The General Counsel Institute (“GCI”) is a multi-day program of networking, education, and inspiration designed for senior in-house women counsel. Sessions with the general counsel of major corporations and other inspirational speakers foster frank, collegial discussions about career advancement. Workshops on key topics with leading experts provide opportunities to refine skills. GCI creates a unique environment to connect with other women counsel, share the highs and lows of in-house life, and build legal and leadership skills.
*Please note that attendance at GCI is limited to in-house counsel and sponsors.
Registration has closed.
Save the date for NAWL's 2024 General Counsel Institute on Nov. 6 - 8, 2024 in New York, NY.
Interested in Sponsoring NAWL's 2023 General Counsel Institute?
The General Counsel Institute* (GCI) offers a comprehensive program dedicated to in-house counsel to enhance their legal and leadership skills. GCI Sponsors can heighten their brand's visibility through numerous networking and business development opportunities with this exclusive audience.
Our Presenting and Rainmaker sponsors have an exclusive opportunity to showcase their organization's expertise by leading engaging plenary and workshop sessions on vital topics that elevate participants' skills and knowledge.
Questions?
Contact Stefanie Skaggs, Development Manager, at sskagg@nawl.org.
Association for Women Lawyers
Latina Lawyers Bar Association
National Association of Women Judges
Orange County Women Lawyers Association
WELCOME RECEPTION | 4:30 - 6:00 PM ET
Whether you're a GCI first-timer or a seasoned veteran, the Welcome Reception is the perfect opportunity to meet with NAWL's Board of Directors and the GCI Host Committee, and mingle with your fellow attendees. Don't miss out on this chance to make new connections and have a blast!
OPTIONAL MORNING WALK OR RUN | 7:00 AM ET
Get moving to start your day with a walk or run nearby the Conrad. The 0.7 mile route takes you by the One World Trade Center and back to the Conrad. Wear your NAWL shirt or purple, and we'll meet you in the Conrad lobby at 7 AM sharp to get going.
BREAKFAST RECEPTION | 8:00 - 9:00 AM ET
Get your day started off right with a delicious breakfast before diving into a full day of GCI programs. Don't forget to fuel up before you take on the day!
OPENING PLENARY | 9:00 - 10:00 AM ET
Is It Better In-House?
Over the past 15 years, NAWL has surveyed AmLaw 200 law firms to collect data on the promotion and retention of women lawyers. This year, we switched gears and asked in-house attorneys to share their experiences and help us understand in-house efforts to advance DEI and promote systemic change in the legal profession. Join this interactive session to unpack the new NAWL research and help us answer the question “Is it better in-house?”
BREAK | 10:00 - 10:15 AM ET
PLENARY | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
General Counsel Fireside Chat
Join us for an engaging conversation with Johnson & Johnson’s GC, Liz Forminard. We’ll discuss a range of topics from her path to becoming General Counsel and emerging issues she’s seeing in her role to Liz’s passion for wellness and mental health for lawyers. And get your questions ready for the audience Q&A.
