ACC Houston 2026 Newsletter 
President's Report
As the saying goes, the only constant is change. Your ACC Houston leadership is always seeking to improve the member and sponsor experience, not just maintain it. This year, we embarked on a substantial new transformative initiative with implementation of our Member Chair Program.
This program embedded 30 member volunteers directly into our organizational framework, pairing each with a Board of Directors Chair mentor to co-steward sponsor relationships and programming across our 80+ annual events. These “Member Chairs” became an extension of the Board to build and support sponsor relationships, guide event planning to deliver value for both sponsors and members and bring new perspective on the member experience.
This transformation in practice reshaped your chapter leadership and enabled more voices to be heard. With over 1300+ Houston chapter members, the Member Chair Program allows more of us to be actively engaged in our chapter, directly contribute to its success, and provide sponsors with additional meaningful in-house relationships and insight to make the most of their sponsorship with us.
Building this program from the ground up is no small feat for a volunteer organization. ACC Houston’s board of directors had to design the program, create role descriptions, recruit volunteers, develop training materials and a dedicated resource hub, and commit to bringing non-board members under the tent to mentor in real time to provide a seamless experience for sponsors and members alike.
Like any first year of change, there were growing pains; but our inaugural Member Chairs brought fresh energy, genuine commitment, and generous feedback that will make the program even stronger next year. We owe real gratitude to this founding class for taking a chance on something new and helping us shape it for everyone who follows.
We are so proud of what our first class of Member Chairs accomplished that we submitted the program for consideration for a Chapter Achievement Award. Regardless of the outcome, the program has already delivered lasting value by deepening member engagement, giving our sponsors more consistent and attentive stewardship, and providing a pipeline for future Board leadership.
Change compounds. With refinement and time, we envision the Member Chair Program to free our Board to shift from the day-to-day execution of programming toward a more strategic role, focused on chapter governance, long-term planning, and succession. By distributing the work of sponsor stewardship across a larger, more inclusive volunteer base, the Board is now freer to think beyond the next event and toward where ACC Houston is headed.
ACC Houston’s transformative year did not stop with the Member Chair Program. In 2026, we separated our Golf and Spa events for the first time, so members and sponsors no longer must choose between the two but enjoy both signature experiences in full. As expected, this has been well received by all.
We also hosted our first Ethical Edge multi-sponsor half-day event. Ethical Edge, and its deliberate timing in February, provides members of all birth-months the opportunity to earn all required Texas CLE ethics credits in one program-packed morning. To our sponsors’ credit, they work to make ethics engaging and a little fun, too.
Lastly, we held our second annual Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon with a panel of senior in-house leaders discussing how AI is transforming legal departments and reshaping their expectations of outside counsel’s use of AI. Giving our sponsors insights into how leading legal departments are thinking about issues of relevance to outside counsel is a benefit of sponsorship we strive to provide as a thank you for their support of our practices and our chapter.
Change doesn’t happen without the people who commit to it. I want to thank my Board for its dedication to the transformation we embarked on together in 2026. Meaningful change is only possible when a team shares a vision, commits to it, and works together to see it through. This Board did exactly that.
As for 2027? Stay tuned! The only constant, after all, is more exciting change to come.
Message from the ACC Houston Board of Directors Executive Team
Meet our New Officers and Directors
ACC Houston is excited to announce our 2027 Board of Directors and new leadership team! We are grateful to this outstanding group of legal professionals for their commitment to serving our chapter and supporting Houston’s in-house legal community.
2027 Officers
Latasha McDade, President — Exxon Mobil Corporation
Kinjal Shah, President-Elect — Rotork PLC
Eric D’Olive, Secretary — Emmanor Group Inc.
Jennifer Fung, Treasurer — U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.
Emily Shields, Immediate Past President
2027 Board of Directors (NEW)
Jim Cross — BP America Inc.
Tiffany Garraton — ConocoPhillips
Thao Griepp — Crowe LLP
Mira Haykal — Trina Solar
Ivett Hughes — Baker Hughes
Luisa Patoni — Palladyne AI Corp
Matthew Rechtien — Walter P Moore
Kimberly Thomas — Baker Hughes
2027 Board of Directors (Current)
Eric D’Olive — Emmanor Group Inc.
Jennifer Fung — U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.
Marc Krasney — Bluepeak
Mike Lodzinski — Azelis
Latasha McDade — Exxon Mobil Corporation
Kinjal Shah — Rotork PLC
Emily Shields
Christallyn Williams — EMD Millipore Corporation
Celebrating the Member Chair Program
This year’s Board also represents an exciting milestone for ACC Houston. All of our new Board members are graduates of the inaugural year of our Member Chair Program. The program was created to provide ACC Houston members with meaningful opportunities to become more involved in the chapter, develop leadership skills, and contribute their talents to our programming and initiatives.
