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Date:

September 21, 2011

Time:

9:00am - 2:00pm

Location:

Westin NY Times Square - NYC

270 West 43rd Street

New York, New York

The Best Law Firms for Women initiative recognizes the achievements of law firms that successfully retain and promote outstanding talent by honoring 50 winning firms for their commitment to the retention and advancement of women.

Taking this program to the next level, the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), one of the largest women’s professional associations in the country, is partnering with Flex-Time Lawyers.

For 35 years, NAFE’s goal has been to provide women with resources needed to succeed in the business world through education, training development and networking.

For sponsorship information, please call (212) 219-7453 or email sponsorship@workingmother.com.

Agenda

ROUNDTABLE AGENDA*

9:00 - 9:30 Registration and Breakfast

9:30 - 9:45 Welcome

Carol Evans / CEO / National Association for Female Executives (NAFE)

9:45 - 10:30 Opening Discussion – How Women can Build their Book of Business

During a morning roundtable among general counsel and top women lawyers from winning firms, we will discuss how women law firm lawyers can build their books of business both through law firm structural and individual changes. We will uncover the impediments to women succeeding in business development and outline the parameters to avoid these stumbling blocks and ensure success. We will debate the changes needed to bring transparency to the pitch, origination, inheritance & sharing of credit processes and we will discuss what role clients should play in facilitating law firm change. We will discuss the evolving expectations of clients and what women law firm lawyers can do to grow their client base and enhance client service. Attendees will leave the program with an understanding that building women law firm lawyers’ books of business will improve women’s status and the bottom line at law firms while increasing client service and satisfaction.

Moderator:
Deborah Epstein Henry, Esq. / Founder & President / Law & Reorder, A Division of Flex-Time Lawyers LLC

Panel:
Peter Fontaine / General Counsel / RSM McGladrey, Inc
Jeffrey B. Gewirtz, Esq. / Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer / NETS Basketball and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment
Randal S. Milch / Executive Vice President & General Counsel / Verizon
Terri J. Minatra / Acting Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary / National Public Radio
Robin L. Smith / General Counsel / LEGO Systems, Inc.

10:30 - 11:00 Breakout Conversations

General Counsel and Senior Women Partners of Winning Firms

11:00 - 11:30 Reporting Back from Breakout Conversations

LUNCHEON AGENDA*

11:30am - 12:00 pm Cocktails/Registration

12:00 - 12:15 Welcome

Carol Evans / President /Working Mother Media
M. Melissa Glassman / Deputy Managing Partner of Business Development / McGuireWoods

12:15 - 12:30 Lunch is served

12:30 - 1:30 Panel Discussion - The Changing Legal Landscape & Opportunities for Women

With the rapidly changing legal landscape, law firm lawyers are left wondering what are the top priorities of clients in selecting and working with outside counsel and how vocal will clients be in influencing the way law firms run their future businesses. At this session, you will hear from general counsel who will share their views on how law firms can best provide value. The panel will debate whether alternative fees should replace the billable hour model and who should absorb the cost and responsibility of training junior lawyers. We will discuss the increased role of non-partnership attorneys and the challenges and benefits of core competencies versus lockstep compensation. With each change to the law firm model, we will consider how much say clients should have in the way law firms manage their businesses. We will also analyze how legal industry changes present new opportunities for women. We will conclude with strategies for law firm structural changes that meet client needs and position women for success in the ever-changing demands of the market.

Moderator:
Deborah Epstein Hentry, Esq. / Founder & President / Law & Reorder, A Division of Flex-Time Lawyers LLC

Panel:
Brackett B. Denniston / Senior Vice President and General Counsel / General Electric Company
William D. Henderson / Professor of Law / Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Denise F. Keane / General Counsel / Altria Group Inc.

1:30 - 2:00 Awards Ceremony

2:00 Closing Remarks

Carol Evans / CEO / National Associate for Female Executives (NAFE)
Deborah Epstein Henry, Esq. / Founder & President / Law & Reorder, A Division of Flex-Time Lawyers LLC

*Agenda subject to change