News

How In-House Counsel at Swiss Bank Ticked Off Prosecutors ... and the Company Paid for It

Sue Reisinger | August 14, 2018

Attorneys at Zürcher Kantonalbank, the fourth-largest bank in Switzerland, found a way to make an already challenging federal investigation even more adversarial.

News

Former Pruitt Aide at EPA Lands at Crowell & Moring

Ryan Lovelace | August 14, 2018

Byron Brown is a former senior counsel to Sen. James Inhofe and was deputy chief of staff under ousted EPA administrator Scott Pruitt.

Best Practices

8 Dos and Don’ts for Surviving the Social Media Age as an Attorney

Zach Warren | August 14, 2018

Robert Brownstone of Fenwick & West doesn't think that the legal profession should shy away from LinkedIn, cloud services and other new tools. Lawyers just need to be smart about how they're used.

Event

Corporate Counsel Announces Its 2018 National Women In Law Honorees

Heather Nevitt | August 13, 2018

Corporate Counsel and InsideCounsel are pleased to announce our honorees for our 2018 National Women in Law Awards.

Expert Opinion

How to Be a Board Whisperer: Q&A With Shellye Archambeau, Board Member at MetricStream, Nordstrom, Verizon

Ryan McConnell| August 13, 2018

Corporate Counsel caught up with Shellye Archambeau and asked for some insight on working with boards.

GCs are flirting with the Big Four - but they remain wary

Phillip Bantz| August 13, 2018

As giant accounting firms make new forays into the legal industry, in-house attorneys are giving more thought to offering the EYs and PwCs of the world their business

News

The Reviews Are in: EY's Acquisition of Riverview Law Has Grabbed Legal Departments' Attention

Dan Clark | August 10, 2018

Asked about EY's latest move into the legal market, one GC said the idea of having legal service providers only owned and operated by lawyers is "narrow-minded and dated."

Commentary

EU Court Rules Christian Louboutin’s Red Soles Can Have Trademark Protection

Danielle N. Garno and Jacqueline Brousseau| August 09, 2018

Fashion brands may be able to obtain trademark protection for color marks applied to a specific position on a product in the European Union thanks to a June 12 decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg.

News

Global Cartel Misconduct Reaches Into Bank Rates, Oranges, Even Condoms

Sue Reisinger | August 08, 2018

In the first half of the year, many of the crackdowns happened in Europe, but other jurisdictions such as Australia, Singapore and Egypt saw heightened enforcement as well.

News

GCs Want to Speak Out for Companies on Political Issues, But It May Not Be Worthwhile

Phillip Bantz | August 08, 2018

New survey findings suggest that GCs should think twice about taking public stances on many political and cultural issues ... and never talk about Trump.

Slideshow

Who Were the 10 Highest-Paid Female GCs in 2017?

Dan Clark | August 08, 2018

There were a lot of well-compensated in-house legal leaders in Corporate Counsel's GC Compensation Survey rankings this year. Here's a countdown of the top 10 women on the list.

A crisis hits: strategies for GCs to manage what happens next...

Jeremy Drew| August 08, 2018

A crisis presents an opportunity for in-house lawyers to demonstrate the commercial value they bring to their business

News

Worried About a Harvey, Travis, or Roseanne at Your Company? Here’s What GCs Can Do

MP McQueen | August 07, 2018

“Increasingly, reputational issues are falling within the purview of general counsel because if there is a problem, it becomes a legal issue very quickly,” said one attorney and consultant.

Commentary

A Need for Lawyers With Empathy

Alexander C. Gavis and Mark E. Young| August 07, 2018

There is an opportunity—and a need—for lawyers to be better listeners, a skill not typically honed in law school and developed during the course of one’s career.

Agile Compliance Enabling Innovation at Walmart.com

Lance Lanciault| August 07, 2018

Your compliance program should look ahead for potential issues, writes Lance Lanciault, SVP and chief ethics and compliance officer for Walmart eCommerce.

Commentary

How Law Departments Can Avoid Common Misconceptions When Centralizing Data

Scott Springer, HBR Consulting| August 07, 2018

There may be a few common misconceptions law departments often have about the process, but centralization can revolutionize your department if done correctly.