Seeing members who participated in that very first class now step into Board leadership is a wonderful testament to the success of the program and the strength of our ACC Houston community.
We look forward to an exciting year ahead and are confident this dedicated team will continue to build on the success of ACC Houston through exceptional programming, professional development, networking, and member engagement.
Please join us in congratulating our 2027 Board of Directors and welcoming our next generation of ACC Houston leaders!
Awards and Recognitions
ACC Houston Earns Gold Chapter of Distinction
We are proud to announce that ACC Houston has once again been recognized as a Gold Chapter of Distinction for our achievements in 2025!
The Chapter of Distinction designation recognizes the accomplishments of ACC chapters based on the work and results achieved during the previous calendar year. Earning Gold is a prestigious honor, and ACC Houston is especially proud to have received this recognition year after year, reflecting our Board, volunteers, sponsors, and chapter staff’s continued commitment to excellence.
We are also thrilled to be recognized for our work in creating a chapter where belonging is at the core of our efforts. ACC evaluates chapters across four key areas: sustainable leadership, supportive administrative structure, valuable member benefits, and enthusiastic member engagement. ACC Houston earned high marks across all four areas, demonstrating the intentionality, dedication, and commitment of our Board, volunteers, and staff.
A Standout Achievement for Our Members
We are particularly proud that ACC Houston achieved the highest score of all ACC chapters in the “Valuable Member Benefits” category!
This recognition is a wonderful affirmation of our commitment to providing Houston’s in-house counsel with exceptional educational programming, professional development, networking opportunities, and resources that deliver meaningful value to our members.
Congratulations and thank you to our Board, volunteers, sponsors, and members for making ACC Houston a Gold Chapter of Distinction — year after year!
Practice Groups
Introducing ACC Houston’s New Practice Group Conference
We’re excited to announce a new signature event coming to ACC Houston in May 2027 — the Practice Group Conference (PGC)!
Beginning in 2027, Practice Group Sponsors will participate in the PGC, a full-day, multi-session CLE conference designed to bring together our Practice Group Sponsors, members, and legal professionals for a day of timely educational programming, meaningful connections, and networking opportunities.
The PGC will showcase the depth and breadth of expertise represented by our Practice Group Sponsors while providing ACC Houston members with valuable insights on the legal and business issues impacting today’s in-house counsel.
We look forward to making the Practice Group Conference a signature ACC Houston event and creating an exciting new opportunity for our sponsors and members to learn, connect, and engage.
Mark your calendars for May 2027 — you won’t want to miss our inaugural Practice Group Conference!
Sponsors
Welcome to Our Newest Sponsors
As we move through another exciting season of professional development, networking, and member engagement, we're pleased to recognize the organizations that make so much of our programming possible. The support of our sponsors allows us to continue delivering meaningful educational opportunities, memorable events, and valuable resources for our members. Look for all of our sponsor recognition on LinkedIn with our #ThankYouThursdays.
Please join us in welcoming our newest sponsors to ACC Houston 2026
Fisher Phillips has joined us this year as our July Chapter Meeting Sponsor. Their support helps us continue providing informative CLE where members can connect, exchange ideas, and stay current on industry trends in Labor & Employment. We appreciate their commitment to strengthening our local legal community.
We're also excited to welcome Munsch Hardt as the sponsor of our Ethics & Compliance Practice Group. Ethics and compliance remain critical areas of focus for legal professionals, and their sponsorship supports programming that helps our members navigate today's evolving regulatory and professional responsibilities.
A warm welcome goes to IMS Legal Strategies, our newest Webinar Sponsor. Virtual education continues to be an important part of our member experience, and their partnership helps us deliver accessible, high-quality learning opportunities this year.
Finally, we're delighted to have Spencer Fane LLP sponsoring the ever popular Floral Design Class during our Annual Spa Event this September. This special event offers members a chance to relax, recharge, and connect with colleagues in a fun and creative setting. Spencer Fane's support will help make this experience even more memorable.
We are grateful to each of these organizations and all of our 2026 Sponsors for investing in ACC Houston and our Houston area members. Their partnership strengthens our mission and helps us continue offering exceptional programs and events throughout the year.
The next time you see representatives from Fisher Phillips, Munsch Hardt, IMS Legal Strategies, Spencer Fane or any of our sponsors at one of our events, please take a moment to thank them for their generous support. We look forward to building strong partnerships together and to another successful year made possible by sponsors who believe in the importance of connecting with the in-house counsel community.