NETWORKING BREAK | 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM ET
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS | 11:45 - 12:45 PM ET
Privacy Laws & AdTech: Understanding Compliance Obligations and Litigation Risk
New privacy laws have greatly impacted various website advertising technologies such as third party advertising cookies, and created compliance gaps for many organizations. At the same time, plaintiffs’ counsel have found creative ways to use old laws, such as the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), unfair competition laws, and common law claims for invasion of privacy, to assert wiretapping and privacy claims in relation to pixels, AdTech, session replay software, videos, and chatbots. 2023 brought another new wave of AdTech class action lawsuits, this time relating to the Meta Pixel tracking tool. With all the new privacy laws and the various class action theories being asserted in relation to AdTech, it is now essential that marketing, legal and the website development team coordinate an organization’s digital marketing strategy to prevent against future lawsuits. In this session, we will;
• Provide an overview of an organization’s compliance obligations under U.S. consumer privacy laws, in comparison to obligations under the EU General Data Protection Regulation and ePrivacy Directive
• Discuss the basis of the adtech class actions being brought in 2023, and suits to anticipate in 2024
• Review real-life scenarios concerning the deployment of adtech, and the specific compliance issues that should be addressed, and how to discuss them with your marketing teams
• Provide guidance on what organizations can do to prevent against being named as a defendant in future Adtech class actions
Sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, LLP
2024 and Beyond: Getting Your Privacy and Information Security House(s) in Order – An interactive discussion about law and governance
States are passing omnibus and issue-specific privacy laws/information security requirements at a rapid pace, posing compliance challenges for organizations across industry sectors. Coupled with the myriad laws, purported class action due to privacy related issues (whether collection use of biometrics, marketing, use/collection of data) are steadily increasing. The FTC and the states also are actively enforcing privacy matters. We seek to have an interactive discussion to address how companies are approaching the challenges of complying with data protection laws and managing information security governance. To lend to a more-tailored and interactive discussion, we encourage participants to answer the survey questions before/at the beginning of the session, which will assist in guiding the direction of our discussion. During the session, we will:
• Provide a brief overview of recent U.S. federal and state privacy/information security laws, including the so-called Delete Act and new SEC cyber disclosure requirements.
• Engage in a discussion about approaches to privacy governance, including perspectives from in-house counsel. We encourage your participation! We will set aside time for short table discussions for participants to exchange ideas about what has worked/not worked for their company with regard to privacy governance, in particular. We will invite a table representative to share best practices and/or best disasters with the group so that we all can learn from one another
• Lastly, as a lead-in to the afternoon session, we briefly will discuss the role of AI in the privacy space.
Sponsored by DLA Piper US LLP
LUNCH PLENARY | 12:45 - 3:00 PM ET
Dr. Arin N. Reeves, discusses her new book, In Charge, which offers women a path to a successful and meaningful life, by helping women eliminate energy drains, manage what needs to be done, and bring more of what makes them happy into their lives.
Arin will demonstrates tools and techniques you can use to better manage your energy all day, every day, to accomplish all you need to do and regain a sense of control.
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS | 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET
Civil Rights and Racial Equity Assessments and the New Landscape for DEI
This workshop will cover:
*What is a racial equity or civil rights audit or assessment
*Evolution of racial equity audits and considerations for in-house counsel in responding to shareholder proposals, conducting equity audits, and implementing change
*Current developments and how to assess impacts on the corporate DEI landscape following the Supreme Court's recent Harvard/UNC decision
Sponsored by Covington & Burling LLP
Generative AI: Overview of Legal and Practical IP Considerations
Cooley partners DeAnna Allen, Bethany Lobo, and Tracy Rubin will lead a session on generative artificial intelligence legal considerations. The session will start with a panel presentation discussing the different directions from which companies are approaching generative AI and the key concerns and strategies associated with each. Next, DeAnna, Bethany, and Tracy will facilitate an interactive discussion with attendees focused on case studies of some of the more challenging and complex issues companies face, when using and developing generative AI tools.
Sponsored by Cooley LLP
BREAK | 4:00 - 4:15 PM ET
PLENARY | 4:15 - 5:15 PM ET
Barbie - Her Journey from Doll to Feminist Icon
Join us as we explore Barbie’s evolution from toy to movie star with attorneys from Mattel who have the inside scoop on all-things-Barbie. We’ll discuss Barbie’s history and some of the licensing deals that grew out of the blockbuster movie. We’ll also explore the spotlight that the Barbie movie has shone on the impossible standards to which women have been held. We’ll focus our discussion on the tightrope that women have had to walk in the legal profession, the progress we’ve made, and what more needs to be done.
NETWORKING | 5:15 - 7:30 PM ET
Every Night is Girls Night Reception
Get ready to party like Barbie® The Movie! We're throwing a reception that's all about the blockbuster film, so dress up in your best Barbiecore fashion and join us for a cocktail/mocktail class and some delicious pink-hued bites.
