Today’s world-class organizations require in-house counsel not only to be expert lawyers, but also strategic and motivational leaders who enable, engage and empower themselves, their law departments, and their organizations to achieve complex commercial objectives. To address the complexity of dynamic organizations, in-house legal leaders must build strong and engaged teams; gain commitment and cooperation from their business partners; and understand the commercial impact and risks of privacy obligations with transparency, and compliance requirements, with strategic business alliances. Just as organizations are abandoning old ways of thinking, the expertise and skills of successful leaders are shifting in unprecedented ways to drive growth in the 21st century.
At GCI 10, you will explore the strategies, skills and substantive knowledge necessary for in-house counsel to successfully lead their organizations and legal departments. Discover how to orchestrate rather than dictate to enable others to achieve their best; learn to influence rather than control – to empower others to start conversations and build consensus; and develop a broader repertoire of technical skills, substantive legal expertise and emotional intelligence – to create an engaged and positive work environment.
Through powerful personal stories, substantive legal workshops, and GCI’s unique open exchange of ideas, you will develop best practices and cutting-edge leadership skills that will inform and inspire your legal department and your organization to bridge the gap between achieving today’s priorities and realizing tomorrow’s possibilities.
Agenda*
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014 |
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REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST |
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM |
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OPENING SESSION |
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM |
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WELCOME SHEILA MURPHY, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel, MetLife, Inc. ICEBREAKER: LEADERS AS NEGOTIATORS: HOW TO 'WIN' WITHOUT FIGHTING Speakers: The complex objectives that make up the focus of in-house leaders today necessarily require an ability to motivate, cooperate, and negotiate with team-members and opponents alike, within an assigned ethical framework. This negotiation/problem resolution skills session will provide techniques and protocols to assist in-house lawyers in honing - and leading by example with – effective negotiation skills, using tactics and advice from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. In addition to a discussion of the ethics rules related to negotiation and dispute resolution, this session will provide specific steps for successfully managing a negotiation, and will involve a hands-on business problem, which attendees will be asked to “negotiate” to resolution during the session, using each other as opponents and clients.
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PLENARY SESSION |
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM |
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GENERAL COUNSEL PANEL: LEADING IN AN EVOLVING ROLE Moderator: Panelists: There is no question that a General Counsel must be an effective leader, but what does that mean in today’s environment, and how can a GC – current or aspiring – prepare herself to lead in the future? Increased responsibilities for corporate governance, counseling c-suite executives and business lines, and executing a vision for her organization: The role of Chief Legal Officer requires an expanding set of personal qualifications, subject matter expertise, and practical skills, many of which were not even imagined when this generation of GCs began their legal careers. Today’s General Counsel must demonstrate the diverse proficiencies that matter to the Board of Directors while aligning herself with the strategies and goals of business clients. A trusted advisor to the CEO, she has the task – more complex than ever – of counselling senior management to do what is right, even when it is not the most advantageous position for the business. Tomorrow’s GC must strategize both for the company and her career. Our seasoned panelists will engage in a lively discussion of the skills and qualities necessary to lead today and tomorrow. |
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WORKSHOPS |
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM |
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Track 1: Leading Through Expertise in Today's Hot Topics Panelists: As in-house counsel, you strive never to hear the words “corrupt payment” in connection with your international operations, and the emergence of a whistleblower may feel like a bad dream. Yet many companies are unprotected against the rapidly expanding anti-bribery enforcement by governments around the world and are unprepared when the alarm bell sounds. In this session, you will hear first-hand how a $100 billion company that does business in more than 190 countries survived one of the largest compliance scandals in recent history – and emerged stronger for it. Siemens serves as a model for cooperative and efficient investigation, and for development of a collective action strategy against corruption. Learn what you need to know about recent developments in global anti-corruption enforcement and whistleblower protections to safeguard your company. Then, in interactive small group discussions about best practices, develop an action plan for responding to a crisis – and avoiding one altogether. |
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Track 2: Leading and Balancing Growth and Efficiencies Moderator: MARGARET MCCUE GUILLON, Associate General Counsel, MetLife, Inc. Panelists: It is no secret that the world is getting smaller, at least from a business perspective. More and more companies are looking to international transactions as an additional revenue stream. As communication technologies continue to improve and developing nations undergo the transformation necessary to succeed on the world stage, the opportunity for companies to tap into these markets is rapidly increasing. What are best practices in guiding commercial transactions with multi-national implications? Do your US-based compliance and workforce policies work when doing business in non-US jurisdictions? How can you protect your valuable intellectual property under quickly changing and developing laws, particularly in lesser developed countries? In this cutting-edge program, learn about the challenges and risks that will shape and direct your company's international business and acquisition strategies. |
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Track 3: Developing Highly Effective and Ethical Leaders for Change Panelists: Leaders who communicate their ideas and present themselves in powerful ways realize the best results. Learn how to identify and develop executive presence in yourself and others on your team. Boost your credibility, carry yourself with confidence, and command the attention of your company executives. Develop best practices to present yourself in a way that signals you are leadership material.