Slideshow

These 10 GCs Made the Most Cash in 2017

Caroline Spiezio | August 06, 2018

According to American Lawyer Media's 2018 General Counsel Compensation Survey, these U.S. GCs brought home the big bucks last year.

Commentary

Find a Truth Teller

Mike Evers| August 06, 2018

The most honest and helpful constructive criticism often comes from mentors, friends and outside resources (including recruiters!), people who only want success and happiness for you.

News

Christopher Updike Named General Counsel at Bankruptcy Management Solutions

Sue Reisinger | August 03, 2018

A veteran of both Cadwalader and Debevoise, Updike joins a lawyer-helmed company that provides software and services for consumer and corporate bankruptcy.

News

Paul Hastings to Offer Free Legal Services to Startup Industry

Rhys Dipshan | August 03, 2018

The firm's launch of Ignite seeks reach a potentially large number of future paying startup clients, a strategy that has been used by a growing number of law firms.

News

On Road to IPO, Uber Hires Keir Gumbs of Covington as Associate GC

Dan Clark | August 02, 2018

Uber Technologies Inc. announced on Thursday that as it accelerates toward a projected initial public offering in 2019, it will be adding longtime Covington & Burling partner Keir Gumbs as associate general counsel, corporate transactions and deputy corporate secretary.

See the Amazing Speaker Lineup for the 2018 WIPL Conference!

Heather Nevitt | August 02, 2018

Take a look at who is on the list. You won't want to miss the opportunity to network with all these exceptional women.

News

Electric Carmaker Faraday Future Hires Banking, Regulatory Expert as Top Lawyer

Phillip Bantz | August 02, 2018

Henry (Hong) Liu, a former partner at Mayer Brown who served as general counsel of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, will hold several global roles at Faraday Future, bringing years of experience in Asian markets.

News

One CLO Tested His Employees’ GDPR Knowledge. He Was ‘Shocked’ at What He Found

Phillip Bantz | August 02, 2018

Software company CLO John Boswell of SAS Institute Inc. recently told Corporate Counsel about the valuable lessons he's learned since the GDPR became reality.

News

The Greatest Risk to Data Security? It's People and Their Feelings

Dan Clark | August 02, 2018

A new report from Code42 indicates that the more human aspects of data security may be the most dangerous.

Partners set to be included in pay gap reporting as MPs criticise 'painfully slow' progress on law firm diversity

Rose Walker| August 02, 2018

Exclusion of partners described as making “a nonsense” of efforts to tackle the pay gap

News

A Year Out From Equifax, Cybersecurity Regulation Is on the Rise

Dan Clark | August 01, 2018

One attorney called the Equifax breach a "tipping point." What's happened since then has got plenty of in-house counsel paying close attention.

The 2018 GC Compensation Survey: A New No. 1

Caroline Spiezio | August 01, 2018

Morgan Stanley CLO Eric Grossman debuts on our list in the top spot

News

International Monetary Fund Names Rhoda Weeks-Brown as Next General Counsel

Sue Reisinger | July 31, 2018

IMF leader Christine Lagarde said Weeks-Brown brings "comprehensive perspective on the fund’s role" as well as a sharp legal mind to her new position.

PwC boosts legal revenues to £70m as accountancy giant continues push into law

Hannah Roberts| July 31, 2018

Big Four firm's push into law continues on back of integration of legal team into wider firm

News

Major Companies Resist Potential Class of Millions in Facebook Job Ad Case

Erin Mulvaney | July 31, 2018

Lawyers for Amazon, T-Mobile and Cox contend a proposed class action targeting advertising practices on Facebook is "vague" and "subjective."

Google on hunt for new general counsel as legal chief steps up to new global affairs role

Rebekah Mintzer| July 31, 2018

Google GC becomes senior vice president of global affairs as search giant faces legal and business challenges

News

Does the US Need Its Own GDPR to Unify How Companies Handle Data?

Dan Clark | July 30, 2018

Proponents of a unified U.S. data law cite an anti-regulatory environment in Washington as a major obstacle.

Slideshow

8 GCs Who’ve Stepped Up in Tough Times

Rebekah Mintzer | July 27, 2018

When the stakes were high, these in-house legal leaders have swooped in to help repair the damage.

