In-house lawyers, as the adage has it, tend to fly by the seat of their pants. In-house positions require something more than traditional academic programs can teach. Business savvy doesn’t necessarily come from a sound knowledge of the law, for instance. But as the general counsel (GC) role becomes more strategic, a grasp of business and financial strategy is indispensable. Emotional intelligence, too, is tricky to teach, especially for counsel trying to manage a legal department or change a company’s ethics culture. And in this age of AI, e-commerce, and blink-and-you-miss-it innovation, the role of tech in in-house decision-making gets more challenging every day.
It was with these specific challenges in mind that the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the global 45,000-member in-house legal association, created the In-house Counsel Certification Program, the first program of its kind.
Launched in 2018, this four-day program is held twice a year in Dubai, with plans for future classes in Australia, Europe, and beyond. After an intensive 25 hours of discussion, team projects, case studies, and Q&As, candidates must pass a final exam to earn the designation of ICC, or In-house Counsel Certified.
The program is organized into three parts: stakeholder relationships, law department management, and legal services. Just as important as the curriculum, though, are the relationships that the program fosters. Each cohort is international and represents a vast range of organizations, from automotive companies to non-profits. For James Wambugu, head of legal at the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, this environment helped “[connect] me with fellow in-house lawyers from around the world, whom I can now call on for advice whenever I need an informed an independent view.” This network goes far beyond the four days of the program itself, as all graduates automatically qualify to join ACC’s international GC mentorship program.
The faculty, too, is world class. Carole Basri, in-house law expert, author, and documentary filmmaker, serves as one of the instructors. Previously, Basri taught at the law schools of Fordham University in New York, the Peking University in China, and the University of Cairo, among others; she has advised a number of ministries of the Republic of Iraq on legal questions, and founded the United States’ first master of laws (LLM) program in corporate compliance. Other staff members, no less notable, include ACC board member Anneliese Reinhold, GC and senior vice president of regulatory affairs at du. The program’s advisory council includes Naveen Raju, GC of Mahindra & Mahindra; Sahia Ahmad of Dubai Tourism; and other lawyers of that caliber.
The point of the program, of course, is not simply to meet famous CLOs or list a certificate on LinkedIn. The In-house Counsel Certification Program is designed to help lawyers develop an adaptable, strategic toolkit – a solid, comprehensive foundation for the changing world of inhouse law.
“The designation will help advance my career by providing additional tools for becoming a more effective business partner to my stakeholders, as well as helping me to better demonstrate my value to my legal team and the company as a whole,” says David Faruggia of Sherwin-Williams.
“I have already put in practice many concepts that I gained across the program’s core competencies.”
This year’s first program will be held in Dubai from 4 to 7 March. Interested parties can register or find out more at the ACC’s Credentialing Institute website.
About ACC: The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is a global legal association that promotes the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel who work for corporations, associations and other organizations through information, education, networking, and advocacy. With more than 45,000 members in 85 countries employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By inhouse counsel, for in-house counsel.® For more information, visit www.acc.com and follow ACC on Twitter: @ACCinhouse.
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