FOCUS on WMACCA - October 19, 2007 (Print All Articles)

November Signature Program Features Panel of Federal Agency GCs

Lawyers from Regulatory and Policy-Making Agencies To Discuss Top Priorities, New Initiatives and Best-Practices for Compliance

WMACCA's signature monthly program for November will feature top lawyers from several of the federal agencies whose programs, policies, initiatives, and regulations affect many of our companies and organizations. We will look for their thoughts – as in-house counsel to these agencies – on what the top priorities are for their agencies and what new initiatives their agencies have undertaken that may have implications for our organizations. What advice do they have about the role that in-house counsel in the private sector should play in dealing with the agencies, and on best-practices for compliance with the agencies’ rules and regulations (and for dealing with their offices, should the occasion arise)? 

Our panel will include:

• Frank R. Borchert III, GC, Small Business Administration
• David R. Hill, GC, Department of Energy
• Marc L. Kesselman, GC, Department of Agriculture
• Douglas P. Larsen, Deputy GC for Acquisitions & Logistics, Department of Defense
• Jonathan L. Snare, Acting Solicitor of Labor, Department of Labor. 

For more information, or to register, please click here.

This is the inaugural session of what will be an annual event for WMACCA, providing us with the opportunity to hear from the lawyers at regulatory and policy-making agencies. 

Who Will It Be?

Winners of WMACCA 3rd Annual Corporate Counsel Awards
To Be Announced at Reception Next Week

In less than one week, WMACCA will announce the winners of the 3rd Annual Corporate Counsel Awards at a gala reception.  This fun and exciting event will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2007, from 6 to 10 p.m., at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner.  The event is open to WMACCA and ACC members, our in-house counsel friends and colleagues, and our non-lawyer colleagues in the business community at-large.  For more information, or to register, please click here.

Don't miss out - the WMACCA Corporate Counsel Awards Reception is the most important in-house counsel event of the year!

The 13 finalists for the WMACCA Corporate Counsel Awards are:

In addition, Robert S. Lavet, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of SLM Corporation (known as Sallie Mae), will be honored with the WMACCA Corporate Counsel Career Achievement Award at this year's awards reception.  One of the "National Deans" of the education finance bar, Rob is a consummate business lawyer.  This year, he and his staff have led Sallie Mae, the largest student loan provider, through a legal labyrinth that just kept getting more challenging.  Among the matters he faced were Sallie Mae's acquisition of a leading saving-for-college company, Upromise, Inc., multiple state attorneys general investigations of the student loan industry and its relationships with university financial aid officers, congressional inquiries into the student loan industry, congressional efforts to legislate changes to the student loan industry, investigations by the SEC and other governmental inquiries, and an effort to sell the company to a private equity firm.  Lavet joined Sallie Mae's legal team in 1992.  After serving as its longtime Deputy General Counsel, Rob ascended to the CLO position in 2005.  In his current role, he manages all legal work for the company and its subsidiaries and also leads board relations, corporate compliance and student loan servicing policy. Lavet has also been a leader in the corporate counsel community, having served as a WMACCA Board member and officer, including as President in 2001.  As a WMACCA leader, Rob greatly enhanced the chapter's program offerings and instituted sponsorships of its programs and events.  He is also a Board member of the Association of Corporate Counsel.  

The finalists and Rob Lavet were selected from a large pool of nominations submitted by the legal community at large in response to an open call for nominations. The panel of judges for the Corporate Counsel Awards is comprised of: Mike Daniels, Consultant, SAIC, and Former Chairman and CEO of Mobile365; Mary Kennard, Vice President and General Counsel, American University; Bobbie Greene Kilberg, President and CEO, Northern Virginia Technology Council; Bob Kipps, Managing Director, KippsDeSanto & Co.; Fred Krebs, President, Association of Corporate Counsel; Michael Lustbader, Managing Director, Arlington Capital Partners; Philip Odeen, Non-Executive Chairman, Avaya Inc.; Manik Rath, Vide President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, LMI; Eric Reicin, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Sallie Mae Inc.; and Louise Wager, Vice President, Commerce Bank.

The Corporate Counsel Awards were created in 2005 in celebration of WMACCA's 25th anniversary.  In just two short years, the WMACCA Corporate Counsel Awards have become a well-recognized and sought-after honor for members of the regional in-house community.  

CLE Programs for November

Save these Dates - or Register Now.

Here is a sneak preview of WMACCA's CLE calendar for November (with more to come).  Registration is now open for these events:

On Thursday, November 8, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., at the offices of Howrey LLP in Washington, D.C., or by Web seminar technology.  WMACCA Non-Profits and Associations Forum:  OMG, IP! An Overview of Intellectual Property Issues in the Electronic Age for Non-Profit Organizations.  Presented by Cecil E. Key of Howrey LLP.

