--- title: MLA Academy Agenda --- [Skip to content](https://info.mlaglobal.com/mla-academy-agenda#main-content) [![sc-cms-prod-cdn-grfyfvg9gdfcb3gh.z01.azurefd.net-mediaimagesmlaglobalheadermla-logo-png](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/sc-cms-prod-cdn-grfyfvg9gdfcb3gh.z01.azurefd.net-mediaimagesmlaglobalheadermla-logo-png.png?width=400&height=42&name=sc-cms-prod-cdn-grfyfvg9gdfcb3gh.z01.azurefd.net-mediaimagesmlaglobalheadermla-logo-png.png "sc-cms-prod-cdn-grfyfvg9gdfcb3gh.z01.azurefd.net-mediaimagesmlaglobalheadermla-logo-png")](http://www.mlaglobal.com) [![hatch-inverted-logo](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/2333817/GiantFocal_Marketplace/Hatch/logos/hatch-inverted-logo.svg "hatch-inverted-logo")](http://www.mlaglobal.com) - [Home](https://info.mlaglobal.com/mla-gc-academy) - [Agenda](https://info.mlaglobal.com/mla-academy-agenda) - [About](https://info.mlaglobal.com/mla-academy-about) - [Local Area](https://info.mlaglobal.com/mla-academy-local-area) - [Register Now](https://payments-na1.hubspot.com/payments/pDTmQ2SSpbvxy?referrer=PAYMENT_LINK) [Register Now](https://payments-na1.hubspot.com/payments/pDTmQ2SSpbvxy?referrer=PAYMENT_LINK) # AGENDA & CURRICULUM   [Duke University School of Law, 210 Science Dr, Durham, NC 27708](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Duke+University+School+of+Law/@35.999854,-78.9478633,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89ace6ba0567bc1d:0x3e2dbb73450f4cae!8m2!3d35.999854!4d-78.9452884!16zL20vMDdrbjR6?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMwNC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)   ![General-Counsel-Academy-Logo-Final](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hubfs/General-Counsel-Academy-Logo-Final.png) ### **MLA's General Counsel Academy will start with dinner on June 15th and conclude on June 16th after a full day of dynamic discussions.** Monday, June 15, 2026 Tuesday, June 16, 2026 6:30PM–9:00PM Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club – President's Gallery Cocktails, Dinner and Keynote Speaker Welcome: - Welcome by Greg Richter, Partner & Vice President, Retained Search at Major, Lindsey & Africa - Introduction: Melba Hughes, Partner, Executive Director, In-House East at Major, Lindsey & Africa - Keynote Speaker: Tony West, Chief Legal Officer, Uber ![Melba Hughes-thumb 150x150-1](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Melba%20Hughes-thumb%20150x150-1.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Melba%20Hughes-thumb%20150x150-1.jpg) Melba Hughes Partner, Executive Director, In-House East, Major, Lindsey & Africa ![Greg_Richter-thumb](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Greg_Richter-thumb.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Greg_Richter-thumb.jpg) Greg Richter Partner & Vice President, Retained Search, Major, Lindsey & Africa ![Tony West](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tony%20West.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Tony%20West.jpg) Tony West Keynote Speaker: Chief Legal Officer, Uber 7:15AM–8:00AM Networking Breakfast 8:00AM – 8:15AM Opening Remarks ![Melba Hughes-thumb 150x150](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Melba%20Hughes-thumb%20150x150.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Melba%20Hughes-thumb%20150x150.jpg) Melba Hughes Partner, Executive Director In-House East at Major, Lindsey & Africa 8:15 AM – 9:30 AM Risk Management, Reputation & Crisis This opening panel sets the tone for a day focused on leadership and judgment in an era where risk is constant, fast‑moving, and highly visible. Panelists will examine how General Counsel think about risk holistically across cyber, regulatory, product, DEI, and executive conduct and the implications for organizational credibility and trust. The conversation will address the GC’s role in moments of crisis, including engagement with communications teams, oversight of government investigations, and the preservation of privilege under intense scrutiny. The focus is on how GCs lead when uncertainty is high, and the consequences of decisions extend well beyond legal outcomes. ![Don Liu](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Don%20Liu.jpeg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Don%20Liu.jpeg) Don Liu, Moderator Group Chief Legal Officer, Flutter Entertainment ![davd-berry](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/davd-berry.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=davd-berry.jpg) David Berry Chief Legal Officer, JLR ![ishan-bhahha](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ishan-bhahha.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=ishan-bhahha.jpg) Ishan K. Bhabha Co-Managing Partner, Jenner & Block ![Jones-Regina-230906-3816-fave-final-linkedin](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jones-Regina-230906-3816-fave-final-linkedin.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Jones-Regina-230906-3816-fave-final-linkedin.jpg) Regina Bynote Jones Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Archer Daniels Midland Company ![Tom-Shropshire](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tom-Shropshire.