How GCs Can Turn Economic Uncertainty into Opportunity (ATL Program)

Jacqueline K. S. Lee, Vice President, General Counsel | Flynn Restaurant Group

As Vice President, General Counsel of Flynn Restaurant Group, Jacqueline (“Jaci”) Lee oversees legal matters for America’s largest franchisee, which boasts over $4B in sales, approximately 2,300 restaurants, and nearly 73,000 employees across 44 states and 6 beloved brands. She is an experienced trial lawyer who has managed all aspects of litigation and has played a lead role in jury and bench trials, as well as arbitration. Jaci has written and spoken extensively on litigation strategy, intellectual property protection and enforcement, and diversity in the legal profession, and her contributions have been recognized by a number of legal publications, including The Legal 500 United States and Northern California Super Lawyers. In 2021, Jaci was named one of San Francisco Business Times’ Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and honored with Corporate Counsel’s Women, Influence & Power in Law Award for Leadership Through Crisis: Retail & Consumer Goods. Before joining Flynn Restaurant Group in 2018, Jaci was a partner in Jones Day’s Silicon Valley office.

Renuka Drummond, General Counsel | International Data Group, Inc

Renuka is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at International Data Group, Inc. (IDG). IDG, a Blackstone portfolio company, is the world’s leading market research and demand generation company for the technology ecosystem, reaching over 100 countries with more than 4,000 employees in 52 countries. IDG provides data and analytics and Foundry provides quality content and a leading demand platform. Prior to joining IDG, Renuka was Chief Legal Officer at MediaKind, a video and media technology company spun out of Ericsson. She has also held positions as AGC of Global M&A at Cognizant and Counsel at Akin Gump in New York focused on M&A and PE representation. She has a particular passion for team building and DE&I.

Tracy Scanlan, VP of Client Development and Legal Affairs | Paragon Legal

Tracy really enjoys the challenge of matching one of Paragon’s many talented lawyers and resources with just the right client and supporting the company’s multitude of ongoing business relationships. A mother of two young children, Tracy is a strong advocate for parents remaining in the workforce in a meaningful way after they start a family, and she’s thankful to work at a company that shares her philosophy.

As a former litigator, Tracy can relate to and empathize with the day-to-day life of a lawyer. She’s also worked extensively in project management and business development, giving her insight into what businesses need to succeed. Tracy earned her B.A. in Social Welfare at University of California, Berkeley. Tracy received her J.D. from University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was very involved with Moot Court Competitions. Scanlan, VP of Client Development and Legal Affairs, Paragon Legal.

Megan Kelly, Director of Attorney Development | Paragon Legal

As the Director of Attorney Development at Paragon, Megan’s focus is on the attorneys, paralegals, and contract managers on the Paragon team. Megan works to connect with each Paragon team member on a personal and professional level to understand their preferences and goals. Megan serves as a direct point of contact for the Paragon team, supporting them while on project, assisting with the transition to new projects, and facilitating professional development opportunities.

Before joining Paragon, Megan spent more than ten years practicing law in San Francisco, with the bulk of her practice in financial services litigation. She earned her J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

I. What does economic uncertainty *really* mean for law departments? | 2:00pm – 2:05pm

1. What’s one challenge that has impacted your department/work?

II. What are some low-hanging ways to become more efficient? How do I leverage what I already have? | 2:05pm – 2:20pm

1. How do you start looking at where legal cost is coming from?
2. How to best align your resources with the appropriate work for each?

III. What do I bring in, if anything (outside support)? | 2:20pm – 2:30pm

1. Should you always hire FTE?
2. How and where to negotiate with outside counsel for more certainty and better value?
3. How to show impact to finance?

IV. What do you forgo? | 2:30pm – 2:40pm

1. What are the nice-to-have or wish lists that you can’t pursue right now?
2. And even if they’re not priorities, how do you take steps to inch towards those goals along the way?

V. How do I get there? Single most impactful step you’ve taken in light of all of this | 2:40pm – 2:50pm

1. Specific steps law departments should consider right now

VI. Q&A | 2:50pm – 3:00pm