BREAKFAST RECEPTION | 9:00 - 10:00 AM ET
Mingle over breakfast on the final day of GCI.
OPENING PLENARY | 10:00 - 11:15 AM ET
From Clippy to Copilot: Microsoft’s AI Journey
In the nearly 30 years since Microsoft unleashed Clippy on unsuspecting Word users, Microsoft has developed a number of more advanced (and infinitely more useful) AI products for its customers. In doing so, Microsoft took an industry leading role in developing a sophisticated Responsible AI framework, worked with regulators to promote national and global standards, and provided resources and guidance for its products, its own customers, and the public at large as AI tools become more and more ubiquitous. Join Microsoft’s experts to discuss Microsoft's own AI journey and the ethical, regulatory, and practical concerns that corporate law departments are facing as companies across all industries look to adopt AI tools to transform their businesses.
Sponsored by Microsoft
BREAK | 11:15 - 11:30 AM ET
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS | 11:30 - 12:30 PM ET
Bringing the Workforce Together: Best Practices for Fostering a Collaborative Workplace
From mediating conflict and addressing dissent to investigating complaints, join this expert panel to discuss timely employment law topics.
Sponsored by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Uniting Changemakers for Collective Change
Positions of power and privilege, both in and outside of the workplace, offer opportunities to channel our influence for collective change.
In this panel, “Uniting Changemakers for Collective Change,” we will discuss the ways in which we can leverage our positions to effectuate change, hearing from Partner, In-House Counsel, and Chief Diversity Officer perspectives.
Together, we will delve into the importance of intentionality, explore strategies for optimizing our personal agency, and uncover ways to cultivate a future rooted in equity, inclusivity, and justice.
Sponsored by Hogan Lovells LLP
LUNCH CLOSING PLENARY | 12:30 - 2:15 PM ET
When Worlds Collide: The Challenges of Providing Legal Advice in Uncertain and Controversial Times
The fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard case provides the most recent example of GCs being faced with having to provide advice in the face of legal uncertainty combined with flash point political and social discord. Dealing with these issues requires not only an evaluation of legal risk, but also a keen appreciation of how the action plan following that advice may impact their company’s culture and brand. Join us for a discussion about navigating these challenges in “real time”.
Sponsored by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
CLOSING RECEPTION | 2:15 - 4:00 PM ET
Let's come together celebrate the 2023 General Counsel Institute! You won't want to miss the chance to mingle with our incredible speakers and fellow attendees who have made this conference so special. See you there!
NAWL Member / Sponsor
New Member*
Non-Profit / Government Attorney
By October 6
$800
$900
$650
After October 6
$900
$1000
$750
NOTE: Registration is limited to in-house counsel.
Complimentary unemployed attorney registrations are available. Please apply for an unemployed ticket as indicated in the FAQs section.
*NAWL membership through December 2024 is included in your New Member registration fee.
Need helping making the case to attend GCI? Click here to download a template letter to send to your manager.
CONRAD NEW YORK DOWNTOWN
102 North End Ave
New York, NY 10282
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
NAWL's room block at the Conrad has sold out. To make a reservation at the Conrad outside of our block, click here. Alternatively, nearby hotels with availability include:
Heather Bell
Associate General Counsel
Intel Corporation
Chair
Alexandra Bodnar
Experienced General Counsel
Vice Chair and Plenary Chair
Kristin Bauer
Principal
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Board Liaison
Nikki Adame-Winningham
Climate & Sustainability Lead Counsel
Pfizer Inc.
Sponsorship Chair
Katherine Gnadinger
Corporate Counsel
Microsoft
Engagement Chair
Divya George-Wedge
AVP - Senior Legal Counsel
AT&T
Workshops Chair
Brande Smith
Lead Counsel
Allstate
Marketing Chair
Sheea Sybblis
Assistant General Counsel
Genentech
Plenary Vice Chair
Delonie Plummer
Assistant General Counsel
New York University
Engagement Vice Chair
Ayushi Rajpurohit
Corporate Counsel
Amazon Web Services
Workshops Vice Chair
Nina Senn
Senior Counsel
Paragon Legal
Marketing Vice Chair
The Host Committee is made up of an incredible group of attorneys who, with the Leadership Team, curate and coordinate the General Counsel Institute from the networking activities to programming and speakers.
