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Dan Clark

Dan Clark

Dan covers cyber security, legal operations and intellectual property for Corporate Counsel. Follow him on Twitter @Danclarkalm.

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September 25, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

General Counsel Discuss Importance of Equity, Holding Law Firms Accountable With Buying Power

"It's the equity and inclusion part that's most important. It's making sure that they're in positions and have the ability to really be a part of the organization," Jeffrey Harleston, general counsel of Universal Music Group in Santa Monica, California, said. "In a for-profit corporation that means having P&L [profit and loss] responsibilities and having reporting lines to that individual."

By Dan Clark

4 minute read

September 25, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

Necessary Numbers: Lack of Diversity Data in Complex Practice Areas Leads to Exclusion

Many legal departments tout their dedication to diversity and inclusion. However, anecdotally, there is still a gap between the number of white men and women and minorities being asked to work on bankruptcy, life sciences and intellectual property matters. It appears this gap is not discussed and that the requests for work need to include a diversity component for all practice areas.

By Dan Clark

7 minute read

September 24, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

Top Sports In-House Lawyers Discuss Working With Their Legal Teams Amid COVID-19

"One of the best parts about being the lawyer is that you're the hub to all of those departments," Megha Parekh, chief legal officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars, explained. "Everyone from operations to football logistics to training and medical that are all a part of the team."

By Dan Clark

4 minute read

September 23, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

Women of Color in Corporate Legal Speaking Out on Racial Justice Could Lead to Systemic Change

"There are many who want to learn about the history of structural racism and what that means," L. Song Richardson, dean and chancellor's professor of law at the University of California Irvine, said. "People are willing to learn and listen, which I think is a big difference from the past."

By Dan Clark

4 minute read

September 22, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

In-House Counsel Share How They Help Create Diverse Pipeline to Leadership Roles

"If they're working on matters that have executive visibility and people are paying attention to a high-profile matter, that is going to set them up," Iris Chen, deputy general counsel at Airbnb, explained.

By Dan Clark

4 minute read

September 21, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

Penn Mutual Elevates 2 In-House Lawyers to General Counsel Positions

"These companies may have an individual to lead specialized legal areas such as litigation, M&A, corporate, or IP, similar to companies with multiple sub-entities, such as financial services, healthcare and insurance," Charles Volkert, senior district president of Robert Half Legal in Miami, said.

By Dan Clark

3 minute read

September 18, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

How Clint Smith Combined Regulatory and Tech Experience to Become Discord's First Chief Legal Officer

"It's very important for us to give users of our platform clear rules on what we allow, but also what we object to and what will result in being banned or suspended from the service," Smith said.

By Dan Clark

5 minute read

September 18, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

Black Employees at US Mint Say Legal Department Helped Cover Up Racial Discrimination Claims

"On the rare instances when investigations are conducted, if the results are incriminating, the all White legal team helps management cover up the indiscretions of the White Staff," a group of Black employees at the U.S. Mint wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

By Dan Clark

3 minute read

September 17, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

In-House Leaders Join Advisory Council for Ethisphere's Equity and Social Justice Initiative

"Our participation in Ethisphere's Equity and Social Justice Initiative will help us maintain our commitment to being an anti-racist company over the long term," Tony West, Uber's chief legal officer, said in an email to Corporate Counsel.

By Dan Clark

3 minute read

September 16, 2020 | Corporate Counsel

General Counsel Share How They Are Getting Creative to Save on Outside Counsel Spend

"I went to my law firms and I asked, 'If we just give you this pot of money, can we give you all of that work in those areas?'" Hill-Rom chief legal officer Deborah Rasin explained. "It wasn't so much about saving money as much as it was about setting expectations and having no surprises in those areas."

By Dan Clark

3 minute read