The theme of the MBA’s 10th Annual In-House Counsel
Conference is "Best Practices for In-House Counsel." This program has been
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"
o 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)"
o 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.
Sponsoring Sections: Business Law Section