Annual Spa and Networking Event
Relax. Recharge. Reconnect.
ACC Houston's Annual Spa & Networking Event!
We're excited to announce a fresh new format for one of ACC Houston's favorite member traditions!
This year, our Annual Spa & Networking Event will be held on Thursday, September 24, at the beautiful Trellis Spa at The Houstonian Hotel. With an expanded lineup of activities, this year's event promises to be our most relaxing and engaging yet.
For over 26 years, our Annual Golf/Spa Event offered members the opportunity to choose between a day on the golf course or a day at the spa. This year, we've made an exciting change by separating the events, allowing members to enjoy both experiences throughout the year.
Our Golf Tournament and Ethics CLE took place in February at Wildcat Golf Club, where we welcomed a fantastic turnout and enjoyed a successful day of networking, golf, and continuing legal education. Now, we're turning our attention to an unforgettable spa experience this fall, and best of all, members no longer have to choose between golf and the spa.
Spa appointments will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., giving attendees plenty of time to enjoy the exceptional amenities that Trellis Spa has to offer. Whether you're indulging in a relaxing treatment, unwinding in the spa's tranquil spaces, or simply taking a well-deserved break from the office, you'll have the opportunity to recharge both personally and professionally.
In addition to spa services, we're expanding the networking experience with fun and interactive activities throughout the day, including:
- Aerial Yoga
- Floral Design Workshop
- Yoga
- Pickle Ball
- Wine Tasting
Whether you spend the day relaxing, trying something new, or connecting with fellow ACC Houston members, this event is designed to promote wellness, strengthen professional relationships, and provide a memorable experience for everyone.
We can't wait to welcome you to Trellis Spa for a day of relaxation, networking, and community. Stay tuned for registration details and the full event schedule in the coming weeks.
Tis the Season...
The holiday season is just around the corner, and ACC Houston is celebrating in style with two can’t-miss events!
🎄 Holiday Market — November 12, 2026
We’ll kick off the season with our ever-popular Holiday Market at the Junior League of Houston, on November 12, 2026, sponsored by Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Join us for an evening of festive shopping, networking, and holiday cheer as we gather with friends and colleagues to celebrate the season.
✨ ACC Houston Holiday Party — December 17, 2026
Then, cap off the season at the ACC Houston Holiday Party on December 17, 2026, at the beautiful River Oaks Country Club, proudly sponsored by The Texas Lawbook and Steptoe.
This signature members-only celebration is the perfect opportunity to relax, reconnect, and toast to another successful year with the ACC Houston community.
Save the dates and get ready to celebrate the holidays with ACC Houston!
Growing Connections
One of the greatest strengths of ACC Houston and the engagement of our members is serving as Member Chair!
Our Member Chair program was created to provide members with a meaningful way to become more involved in the chapter while serving as volunteer liaisons to our sponsors and committees. Since its launch, the program has been an outstanding success, creating stronger relationships across our chapter and opening new opportunities for member leadership.
Member Chairs play an important role by helping foster communication and collaboration between ACC Houston, our sponsors, and our committees. Along the way, they build valuable professional relationships, expand their networks, and gain firsthand experience in chapter leadership.
The program has also become an excellent pipeline for future service on the ACC Houston Board of Directors. Many members who are looking to deepen their involvement with the chapter have found the Member Chair role to be the perfect next step.
The response from our sponsors has been equally positive. They appreciate the opportunity to connect with members in a more meaningful way, strengthen relationships, and collaborate throughout the year. It's truly been a win-win for everyone involved.
If you're looking for a rewarding way to engage with ACC Houston, we'd love to hear from you! We encourage members who are interested in serving as a Member Chair to complete our Member Chair Interest Form. This is a great opportunity to make new connections, give back to the chapter, and help shape the future of our organization.
Interested in becoming a Member Chair?
Complete the Member Chair Interest Form here:
https://acchouston.starchapter.com/form.php?form_id=43
We also offer opportunities for members to share their knowledge and professional experience through our Speaker Bureau. If you're interested in serving as a speaker or panelist for future ACC Houston programs, we encourage you to complete the Speaker Bureau form. Whether you have expertise in emerging legal issues, leadership, compliance, litigation, technology, or another area of practice, we'd love to hear from you.
Interested in speaking at an ACC Houston program?
Complete the Speaker Bureau Form here:
https://acchouston.starchapter.com/form.php?form_id=59
ACC Houston is powered by the talents and dedication of our members. Whether you volunteer as a Member Chair, serve as a speaker, or participate in one of our many committees, your involvement helps strengthen our chapter and enrich the experience for our entire membership. We look forward to welcoming even more members into these exciting volunteer opportunities!
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