Expert Opinion

Global In-House: Wise Ideas to Advance Diversity, Inclusion in Legal

E. Leigh Dance and Vanessa Scott| July 27, 2018

Legal professionals from 10 countries gathered in Atlanta this spring for Working Wiser, a workshop which took a new approach to speeding diversity and inclusion in the legal industry. It was not your normal diversity event.

Commentary

In-House Counsel’s Growing Role in Data Protection and Security Risk Management

Deana Uhl, FTI Technology| July 27, 2018

In-house counsel is facing growing responsibility to minimize damage to the corporate reputation, loss of key data, and legal and regulatory penalties. And many worry their organization is stuck in a game of catch-up.

Analysis

Just How Much Will the EU Impact US Tech, Privacy?

Rhys Dipshan | July 26, 2018

The recent $5 billion antitrust fine levied against Google is far from the only way the European Union is influencing how U.S. tech companies, and U.S. privacy laws, evolve.

Expert Opinion

Data Governance for Legal Ops: Adding Value Through Contract Intelligence and IG

Stephen Allen and Deana Uhl| July 25, 2018

Legal departments are beginning to address the growing pressure to measure and boost value in numerous strategic and innovative ways.

News

PetroEcuador In-House Lawyer Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Money Laundering

Sue Reisinger | July 25, 2018

A Florida judge had adjusted the sentence, going easier on Marcelo Reyes Lopez, after he argued that though he was a beneficiary of the money laundering scheme, he didn't organize it or participate in it.

Commentary

More Women Than Ever Before in General Counsel Role at Fortune 500 Cos.

Cynthia Dow, Russell Reynolds Associates| July 25, 2018

Alongside improvements to the candidate pool, the increased focus on diversity and inclusion means we are set to see a continuation of the trend of women being hired into the top legal job.

Facebook general counsel announces departure amid rising regulatory scrutiny

Dan Clark| July 25, 2018

Colin Stretch, Facebook's top lawyer since 2013, set to step down at end of year

Come Hear Valerie Jarrett and Sally Yates Speak at Our 2018 WIPL Conference!

Heather Nevitt | July 25, 2018

I am excited to announce that we have two amazing keynote speakers for you at this year's Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Conference.

News

With Newly Revealed Allegations, the #MeToo Movement Reaches the Lionsgate Legal Department

Sue Reisinger | July 24, 2018

Wendy Jaffe, a former Lionsgate in-house lawyer, recently went public with harassment allegations against the studio's former GC, Wayne Levin. She spoke to Corporate Counsel about the challenges she's faced and why she chose to speak out.

News

Big Four's EY to Launch New Singapore Law Practice With Dentons Rodyk Team

John Kang | July 24, 2018

Former Dentons Rodyk & Davidson partner Evelyn Ang is set to join as EY follows PwC in forming new Singapore associations with ex-partners of prominent local firms.

News

As Costs Add Up, Is Deutsche Bank's Litigation Trouble Finally Nearing an End?

Sue Reisinger | July 23, 2018

The trouble keeps on coming for Deutsche Bank, but there may be soon be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Slideshow

7 Times Europe Has Made US Tech Companies Pay Up Over Legal Issues

Caroline Spiezio | July 23, 2018

The European Commission's fine against Google last week is just one of many big-ticket penalties levied by the EU against U.S. companies in recent years.

Commentary

Attention Legal Industry Decision-Makers: Before You Spend on Legal Tech, Read This

Monica Zent, CEO of Foxwordy, founder of ZentLaw| July 23, 2018

Monica Zent lists six steps that can limit the odds of overspending or buying the wrong technology for legal departments and law firms.

News

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Brings on Industry Vet as New Legal Boss

Kristen Rasmussen | July 20, 2018

The hiring of Austin Kim as GC comes just a few months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it is re-evaluating ACADIA’s Nuplazid, the only drug approved to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis.

News

New Study Offers Deeper Look Into Growing Trade Secret Litigation

Sue Reisinger | July 19, 2018

The new data from Lex Machina can help general counsel make wiser decisions about legal representation and strategy.

Q&A

VR’s Open Call to Litigation: Q&A With UCLA’s Eugene Volokh on Future Law

Ian Lopez | July 19, 2018

Volokh, a technology and legal expert, talks about how virtual reality may shape litigation in the future.

