the start of the calendar year to a current total of 633 members. Our members range from new, first year counsel to senior vice president and general counsel, and the companies they work for represent the full range of employers in New England – innovative start up companies to mid-size and large corporations and institutions – from a broad cross-section of industries in our region.

Community Contribution

We have previously reported on the pro bono efforts undertaken this year, and have recently found out that a letter campaign, as part of a larger effort by other bar organizations, was helpful in winning Gov. Romney’s support of funding for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC).

The 18 MLAC-funded civil legal aid programs provide counsel to low-income people throughout Massachusetts. ACCA is grateful for the restoration of this needed support for legal assistance to the poor. We are proud of the success of this effort and will continue to support initiatives such as this that benefit our communities.

Educational And Network Opportunities

The Northeast Chapter has an excellent calendar of programs planned for Fall 2004/Spring 2005 (see sidebar). Two programs in October provided excellent educational and networking opportunities for ACC-NE members

On Oct. 7, Ropes & Gray sponsored a program entitled The General Counsel, the CEO and the Board. It covered what it takes to excel as general counsel and to successfully handle responsibilities to the board and other senior management. It also covered how to prepare for and contribute to your company’s board meeting, as well as other valuable topics.

On Oct. 20, the Boston Bar Association co-sponsored a program entitled Successful Partnering Between Inside and Outside Counsel. Several of our board members spoke at this program, along with the chairman or managing partner of 15 major Boston law firms.

Additional fall programs are the Nov. 17 seminar entitled Expanding Your Reach: Increasing In-House Counsel’s Effectiveness in a Global Practice.

This is the annual ACC-NE all day Conference, sponsored this year by McDermott Will & Emery. The event has a truly international theme, with excellent panelists and networking opportunities.

On Dec. 2, our chapter will host the 2004 Holiday Part, sponsored by Foley Hoag. This is one of our favorite programs of the year, and provides a wonderful, relaxing networking opportunity.

Further details for all ACC-NE programs may be found on our website at www.acca.com.

Together, our members are helping us develop more and better educational programs, and are helping the organization with our efforts with community outreach and advocacy.

We are looking forward to another strong, successful year in 2005, with continued membership growth, valuable community contributions, and more and better educational programs and networking opportunities.

We welcome any inquiries regarding our chapter, which can be directed via email to [email protected].

Thomas C. Farrell is president of the Northeast Chapter of the Association Of Corporate Counsel and is deputy general counsel of SimplexGrinnell, a part of Tyco Fire & Security.

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ACC-NE Programs Fall 2004/Spring 2005

Nov. 17, 2004
“Expanding Your Reach: Increasing In-House Counsel’s Effectiveness in a Global Practice”
Annual all day Conference, sponsored by McDermott, Will & Emery

Dec. 2, 2004
ACC-NE Holiday Party, sponsored by Foley Hoag

January 2005
Litigation Program, sponsored by Holland and Knight

February 2005
“Director and Officer Protection: Recent developments impacting director and officer indemnification and insurance,” sponsored by Bingham McCutchen

March 2005
Mergers & Acquisitions, sponsored by LeBoeuf Lamb

April 2005
Financial Services Program, sponsored Goodwin Procter

May 2005
Law Department Management Program, sponsor to be announced