2018 ACC Annual Meeting to Focus on Theme of Connect, Learn, Excel

Possessing more than a decade of legal experience, Matthew E. Syken has provided legal counsel to clients on financial and trade compliance issues. A member of the Corporate Counsel Division of the Los Angeles and Orange County Bar Associations, Matthew Syken belongs to the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). 

The ACC will host its 2018 Annual Meeting this fall with the theme of “Connect, Learn, Excel.” Legal professionals will learn tips and strategies for taking their practices to new levels while connecting with more than 100 law firms and legal services providers. 

The meeting allows attendees to learn more about topics that include regulatory challenges, cyber risks, and the benefits of driving business strategy. Industry leaders will deliver updated solutions and information through sessions, roundtables, and workshops. Sessions and workshops will offer continuing legal education and continuing professional development credits. 

In addition, the meeting will feature a series of special networking events. The 2018 ACC Annual Meeting will take place October 21-24 at the Austin Convention Center in Texas.

VLA New York Artists Over Sixty Program

Matthew E. Syken earned a JD from Touro Law School before embarking on a career in corporate and finance law that has spanned more than a decade. Outside of his professional life, Matthew Syken has given back to the community through his volunteer efforts with nonprofit groups, such as the New York chapter of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA).

The leading legal-aid organization dedicated to arts and artists, VLA offers free and low-cost legal services to artists in a range of disciplines, including painters, video-game designers, filmmakers, and poets. In addition to these services, the organization hosts regularly scheduled classes and workshops on arts-specific topics, such as contracts and creating a nonprofit group.

VLA also maintains several programs targeting special populations within the artist community. Among these is the Artist Over Sixty initiative, which helps older artists navigate age-related issues such as trusts, wills, and estate law, as well as general legal guidance. All Artists Over Sixty participants receive a free initial consultation with VLA volunteers, which is followed up with pro bono work.

Additionally, VLA offers Artists Over Sixty participants discounted classes, access to legal clinics at partner law firms, and unlimited free legal consultations for those who meet income guidelines. To learn more about the VLA Artists Over Sixty program, please visit vlany.org/artists-over-sixty.

The Orange County Business Journal General Counsel Awards

Acting as the chief legal officer and corporate secretary for Parex, a transnational chemical manufacturer, Matthew E. Syken has international legal experience in countries that include China and France. In 2017, Matthew Syken was nominated for General Counsel of the Year by the Orange County Business Journal.

A weekly publication that focuses on Southern California’s companies and businesspeople, the Orange County Business Journal has held its General Counsel Awards to honor the top lawyers in Orange County for the past eight years. In late 2017, more than 400 people in the region’s legal and corporate communities gathered at Hotel Irvine to recognize the 50 nominees and top lawyers. The University of California, Irvine School of Law founding dean Erwin Chemerinsky served as the evening’s master of ceremonies. 

To nominate an attorney or team for the Orange County Business Journal’s General Counsel Awards, the nominator must complete a nomination form with the nominee’s consent to participate. The nominator must submit a photo of the potential nominee and supporting materials that highlight his or her successes. The Orange County Business Journal is accepting applications until August 29, 2018, and winners will be announced at the next General Counsel Awards ceremony on November 13 at Hotel Irvine.

OCBJ Awards Recognize General Counsel Contributions

Matthew E. Syken serves as the general counsel and chief legal officer of Parex USA, where he holds the responsibility of overseeing international trade compliances, real estate holdings, and national and international securities. A legal professional with more than a decade of experience, Matthew Syken received a nomination for the Orange County Business Journal’s (OCBJ) 2017 General Counsel Awards. 

OCBJ’s General Counsel Awards celebrate the contributions of general counsels in the business community and the role they play in achieving success. The annual program provides awards in four categories: General Counsel of Public Company, General Counsel Privately Held Company, Specialty Counsel, and In-House Legal Team. The Specialty Counsel Award recognizes an attorney who focuses on a certain area of law, and the In-House Legal Team applies to teams with two or more members. 

General counsel professionals and legal teams must receive a nomination to win an OCBJ Award and subsequently consent to participation in the award program. OCBJ releases nominee finalists in a special General Counsel Advertising Supplement and announces the winners at an awards dinner.

ACC Mid-Year Meeting Advances Professional Skills

Parex USA general counsel and chief legal officer Matthew E. Syken brings more than a decade of legal experience to the position, managing the company’s legal and compliance departments. Matthew Syken belongs to the Association of Corporate Counsels (ACC), which will host its 2018 ACC Mid-Year Meeting in April.

The ACC Mid-Year Meeting explores the changing legal landscape and the role of in-house counsels, presenting attendees with the necessary knowledge and insight to become respected business advisors. From mergers and acquisitions to contracts and business training, the meeting addresses critical topics for professional advancement in the field. Programming combines innovative learning tracks with engaging spaces to help attendees align their education with their specific needs and interests.

Attendees will also receive the chance to participate in Xchange, an interactive scene that offers a variety of networking and learning opportunities. Xchange sessions take place between the morning and afternoon sessions, during which time attendees can network with others, engage in roundtable discussions, and listen to TED-style talks. Additionally, attendees can join learning groups to talk about concerns, questions, and topics of interest.

Registration rates for the meeting covers written materials, courses, and scheduled meals and receptions, although prior sign-up is required for some events. Attendees must arrange their own travel and housing. The 2018 ACC Mid-Year Meeting will take place April 22-24 in Washington, DC.