Analysis

Will the Rise of Artificial Intelligence Lead to More Job Cuts at Law Firms?

Krishnan Nair | July 18, 2018

A PwC report argues that AI could create more jobs than it displaces over the next 20 years.

News

Brexit Planning in a Time of Uncertainty: How In-House Counsel Can Prep (as Much as Possible)

Caroline Spiezio | July 17, 2018

When it comes to Brexit, most everything feels up in the air. But that doesn't mean companies shouldn't be taking concrete steps now.

Analysis

After a Breach, a Company's Biggest Risk Is Its Employees

Rhys Dipshan | July 17, 2018

Simple mistakes by the C-suite and managers can open up a company to regulatory and legal action and cause reputational damage for years to come.

News

Ama Walton Climbs the Charts at BMG Music to Top Legal Spot

Dan Clark | July 16, 2018

The German in-house attorney and music industry vet will also add the title of chief human resources officer to her growing resume.

Analysis

The Long Road to Going Public: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Dropbox's Successful IPO

Caroline Spiezio | July 13, 2018

It took teamwork, preparation and smart technology use to get Dropbox's IPO over the finish line earlier this year.

News

PwC Launches New Local Law Practice in Singapore, Hiring Prominent Partner from a Top Singapore Firm

John Kang | July 13, 2018

Rachel Eng will leave WongPartnership after 23 years and launch a new local firm for the accounting giant. She had been the firm's deputy chair since 2016.

News

UnitedLex Targets UK Law Firm Tie-up on Back of Major US Deals

Ben Wheway| July 13, 2018

The legal services provider is now setting its sights on the U.K. market.

What junior lawyers need to know about artificial intelligence

Jeffrey Catanzaro| July 13, 2018

AI is creating huge opportunities – but it’s important for junior lawyers to appreciate how such technology will impact their careers

ITV to appoint new legal chief as Garard steps down after more than a decade in top role

Joseph Evans| July 12, 2018

Long-serving group legal director Andrew Garard to assist ITV in search for successor

Network Rail to appoint four firms to new 'innovation-driven' legal panel

Hannah Roberts and Joseph Evans| July 12, 2018

Rail operator invites firms to apply for new roster in move away from current traditional panel

BBC pay report reveals salary details for corporation's top lawyers

Joseph Evans| July 11, 2018

BBC GC Sarah Jones listed as taking home £255,000, with head of commercial legal, Peter Ranyard, making £160,000

Legislation roundup: FDI Catalogue, A shares and insurance companies

Susan Mok | July 11, 2018

The negative list for foreign investment is relaxed, foreigners are encouraged to invest in the A-share market and insurance companies are required to include independent directors.

News

Fast-Growing Rubrik Hires First CLO, a Hint it May Be IPO Bound

Caroline Spiezio | July 10, 2018

Peter McGoff, formerly of Box, will lead the company’s global legal and compliance functions, with a focus on expanding into international markets and developing a compliance and governance framework.

Dechert applies to US court to subpoena Sunday Times journalist after ENRC leak allegation

Joseph Evans| July 10, 2018

US law firm follows mining company in applying to subpoena journalist for leaked documents

DOJ's Scott Schools Heads to Uber as Chief Compliance Officer

Caroline Spiezio | July 09, 2018

The former DOJ lawyer looks to be part of Uber's grand plan to clean up its act and its tarnished public image.

European Consumer Org Claims Big Tech Companies' Privacy Policies Not Totally GDPR Compliant

Dan Clark | July 09, 2018

A report indicates that even though many tech companies updated their privacy policies right before the GDPR came into effect on May 25, “there is still room for significant improvements.”

Expert Opinion

A New Kind of General Counsel Innovator

E. Leigh Dance| July 09, 2018

General counsel are advocating on important issues for their organization’s stakeholders, with a far broader scope than legal.

UK Legal Departments Falling Behind in Tech Use, Study Says

Dan Clark | July 09, 2018

New data from Acritas shows that British legal departments are lagging behind the rest of Europe and the U.S. in multiple tech use categories.

