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2026 CORPORATE COUNSEL TRAINING ACADEMY FILING INFORMATION
Approximately 3.75 hours of general CLE credit in 60-minute states and 4.5 hours of general CLE credit in 50-minute states has been requested for accreditation from all mandatory continuing legal education jurisdictions where we had registrants as of March 16. Opening Remarks, Closing Remarks, and Networking Breaks are not available for CLE credit.
How to Obtain CLE Credit:
*You must sign-in on the attendance sheet onsite at the meeting.*
Shortly after the program, you will receive an email from CEU Institute with a link to enter your state bar information and the programs you attended. Once complete, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance with this information and instructions on the reporting requirements for the state(s) where you are licensed. The online form does include a place to enter information regarding teaching credits, etc.
IMPORTANT
The link/portal will stay open for 2 WEEKS. You MUST complete the online form by April 29 to have your credits reported.
For any follow-up questions on CLE credits, please email the CEU Institute at [email protected].
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Wednesday, April 15, 2026
12:25 p.m. - 1:25 p.m. (60 General Minutes)
Intro to the In-House World
1:40 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. (60 General Minutes)
Strategic Relationships for New Corporate Counsel: Best Practices for Collaborating Internally, Across Industries, and Against Coordinated Plaintiffs
2:55 p.m. - 3:55 p.m. (60 General Minutes)
Do’s and Don’ts for In‑House and Outside Counsel
4:05 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. (45 General Minutes)
Fireside Chat with James Hemmings and Hope Katz
2026 CORPORATE COUNSEL TRAINING ACADEMY CLE MATERIALS
Below you will find the CLE schedule with materials for the 2026 Corporate Counsel Training Academy.
Under each CLE program description, CLE materials are listed. Please click each hyperlink to access that specific CLE material. If you have any issues accessing these materials, please contact Melisa Maisel Vanis, Director of Meetings and Professional Development, at [email protected] or Ashley Hatfield, Director of Communications, at [email protected].
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
12:15 p.m. - 12:25 p.m.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Zane C. Riester, IADC CCTA Program Chair, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ USAJ.
Dominic Campodonico, IADC President, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, San Francisco, CA USA
12:25 p.m. - 1:25 p.m. (60 General Minutes)
Intro to the In-House World
This panel provides candid, experience‑based insights from seasoned in‑house lawyers reflecting on what they wish they had known before making the transition from law firms. Topics include shifting from private practice to managing risk/litigations in a business setting, navigating corporate culture, working effectively with outside counsel, and avoiding the common pitfalls new in‑house counsel face. Attendees will leave with actionable guidance, strategic frameworks, and a realistic understanding of the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an in‑house role.
Moderator: Betsy Farrington, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP, Chicago, IL USA
Presenters: Kenneth Dzikowski, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Parsippany, NJ USA; Kelly Lankford, AbbVie, New York, NY USA; Kari Rhode, Medtronic Inc., Keller, TX USA; Megan Toth, Rivian, Chicago, IL USA
Materials:
1:25 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
1:40 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. (60 General Minutes)
Strategic Relationships for New Corporate Counsel: Best Practices for Collaborating Internally, Across Industries, and Against Coordinated Plaintiffs
This panel explores how new corporate counsel can develop the strategic relationships essential for navigating today’s complex environment. Panelists will discuss practical approaches to collaborating across business functions, building trust and credibility internally, engaging effectively with external organizations, and forming cross‑company connections that strengthen readiness for emerging risks. The session also provides a candid look at the highly coordinated and cooperative nature of the plaintiffs’ bar, outlining what in‑house lawyers must understand to anticipate their tactics and respond effectively.
Moderator: Zane C. Riester, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ USA
Presenters: Lisa M. Floro, Coloplast Corp., Minneapolis, MN USA; James F. Murdica, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Chicago, IL USA; Ethan York, Stryker, Chicago, IL USA
Materials:
2:40p.m. - 2:55 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
2:55 p.m. - 3:55 p.m. (60 General Minutes)
Do’s and Don’ts for In‑House and Outside Counsel
What makes the partnership between in‑house and outside counsel most effective? This program offers practical guidance on how legal teams of all shapes and sizes can work together with greater efficiency, collaboration, and trust. Panelists will discuss best practices and common pitfalls from both sides of the relationship, focusing on topics such as: understanding business objectives, calibrating risk tolerance, tailoring communication styles, managing expectations, and fostering proactive collaboration. Attendees will gain insight into what in‑house teams need most from their external partners, and what outside counsel look for in successful client relationships, so that they can strengthen these critical connections and deliver meaningful, business‑aligned results.
Moderator: Diana Gerstel, Tucker Ellis LLP, Morristown, NJ USA
Presenters: Tiffany Andras, Kimberly-Clark, Chicago, IL USA; Christopher Gardino, CNH, Chicago, IL USA; Robin Linley, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto, ON Canada
Materials:
3:55 p.m. - 4:05 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
4:05 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. (45 General Minutes)
Fireside Chat with James Hemmings and Hope Katz
Moderator: Allison Ng, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Atlanta, GA USA
Presenters: James Hemmings, General Counsel, Diversified Botanics, Chicago, IL USA; Hope Katz, General Counsel, Huron Consulting Group Inc., Chicago, IL USA
Materials:
4:50 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
PROGRAM WRAP-UP
Zane C. Riester, IADC CCTA Program Chair, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ USA
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
COCKTAIL RECEPTION (CHICAGO REGIONAL MEETING)