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LUNCH & KEYNOTE SPEAKER |
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM |
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TOP LEADERSHIP TRAITS CRITICAL TO LEADING, ENGAGING AND MOTIVATING A GLOBAL CORPORATION BRAD SMITH |
WORKSHOPS |
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM |
Track 1: Leading Through Expertise in Today's Hot Topics Panelists: Recent headlines are riddled with two words that strike fear in every in-house counsel: data breach. In a single moment, the statutory and regulatory world of data privacy can become very, very real. This session will offer both in-house and outside counsel perspectives on investigations, equipping you with tools to prevent data breaches, and in the event a breach occurs, to respond in an effective and speedy manner. You will hear first-hand how one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world is safeguarding its personally identifiable information (PII) and the systems that store it. Then, through interactive small group discussions, you will “roll up your sleeves” and develop actionable takeaways that you can implement on Monday morning. You will be able to identify situations in which outside counsel and vendors can help prevent and control data breaches, get tips for managing outside vendors, and hear your peers’ perspectives on best practices for preventing and responding to data breaches. |
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Track 2: Leading and Balancing Growth and Efficiencies Moderator: JANE MALLOR MCBRIDE, Optimus Legal Management and Consulting Panelists: This workshop will offer an “in the trenches” look at how elements like portfolio management, data collection, predictive analytics and metrics reporting can be incorporated to help law departments manage their practice more efficiently, while having an impact on the business’s bottom line. Explore how to get the most out of your outside counsel and effectively leverage your in-house legal department to achieve a true integration of efforts. Should work be outsourced? Kept in-house? Or are there ways to capture the best of both worlds? Learn how the best in-house law departments are using technology and an innovative approach to legal services to effectively integrate internal and external counsel and proactively advise and guide strategic business initiatives. |
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Track 3: Developing Highly Effective and Ethical Leaders for Change Moderator: Panelists: Never before has there been such a diversity of generations in the workforce. Different values, attitudes, expectations, motivations and work styles add layers of complexity to ensuring all employees receive fair and equitable treatment. Discrimination can be an unfortunate consequence. However, in house counsel can assist their HR counterparts in dealing with issues of discrimination and bias by drafting solid policies that adhere to multinational laws and regulations. This session will cover the different legal and policy approaches taken by the European Union and United States to eliminate age discrimination in the workplace. Receive practical tips for drafting policies that can be applied to a multinational workforce. Identify problem areas and solutions for addressing them in your own law firm or legal department while at the same time gaining practical advice on how to advise your clients on these multi-generational workforce issues. |
PLENARY SESSION |
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM |
INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: INSPIRING INNOVATION AND IMPACTING THE BOTTOM LINE Moderator: Panelists: What separates a great leader from a mediocre one? This session will explore Catalyst’s new research study, Inclusive Leadership: The View From Six Countries, which examines what inclusive leadership behaviors look like across global workplaces. When employees feel included at work, they’re better team players and more likely to go above and beyond, suggesting new ideas and ways of getting work done—which can boost overall organizational performance. Attendees will hear from a panel of general counsel who will share their experiences with inclusive leadership strategies and the impact to their organizations. |
NETWORKING RECEPTION |
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Please join us to unwind, debrief your favorite sessions, and connect with new (and old) contacts and friends. |
OPTIONAL NETWORKING EVENT
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE SHOE DEPARTMENT
611 Fifth Avenue, New York City
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
After a day of exciting sessions at the General Counsel Institute, join NAWL for an evening of fun celebrating friends and fashion! Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and wine while browsing the latest designer shoes. Ten percent of purchase proceeds will benefit Go Red for Women® in remembrance of Lesley Weber and her passionate contributions to GCI.
