WMACCA is honored to announce that Ivan Fong, General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will be the keynote speaker at its April signature luncheon.  Mr. Fong will discuss how DHS coordinates with businesses to prepare for and deal with exigent situations, and share lessons he has learned at DHS and, previously, in private industry about how to assess and prepare for such situations.  Following the keynote, Ed Ryan of Marriott, Jack Strausman of Pepco, and Jim Moorhead of Steptoe & Johnson will discuss best practices for organizing teams, systems, processes and policies to manage crisis situations. Join us on Thursday, April 28, at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner for an insightful discussion.  Click here for more information and registration...

• Chongyang "Tiffany" Ge from GWU Law at National Marine Manufacturers
• Stacie Gonsalves from Howard Law at CSC
• Marshall Jackson Jr. from University of Maryland Law at Carey International
• Thomas Lee from Georgetown Law at Freddie Mac
• Binta Mamadou from Washington College of Law, American University at TV One
• Richard Palmieri from University of Richmond Law at APEX Systems Inc.
• Donovan Powell from UVA Law at Noblis
• Emi Suzuki from Georgetown Law at Special Olympics
• Stanley Tate III from Howard University Law at Sodexo Inc.
  
• Gabriel Walker from William & Mary Law at Amerigroup

This year, we received more than 170 applications for the Program and interviewed 28 finalists.  Congratulations to the Scholars!  We look forward to introducing them to our members at the June General Counsel Forum luncheon.  (For more information on the Scholars Program, visit our web site at http://www.acc.com/chapters/wmacca/scholars.cfm

The year 2010 represented yet another high watermark in terms of the number of FCPA matters brought by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission.  This week's news alert -- the 2011 FCPA Business Guide, from Jenner & Block LLP, a 2011 Gold sponsor of WMACCA - describes and analyzes the latest developments in FCPA enforcement and provides practice guidance.

Upcoming opportunities for community service:

• MANNA FOOD CENTER in Gaithersburg, MD - this Monday, March 28, starting at 6:45 pm. We will be packing almost 200 boxes with non-perishable items for the clients of this food-distribution non-profit. Members, friends, and their children over 8 years of age are welcome.  Last time, we had a lot of fun and were done in less than two hours.  Contact Bob Gans to volunteer at rgans@csc.com.

• Our POTOMAC WATERSHED CLEAN-UP PROJECT site this year is the Potomac Canoe Club near the  Georgetown Harbor.  Join us on the morning of Saturday, April 9, starting at 8:45 am with a light breakfast.  Friends and family of all ages are always welcome!  Details and sign up at http://guest.cvent.com/d/mdq626
  

The New Phone Books Are Here:  You should have received your 2011 WMACCA Membership DIrectory in the past few days (check your mail or your mailroom).  The deskbook is an essential guide to ACC and chapter benefits and the go-to book for networking with your colleagues. If you have changes or corrections to your listing, please send an e-mail to Ilene Reid (Ilene.Reid@WMACCA.com).

Membership Survey Results:  Many thanks to the 276 members who responded to our membership survey -- what a fabulous response! We are tabulating the results.  In the meantime, congratulations to:

• Anthony Alessi of Sprint Nextel, who will receive a Rosetta Stone® language-learning software product of his choosing.
• Tres Lorton of CSC, Song Volk of Hughes Communications, Rod Boddie of Seneca One Finance, and Vanessa Flores of Kotarides Developers, who will receive $25 Visa® Gift Cards.
  

Everyone else who responded will receive their Starbucks gift cards in the mail shortly. 

Refer a Member and Get $100 in Credit in 2011:  WMACCA's members are what make us a strong and vibrant association.  You can help us grow by referring your friends and colleagues as prospective members.  If one of your leads is converted into a membership, you will receive $100 in credit toward educational programs and social events presented by WMACCA.  Please visit http://guest.cvent.com/d/8dqgn3 to complete the online form and provide us with your lead!

• Quality of Life:  Each year, the Bar Association of DC gives an award to law firms, in house corporate or association departments or legal departments of government agencies based upon their track record of according their lawyers “quality of life.”  The geographic area from which nominees are accepted includes DC and its Virginia and Maryland suburbs.  (A company is eligible to receive the award for a DC/VA/MD office.  That office doesn't have to be the headquarters of the company, but it does have to have lawyers in it.)  For more information on submitting a nomination, please contact Cory Amron, a member of the nominating committee, at cmamron@vorys.com.

• DC Superior Court:  The District of Columbia Judicial Nominating Commission is seeking applications from members of the D.C. Bar interested in filling a judicial vacancy on the D.C. Superior Court.  For more details, please visit 

  http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2011/03/applications-sought-to-fill-dc-superior-court-vacancy.html

• Pro Bono: The Virginia State Bar has submitted proposed changes to the rules concerning pro bono activity by Virginia corporate counsel to the Supreme Court of Virginia for its consideration. The proposal for changes was recommended by a joint Virginia State Bar and Virginia Bar Association Corporate CounselPro Bono Task Force and was unanimously approved by Council of the Virginia State Bar.  For more information on the task force report, visit http://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/rule_changes/item/the-joint-virginia-state-bar-and-virginia-bar-association-corporate-counsel/