Take a moment and look back over the past year.  Think about how you and/or your colleagues in the legal department contributed to the successes of your organization. Don't your accomplishments merit recognition?  We think so! 

We urge you to submit a nomination for the WMACCA Sixth Annual Corporate Counsel Awards (and if you're too modest to nominate yourself, have your business-side colleagues or outside counsel do the honors).  We are accepting nominations in the following categories:

• Outstanding Chief Legal Officer of the Year
• Outstanding In-House Counsel of the Year
• Outstanding Law Department of the Year
• Outstanding Community Service (individuals or departments)
• Corporate Counsel Career Achievement Award

Nominations are due by July 30.

You can download a hard-copy of the nominations criteria by clicking here or submit a nomination online at:  http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=6y407hv55zn020j770431.  You can find information about past honorees on our web site at http://www.acc.com/chapters/wmacca/awards.cfm

Two CLE opportunities coming next week:

• Global Issues Forum: Region-Specific Issues in Global Investigations - Tara Lee and Kiera Gans of DLA Piper LLP will present case studies from investigations they have conducted in jurisdictions in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and offer observations and practical insights into the issues and considerations that should not be ignored in these situations.  Tues., July 27, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., by web seminar only.  (1.5 hours of Virginia Bar MCLE credit.)  For more details and registration, visit http://www.acc.com/chapters/wmacca/index.cfm?eventID=9810

• Employment and Labor Forum (together with the DC Bar Labor and Employment Law Section): Now That the Recession Is Fading - RIFs, Layoffs, Restructuring And Next Steps - Panelists: Connie Bertram of Cooley Godward Kronish LLP, Debra Katz of Katz, Marshall & Banks, and Marcella Harshbarger of France Telecom North America.  Moderated by Joanne Waters of WilmerHale LLP.  The economy is struggling to recover and employers and employees are trying to navigate the unsettled territory of RIFs, layoffs, restructuring and rehiring.  Our panel - which includes counsel for both employers and employees - will discuss the fundamentals of RIFs and recovery, both in terms of legal considerations and practical issues.  Thurs., July 29, 12 to 2 p.m., at the DC Bar Conference Center and by web seminar.  (1.5  hours of Virginia Bar MCLE credit.)  For more details and registration, visit http://www.acc.com/chapters/wmacca/index.cfm?eventID=9818

Former EEOC Vice-Chair Leslie Silverman and former OFCCP Director Larry Lorber (both now at Proskauer Rose LLP) shared their knowledge of and insights into both agencies and their current initiatives with us during an "ask the experts" teleconference call earlier this week.  If you would like to listen to a recording of the discussion, it will be available until August 19, by dialing into 1-888-203-1112, passcode 66222597#.

2010 Excellence in Work-Life Balance Award - Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP, is accepting nominations for this award, which recognizes companies that promote work-life balance. Nominations may be made by human resources departments on behalf of entire companies for company-wide work-life balance efforts, or by in-house counsel on behalf of in-house legal departments’ work-life balance efforts. Nominations are due by July 31.  For more information, visit http://www.constangy.com/balance-awards.html

Heroines in Technology - Since 2001, the March of Dimes has conducted Heroines in Technology, a gala to recognize and honor women in the field of technology for their dedication to community service.  Nominations are now being taken for the following categories: rising, individual, corporate, government and Lifetime Achievement. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 1. The Heroines in Technology gala will take place on Friday, November 12, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston Town Center and will recognize the 53 Heroines selected over the awards' 10-year history, and where they are today. For more information, visit http://www.marchofdimes.com/marylandmetrodc/31887_65791.asp

Whether you love your outside counsel, or don't, or have mixed emotions, you probably have definite opinions on how they are meeting your needs.  Are they responsive? Are matter costs predictable?  Are you happy with the results?  ACC members are asking and answering these questions and more using the ACC Value Index.  The Index connects law firm value to client satisfaction by allowing you to share and view assessments of law firm performance. Rate your firms on six key criteria: expectations, expertise, responsiveness, efficiency, budget management and results.  When you submit evaluations, you contribute to a resource that you can use the next time you're shopping for high-value outside counsel.  Help make the ACC Value Index a robust and dynamic resource for the entire ACC membership community - log-in to http://www.acc.com/valuechallenge/valueindex to contribute your evaluations.