AGENDA

WELCOME RECEPTION | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM ET

Join fellow GCI18 attendees as we celebrate the return to an in-person conference! Connect with friends you haven't seen in a couple of years and meet new ones.

BREAKFAST RECEPTION | 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM ET

OPENING PLENARY | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET

A Conversation About Conversations: Identity & Inclusion

Are you puzzled by the ever-changing terms used to describe various identities and demographic differences?  Confused by pronouns? Looking for a decoder for acronyms like LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, AFAB, and others? What’s the difference between someone who is ‘disabled’ versus a person with disabilities? What do you do when you use incorrect pronouns or an expression they find offensive? Do you want to support co-workers and colleagues in an inclusive environment but are too afraid of saying the wrong thing that you avoid topics (or even the people) altogether? Do you wonder why people are so sensitive about labels, pronouns, and identity in the first place when we are all just people?

Join us for a conversation about conversations. Because language does matter. We’ll discuss dimensions of identity and why word choice, pronouns, and labels matter to those in underrepresented populations. We’ll discuss strategies to communicate and refer to one another in ways that embrace and celebrate differences. Then we will address some ways to lean into discomfort in a way that helps all of us grow and learn. Participants will leave with some tips, do’s, don’ts, and an acronym and identities decoder so we can show up more empathetically for one another.

Moderator: Heather Bell, Attorney, Intel
April G. Dawson, Associate Dean of Technology and Innovation and Professor of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law
Kristen Pezone, Associate Director, Employment Law, Intel
Su Suh, Pro Bono Racial Justice Counsel, Intel and NAWL Board Member

Sponsored by: 

BREAK | 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM ET

PLENARY | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET

General Counsel and Beyond: Success Outside the Legal Department

In-house lawyers often dream about the “crossover”:  moving from legal into a business role. Meet four extraordinary women who have excelled not only as attorneys but in a variety of other C-suite roles ranging from chief human resources officer to the head of business operations to CEO. Join us for an insightful discussion about their journey beyond the legal department. 

Sharon Barner, VP, CAO & Corporate Secretary, Cummins, Inc.
Michellene Davis, President & CEO, National Medical Fellowships
Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, CEO, Dress for Success Worldwide
Moderator: Catherine So, General Counsel, SVP-Legal, Tiffany & Co.
Jennifer K. Williamson, Senior Vice President, and General Counsel, Textron Systems

BREAK | 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM ET

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET

Hot Topics in a Post-Pandemic Supply Chain: What Every GC Needs to Know

Coming out of the global pandemic, companies face a variety of supply chain challenges that have been amplified by the global focus on Environmental Social & Governance. Laura and Libby will discuss some hot trends and issues spanning from forced labor, trade disputes, product bans and climate goals as well as some of the more challenging impacts from increased costs to liability for greenwashing.  

Laura Siegel Rabinowitz, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
Libby Stennes, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig

Sponsored by: 

Recent Trends in Private Target M&A

This session will discuss the impact of geopolitical tensions, the war in Ukraine, rising interest rates, inflation, supply chain constraints, and transitioning out of the COVID pandemic on the US deal value, volume and process, and transaction terms.

Ashlee Sawyer Gilson, Counsel, Hogan Lovells
Carine S. Stoick, Office Managing Partner, Hogan Lovells

Sponsored by: 

LUNCH + PANEL | 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM ET

What's Next After Dobbs v. Jackson

The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health may have impacts beyond its devastating impact on reproductive rights.  A panel of experts will discuss the emerging patchwork of laws, the rights that may be at risk, and what to expect in the coming years on reproductive and other constitutional rights.  The panel will also explore what attendees can do to advocate for the equality of women under the law. 

Moderator: Carol Anderson, Senior Corporate Counsel, Global Trade, Microsoft
Sharon Masling, Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP
Aracely Munoz, Director of the Lawyers Network, Center for Reproductive Rights
Priscilla Smith, Director of the Program for the Study of Reproductive Justice, Information Society Project, Yale Law School

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET

Effectively Selecting & Managing Outside Counsel

As economic forces drive corporations to more aggressively control legal costs, in-house counsel must carefully consider new approaches to selecting and managing outside counsel. This panel will review how in-house counsel can effectively manage outside counsel, including insights and perspectives on negotiating fee arrangements, performance reviews, diversity initiatives, and billing practices. We will also hear outside counsel’s perspective on how they can work collaboratively with in-house counsel to achieve their goals.

Cynthia J. Borrelli, Principal, Bressler, Amery & Ross, PC
Karen E. Murphy, Principal, Bressler, Amery & Ross, PC
Lani Quarmby, Associate General Counsel and Managing Director, Bank of America
Sandy J. Tapnack, Director and Assistant General Counsel, Bank of America

Sponsored by: 

How EJ Impacts ESG - Lessons for Corporate Counsel

Panelists will provide an overview of EJ, related trends, and how equity considerations, particularly how corporate environmental equity actions or initiatives may impact ESG reporting. The session will cover general  trends related to EJ and ESG enforcement and litigation, as well as measures for internal counsel to proactively assess and manage risk.

