Question of the Month
I’ve been tasked with reviewing my company’s data protection policies and procedures. What is the best way to identify best practices as well as ensure that my company is meeting both US and European requirements?

Answer: Turn to ACC for everything in-house lawyers need to know about data protection, including:

• Data Protection: A Practical Guide (2006)
• From Data Protection to IP Reform: Protecting Consumers and Preserving Competition in a Dynamic Marketplace (2006); transcript
• Privacy and Data Protection: What Companies Are Doing (2006)
• Tips & Insights—Data Protection with Jonathan Spencer (2006)
• Three Hot Topics: Privilege, Data Protection, and Data Retention (2006)
• “Who Steals My Name…The US and EU Response to Data Security Breach” (2006)

 
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• Sixth Annual “Corporate Accountability” Conference:  This year's program to be held 14 June in London will address the dynamic changes in the regulatory process in response to the shifting locus of capital markets. Learn what changing enforcement risks may mean for compliance and market regulation. Speakers include representatives from the Financial Services Authority and Serious Fraud Office in London and the Securities and Exchange Commission in the US.  Conference co-chairs are: Daniel V. Dooley, Global Securities Litigation Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, New York City; Edward F. Greene, General Counsel, Citigroup Corporate and InvestmentBanking, New York City; Allan Beller, Partner, Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York City. ACC members will receive a 20% discount off the regular registration fee.  For more information call (from the UK) 0800 023 2972 or email info@corporateaccountability2007.com.
• European Competition Law Update 2007: ACC Europe and Baker & McKenzie are hosting several half-day seminars that will provide an overview of recent competition law developments and policy initiatives at the EU and national levels. In June, these updates will take place in Dusseldorf (15 June), Vienna (18 June), and Milan (21 June).  Visit the ACC Europe webpage for more details and to register.

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According to the 2007 European Corporate Integrity Survey, 99 percent of European companies have in place either a code of conduct that prescribes rules about what people can or cannot do, or a statement of a set of values and principles that people are expected to adhere to.  The report, published by Integrity Interactive and ACC, however revealed that only 50 ensure that all employees are made to read these. Find out how your company measures up in this and other ethics and compliance areas, including available budget/resources, main drivers for implementation of these programs, and key risk areas.

• See the press release
• Obtain a copy of the full results
 

 
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ACC’s European Briefings covers hot topics that impact ACC members working in Europe or cross-border. Access the June 2007 issue, which focuses on compliance, confidentiality, and whistleblowing.  You can also search back issues, including:

• Labour and Employment (March 2007)
• Insolvency (November 2006)
• Outsourcing (September 2006)
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (June 2006)

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• Managing the Legal Risks of Information Security...Be Prepared or
Face the Consequences
Wednesday, June 13, 12:00 PM (ET); 4:00 PM (GMT)
• Trade Secrets in the Digital Environment
Thursday, June 14, 12:00 PM (ET); 4:00 PM (GMT)
• Effective Use of ADR and Other Tools in International Business
Thursday, June 21, 12:00 PM (ET); 4:00 PM (GMT)
• Meet and Confer Toolkit:  Practical Advice for Effective Discovery Conferences
Wednesday, June 27, 2:00 PM (ET)
• Compliance and Ethics for the Small Law Department
Thursday, June 28, 2:00 PM (ET)

Please contact Sherrese Williams at williams@acc.com with any questions or topic suggestions for ACC's Desktop Learning Webcasts.

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• “Deal or No Deal: Recent Developments Impacting Environmental Due Diligence in M&A Transactions”
• “Joint Ventures in Asia: When You’ve Reached the End of the Road”
• “Leadership Training for Attorney Managers: If You Lead, Will They Follow?”
• “Tools That Create Successful Resolutions in International Arbitration”
• “Why General Counsel Should Pay More Attention to Intellectual Property”

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ACC is looking for nominees for the 2007 Excellence in Corporate Practice Award, which recognizes the career achievements of in-house attorneys who epitomize excellence through representation of their clients, contributions to the legal profession, and public service. Nominations must be received by June 22 to be considered.  The award will be presented at ACC’s Annual Meeting (October 29-31, Chicago). Visit the ACC website for complete submission guidelines.

 
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Here are some of the most popular documents in the Virtual Library right now:
• ACC’s 2006 Census of In-house Counsel (2007): See top level results in the executive summary or order full results, which are discounted for ACC members.
• Defining the Role of In-house Lawyers in Governance (2005): Course materials from ACC’s Annual Meeting, filled with sample board evaluations, board committee charters, and corporate governance guidelines.
• Labor and Employment Desk Book (2006): This Lex Mundi multjurisdictional survey represents a country-by-country overview of some key labor and employment laws. Topics include: family leave act, drug testing of employees, enforcing non-compete agreements, and more.

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Many ACC members have posed questions and sought advice on issues related to doing business in China.  ACC is looking to increase its resources in this area.  As a first step we would like to find out from you what types of information you would like to see ACC provide (you can be as specific as needed). We are also looking to develop a China Working Group that will be comprised of members who are experienced in the many legal issues surrounding China—everything from recommendations of outside counsel to hiring legal staff to negotiating contracts to opening an office in China. If you are willing to assist us in identifying helpful resources, advising ACC staff on potential areas to explore, or serving as a resource for member questions, please let us know. You can send your questions and resource requests, or your name for consideration on our China Working Group to Robin Grossfeld, Vice President Membership, Chapters, and Communications at grossfeld@acc.com.

 
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A joint project of West and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), each chapter is written by a team of in-house and outside counsel, including contributions of general counsel from more than 80 Fortune 500 companies. It focuses on performance enhancement, performance quality, outcomes enrichment, and cost-effectiveness from the viewpoints of both counsel settings. Topics include selection of outside counsel, planning and budgeting, fee arrangements and billing, law department management, benchmarking, technology, conflicts, compliance, dispute resolution, and diversity. ACC members are entitled to a 30 percent discount, so get your copy today.

 
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The wave of pay increases for first-year law firm associates continues, with Chicago firms being the latest to raise salaries to $160,000. While it’s likely this will affect your outside legal costs, what impact will it have on your company’s ability to hire and retain top attorneys for in-house positions?  Let us know in this month’s “Two Cents Survey”. For another take on these pay raises, see Susan Hackett’s recent column, “Viva la Revolution?”.

Last month we asked about the viability of an in-house career, given increased scrutiny of the role and the increased likelihood that general counsel could be targeted in corporate investigations. Despite this trend, a large majority of members (87%) would still recommend the in-house career to recent law school graduates. Get the rest of last month's results.

 
 
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