Mar. 22, 2014

In-house counsel group throws yearly bash

The Southern California Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel hosted its 19th annual gala and silent auction on March 4 at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles. Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered the keynote address to a crowd of more than 1,400 attendees. The in-house counsel group presented The Walt Disney Co.'s legal department with its Pro Bono Counsel of the Year Award for its work with Public Counsel to help facilitate adoptions through the L.A. County court system. The legal department also works with Public Counsel to provide advice to nonprofits in L.A. that help children and families. The award was accepted by Disney's general counsel, Alan Braverman, and Disney designated Public Counsel as the recipient of the $10,000 cash grant award. ACC-SoCal also honored Broadcom Corp. General Counsel Arthur Chong with its Diversity Award, which is given to departments that demonstrate a commitment and ability to improve diversity within the legal profession. Chong designated the group Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles as the recipient of his $10,000 grant award. "The Walt Disney Company legal department and Arthur Chong exemplify the very best of our in-house legal community, and both bring with them a wealth of accomplishments that have enriched the Southern California community and beyond," said Peter Ching, chapter president and general counsel at Tealium. The Gala's silent auction raised over $52,000 for Public Counsel. — Caitlin Johnson