ACC’s second in-house counsel certification programme

July 2018

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) announced that the second ACC In-house Counsel Certification Programme will take place September 3-6, 2018 in Dubai. The programme, presented through the association’s credentialing arm, the ACC Credentialing Institute, is a collaboration between ACC and the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department.

The certification programme is the first of its kind for any legal association, with a curriculum designed by leading international general counsel. The programme creates a standard of best practices for in-house lawyers working worldwide.

Thirty-six in-house lawyers graduated in the inaugural class of the ACC In-house Counsel Certification Programme, which took place April 30 – May 3. After four days of live instruction, the programme concluded with a final assessment. All 36 students successfully passed the final assessment, earning the designation of In-house Counsel Certified (ICC).

Students traveled to Dubai from seven countries, and represented 24 companies, including Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Asteco Property Management, AstraZeneca, British Telecom, Caterpillar, Cummins, DAMAC, du, Emaar Properties, General Motors, Johnson Controls, Merck Sharp & Dohme, MetLife, Nestlé, Reckitt Benckiser, and Sherwin-Williams.

“We look forward to replicating the success of our first Certification Programme with our next class in September,” said James Merklinger, president, ACC Credentialing Institute. “Not only do delegates benefit from a programme focused on professional excellence and translating legal knowledge into business solutions, but they also learn useful global best practices from each other – generating new peer connections.”

September’s programme will follow the same format as the inaugural class, including substantive programming, group presentations, and team projects. Participants are instructed across three core areas: stakeholder relationships, law department management, and legal services.

After graduates pass the final examination and receive their ICC designation, it is valid for one year. After the first year, 14 hours of continuing legal education/continuing professional development (CLE/CPD) are required annually to maintain ICC status.

For more information on the ACC Credentialing Institute, visit www.acc.com/certification or contact certification@acc.com.