CLE Program Moves Chamber into New Territory

Online, July 8, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Legal Industry Council of NGLCCNY held a panel discussion on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act on June 19th, at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP's Midtown Manhattan office. Fifty attorneys attended and received 1.5 credits toward the New York State Bar's continuing legal education requirements.

Panelists Mark Califano, Vice President and Managing Counsel for Litigation at American Express; Jonathan Green, Complex Commercial Litigation Counsel at NGLCCNY Corporate Partner Kaye Scholer LLP; and Jonathan Tuttle, Partner at NGLCCNY Corporate Partner Debevoise & Plimpton LLP discussed the applicability of the Act, best practices for compliance, and pitfalls to be avoided by entities under investigation. Tim Wirch of Kurzon LLP moderated the panel.

"We are proud to deliver such an important and high-caliber program for our first CLE," said Jack Osborn, Chair of the NGLCCNY Legal Industry Council. "The panelists we assembled are highly accomplished in their practice areas. The discussion is immediately useful and relevant to attorneys and business owners."

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits American businesses from paying bribes to foreign officials to get or keep business. It includes accounting standards to expose bribe payments, and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice. Foreign companies listing their stocks on U.S. exchanges agree to follow the Act as well.

"We've had a dramatic influx of attorney members," said Chamber President Richard Oceguera. "NGLCCNY is in action, building community and delivering value to our growing membership across a variety of industry verticals."

The CLE was the second program presented by NGLCCNY's Legal Industry Council. The first was the highly successful breakfast with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The next CLE is in planning stages, slated for Fall 2012.