MCCA (Minority Corporate Counsel Association)

MCCA is proud to announce our 2023-2024 Sources of Success Alumni Chairs. We look forward to their collaboration as they guide our Sources of Success Program and fellow cohorts toward even greater heights! Cheryl Allen-Ricciardi is a Director of Litigation at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Cheryl is the Chair of the Legal Just Project and Legal Just Project Summer Internship Coordinator at Thermo Fisher and a certified yoga instructor. Lucette Alphonse, Esq., PHR is a Corporate Counsel, Insurance at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Lucette was recently accepted into LexisNexis Risk Solution’s internal Emerge and Evolve program which focuses on supporting diverse colleagues to enhance leadership and career development. Lucette also enjoys hiking, traveling for music festivals, and speaks French. Patrick Loi is a Senior Associate at Farella Braun Martel LLP. Patrick is a member of the Executive Committee for the Insurance section of the Bar Association of San Francisco, a mentor for the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, and an avid cook specializing in Burmese cuisine.

MCCA will host its annual Pitch Session Network (“PSN”) at the 2024 Creating Pathways to Diversity Conference (“Pathways”) on September 23-25 in Scottsdale, AZ! PSN provides opportunities for in-house counsel to connect with law firm partners, diversify their service client portfolios, and hold law firms accountable for their diversity efforts. PSN provides a platform for law firm partners and legal service providers to meet privately, make meaningful connections, and build lasting business relationships with corporate legal departments interested in legal services. Eligible conference registrants interested in participating in PSN must complete the application form that is part of the 2024 Pathways registration process by August 2, 2024. Learn more about PSN and apply here: https://bit.ly/mccapsn24

Thank you to Rachael Vaughn Ray, Nebiat Baarez, and the Google team for hosting our 2024 Global TEC Forum at their Sunnyvale, CA location! For the past two years, Google has been an incredible supporter and host for our Global TEC Forum, providing us with the resources and space to convene with legal leaders and engage with our MCCA community. Thanks to your unwavering support, our attendees have had the privilege of gaining insights from industry experts at the intersection of technology and law. They’ve shared challenges, exchanged best practices, forged new connections, and explored collaborative opportunities. Your partnership has been instrumental in making our events successful, and we look forward to many more collaborations! View G-TEC photos here: https://bit.ly/3ziI8e3

❗ Act Now: Pathways Early Bird Registration Ends on June 30! We are excited to announce that new sessions have been added to our 2024 Pathways Conference agenda! These sessions will feature industry experts and thought leaders who will discuss current and thought-provoking issues disrupting and shaping inclusion in the legal profession. https://bit.ly/pathways-24 This year’s program includes: 💡 11 CLE sessions featuring topics on global DEI strategies, crisis management for navigating the anti-DEI backlash, creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, and more! 💼 MCCA's Annual Pitch Session Network: a platform for in-house counsel to connect with law firm partners, diversify their service client portfolios, and hold law firms accountable for their diversity and inclusion efforts.  🏆 Award Ceremonies honoring our George B. Vashon Innovator, Paula L. Ettelbrick, Rainmakers, and Rising Stars honorees Register before June 30 and save up to $500 with Early Bird rates: https://bit.ly/4b93is9

We invite all corporate legal departments to participate in MCCA’s Corporate Demographic Survey as a part of our efforts to understand and measure diversity and inclusion strategies, initiatives, and demographic composition within corporate legal teams. 💡 Why Participate in the Survey: ◾ Gain Valuable Insights: Understand the diversity and inclusion strategies of other corporate legal departments. ◾ Enhance Your Strategies: Use the data collected to inform and improve your own diversity and inclusion initiatives. ◾ Benchmark Your Progress: Compare your department’s progress against industry standards and identify areas for improvement. 📊 How to Participate in the Survey: There is no fee to participate, and the survey is open to all corporate legal departments (MCCA members and non-members). ◾ Submit your points of contact (POC) for the Corporate Demographic Survey here: https://bit.ly/3UOlbGK. ◾ To ensure you receive the survey link, please add [email protected] and [email protected] to your Safe Senders List. ◾ Receive your Corporate Demographic Survey link and submit your response no later than Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:59PM ET. Learn more about MCCA's Corporate Demographic Survey here: https://bit.ly/mccacds

