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Ninth Annual In-House Conference focuses on risk management

Issue January 2012 By Ashley M. Tarchara

Numerous attorneys and judges gathered at the Massachusetts Bar Association for its Ninth Annual In-House Conference on Dec. 9. The event, co-sponsored by the New England Corporate Counsel Association, focused on providing in-house counsel with current risk management techniques.

The conference's panel discussions covered a range of topics, including the success of the Superior Court Business Litigation Section Pilot Program, management of litigation risks and dispute resolution mechanisms, as well the relationship between in-house and outside counsel.

The conference began with a presentation from keynote speaker William Sinnott, of the City Corporation for the City of Boston, who devoted his address to crisis management techniques. The MBA also introduced five-minute lightning round sessions this year, which outlined new in-house counsel developments.

"We are creatures of order, planning and preparation," said Sinnott, who cautioned participants to realize that much like life, many in-house counsel practices do not lead to order and predictability. Planning for this unpredictability, while doing what's best for the client and organization, was the focus of each panel discussion covered throughout the day. n

Attorneys who were unable to attend the conference can purchase a recorded version through MBA On Demand at www.massbar.org/ondemand.