Association of Corporate Counsel
Small Law Department Committee
“2012 COMMITTEE OF THE YEAR”
Minutes of Monthly Business Meeting
Via Teleconference on Thursday – November 8, 2012
1. Call to Order & Welcome
Nicolle Schippers (SLD Chair) called the meeting to order at approximately 3:00 pm
(Eastern).
2. Approval of Minutes (August, September, and October Meetings)
The meeting minutes for the October 2012 Monthly Meeting were approved. Future
minutes will be posted on the ACC SLD page within 3 days after the Monthly call.
3. Introduction of New Leadership/New Committee
Nicolle introduced the new committee leadership and informed the members of the expanded
committee leadership positions to address specific areas of interest such as eGroups, SLD
webpage, the Docket, etc. Names and contact information for 2012-2013 Committee Leadership
are listed at the end of these minutes.
4. Welcome to New Members/Participants on the Call
Nicolle welcomed new members/participants to the call and thanked everyone for joining in the
call and expressed appreciation for Meritas as our Committee sponsor.
5. Monthly Calls – how to make more meaningful for Members
Nicolle highlighted that we are working through a new format for the monthly calls to try to
make it more meaningful for Members and encouraged Members to email her if they have any
comments or suggestions.
6. Discuss Members Issues/Topics from eGroups and Call
All SLD members are encouraged to post to eGroups or email Raimi Blackerby (our SLD
eGroups lead) or Nicolle Schippers on any issues or topics of interest so that SLD leadership and
ACC can help them get information and resources for their issues/concerns.
7. Legal Quickie:
Speaker:
“Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls in the Deposition Process”
Brant Kahler, Brown Winick
Webpage: http://www.brownwinick.com/brantkahler
Email: kahler@brownwinick.com
Phone: 515-242-2430
David Gilmartin (SLD Vice Chair) introduced the Speaker.
Must be present to win Legal Quickie Prize. If you do not respond orally when you name is called,
another name will be drawn for the prize. Winners for the previous two years are not eligible.
Page 1 of 5
8. Call for Volunteers
Nicolle informed everyone that we have many areas for volunteers to plug in such as Docket
Articles, Webcasts, InfoPaks, Membership. Please contact the appropriate committee lead listed
(or Nicolle) based on your area of interest.
9. Information Resources Update
− Legal Quick Hits: David Gilmartin (Vice Chair) informed us that we still need more ideas
for our Monthly Legal Quickhits so please contact him with areas of interest.
− Webcasts – Contact Corrine Taylor if you would like to assist with webcasts.
− InfoPaks – Nicolle asked anyone to reach out to Leah Williams if they had any ideas for
InfoPaks. Although we have one planned this year for Social Media, SLD is still looking
for more ideas. Paul Goatley (ACC staff member and liaison to SLD) introduced Regina
Kivler, a new attorney on staff with ACC. She will be working with Paul in supporting
the SLD Committee. Paul informed the Committee that the HR Primer InfoPak
published this year included updates to the U.S. Circuits and Canadian jurisdictions. He
solicited Committee input for reaching out to Meritas to get updates for International
Sections of the HR Primer:
http://www.acc.com/legalresources/resource.cfm?show=137178
− Docket – Kathryn looking for writers and ideas specifically geared toward the Small Law
Department practitioner. Please contact her with any interest you have in authoring an
article for the Docket. The Editorial Calendar with article submission deadlines can be
found here: http://www.acc.com/accdocket/edcal.cfm. Authoring Guidelines can be
found here: http://www.acc.com/accdocket/edguide.cfm. Please note that we can match
you up to co-author with a Meritas attorney for any issue that you are interested in
writing to alleviate the writing load.
− Nicolle also told people that there are also options to publish smaller pieces online with
ACC such as a “Top Ten” posting. An example Top Ten posting can be found here:
http://www.acc.com/legalresources/publications/topten/fcpa-compliance.cfm
10. Annual Meeting 2013 – Calling for Programs!
Nicolle informed us that Melissa & Candace have already posted Call for Ideas to eGroups. You can
also contact Melissa and Candace directly at their emails listed below. Please provide ideas for
programs by November 20th.
Nicolle announced that the SLD Committee had great success with its program for the 2012 Annual
Meeting. We had the top two programs attendance-wise. Additional Annual Meeting Metrics for the
SLD-sponsored programs are included as an Attachment 1 to these minutes.
11. Membership Strategic Plan Update
Nicolle asked for volunteers to help with Membership recruiting including at their chapters. We have
a membership initiative that we are working. Anyone interested in participating with this initiative
can email Jeff Wheeler or Nicolle.
Must be present to win Legal Quickie Prize. If you do not respond orally when you name is called,
another name will be drawn for the prize. Winners for the previous two years are not eligible.
Page 2 of 5
12. Legal Quickie Drawing!
Quickie Prize: $300 Visa Gift Card
Legal Quickie Winner: Annette Kazmerski
CONGRATULATIONS ANNETTE!
13. New Business
• Nicolle announced that the SLD Committee is going to implement new process of “volunteer
recognition” at the end of monthly meeting starting in December or January. Anyone with
questions or if you have a SLD member you would like to nominate, contact Nicolle.
• ACC is currently soliciting additional templates/forms for its Contract Advisory Tool:
http://contracts.acc.com/acc/forms.aspx
The SLD Committee contributed the most contract templates last year when the Contract
Advisor was kicked off. Nicolle encouraged members to keep sending in templates and
forms. Questions about the Contract Advisor may be directed to Paul Goatley at ACC (email:
goatley@acc.com) or Regina Kivler (email: kivler@acc.com).
