Veta T. Richardson

President and CEO at Association of Corporate Counsel

Veta T. Richardson is the president and chief executive officer of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). Headquartered in Washington, DC, ACC is the world's largest legal association dedicated exclusively to serving the interests of in-house counsel. With an international membership of more than 45,000 in-house lawyers at more than 10,000 organizations in 85 countries, ACC serves as the "voice of the in-house bar" for corporate lawyers at 98 percent of the Fortune 100 and 51 percent of the Global 1000.

With more than 60 chapter operations around the world, Richardson's top priorities as CEO involve continuing to increase ACC's global footprint and charting the organization through a strategic plan and vision designed to strengthen its position as the global voice for in-house counsel. Members look to ACC to advocate in support of their rights and interests as in-house counsel, as well as to offer the practice resources, education, global legal and regulatory analysis, and networking opportunities needed to advance their professional development.

My Articles

My Take: Appreciating the Power of ACC Connections

ACC President & CEO Veta T. Richardson discusses the collaborations that have led to the association’s seat at the table of the groundbreaking Hiring Initiative to Reimagine Equity (HIRE) with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the US Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. #ACCDocket #ACCSeatattheTable #DEI

Trust is a Two-way Street

Good ethics is simply good business. It’s been noted that those individuals who trust their organizations and leadership are typically “better” employees. That said, ethical companies don’t just happen. The people within the organization determine “how good” we present to the world. People want to trust their organizations, and most importantly, their leaders. It’s a two-way street.

Securing Your Seat

As we begin a new year, we often make resolutions that include everything from pledges to visit the gym to declarations that we’ll spend more time with our loved ones. Professionally, we tend to look at the start of the year as an opportunity to implement fresh plans and new ideas to further the professional goals of our organizations, and ourselves.

Keep the Faith

While we may look forward to a fresh start in 2017, we know that a new year does not signal an end to the challenges of the past, nor does it magically stop new ones from emerging. To the optimist, challenges are simply opportunities for growth, learning, and innovation.

Cause and Effect: Why Women Leave the Legal Profession

There has never been a better time to capitalize on the talents of female in-house counsel, yet women continue to face real barriers to advancement. High-performing female lawyers exiting the legal profession leave a “leaky pipeline” to senior legal positions. It is in these senior positions that women have the greatest effect on the bottom line; hence, efforts to repair this pipeline may be necessary sooner rather than later.