Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012
Register for the 10th Annual In-House Counsel Conference on Nov. 30
Attend and hear remarks from Lauren Stiller Rikleen, an update on the BLS Pilot Project, current cyber-security issues, best practices in insurance planning and more.
The theme of the MBA's 10th Annual In-House Counsel
Conference is "Best Practices for In-House Counsel." The conference
will be held on Friday, Nov. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
MBA, 20 West St., Boston. Designed to present in-house counsel with
information from in-house practitioners, outside counsel, and
experts in selected areas of current interest to in-house counsel,
this year's conference highlights include:
- Opening remarks by Lauren Stiller Rikleen regarding
strengthening multigenerational relationships. Rikleen is an
attorney and a nationally-recognized expert on developing a diverse
and multi-generational workforce and creating a culture where
professionals can advance and flourish.
- An update from the Business Litigation Session of the Superior
Court Department regarding the BLS Pilot Project, which was
designed to lessen the burdens of litigation. Attendees will learn
about the advantages of the pilot program over other alternatives
as a means of resolution of business disputes.
- A presentation regarding current cyber-security issues,
including cyber-stalking, use of false identities and other
threats; electronic data security and privacy; how to address
cyber-threats; and cyber-security insurance and other insurance
products available to address risks.
- Best practices in insurance planning, including commonly
encountered insurance terms and forms, where gaps in coverage can
occur, funding mechanisms for self-insured retentions and
deductibles, insurance issues that arise under contracts and
tailoring contracts to suit insurance coverage.
- Traps for the Unwary in Independent Investigations. Independent
investigations are a proven strategy to reduce the risk of
shareholder litigation in public and private companies, but what
does it take to satisfy a court that the investigation was
independent? Recent court decisions may raise the bar.
- The conference will again have brief "lightning round"
presentations concerning current developments of interest to
in-house counsel. There will be two intellectual property
segments:
1. "First-to-file and absolute novelty for patent
applications is (almost) here"
In March 2013 the U.S. implements a first-to-file patent system
requiring "absolute novelty" for patentability.
2. "Patent validity challenges by a licensee (or
having your cake and eating it too)"
Patent licensees can now sue their licensor and assert
invalidity of the licensed patent. What contract provisions are
licensors using in license agreements to protect themselves against
a patent validity challenge by their own licensees -- and will they
work?
This year the MBA will be
offering a special post-election presentation for those who arrive
early. Witt Associates will sponsor a breakfast and vice president
John Weinfurter will offer remarks regarding what in-house counsel
can expect from the recent elections, including who will likely be
chairing important congressional committees and other political
projections of interest to in-house counsel.
The conference is co-sponsored by New England In-House,
a publication affiliated with Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and
the New England Corporate Counsel Association.
Unable to come to Boston? This program is
available as a real-time Webcast. When registering, participants
can choose to attend virtually from a home or office computer. If
you choose to attend the program via real-time Webcast, space is
limited. Registrants will be taken on a first-come, first-served
basis.
Price:
MBA member paralegals, law students, recent admittees: $40; MBA
members: $80; and nonmembers: $160.
Registration:
For more information, or to register, call Member Services at
(617) 338-0530 or click here.
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