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Tom-Shropshire.jpg) Tom Shropshire Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Thermo Fisher Scientific 9:45AM – 11:00AM The Modern General Counsel as Enterprise Leader This panel explores the evolution of the General Counsel role from chief legal advisor to enterprise leader with responsibilities that increasingly extend beyond legal. Panelists will discuss how today’s GCs serve as trusted advisors to the CEO and board while also taking on broader mandates such as compliance, risk, ESG, HR, or corporate governance and how they adapt their leadership style accordingly. The conversation will examine navigating board and executive dynamics with presence and judgment, balancing legal and business considerations, and setting ethical tone at the top. The discussion positions the General Counsel as a central steward of organizational integrity, strategy, and enterprise value.   ![Deborah_Ben-Canaan-thumb](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Deborah_Ben-Canaan-thumb.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Deborah_Ben-Canaan-thumb.jpg) Deb Ben-Canaan, Moderator Partner, Major, Lindsey & Africa ![Batcheler_Colleen](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Batcheler_Colleen.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Batcheler_Colleen.jpg) Colleen Batcheler Chief Legal Officer, Hormel Foods ![Alex-Glenn](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Alex-Glenn.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Alex-Glenn.jpg) Alex Glenn Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, Duke Energy Corporation ![Neena Patil](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neena%20Patil.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Neena%20Patil.jpg) Neena Patil Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, Jazz Pharmaceuticals ![Angel Shelton Willis](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Angel%20Shelton%20Willis.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Angel%20Shelton%20Willis.jpg) Angel Shelton Willis Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel & Corporate Affairs Officer, Kraft Heinz 11:15AM – 12:30PM Legal Operations, Technology & AI This panel explores how General Counsel approach legal operations, technology, and AI as strategic enablers of leadership and scale. Panelists will discuss how mature legal organizations think about AI governance, contract and data strategy, and performance measurement in ways that align with the priorities of CEOs, CFOs, and boards. The focus is on positioning legal infrastructure to support sound judgment, business outcomes, and enterprise value—rather than on tools alone. ![Jay Kim-thumb](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jay%20Kim-thumb.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Jay%20Kim-thumb.jpg) Jay Kim, Moderator Partner, Major, Lindsey & Africa ![Nancy Krantz](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nancy%20Frantz.jpeg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Nancy%20Frantz.jpeg) Nancy Berardinelli-Krantz Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, WW Grainger ![Jeffrey-Salling](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jeffrey-Salling.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Jeffrey-Salling.jpg) Jeffrey Salling Chief of Staff & Senior Director Legal Operations, Moderna ![Scott Stengel](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scott%20Stengel.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Scott%20Stengel.jpg) Scott Stengel Chief Legal Officer, Truist ![michael tang-1](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/michael%20tang-1.jpeg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=michael%20tang-1.jpeg) Michael Tang Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, Emerson 12:30PM – 1:30PM Lunch and Networking 1:45PM – 3:00PM The Strategic General Counsel: Engaging the C-Suite and the Board This panel brings together a General Counsel, a Chief Financial Officer, and a board member to explore how strategy, risk, and decision‑making come together at the highest levels of the organization. Through a cross‑functional perspective, panelists will discuss how experienced GCs engage the CEO, CFO, and Board with credibility and influence framing legal issues in business terms, balancing risk with growth, and contributing to enterprise value. The conversation focuses on leadership judgment and alignment, positioning the General Counsel as a trusted advisor across the C‑suite and in the boardroom. ![Heather_Fine-thumb](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Heather_Fine-thumb.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Heather_Fine-thumb.jpg) Heather Fine, Moderator Partner, Major, Lindsey & Africa ![Kate-Rowen](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kate-Rowen.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Kate-Rowen.jpg) Katie Rowen Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation & Operations Officer, Vontier ![thomas sabatino](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thomas%20sabatino.jpeg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=thomas%20sabatino.jpeg) Thomas Sabatino Interim General Counsel, Tractor Supply ![Kim Taylor](https://info.mlaglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kim%20Taylor.jpg?width=90&height=90&length=90&name=Kim%20Taylor.jpg) Kim Taylor Vice President & General Counsel, Duke University 3:00PM – 3:30PM Wrap Up and Next Steps