ACC Tennessee 2024 Q2 Newsletter

ACC TN Q2 Newsletter | August 2024

Message from the President

As the end of my two-year term as President approaches, I have been reflecting on what ACC Tennessee has brought to my professional and personal life. Professionally, I've benefitted from countless high quality, topical CLEs that have supported my transition to a new practice area at Bridgestone broader in global scope. It's always good to learn new things and be open to new opportunities. Being a part of ACC Tennessee makes that easier. I've also made networking connections across Tennesse and the Country that have proven to be invaluable. Whether it's bouncing an issue off a more experienced legal colleague, selecting outside counsel or building out a team, I now have numerous resources a phone call away.

Personally, I have found lifelong friendships with my fellow Board members and our Chapter leadership team. It has been a pleasure working with them to grow our Chapter and support its members. We've come a long way since I joined ACC years ago. Many that came before me deserve the credit for our Chapter receiving ACC Global's 2024 Gold Chapter of Distinction award. It's given only to the highest performing chapters nationwide. We are one of five chapters to be recognized. Simply put, a job well done.

April Berman (SVP, Deputy General Counsel at Asurion) will take over for me in October. She's a friend, confidant and terrific leader. Our Chapter could not be in better hands. Lastly, I'd like to thank the law leadership team at Bridgestone for its unwavering commitment to ACC-TN and supporting my two-year term as President, and, most importantly, to my wife Sarah who behind the scenes steps in to pick up extra parental duties for our three kids when I have an evening meeting or event. The trains in our household would not have continued to run on time without her.

Over the last year, I have focused my efforts on meeting in-house attorneys who are new to Tennessee to discuss the numerous benefits of ACC and joining our ACC Tennessee Chapter. Growth statewide is not slowing down. The number of in-house attorneys relocating to Tennessee will only continue to increase. I encourage our Board and our members to reach out and support these colleagues who are new to our state. Meet them in person. Grab coffee with them. Take them to lunch or dinner. Invite them to one of our programs or social events. Be a resource and sounding board. We all remember beginning our first in-house job or starting with a new company. Change and transition can be unsettling. Let's make it less so by paying it forward as the same was done for us. me.

Please be sure to check out our LinkedIn Page and watch for ACC Tennessee emails on upcoming programs and events, as well as the Upcoming Events section later in this newsletter. We have a lot of great stuff scheduled between now and year's end, including the Global Annual Meeting in Nashville October 6th - 9th.

Message from the Executive Director

While juggling our standard summer and into fall workload of events, budgets, board meetings, and the upcoming 2025 Sponsorship Prospectus, Emily and I have the extra excitement of the upcoming ACC Global Annual Meeting, taking place here in Nashville from October 6-9.

In additional to the incredible education and networking events offered by ACC Global and its Sponsors, ACC Tennessee has again partnered with ACC Small Legal Department Network to host a social event for Tennessee and SLD members attending the Annual Meeting. The 2024 Howdy Hobknob, taking place on Monday, October 7 at the Johnny Cash Bar & BBQ and the Johnny Cash Museum, promises to be a "Do Not Miss" event. Thank you to our ACC Tennessee sponsors who have committed to Howdy Hobknob sponsorships, including Diamond Sponsors Butler Snow and Gold Sponsors Barnes & Thornburg, and Fisher Phillips. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those who also committ to be ACC Global Sponsors or Prospects.

Space is limited and invitations will only be sent to those who are registered for the Annual Meeting. Register today and join your fellow members for a record turnout from Tennessee in 2024!

Member News & Updates

Get ready for the 2024 ACC Annual Meeting in Nashville! Join a global community of over 2,500 in-house counsel dedicated to transforming knowledge into action this October. With 100+ sessions on AI, Compliance, DEI, and more, this event is a must attend for every legal professional looking to navigate the complexities of the global market. Don't miss it!

Click here to learn more!

Charles Sereebutra
Assistant Legal Counsel
CBL Properties

How long have you been in-house?

25+ years

How long have you been a member of ACC?

5 years

Tell us about a recent trip you've taken.

When I was in law school, I dreamed of arguing in front of the Supreme Court. But being shy and introverted, my career path took me inhouse where that dream has all but died. However, during a recent trip to New Orleans, I came as close as I ever will to living that dream. While strolling down Magazine Street between the French Quarter and the World War II

Museum, my girlfriend grew tired after the long walk. We began to argue how much farther we had to go and if we should get a cab. With the help of google maps, the matter was decided in my favor. The location of our argument as it so happens, was in front of the US Court of Appeals on Magazine and Lafayette St. And there I stood, arguing in front of the US Court of Appeals, just a writ of certiorari away from the US Supreme Court, closer to my dreams than I had ever imagined…. If you did not find that joke funny, touché. Now you know why I am not a litigator.

Thank you to our members statewide who have joined us for the terrific events and programming we have hosted so far in 2024. We are excited for all of our other upcoming events for the remainder of the year. We could not do it without the partnership from all of our wonderful sponsors.

Gold Sponsor Polsinelli PC

Social Event at Polsinelli PC Law Office in Nashville

Silver Sponsor Luedeka Neely

ASocial Event at Crafty Bastard West in Knoxville.

Practice Area Sponsor FTI Consulting

Social Event at First Horizon Park in Nashville

Gold Sponsor Fisher Phillips

Social Event at Top Note in Nashville

ACC Tennessee

ACC Tennessee partnered with Bass Berry Sims for the "Name Change Clinic" - Pro Bono Efforts in Nashville

A new year can bring new professional changes! Do you have a new job, new title, or new e-mail address? We want to hear from you and get our list updated so you do not miss out on upcoming opportunities. Please send any updates to Tennessee@accglobal.com.

A new year can also bring new colleagues. If you have a new colleague or new-to-in-house member of your professional network, please encourage them to become a member or reach out to Tennessee@accglobal.com to get more information and be added to our prospect list for invites that include non-members.

Members on the Move

Todd Fulk - ACC TN, Director of East Region has recently transitioned from General Counsel for Red Stag Fulfillment to Senior Associate General Counsel, Litigation at Pilot Flying J in Knoxville.

Gulam Zade - ACC TN, Treasure has been named a Nashville Business Journal Best of the Bar winner for the 7th year in a row! This year's recognition is especially exciting for Gulam as he has been recognized on behalf of Cards Consulting, the firm he recently started earlier this year.

Sherie Edwards - Congratulations to Sherie, VP of Corporate & Legal Counsel at SVMIC who retired after 25 years of service. We appreciate her past and continued services with ACC Tennessee.

Save the Dates

August

August 15th - Chambliss, Social Event - Tri Citites

August 20th - Fisher Phillips, Supper Club - Nashville

September

September 10th - Jackson Lewis, CLE Program - Nashville

September 10th - Butler Snow, CLO Luncheon - Memphis

September 11th - Merchant & Gould - Knoxville

September 26th - Butler Snow, Social Event - Nashville

Sponsor Articles & Updates