'I am able to be me in the legal world' – a perspective on the 'safety bubble' of City law

Salim Stephenson| July 09, 2018

MoFo's Salim Stephenson on the workplace challenges facing LGBTQA+ people - and the progress law firms are making

News

Key Compliance Lesson From Credit Suisse: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Sue Reisinger | July 06, 2018

“It is not enough to have a global statement on paper barring something,” one attorney said of the recent case against Credit Suisse.

Q&A

‘The Job in Crypto Found Me’: A Q&A With Robinhood AGC Adele Faure

Caroline Spiezio | July 06, 2018

Faure's in-house role has expanded to include cryptocurrency. Luckily she's got plenty of regulatory experience and "crypto nerd friends" to help her succeed.

Expert Opinion

Should an In-House Attorney Get an MBA?

Mike Evers| July 05, 2018

This column addresses a very specific question, which I have been asked repeatedly over the years: Should an in-house attorney get an MBA?

News

Legal Departments Need Hashtags Too: Meet #InHouseTwitter

Caroline Spiezio | July 03, 2018

#AppellateTwitter doesn't get to have all the fun. There's also #InHouseTwitter, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary Tuesday.

Analysis

Why You Shouldn’t Be Complacent About Smart Contracts

Amy Wan, Sagewise| July 03, 2018

The immutability and security of the blockchain make them a powerful tool, but they are not infallible. The blockchain industry needs a solution that allows smart contracts to be judged by their original intent.

News

Due Process and Efficiency: AI Has Complicated Legal Systems in US, China

Caroline Spiezio| July 02, 2018

The U.S.-China AI Tech Summit revealed some interesting issues at the intersection of AI and judicial process.

What 'new law' looks like: six key characteristics of the legal provider of the future

Michael Siebold| July 02, 2018

So-called ‘new law’ providers are proving serious competition to well-established ‘big law’ firms. But what does ‘new law’ look like in practice?

Expert Opinion

I Have 2 Job Offers. Which One Should I Take?

Julie Q. Brush| July 02, 2018

Determining which position constitutes the best career move will depend on your priorities and your goals—and you need to figure out what those are.

News

Want More Money at Your In-House Health Care Gig? Move to the West Coast or Northeast

Kristen Rasmussen | June 29, 2018

A study by the American Health Lawyers Association and Bloomberg Law analyzed trends in the health care industry and found that in-house lawyers in those two regions have on average the highest base salaries.

News

LexisNexis Adds Ravel Visualizations Into Case Law Research

Zach Warren | June 29, 2018

Called Ravel View, the data visualization technology creates a visual map of the cases and language that LexisNexis says judges find most important.

News

Despite GDPR, Looks Like There's No Rush to Buy Cyberinsurance

Dan Clark | June 28, 2018

So, why no cyberinsurance yet? The answer may be that insurers still need to get their policy language in order.

Profile

Women of Legal Tech: Lucy Bassli and Her ‘New Norm’ of Legal Services Delivery

Monica Bay| June 28, 2018

The former Microsoft AGC talks about why she went out on her own with InnoLegal Services, her first seat at the table, and why young women should 'be heard.'

News

Former In-House Counsel Avoids Prison in Financial Fraud Conspiracy

Sue Reisinger | June 27, 2018

William Dawn was in-house counsel at Denver-based Compass Financial Solutions, a financial services marketing firm, from 2002 to 2010. The 80-year-old had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

'Billable hours do not help innovation' – the tech conundrums law firms are grappling with

Legal Week| June 25, 2018

Speakers from KPMG, Freshfields and Baker McKenzie discuss top tech issues at the Legal Week Strategic Technology Forum 2018

News

Intel CEO's Departure Shows Importance of Office Dating Policies, Especially if You're the Boss

Caroline Spiezio | June 22, 2018

Brian Krzanich of Intel resigned from the company over revelations he had dated an Intel employee. His departure says a lot about the considerations companies face these days in dealing with workplace relationships.

News

5 Big Considerations When Finding, Managing Outside Counsel

Dan Clark | June 22, 2018

Lynn Watkins-Asiyanbi, associate general counsel at JBT Corp., and Bindu Cudjoe, deputy general counsel and chief knowledge officer at the Bank of Montreal, shared some recommendations for outside counsel management at an ACC event Friday.

