The Association of Corporate Counsel on Thursday announced its annual selection of 10 top international in-house counsel between the ages of 30 and 39.

Its winners ranged from a vice president and assistant general counsel at Vertafore Inc., an enterprise software solution company, to a senior director and executive general counsel in the global corporate affairs division of Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. in Israel.

In announcing its ninth annual "Top 10 30-Somethings Awards," the association said selection criteria took into account the winners' "contributions to their corporate law department, company, or organization, as well as the depth and context of their participation in efforts to advance advocacy, pro bono services, and diversity in the legal profession."

Veta T. Richardson, the association's president and chief executive officer, said in a news release announcing the winners that "the impressive range of skill and leadership represented by this talented group of young lawyers is unprecedented."

"Many have already advanced to the level of general counsel and vice president and others have distinguished themselves as go-to executives within their organizations," Richardson added.

The winners were:

  • Asaf Alkoby, senior director and executive general counsel, global corporate affairs, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., Israel.
  • Andrew Buddle, corporate counsel, Teck Resources Ltd., Canada.
  • Julisa Edwards, general counsel, Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust, U.S.
  • Bassel C. Korkor, vice president, risk management, Charles Schwab, U.S.
  • Meyling Ly Ortiz, managing counsel, employment and labor, Toyota Motor North America, U.S.
  • Vincent J. Montalto, senior litigation counsel, BASF Corp., U.S.
  • Ahmed S. Mousa, senior vice president, corporate operations, and general counsel, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, U.S.
  • Adam Andrew Nagorski, corporate counsel, UL, U.S.
  • Tyrone H. Thomas Jr., deputy general counsel, Invenergy LLC, U.S.
  • Maggie Warren, vice president and assistant general counsel, Vertafore Inc., U.S.

The association noted Thursday that it had received a record 245 nominations for the awards contest, with 61 of the nominations coming from outside the United States.

A 15-person judging panel chose the winners. It comprised 13 past "Top 10 30-Somethings" winners and included members of the association's board of directors and docket advisory panel, the group said.

The association, which says it has more than 45,000 members found in 85 countries, describes itself in part as "a global legal association that promotes the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel."

The annual contest, sponsored yearly by Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, based in Philadelphia, is "a special opportunity to celebrate the achievements of 10 international in-house counsel" in the 30-39 age range, said the association.

This year's winners will be formally honored at the association's Corporate Counsel University, which is currently scheduled to be held June 24-26, said the group.

The Corporate Counsel University program is "specifically designed for corporate lawyers who are new to in-house practice," the association said, adding that "experienced in-house lawyers from companies around the globe will lead discussions on risk and compliance, client IP protection, contract negotiation, developing in-house skills, and more."