In this electronic age, intellectual property issues are as applicable to non-profits as they are to for-profit companies. Non-profits have trademarks and service marks, and publications with copyright issues. Oftentimes, they license their marks to other organizations, or partner with them on programs, events or projects. All of these ventures – and more – have IP implications. This program will provide an overview of how intellectual property issues affect non-profits and will provide practical suggestions for handling these issues. We will also explore the impact that practices such as “phishing” and “tasting” and issues concerning orphan works have on non-profit organizations.  1.0 hours of Virginia Bar MCLE credit (pending).  The program will be presented LIVE at the offices of Howrey LLP, 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Second Floor, Washington, D.C., or by Web seminar technology from your desktop.  Free of charge.  For more information or to register, please click here.

On Wednesday, November 14, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the offices of Arnold & Porter LLP in McLean, Virginia, or by Web seminar technology.  WMACCA IT/IP Forum: Evaluating and Minimizing Litigation Risks - Pre-Suit Strategies for Patent Infringement Allegations.  Presented by Leslie L. Jacobs Jr. and Ali R. Sharifahmadian of Arnold & Porter LLP.

Are you concerned about the possibility of patent infringement litigation? This program will provide valuable insights into how to evaluate and minimize risks and liabilities associated with patent litigation. The presentation will include strategies for what to do if your company is accused of patent infringement, as well as a practical checklist to guide counsel through the evaluation process and preparation for the early stages of litigation. Presenters Leslie Jacobs and Ali Sharifahmadian, both partners in Arnold & Porter LLP’s intellectual property practice group, will discuss recent significant patent decisions by the Supreme Court and the proposed patent reform legislation currently pending in Congress, and how they may affect a company’s choice of strategies and techniques. 1.5 hours of Virginia Bar MCLE credit (pending).  Breakfast/registration begin at 7:30 a.m.;  program from 8 to 9:30 a.m.  The program will be presented LIVE at the offices of Arnold & Porter LLP, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 900, McLean, Virginia, OR by Web seminar technology from your desktop.  Free of charge.   For more information, or to register, please click here.

On Friday, November 16, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner in McLean Virginia.  WMACCA and teh NVTC General Counsel Committee Present:  SYNERGY IN THE C-SUITE - How Chief Legal Officers and Chief Financial Officers Work Together.

Featuring:

• Arnold Morse, General Counsel, and Tom Mutryn, CFO, of CACI International Inc. 
• Manik Rath, General Counsel, and Tony Provenzano, CFO, of LMI
• Adam Palmer, General Counsel, and Richard Rose, CFO, Cyveillance Inc.
  

In the current business and regulatory environment, it is essential that the legal department and finance functions work well together.  Join us for this lively discussion exploring the best-practices in the day-to-day interactions between CLOs and CFOs.  Our panelists represent both large and small companies, as well as a private company. Whether you are a seasoned CFO or CLO, or just entering the finance or legal profession, you will benefit from hearing the insights these panelists have to offer.  The program will be held at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Boulevard, McLean, Virginia.  Breakfast and registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.; the program will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m.  Cost:  $45 for WMACCA/ACC members (in advance); $55 for WMACCA/ACC members (walk-ins). Register through the NVTC web site calendar at www.nvtc.org

 On Wednesday, November 28, from noon to 2 p.m. at Maggiano's Little Italy in McLean, Virginia:  WMACCA Employment and Labor Forum: When Johnny Comes Marching Home - USERRA and Its Impact on Employers.  Presented by Matthew F. Nieman of Jackson Lewis LLP.

With more and more employees facing deployment in Iraq and elsewhere and then returning to the civilian workforce, it is increasingly important for employers to understand the intricacies of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). This program will explore the ramifications of USERRA for employers, ranging from the Act’s requirements and protections to its increasing impacts on employers as a result of the continuing demands on those serving in the military and reserves. Presenter Matthew Nieman of Jackson Lewis is an employment lawyer representing management in a wide range of workplace-related issues and a former U.S. Army Judge Advocate who deployed to Iraq. Based on his professional and personal experience, Mr. Nieman can offer a unique perspective on the employment issues arising from USERRA, as well as strategies for working with enforcement agencies when questions arise. 1.5 hours of Virginia Bar MCLE (pending).  The program will be presented live at Maggiano's Little Italy, 2001 International Drive, McLean,Virginia.  Fee:  $35 per person (WMACCA members only).  For more information or to register, please click here.

WMACCA 2006-07 MCLE Course Update

WMACCA presented programs providing more than 60 hours of Virginia MCLE credit in the 2006-07 CLE year.  Full details about all WMACCA programs that have qualified for MCLE credit for 2006-07 is available on the WMACCA Web page by clicking here.  That page has a listing of all WMACCA MCLE courses and the relevant information needed to file for MCLE credit (course numbers, title, date presented, location, amount of credit).  REMEMBER:  You must meet your Virginia MCLE requirements by taking sufficient course credits by October 31 AND THEN must submit proof of attendance by no later than December 15.

 As always, if you have any questions, please contact Ilene Reid.