eJournal

The Massachusetts Bar Associated presented a successful 22nd Annual In-House Counsel Conference on Thursday, Jan. 30, with programming centered on the evolving role of in-house attorneys as both strategic and legal advisors.

Attendees at the virtual conference participated in interactive discussions of several key issues currently shaping the field of in-house legal practice. The agenda included a labor and employment panel covering the recent wave of federal executive orders and their potential conflict with state law, along with a conversation about protecting attorney-client privilege in today’s legal landscape. Another panel focused on how in-house attorneys can make ethical use of artificial intelligence while maintaining positive client relations, and how to advise managers on AI-related risks and considerations for their organizations. 

The conference also featured a keynote address by Demeka Fields, who serves as New Balance’s counsel for global sports marketing. In that position, she has acted as the lead attorney in endorsement negotiations with athletes Coco Gauff, Shohei Ohtani and Cameron Brink, as well as European Football club AS Roma. Fields discussed her experience negotiating some of those endorsements and how she became an active presence in the New Balance company culture to develop a better understanding of her role. She also shared strategies for in-house attorneys to involve themselves in the early stages of decision-making within their organizations and thereby avoid being seen only as the person who says, “No.”

The MBA thanks this year’s co-chairs for their efforts in putting together the conference:

• Amanda Baer of Mirick in Westborough
• James C. Donnelly of Mirick in Worcester
• Nancy M. Hanley of NECCA in Newton Highlands
• Robert Kerwin of IAMERS in West Newton
• Peter D. McDermott of the Law Office of Peter D. McDermott in Hopkinton
• David Parke of Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas LLP in Springfield
• Matthew Sample

The conference is available to view via MBA On Demand.