Roxana Barsalona
Consolidated Edison Co.
New York, NY
Nicole Bearce
Conduent
New York, NY
Kavita Bhalla
Allstate
Dallas, TX
Elizabeth Borges
Intel Corporation
Portland, OR
Lydia Boureghda
AT&T
London, UK
Justina Chen
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
New York, NY
Maria Feeley
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA
Louise Genussa
AT&T
New York, NY
Debra Goldberg
Wells Fargo
New York, NY
Cynthia Hennessy
DirecTV
Washington, DC
Lauren A. Jones
Consolidated Edison Co.
New York, NY
Saba Khan
UBS
Weehawken, NJ
Anna Lozoya
CommUnity Care
Austin, TX
Mimi MacDonald
AT&T
St. Louis, MO
Paulette Mara
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Maggie Moore
Edward Jones
St. Louis, MO
Nicole Nielson-Pachkofsky
Jade Mountain Partners
New York, NY
Adrianna Perez
DirecTV
Atlanta, GA
Megan Scholz
Bank of America
New York, NY
Ora Sheinson
Jade Mountain Partners
New York, NY
Kirsten Silwanowicz
Greater Lakes Water Authority
Detroit, MI
Jasmine E. Simmons
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Pasadena, CA
Heather Stenmark
Markel
Rosemont, IL
Gelvina Stevenson
Wistar Institute
Philadelphia, PA
Deborah M. Tyler
Sharp Electronics
Montvale, NJ
Cynthia Udeubor Washington
Reliant Rehabilitation
Frisco, TX
Saren Williams
JPMorgan Chase
Dallas, TX
Corporate counsel of public, private, large and small companies, non-profits, government, and educational institutions can attend. Registration is limited to in-house counsel. NAWL welcomes all in-house attorneys and law students regardless of age, race, religion, ancestry, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize and celebrate the value that a vast range of backgrounds, cultures, and professional experiences brings to our community.
We will determine COVID safety protocols closer to the conference.
If you are not already a member, simply sign up for the 2023 General Counsel Institute at the “New Member” rate which includes a NAWL membership through December 2024.
NAWL will apply for CLE credit in Illinois, Texas, and New York, with reciprocal credit in California, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Additional CLE applications may be submitted based on attendee location. Speaker attendance is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
NAWL will offer scholarship assistance for this conference to a limited number of in-house attorneys, law students, and unemployed attorneys who wish to attend but may not be able to do so due to cost considerations. The financial assistance covers the registration fee for the events on November 8-10, 2023.
The application process requires the applicant to demonstrate their eligibility and to provide a short essay setting forth the reasons why they are an appropriate candidate to receive scholarship funds, including how the conference will benefit them and information regarding financial need.
Applicants should send materials to NAWL's Program Manager, Chelsea Robinson at crobinson@nawl.org. Applications are due by Friday, October 6, 2023.
Yes. NAWL programs are designed to evoke the spirit of community, curiosity, and consideration. Attendees and speakers are invited to join our programs with an open mind and willingness to learn.
NAWL program participants have agreed to:
If you experienced or witnessed any behavior you feel is in violation of this code of conduct, we ask that you fill out this form to anonymously report the incident, or email Chelsea Robinson, NAWL's Program Manager, at crobinson@nawl.org.
Please send cancellation requests to nawl@nawl.org by November 6, 2023. Full refunds will be honored before or on November 6, 2023.
You may include dietary needs information during online registration. If you have already registered, please e-mail us at nawl@nawl.org with a request at least two weeks prior to the conference.
The typical attire is business, but there is no dress code for this program.