Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Minnesota CLE Lunch

Ballard Spahr Partner Michael R. Kuhn, a member of the firm's Corporate Group, will moderate ACC Minnesota's CLE Lunch at BLVD Kitchen & Bar, "Beyond the Org Chart: Understanding Legal Department Structures and Career Advancement."

He will be joined in conversation by panelists Vice President and Corporate Counsel at Prudential Financial Mark Privratsky, Associate General Counsel at Elior Erin Davenport, and Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Graco Shannon Quirk.

The event description:

Corporate legal departments are organized in many different ways, and those organizational choices can significantly shape the roles, responsibilities, and career opportunities available to legal professionals. Join a panel of seasoned in-house counsel representing organizations of varying sizes, industries, and legal department structures as they discuss how legal functions are positioned within companies and the practical implications for career growth.

The conversation will explore reporting relationships, including legal departments that report through a Chief Legal Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or other executive leaders; the impact of direct and dotted-line management structures; title and role variations across organizations; and the advantages and challenges of generalist and specialist career paths. Panelists will also examine opportunities for lawyers serving in business roles outside the legal department and share advice on evaluating prospective employers, including key questions to ask when considering a new position.

Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the many paths available within the in-house legal profession and practical strategies for navigating their own career journey.