Anne Carpenter, Partner, Baker Botts 
Nadira Clarke, Partner, Baker Botts
Camille Richard, Attorney & Senior Compliance Officer, UBS 
Jennifer Wollenberg, Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Sponsored by: 

Restrictive Covenants: Avoiding Entanglements 

Kelly M. Cardin, Shareholder, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC

Sponsored by: 

BREAK | 4:00 PM - 4:15 PM ET

PLENARY | 4:15 - 5:15PM ET

Inside the SEC: Understanding the Agency's Enforcement Philosophy

For in-house lawyers and compliance professionals, the SEC occupies an increasingly important role in shaping corporate conduct, compliance norms, and transparency goals around a wide variety of issues, ranging from ESG to cybersecurity to gatekeeper accountability to investor recovery. Join our exceptional panel of current and former Commission officials to discuss key regulatory and enforcement initiatives, as well as practical steps that corporate legal departments can take to position themselves for success on some of the most challenging and pressing issues of the day. We will also discuss how our esteemed panelists made their way into public service, and advice for other women lawyers considering embarking on a similar path. 

Anna R. Gressel, Associate, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Melissa Hodgman, Associate Director for Enforcement, U.S. Securities Exchange Commission
Kristin A. Snyder, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Nichola L. Timmons, Chief of the Office of Bankruptcy, Collections, Distributions and Receiverships in the Division of Enforcement, U.S. Securities Exchange Commission

Sponsored by: 

NETWORKING | 5:15 PM - 7:30 PM ET

Private Screening & Reception

Join fellow GCI attendees at the Regal Cinemas Battery Park (connected to The Conrad) for a private screening of CBS's new show So Help Me Todd featuring Academy Award® winner Marcia Gay Harden as razor-sharp, meticulous attorney. Following the screening, guests will enjoy a networking reception in the theater.

BREAKFAST RECEPTION | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET

PLENARY | 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM ET

Corporate Responsibility and the War in Ukraine: Navigating Corporate Response to Global Events

In February of this year, Microsoft detected the first cyberattacks against government and critical infrastructure entities across Ukraine preceding the invasion. In the days and months that followed, Microsoft worked in close coordination with governments, companies, and nonprofits across the globe to protect Ukraine’s cybersecurity; suspend new sales in Russia; comply with US, EU, and UK sanctions laws; and mobilize resources to support humanitarian aid. Join experts who played an integral part in Microsoft’s response in Ukraine to discuss the issues companies can expect to address in responding to global events, including public policy, trade and regulation, and business and customer response.

Cabrelle Abel, Assistant General Counsel, Customer and Partner Solutions, Microsoft
Moderator: Katherine Gnadinger, Corporate Counsel, Microsoft
Amy Larsen, Director of Strategy, Democracy Forward, Microsoft
Sarah O'Hare O'Neal, Associate General Counsel, Global Trade, Microsoft

Sponsored by: 

BREAK | 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM ET

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET

Navigating Religious Accommodations & Vaccines to Reduce Risk of Litigation

Prior to the recent pandemic, very few employers dealt with requests for religious accommodations. Most employers don’t understand the religious accommodation requirement and are nervous to address religion in the workplace. The number of religious accommodation requests grew exponentially in the last year, and there has been a spike in lawsuits and agency charges over this issue. Nivritha C. Ketty, Partner at Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C., will guide participants through the complex issues and best practices to handle an employee’s religious accommodation request to reduce or avoid the risk of litigation, more specifically covering:  

• Recent trends in litigation
• Overview of Religious Accommodation
• Difference between Religious Accommodation and Disability Accommodation
• Recent case law
• Steps to avoid litigation and setup the best defense

Nivritha C. Ketty, Partner, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C.

Sponsored by: 

Beyond the Numbers: Focusing on What Matters

Law firms say they want to tackle the problem of attrition of women and attorneys from diverse backgrounds, but 15 years of data collected through NAWL's Survey suggests the legal profession has not fully committed to the actions necessary to address the persistent loss of talent and experience from law firms. Despite a growing awareness of the power that in-house counsel can wield to promote DEI, there are still significant barriers to change. In this interactive session, we'll explore opportunities identified through NAWL's 2021 Survey and 2022 Listening Tour. The discussion will also include insights from social science more broadly and recommended practices related to compensation, performance evaluation and promotion, and succession planning – three key areas that our research tells us deserve focused attention. 

Kristin Bauer, Principal, Jackson Lewis, P.C.
Karen Richardson, Executive Director, National Association of Women Lawyers

LUNCH + FIRESIDE CHAT | 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM ET

Lunch and a Conversation with Ramona Romero

Please join us for lunch and a conversation with Ramona Romero, Vice President and General Counsel, Princeton University.  NAWL President, DeAnna Allen, will talk with Ramona about her experience as an immigrant in the United States, her impressive and diverse legal career, and how she has turned her passion for diversity and equal opportunity into action.   

Moderator: DeAnna Allen, Partner, Cooley LLP
Ramona E. Romero, Vice President and General Counsel, Princeton University

CLOSING RECEPTION | 2:15 PM - 4:00 PM ET