14. Adjourn
Next Call: Thursday, December 13, 2012, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT
Toll free dial-in number: 877.647.3411 (Code: 5261026875)
SLD Committee Officers
Chair:
Vice Chair:
Secretary:
AM Program Chair:
AM Vice Chair:
Nicolle Schippers
David Gilmartin
Mary Delahunty
Melissa Alexander
Candace Bankovich
(515) 247-0270
(630) 792-5670
(281) 210-1817
(949) 224-2851
(317) 670-0203
nicolle.schippers@ARAGgroup.com
dgilmartin@jointcommission.org
mdelahunty@invocon.com
malexander@clinipace.com
candace.bankovich@us.knaufinsulation.com
Advocacy Chair:
Membership Chair:
Assunta Rossi
Jeff Wheeler
(440) 710-5345
(803) 264-7502
Assunta.rossi@denora.com
jeff.wheeler@tricenturion.com
(630) 531-0719
(248) 494-5310
(415) 615-3420
(615) 846-8205
(630) 812-3321
kathryn.mlsna@gmail.com
rblackerby@us.tiauto.com
lwillia2@wested.org
sheriee@svmic.com
ctaylor@jcrinc.com
(575) 652-9668
(410) 715-3115
todd.silberman@m-v-t.com
sheri.fanaroff@columbiaassociation.org
Information Resources (Subcommittees):
Docket:
Kathryn Mlsna
eGroups:
Raimi Blackerby
InfoPaks:
Leah Williams
SLD Webpage Chair:
Sheri Edwards
Webcasts:
Corrine Taylor
Social Co-Chairs:
Todd Silberman
Sheri Fanaroff
Must be present to win Legal Quickie Prize. If you do not respond orally when you name is called,
another name will be drawn for the prize. Winners for the previous two years are not eligible.
Page 3 of 5
Legal Quickie Winners for 2011-2012: Katie Knapp; Rich Veys; Gail McCray; Adrienne Levatino;
Lisa Autry; Jarrett Silver; Jim Boudreau; Phil Calderone; Tiffany Arnold; Ted Einhorn; Connie
Ruthven; Raimi Blackerby; Judy Hamel; Suzanne Bailey; Jennifer Rafferty; Jacquie Lindsay;
Vessela Garvey; Annette Kazmerski
Members Present (64): Alissa Reiner; Allison Luse; Annette Kazmerski; Anthony Vittone; Assunta
Rossi; Barbara LaSusa; Brian Cross; Burgin Hardin; Corey Grauer; Corrine Taylor; Daniel Pupel;
David Gilmartin; David Munn; Diane Flyer; Edward Paulis; Elizabeth Atkinson; Gabrielle Walker;
Gary Swearingen; Harold Herman; Jeff Winkler; Jennifer Farac; Jessica Manning; Jim Holmberg;
Jim Moran; Jocelyn Dyer; Joe Fitzpatrick; Joe Hepworth; John Yu; Jordan Alpert; Joyce Chen;
Justin Connor; Katerina Kogan; Laura Vogel; Lou Herrera; Manisha Shah; Marc Schuback; Mary
Delahunty; Meredith Stone; Monica Weed; Nancy Rights; Nicolle Schippers; Norm Wain; Paul
Allen; Paul Goatley (ACC); Paul Sandness; Pauline Liu; Phil Calderone; Raimi Blackerby; Regina
Kivler (ACC); Rich Hoyt; Robert Barrett; Rowland Geddie; Sameer Ghaznavi; Sara Eagle-Kjome;
Scott Schwartz; Sonia Low; Steve Owen; Steve Richie; Steven Mashal; Susan Blizzard; Tanya
Avila; Thomas Chow; Tom O'Grady; Vessela Garvey
NOTE: Members present for the call is based on those who provided emails to the SLD Secretary
(Mary Delahunty) and those who provided their name on the call.
Must be present to win Legal Quickie Prize. If you do not respond orally when you name is called,
another name will be drawn for the prize. Winners for the previous two years are not eligible.
Page 4 of 5
Attachment 1 to November 8, 2012 Minutes
2012 Annual Meeting
Small Law Committee Sponsored Programs – Performance Metrics
Session
Track
#
303
Contracts and
Negotiations
302
Contracts and
Negotiations
1309
Finance
1101
Small Law
Department
1104
Small Law
Department
Name
Attended
Contract Drafting, Part 2 - Addressing
Liability Issues: Indemnification and
Insurance
Contract Drafting, Part 1 - Addressing
Liability Issues: Warranties, Epidemic
Failures and Liability Limitations
Understanding Financial Statements
and Basic Accounting Concepts
Toolbox for Small Law Departments:
Managing Legal on a Nonexistent
Budget
Beginning and Growing Your
Compliance Program: From Birth to
the Toddler Years
426
379
151
108
104
SLD had the 2 highest attended sessions of the entire Annual Meeting:
Contract Drafting, Part 2 - Addressing Liability Issues: Indemnification
and Insurance
426
Contract Drafting, Part 1 - Addressing Liability Issues: Warranties,
Epidemic Failures and Liability Limitations
379
Top 3 Programs in the SLD Track:
Welcome to Rookie Camp: Ten Things Every New
Small Law
158
Department In-house Lawyer Should Know
Toolbox for Small Law Departments: Managing
Small Law
205
Department Legal on a Nonexistent Budget
Beginning and Growing Your Compliance
Small Law
186
Department Program: From Birth to the Toddler Years
NTI
SLD
SLD
Top 3 Programs for the SLD Committee:
Contracts
and
Contract Drafting, Part 2 - Addressing Liability Issues:
Negotiations Indemnification and Insurance
426
Contracts
and
Contract Drafting, Part 1 - Addressing Liability Issues:
Negotiations Warranties, Epidemic Failures and Liability Limitations
379
Understanding Financial Statements and Basic Accounting
Finance
Concepts
151
Page 5 of 5