Transportation will be provided between the InterContinental Times Square and Saks Fifth Avenue.
$37 prepaid fee. No refunds after October 24, 2014.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014 |
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER |
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
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LEADING THROUGH TRANSFORMATION SANDRA LEUNG |
PLENARY SESSION |
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME SOONER? THE MISSING 33%™ OF THE CAREER SUCCESS EQUATION FOR WOMEN SUSAN L. COLANTUONO, CEO, Leading Women I wish I had known this 10 years ago! is one of the most common reactions of women who hear Leading Women’s cutting edge research about The Missing 33% -- a major, and under-studied, career derailer. The findings, especially important to in-house counsel, have helped propel women into senior positions on business unit teams and into the executive suite. After this engaging and eye-opening presentation, you will not only understand The Missing 33% of the career success equation for women, but leave equipped with five concrete actions you can immediately take to strengthen your leadership brand and be positioned to make and be recognized for making significant contributions to your organization. |
WORKSHOPS |
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM |
Track 1: Leading Through Expertise in Today's Hot Topics Moderator: Panelists: What does doing business in the “cloud” really mean? How can you strategically guide your company in navigating the opportunities and risks? Learn how businesses and organizations have found efficiencies and cost-savings by working in the cloud; where your data actually is stored and why selecting the right jurisdiction matters; which countries have the most beneficial regulatory frameworks to protect your business and which pose the greatest challenges; and why the debate about the NSA is relevant to your cloud data. Develop best practices for doing business in the cloud and key “must-have” clauses to include in your cloud services agreements. |
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Track 2: Leading and Balancing Growth and Efficiencies Moderator: Panelists: Corporate counsel are constantly being asked to do more with less. Issues that appear to be of little concern can fall to the bottom of the to-do list. But sometimes things that initially look like a small problem - or no problem at all - can quickly turn into big problems that could have been avoided. This presentation will discuss some of the situations law firm litigators and corporate counsel have recently encountered and share steps that can be taken by corporations to avoid or mitigate issues before they become big problems and even bigger expenses. |
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Track 3: Developing Highly Effective and Ethical Leaders for Change Panelists: The role of the modern GC requires balancing the needs of disparate stakeholders on a daily basis, all the while following her ethical obligations. This is especially true when conducting an internal investigation or defending a government inquiry. How do you calibrate the scope of your investigation to satisfy the government, while fulfilling your fiduciary duty to the executive team, the Board, and the shareholders? If you need to disclose, when is the right time? What should you do about other wrongdoing not the subject of the disclosure? When as GC do you need your own counsel? Explore these ethical issues by focusing on hypotheticals familiar to many of us. |
LUNCH & KEYNOTE SPEAKER |
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
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SUCCESSFUL TEAM LEADERSHIP: TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE REBECCA S. HALSTEAD |
DESSERT AND CHAMPAGNE NETWORKING RECEPTION |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM |
Before you depart, please join us to unwind, debrief your favorite sessions, and connect with new (and old) contacts and friends. |
*subject to change