Resource Library

Non-compete agreements are almost an essential part of today’s business environment composed of a mobile workforce with easily accessible and transportable data. Multinational employers face the added challenge of ensuring that restrictive covenants (i.e., non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements) will be enforceable in the United States, Asia and Europe. The legal standards governing the enforceability of non-compete agreements vary around the world, but nevertheless, common principles can help guide employers in drafting and enforcing global restrictive covenants. Authoritative in-house and outside employment attorneys from around the world will provide cutting edge suggestions for multinational employers to draft restrictive covenants that should greatly increase their effectiveness and enforceability in Asia and Europe. The panel will also compare and contrast the non-compete laws in Asian and European countries against US restrictive covenant laws.

One of the in-house litigator's most important roles is quantifying litigation exposure. Whether evaluated at the enterprise level or on a case-by-case basis, the in-house litigator is under more pressure than ever to assist the corporation to manage/contain overall risk. Nuanced high/low analyses or "it depends" answers from a learned legal pulpit will not make the cut in today''s cost-conscious corporate environment. In-house practitioners need to have effective tools and methodologies to assess litigation risks and develop strategies for containing the cost of litigation, as well as financial exposure to the corporation. This program will explore novel ways the in-house litigator can approach litigation, and contain risk and cost, with a business (not only a legal) mindset.

Is your company in compliance with import and export laws? Do you have sufficient controls to manage this risk area? This session will cover: a general overview of import and export laws with a focus on US requirements but also a discussion of the proliferation of laws outside the US (e.g., the Malaysian Strategic Trade Act); how to manage a global trade compliance program; and a discussion of specific trade compliance challenges. Most companies think AML and KYC laws are limited to financial industry companies, considering the recent enforcement action against HSBC, but in fact, this presents a compliance issue for all companies to some degree. And these are not just US laws — there are similar restrictions in other jurisdictions, especially Europe.

There are multiple approaches to driving more value in legal spending – from converging to a preferred provider network on value-based fees to improving project, process and knowledge management – or developing an innovative approach to add value to the bottom line. Learn from value leaders who have overhauled legal management practices about their initiatives and lessons learned on the road to better value.

This session will focus on the creation of a strategic plan that establishes the law department as a creator of value in addition to delivering superior service of core legal functions. Starting with how a legal department can create strategy that delivers a financial benefit to the company, as well as moving the function to becoming a cost-neutral function, and in some circumstances, a positive financial contributor to the company. The program will review different law department structures and current trends in how to optimize your structure, align with your business, build an inclusive law department, and assess how to optimally source and staff work internally for different tasks to achieve your strategic goals. This program is designed to benefit every corporate attorney, from the entry-level associate to the experienced general counsel, as it argues for a less traditional perspective of the legal department within the modern corporate structure.

The workplace is more virtual than ever. This raises new and complex compliance challenges on issues ranging from data security to wage-and-hour compliance to corporate and employee taxation. Our panel of experienced corporate counsel will share tips, wisdom and guidance to help you overcome these compliance challenges. Audience participation is welcome!

Document review and production accounts for as much as 60 percent of total litigation costs, but generally, over 99 percent of the information collected could have legally been eliminated prior to the event. The legal profession’s approach to curbing discovery and review expense has been focused solely on managing costs after discovery becomes necessary. When companies “clean-house” and proactively remediate data prior to litigation, the results are dramatically lower discovery and review costs. Even companies that have low to no litigation can reduce costs substantially for storage and be much better prepared should they find themselves in litigation. This session will discuss how in-house counsel can lead an initiative that reduces the amount of data their companies have by as much as 70 percent. The panel will lead a non-technical discussion on who should be involved, what existing IT resources are required, decision points and, most importantly, results.

Singapore is a major center for trade relationships with other Asian countries as well as the rest of the world. Its familiarity with the English language, the English legal structure, and its high regard for the rule of law and ease of doing business make Singapore an attractive location for Western companies seeking to establish a presence in Asia. This program will explore the advantages and disadvantages of centralizing Asian operations and trading relationships in Singapore. It will examine the organizational structures that are available in Singapore and other practical issues relating to establishing a business presence in Singapore, including hiring staff and protecting intellectual property. The panel will also consider the impact of using a Singapore entity in cross-border commercial arrangements, including considerations regarding choice of law and dispute resolution options.

"I am now the most miserable man living," Abraham Lincoln declared on January 1, 1841. Great minds are most at risk for anxiety and burnout. New research shows that prolonged stress can actually change brain chemistry. In addition, out of 100 professions surveyed, lawyers have the highest rate of depression, divorce, addiction and suicide. Not only can this session help with your ethics or substance-abuse CLE hours, it will also help you: (1) recognize potential "career killers," such as substance abuse, depression and stress; (2) identify resources when help is needed; (3) survive emotional storms; (4) calm the mind; (5) effectively face anxiety, both at home and in the workplace; and (6) develop resiliency skills. (Eligible for Prevention of Substance Abuse CLE credit in some states.)

Never has there been a more complex time in the US energy regulatory regime. This program will be an interactive discussion among in-house counsel at companies in energy (energy companies, hedge funds, banks), addressing the best practices, lessons learned and current challenges when complying with Dodd-Frank.