Last week, MCCA members from around the country convened at Google’s Sunnyvale campus for our annual Global Technology, Education & Careers (G-TEC) Forum. MCCA CEO Jean Lee reminded attendees of the importance of data—both in powering paradigm-shifting technology and in helping organizations know, do, lead, and transform for the better. She challenged attorneys to “break barriers and create opportunities for all” in the changing legal landscape. Leaders from law firms, in-house counsel, and legal tech innovators shared insights on a series of panels that focused on neurotechnology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics. In a day filled with cutting-edge discussions, another highlight was the in-person connections between MCCA member attendees. Special thank you to our host, Google, and thank you to all who attended for making G-TEC a success! View G-TEC photos here: https://bit.ly/3ziI8e3

Early Birds Specials Available Now! Join us on October 15, 2024 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY for MCCA’s annual Gala! https://bit.ly/mccagala24 The Gala is MCCA’s signature event honoring those practicing MCCA’s mission and vision and paving the way towards inclusive workplaces. Proceeds raised from our Gala support MCCA’s research, conferences, and professional development programs leading to increased advancement of lawyers from underrepresented groups. Join us for a seated dinner awards program, featuring captivating performances. Save up to $1000 with Early Bird Registration before July 31: https://bit.ly/45wVgs3

Early Birds Specials Available Now! Register today and join us on September 22-25 in Scottsdale, AZ for MCCA’s annual Creating Pathways to Diversity® Conference (“Pathways”)! https://bit.ly/pathways-24 Pathways has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive forums focused on inclusion, talent optimization, inclusive leadership, and management to bolster the recruitment, retention, and promotion of attorneys from a diversity of backgrounds. Save up to $500 with Early Bird Registration before June 30! https://bit.ly/4b93is9 💡 Key Highlights: ◼ Pitch Session Network - MCCA’s Pitch Session Network (“PSN”) will be hosted at Pathways on September 23-25. PSN provides opportunities for in-house counsel to connect with law firm partners, diversify their service client portfolios, and hold law firms accountable for their diversity and inclusion efforts. Learn more about how to participate in PSN. ◼ Networking Opportunities – Build new connections and engage with influential general counsel, in-house counsel, firm partners, and thought leaders during the networking receptions, morning wellness activities, and MCCA Dine-A-Rounds. ◼ Honoring Excellence – Join us in celebrating the achievements of our 2024 Award Honorees: George B. Vashon Innovator, Paula L. Ettelbrick, Rainmakers, and Rising Stars.

❗ Only 1 Day Left to Register for MCCA’s Global TEC Forum (G-TEC). Online registration closes tomorrow, June 14 at 11:59 PM ET.  G-TEC will be hosted by MCCA's longstanding member and partner, Google, on Tuesday, June 18 in Sunnyvale, CA. G-TEC is a one-day program designed for attorneys to explore how the latest technological trends and advancements can present both opportunities and challenges in the legal profession. G-TEC offers a unique opportunity to engage in real-time conversations with peers and experts from the MCCA community: https://bit.ly/gtec24 📝CLE Credit Eligibility: Earn up to 4.5 hours of CLE credit by attending sessions focused on neurotechnology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics. Gain valuable insights into how these cutting-edge innovations are reshaping the practice of law. Don’t miss out, register now: https://bit.ly/3yWXoNr #AI #Automation #Neurotechnology #DataAnalytics #Cybersecurity #LegalTech #MCCAGTEC

⏰ 1 Week Left Until MCCA's 2024 Global TEC Forum  Join MCCA at our 2024 Global TEC Forum on June 18 in Sunnyvale, CA! ❗ Registration will close on Friday, June 14 at 11:59PM ET. Reserve your spot now to gain insights into the legal and risk landscape shaped by generative AI: https://bit.ly/gtec24 Generative AI: Navigating the Legal and Risk Landscape This panel will delve into the rise of generative AI and its implications for the legal field. It will explore how this technology is driving digital change and investment, while simultaneously creating a complex landscape of legal and risk considerations. Topics will include intellectual property rights in AI-generated content, privacy issues, antitrust implications, liability for AI decisions, and the ethical considerations of AI use.  Panelists: Iris Chen, Bobby Ghajar, Bradley Justus, Antonio Reynolds, Joy Sherrod, Reeya Thakrar #AI #LegalTech #MCCAGTEC