ACC Houston 2026 Newsletter

Message from the ACC Houston Board of Directors Executive Team

Get Involved! ACC Houston's Member Chair Program Continues to Grow

One of the greatest strengths of ACC Houston is the engagement of our members, and we're excited to announce the newest volunteer opportunity 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're also expanding 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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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.

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Annual Symposium

Mark Your Calendar: ACC Houston's Annual Symposium Returns August 14

ACC Houston is excited to invite members to our Annual Symposium on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Junior League of Houston. This signature educational event brings together leading legal professionals and industry experts for a full day of timely, practical programming designed specifically for in-house counsel.

Whether you're looking to stay current on legal developments, gain practical insights, or fulfill your continuing legal education requirements, this year's symposium has something for everyone. Our sponsoring law firms have developed presentations covering a broad range of topics to ensure every attendee finds sessions relevant to their practice and professional responsibilities.

We're proud to recognize this year's CLE sponsors:

• Baker Botts
• Eversheds Sutherland
• GableGotwals
• Gordon Arata
• K&L Gates
• Steptoe
  
  

A special highlight of this year's program will be our lunchtime keynote presentation by Wayne Basist, J.D., who will present an engaging, neuroscience-based program on mental fitness. This unique session will explore how neuroscience can help legal professionals strengthen resilience, improve decision-making, and enhance overall well-being while earning 1.00 hour of CLE credit, including ethics.

By attending the full symposium, members will earn 7.00 hours of CLE, including 1.00 hour of ethics credit, making this one of the most valuable educational opportunities of the year.

We're also grateful to Porter Hedges, our luncheon sponsor, for helping make this special keynote presentation possible.

Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your professional development, connect with colleagues from across the Houston in-house legal community, and hear from outstanding presenters on the issues that matter most to today's corporate counsel.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, August 14, at the Junior League of Houston for a full day of learning, networking, and inspiration. Registration opens soon!

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Annual Spa and Networking Event

Relax. Recharge. Reconnect.
Save the Date for 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:

• Floral Design Workshop
• Yoga
• Pickleball
• And more surprises to come!

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.

Registration opens in August, so be sure to SAVE THE DATE for Thursday, September 24!

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.

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