2026 Corporate Counsel Institute
Date: Jan 28, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, and Online
Member Price: $203.00
Non-Member Price: $254.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: Business
Earn up to 6.1 credits! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
- Natalya G. Johnson, Esq.
- Assistant General Counsel, Johnson & Johnson- New Brunswick, New Brunswick
- Sherilyn Pastor, Esq.
- McCarter & English, LLP, Newark
Presenters
- Qing Guo, Esq.
- Of Counsel, Former General Counsel, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP, Livingston
- Stephen Kim, Esq.
- Chief Legal Office & General Counsel, Avicanna
- Andrew D. Kupchik, Esq.
- Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Chief Counsel for Snacks
The Campbell’s Company, Philadelphia - Cristal Lambert, Esq.
- General Counsel, ETS, Westfield
- Ronald M. Leibman, Esq.
- Chair, Transportation, Logistics & Supply Chain Management Group
McCarter & English, LLP, Newark - Kimberly Banks Mackay, Esq.
- Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, West Pharmaceutical Services, South Orange
- Connie A. Matteo, Esq.
- Assistant General Counsel, Pfizer, Warren
- Jeffrey W. Moryan, Esq.
- Connell Foley LLP, Roseland
- Karen Painter Randall, Esq.
- Connell Foley LLP, Roselandis founder and Chair of the Cybersecurity, Data Privacy and Incident Response Group at Connell Foley LLP in Roseland, New Jersey. Formerly Certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, she represents clients in complex litigation, and regulatory compliance and defense matters involving cybersecurity, data protection and privacy, social media and professional liability; and provides counsel and advocacy in federal and state courts for both professionals and businesses across a broad range of industries.
Admitted to practice in New Jersey and before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, Ms. Randall is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and serves as Co-Chair of its New Jersey KnowledgeNet chapter. She received three ABA presidential appointments to serve on the Cybersecuity Legal Task Force and the Standing Committee on Lawyer’s Professional Liability, and is the co-founder and Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Cybersecurity Legal Task Force. Ms. Randall has also served as Chair of the USLAW Network Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group and co-chaired the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) 2016 NYC Cyber Liability Summit, and the University of South Carolina School of Law selected her to serve as Director of the Cybersecurity Institute. A Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, she was appointed by Chief Justice Rabner to serve on the Board on Civil Trial Certification.
Ms. Randall was selected by Bloomberg BNA to serve as its New Jersey Contributing Editor on cyber and privacy issues for Bloomberg Law: Privacy & Data Security, focusing on the
regulatory and compliance landscape of data protection laws in the U.S. and around the world. She has lectured for the American Bar Association, the AICPA and other professional organizations, and is the author and co-author of articles which have appeared in New Jersey Lawyer, USLAW Magazine and other publications. She is the recipient of several honors.
Ms. Randall received her B.A. and M.A. in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina and her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She completed the Advanced Legal Management Program at Montclair University’s School of Business and clerked for the Honorable J. Emmet Cassidy, JSC.
(8/23) - Tobias Spruill
- Director, Head of North American Employment, LinkedIn
- Jennifer L. Taiwo, Esq.
- Chief Data Privacy Counsel, Colgate-Palmolive
Presented in Cooperation with the NJSBA In-House Counsel Committee and McCarter & English, LLP
Join seasoned in-house leaders and top outside counsel for an unprecedented opportunity to discover the strategies and tactics that define today's most high-performing legal teams.
The 2026 Corporate Counsel Institute will deliver a comprehensive playbook for transforming your outside counsel relationships from necessary expenses into strategic advantages. Through candid discussions and real-world case studies, you’ll gain the insights needed to navigate challenges in 2026 and beyond.
This year’s program features several panels of high-level practitioners to provide you with insight and practical knowledge.
Topics include:
Chief Counsel Roundtable: Expanding Expertise Across Key Practice Areas
Hear insider perspectives from chief counsel on must know developments across essential and industry-specific legal areas, from employment to IP and compliance. They will address:
- Hot Topics in Compliance
- Managing Human Capital: Employment Trends and Counsel’s Role
- Corporate Governance: Best Practices and Practical Tips
- Recent Developments in IP, Litigation and Dispute Strategy
- Evolution of the Role of In-House Counsel and Chief Counsel
- Takeaways and Best Practices
Speakers include:
- Andrew D. Kupchik - The Campell’s Company
- Cristal Lambert - ETS
- Tobias Spruill – LinkedIn
- Jennifer L. Taiwo - Colgate-Palmolive
General Counsel/Chief Legal Counsel Roundtable: Gain Essential Insights into the Top Legal Issues Across a Spectrum of Companies
General counsel and chief legal counsel will provide essential information on the latest legal developments and the most vexing issues across several industries. They will address:
- Actionable Takeaways and Best Practices for the C Suite Legal Leader
- Controlling Costs: Smart Approaches to Legal Department Efficiency
- Scaling Legal Operations to Meet Growing Business Demands
- From Counselor to Strategic Business Partner: Advising Global Growth
- Takeaways and Best Practices
Moderator:
- Qing Guo- Gordon Reese Scully Mansukhani LLP
Speakers include:
- Stephen Kim - Avicanna
- Kimberly Banks MacKay- West Pharmaceutical Services
Can We Talk? What In-House Lawyers and Outside Counsel Would Like Each Other to Know
This interactive segment, organized by McCarter & English, LLP, brings together seasoned in-house counsel and experienced outside counsel for a candid conversation about what they wish the other side understood. The session explores the dynamics of the attorney-client relationship from both perspectives, highlighting practical strategies to improve communication, efficiency, and collaboration. These will include:
- Expectations and Priorities, Including What both Value Most from the Other and How Outside Counsel Can Better Align with Corporate Goals
- Communication Best Practices to Maximize Responsiveness, Collaboration and Managing Client Expectations
- How to Build Long-Term, Thriving Relationships that Last
Moderator:
- Sherilyn Pastor - McCarter & English, LLP
Speakers include:
- Ronald M. Leibman - McCarter & English, LLP
- Connie A. Matteo - Pfizer
- Jeffrey W. Moryan- Connell Foley LLP
Technology and Transformation in Legal Departments
Legal departments across industries are undergoing rapid, unprecedented change driven by advances in technology. From AI-powered research and contract analytics to automated workflows, matter management systems, and improved data governance tools, today’s in-house counsel are expected not only to practice law but to guide their organizations through digital transformation. In this segment, in-house counsel will examine the technologies reshaping how legal departments operate and the competencies attorneys need to stay ahead of the curve.
Speakers include:
- Karen Painter Randall – Connell Foley LLP
*More Information coming soon!*
Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
To secure your spot and receive important updates about our events, meetings, and other gatherings, such as schedule changes, remember to register in advance.
Digital Materials & Environmental Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, unless otherwise noted, all seminar materials are provided as digital downloads. You can access these materials through:
- The “My Links” section at the top of our website for in-person or online events
- Or, for online programs, the event access link included in your joining instructions
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If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.
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