2026 Editorial Themes

Continually updated throughout the year, while also prioritizing strategic themes, the ACC Docket is the go-to website that addresses challenges commonly faced by in-house counsel. After receiving a proposal, editorial staff will evaluate the best time for it to be published. Below are key topics in line with ACC’s content strategy.

Ethics & Integrity in the Modern Legal Department

AI ethics, transparency, and responsible governance
Executive accountability and oversight
Embedding integrity into compliance programs

Leadership in Legal: Building and Managing Teams

Vision-setting and strategic team planning
Career pathing, mentorship, and personal branding
Gaining influence with business partners
Managing hybrid teams and outside counsel

Cybersecurity & Privacy in Practice

Cyber risk mitigation and incident readiness
Ransomware response and crisis playbooks
Data governance and regulatory alignment
Cross-functional coordination with IT and security teams

Optimizing Legal Operations

Budgeting, resource allocation, and vendor management
Workflow design, automation, and process improvement
Dashboards, metrics, and performance tracking
Evaluating and implementing legal technology

Mastering Contracts and Negotiations

Drafting excellence and negotiation strategies
Contract redlining tactics and best practices
AI-enabled contracting and risk assessment
End-to-end contract lifecycle management

Inclusion and Global Workforce Development

Diversity as a business advantage
Recruiting and retaining global legal talent
Building cross-cultural competency in legal teams

The Business of Law

Financial literacy for in-house counsel
Technology adoption and ROI evaluation
Building strategic influence within the business

Litigation, Corporate & Securities Essentials

Crisis management and cross-functional coordination
IPO readiness and corporate governance
Foundational regulatory and securities filings

Compliance in an Evolving Risk Landscape

ESG program development and reporting
Climate change regulations and global standards
Training and educating a risk-aware workforce

The Modern GC: Leadership and Influence

Executive communication and board engagement
Labor trends and organizational risk awareness
Leadership development and succession planning
Career acceleration and strategic positioning

Innovation and Intellectual Property

Global IP strategy and portfolio management
Trade secret protection and enforcement
IP risk in emerging technologies

AI in Practice & Governance

Real-world AI workflows for legal teams
Governance frameworks and responsible AI use
Contracting and vendor management for AI services
Risk mitigation and team-wide adoption strategies

Call for Submissions

We’re inviting contributions on high-priority subjects where additional coverage and expertise are most needed. These topics represent key challenges and opportunities for today’s corporate counsel. If you’re an in-house lawyer, subject-matter expert, or legal operations leader, we want to hear from you.

AI for In-house Counsel. Practical AI workflows for contracts, compliance, litigation, and operations.
Succession Planning (CEO). Preparing for executive transitions, understanding legal implications of CEO turnover, and using succession planning as a risk management tool.
Performance Reviews. Best practices for evaluating in-house team performance, linking performance to business goals, and navigating reviews in hybrid environments.
Coaching and Mentoring. Building mentorship programs that develop future legal leaders and demonstrating the ROI of coaching for in-house lawyers.
Change Management. Managing organizational change, executing strong communication strategies, and integrating legal perspectives into enterprise transformation efforts.
Well-being, Resilience, and Psychological Safety. Managing burnout, promoting positive workplace behavior, and leveraging emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and neuroscience-backed productivity techniques.
Workplace Culture & Behavioral Skills. Addressing difficult colleagues, influencing without authority, resolving conflict, and applying communication psychology.
Litigation / Legal Holds. Implementing legal holds effectively, meeting documentation and discovery obligations, and training non-lawyers on preservation duties.
M&A (Integration and Tips). Navigating post-merger integration, avoiding cultural and operational pitfalls, and aligning legal and business objectives.
Environmental Risk Due Diligence. Conducting ESG due diligence in M&A, identifying hidden environmental liabilities, and understanding cross-border considerations.
Lobbying (Do’s and Don’ts). Understanding lobbying rules, managing risk in advocacy efforts, and meeting global transparency and reporting obligations.
Code of Conduct. Designing and maintaining an effective code of conduct, using case studies for improvement, and aligning codes with company values.
Resumes. Providing tips for legal professionals updating their resumes and translating in-house experience for career advancement or board opportunities.
Trademarks. Explaining fundamentals of trademark law for non-IP specialists, managing global portfolios, and avoiding common filing errors.
Workers Compensation. Outlining legal obligations and risk management basics while offering guidance on handling disputes and claims efficiently.
Term Sheets. Defining what term sheets are, how to draft them effectively, and common pitfalls to avoid in early-stage deals.
Partnership Agreements. Covering the essentials of partnership structures with examples and practical guidance for drafting strong agreements.