Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic multiplied the workload for many in-house counsel but also eliminated the in-person networking that the community thrives on.

The Association of Corporate Counsel, the top global in-house bar group, conducted a flash survey earlier this month to determine when in-house counsel will be ready to attend in-person events again as countries begin reopening. The results came out this week.

Out of the 405 respondents, 45% said they'd go to events only if health safety measures are enforced. Almost 28% will wait for a widely available COVID-19 vaccine before attending large-scale in-person events again. On another note, 46% of respondents expected their education and training budgets to decrease during the next year.

That means events may not get pre-pandemic attendance levels for awhile.

Last October, I traveled to Phoenix for the annual ACC meeting for the first time. The massive gathering really emphasized for me that the in-house community seeks out in-person connections. For example, there are opportunities to catch up with a friend who moved to another company in another region, or find someone with the same specialty, or meet another top lawyer on a panel at a like company, all while learning how to improve on the job. This year's conference in Philadephia, slated for October, is already being formatted to deliver in-person and virtual events to the ACC's 45,000+ members.

Whether it's meeting with other in-house counsel within your legal department and/or within your bar associations, the need to connect can be vital to leadership success. The in-house community has been depending on virtual means to connect over topics they're facing now due to the pandemic. But the virtual dynamic is not the same as meeting in person, and this new normal may extend longer than we expected.

What restrictions could prevent you from returning to in-person in-house events? Please let me know at [email protected].

 

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I think that consumers do not understand all of the data that is collected and how it is used, monetized, shared and handed off to third parties. I would like to see Congress say businesses need to be accountable in the ways they handle consumer data and information.

- Christine Wilson, a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. and former in-house counsel at Delta Air Lines Inc., discussing her support for a new federal privacy law.

What's Happening

 

Life After COVID-19 Layoff

Colin Levy tweeted earlier this month that he had lost his job as general counsel at Salary.com, a compensation data, software and consulting firm based in Massachusetts.

Two weeks later, he spoke to Corporate Counsel about maintaining content for his blog, networking via phone calls, and just plain relaxing. He says full-time work opportunities have not come his way yet, but it's expected with the pandemic still in effect.

"I also think that it's particularly tough because legal jobs tend to be expensive ones to fill. I do think there is a hesitancy to hire counsel," he said. "On the other hand, I think certain companies are finding themselves in need of legal leadership and/or finding themselves spending too much on outside counsel."

 

Developing COVID-19 Treatment

Ligand Pharmaceuticals GC Charles Berkman anad Hayden Trubitt, a shareholder at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth in San Diego, spoke to Corporate Counsel about their legal roles in helping researchers find a treatment for COVID-19.

The San Diego-based company licenses and supplies Captisol, a crucial ingredient being used in experimental COVID-19 treatment drug remdesivir. Berkman says his company's agreement with Gilead Sciences to use Captisol was not exactly taking a risk.

"Lawyers, in my personal view and to over-generalize, can be a little too risk-averse," Berkman said. "But it's more about flexibility than risk-taking. We're very diversified. …So on any one business transaction, we may be willing to be more flexible or take more risks than the typical biotech that might be completely focused on one or two products or projects."

Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards

 

Corporate Counsel's Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards awards deadline for submissions is July 8.

We are looking for general counsel and law firm partner applicants in the following categories:

Crisis Management: Industry – General Counsel Banking & Finance Insurance Transportation & Infrastructure Manufacturing & Chemicals Technology, Media & Telecom Retail & Consumer Goods

In-House & Law Firm Awards Innovative Leadership Thought Leadership Collaborative Leadership Women's Legal Awards General Counsel of the Year/Managing Partner of the Year Lifetime Achievement

If you know a general counsel or law firm partner who qualifies for a WIPL award, then please apply here.

Best Legal Departments

 

Corporate Counsel's Best Legal Departments awards deadline for submissions is June 15.

We are looking for general counsel and in-house legal department applicants in the following categories:

U.S. Legal Department of the Year

Compliance Department of the Year

Startup Solo GC of the Year

Best Use of Technology

General Counsel of the Year

Best Deputy or Associate GC

Champion of Diversity Award

Best Legal Ops Team

Outstanding Community Service Award

If your general counsel and legal department qualify for a Best Legal Departments award, then please apply here.

On the Move

 

Rotisserie chain Boston Market promoted its GC and chief administrative officer Randy Miller to president. He's the highest executive now with the newly named CEO returning to the chief operating officer role. The changes come after the company had been acquired by Engage Brands in late April.

New York Life Insurance Company promoted Natalie Lamarque to GC and senior vice president. Formerly the deputy GC, she now oversees the New York-based insurer's office of the general counsel. She continues to report to chief legal officer and executive vice president Sheila Davidson.

The Libra Association appointed Robert Werner to GC of the Geneva-based cryptocurrency membership organization spun off from Facebook's concept. The appointment comes two weeks after Libra named HSBC Holdings' top lawyer Stuart Levey as incoming CEO. Werner, who has held leadership roles at HSBC, Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, also is a former director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control.