As in-house counsel, we all understand the importance of a well-run and well-managed legal department. It is essential that we show the business our value, while controlling costs, continuously improving and constantly innovating.

My last message focused on the challenges and opportunities involved in incorporating legal operations into the legal function. An aspect of bringing legal operations into your organization often includes introducing new technologies, which can present its own set of challenges.

As we strive to provide our clients with the support and guidance they have come to so value, especially during times of crisis, in-house legal teams have a lot on our collective plates.

Hopefully, your ACC community continues to foster connections to those who happen to share your professional path, while providing you with tools that help you do your job.

ACC is, at its core, a community. Your membership connects you to in-house counsel and legal operations professionals working all over the globe.

This year has been full of change and uncertainty, but also resilience. As leaders and as humans, we have faced difficult challenges due to the global pandemic COVID-19.

It has truly been an honor to serve on the board of an organization that has meant so much to me during my career as in-house counsel, and an organization which itself serves so well its 45,000+ members in more than 85 countries around the globe.

Every story has an arc, with a beginning, middle, and end. And my story as ACC chair is ending. It has truly been an honor to serve on the board of an organization that has meant so much to me during my career as in-house counsel, and an organization which itself serves so well its 45,000+ members in more than 85 countries around the globe.

As lawyers, mitigating and managing risk is as much a part of our daily routines as getting a cup of tea or coffee in the morning — that is to say, it’s automatic. It’s what the lawyer in the room is expected to do. And of course we take it a step further, not only using our analysis to let our executives and board members know when a business move may give rise to material risks — but also applying our “solutions-focus” lens to help them figure out how to advance business objectives in a way that matches the organization’s risk appetite.

As the seasons change, it’s hard to ignore the environmental challenges our society faces. And nowadays, this is especially hard for in-house counsel — with a regulatory environment that is constantly in flux. To that end, this Docket issue offers guidance for navigating these challenges, including articles focused on clean energy and what board members need to know about the company’s impact on climate change.