News

EU Copyright Directive Advances: What Does That Mean for Tech’s Legal Departments?

Caroline Spiezio | June 21, 2018

The directive, which passed the EU's Legal Affairs Committee this week and is slated to move to an EU Parliament vote in the future, could create some serious roadblocks for tech companies.

Expert Opinion

Does Compliance Really Have Different Interests Than Legal?

Michael W. Peregrine| June 20, 2018

Recent public comments by well-known compliance consultant Hui Chen provide an important, if not also provocative, perspective on the role lawyers should play as part of a compliance team.

News

Salvador Juncadella Retires From the World of International GCs

Catherine Wilson | June 20, 2018

Salvador Juncadella, a soft-spoken pitch man for international general counsel, is retiring as a consultant at Morgan Lewis in Miami.

News

Across the Globe, 3M Lawyers Take Pride in Pro Bono Projects

Sue Reisinger | June 19, 2018

The pro bono program at 3M is highly active and very international. “Pro bono work exposes legal professionals to new areas of law, and sharpens their legal analysis and client communication skills,” GC Ivan Fong told Corporate Counsel.

News

PwC Legal Continues Asia Expansion; Hong Kong Affiliate Makes Multiple Partner Hires

John Kang | June 19, 2018

Since launching last year, PwC's affiliate firm in Hong Kong, Tiang & Co., has expanded to about 16 lawyers.

News

Meet David Taylor, the Theranos GC and Former Munger Associate Who Just Became the Troubled Company's CEO

Caroline Spiezio| June 18, 2018

Taylor will have his work cut out for him, replacing former CEO Elizabeth Holmes at a company that has been stuck in a downward spiral of legal troubles and bad headlines.

News

CLOC Survey Shows In-House Legal May Rethink Staffing After Associate Raises—Or Maybe Not

Dan Clark | June 15, 2018

A recent survey from the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium took its members' temperature on associate pay. There was frustration expressed about the Milbank raises, but some indicated they'd be understanding—as long as the costs didn't land on the corporate legal balance sheet.

News

In-House Experts Give Mixed Reaction to New Legal Services Venture From UnitedLex, LeClairRyan

Sue Reisinger | June 15, 2018

A group of experts with plenty of in-house legal experience expressed both enthusiasm and some skepticism about the new ULX Partners launch.

Expert Opinion

What's Market-Rate Compensation for a Midlevel Associate Heading In-House?

Julie Q. Brush| June 15, 2018

Moving in-house is an alluring proposition that has been a major driver for the exodus of today’s young law firm associates.

News

Inspired by His Own Deal Career, a Veteran GC Writes Book on Contracts, Negotiations

Caroline Spiezio | June 14, 2018

The book draws from mistakes that Paul Swegle, a 10-time GC, has seen made in the contract drafting and negotiation process.

News

Panic Over GDPR Noncompliance Fines: Is It Overblown?

Dan Clark | June 14, 2018

At the 2018 NetDiligence Cyber Risk Summit in Philadelphia, experts said that companies don't need to worry as much as they are about General Data Protection Regulation fines.

News

How to Succeed In-House (While Really Trying): 5 Tips From Legal Leaders

Caroline Spiezio | June 13, 2018

In-house lawyers from Pinterest, Microsoft, Sophos and more shared their advice for success at a Stanford University conference this week.

Live Coverage

No More Stigma of the ‘Non’: Where Non-Lawyers Fit in the Legal Ops Ecosystem

Zach Warren | June 13, 2018

While there are differences between lawyers and those without JDs, the gulf is not so great that non-lawyers should be excluded from legal tasks, said panelists at the ACC's Legal Operations conference.

Commentary

What You Need to Know About the European Trade Secrets Directive

Peter Lando and Thomas McNulty| June 12, 2018

Companies doing business in Europe or with European entities should understand the new protections afforded trade secrets in Europe, as well as which countries are in compliance and which have not yet made the necessary changes.

Corporate Dating Policies: Thoughts on Balancing Employee Bliss With Employer Interests

Daniel K. Wiig| June 12, 2018

Corporate counsel, in conjunction with human resources management (HRM), should consider drafting and implementing a balanced dating policy that both respects the employee’s personal lives yet protects the employer’s interests in avoiding touchy personnel matters.