SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2025

MARRIOTT MARQUIS
WASHINGTON, DC

For more than 25 years, Pathways has been where legal leaders gather to grow, connect, and shape the future of our profession. This year’s conference carried that legacy forward – and the impact is already being felt, with participants putting lessons into practice within days of returning to work.

Thank you to our attendees, speakers, and sponsors for making the 2025 Pathways Conference a success!

Please click here for instructions to add events@mcca.com to your Safe Sender List, Address Book or Contacts to receive future communications regarding Pathways.

Pathways Sponsorship

WHY SPONSOR THE 2025 MCCA PATHWAYS CONFERENCE?

For more than 25 years, MCCA’s Pathways Conference has brought together legal leaders for dynamic conversations, meaningful connections, and real opportunities to grow their leadership skills, expand their book of business, and shape the future of the legal industry. This year, we are proud to bring the Pathways Conference back to Washington, DC — now hosted at the Marriott Marquis.

Our sponsors and exhibitors are essential to making Pathways possible. Their support powers MCCA’s professional development programs – initiatives that engage senior legal leaders, foster critical discussions, and advance lasting change in our profession.

Download Sponsorship Prospectus

* MCCA is a 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts are deductible to the full extent allowable under IRS. EIN: 13-3920905

CLE Filing System

Your badge will be scanned as you enter each session to record your attendance and to receive CLE credit. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late for a session, you will not be eligible for CLE credit.

HOW/WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY CLE CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE?

Within 1-2 weeks of the Pathways Conference, all attendees who requested CLE will receive an email from our CLE portal with the subject line "MCCA 2025 Pathways CLE Certificates of Attendance are now Available!" where you will be able to confirm your participation and print or download your CLE Certificate of Attendance. If you do not receive the email by September 23, 2025 (sometimes they go to SPAM folders), please click this link to access MCCA's CLE portal: https://www.multisoftevents.com/MCCACLE/. Choose the event you attended to be connected with your CLE record.

View CLE Credit by States

Event Agenda

Sep 9

Sep 10

Sep 8

Sep 7

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

Please note the agenda times are in ET.

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Evening Reception

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

C-Suite Leadership - Level I & II Program Dinner

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025

Please note the agenda times are in ET.

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Improving Wellness: Walk & Run

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Registration & Information Desk

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast

8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

MCCA’s Blueprint Workshop for Selling & Buying is an interactive session that provides law firm partners and of counsel with practical business development coaching from experienced in-house counsel.
Participants will work in teams to respond to a mock request for proposal (RFP) and present their pitch to a simulated “client.” A panel of senior in-house counsel will serve as coaches, offering candid feedback on presentation style, communication, and delivery. More than just refining presentation skills, this workshop helps participants learn how to build stronger client relationships and expand their business development capabilities.
This exclusive program is open to MCCA law firm members only and limited to 30 participants. Early registration is highly recommended. Law firm partners and of counsel are encouraged to apply; senior associates from one-tier partner systems may also be considered. Non-members and registrants beyond capacity will be placed on a waitlist.
Confirmed participants will receive additional details via email prior to the conference.
Please note: The Blueprint Workshop is not part of the Pitch Session Network (PSN), but PSN participants are encouraged to register in preparation for their upcoming meetings.
Blueprint Coaches:
- Neil Jackson – Counsel, State Farm
- Alexis Mendoza – Chief Compliance Officer, Nokia
- Chong Park – Partner, Ropes & Gray LLP
- Debbie Walters-Francique – Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Pfizer Inc.

8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

C-Suite Leadership - Level I Program

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Lunch

8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

The Pitch Session Network ("PSN") allows in-house counsel to connect with law firm partners to expand their preferred provider portfolios and develop relationships with those values align with their company values. PSN provides a platform for law firm partners to meet privately, make meaningful connections, and build lasting business relationships with corporate legal departments interested in legal services. In order to participate in Pitch Session Network, the participant must be a confirmed registrant for the 2025 Pathways Conference. There is no additional cost to participate.
Pitch Session Network Registration Instructions:
Eligible conference registrants interested in participating in the Pitch Session Network must complete the application form that will be made available as part of the 2025 Pathways Conference registration process.
The PSN application closed on Friday, August 8.

12:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Looking to connect with colleagues during Pathways? Join fellow attendees to explore Washington, D.C.! This activity offers a relaxed setting to connect with peers, share insights, and build new relationships, all while exploring the nation’s capital.
To secure your spot, a $50 deposit hold is required at the time of registration.
If you do not attend and do not cancel by September 4, 2025, your $50 deposit will be forfeited. No-shows or cancellations received after this date are not eligible for a refund.
The event will take place on September 8, from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM. MCCA will coordinate all reservations and share additional details with confirmed participants.
Please note:
- This activity is exclusively available to registered Pathways attendees.
- Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
- The $50 deposit will be charged for no-shows. Cancellations must be received by September 4, 2025, to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
- Event details will be emailed to confirmed participants.
- Registration closes on August 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, or once capacity is reached.

1:00 PM – 5:30 PM

C-Suite Leadership - Level II Program

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Pitch Session Network Dinner (invite only)

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Looking to connect with colleagues during Pathways? Join fellow attendees for an informal* Dine-A-Round dinner—a great opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences, and build new relationships in a smaller group setting.
To secure your spot, a $100 deposit hold is required at the time of registration.
If you do not attend and do not cancel by September 4, 2025, your $100 deposit will be forfeited. No-shows or cancellations received after this date are not eligible for a refund.
The event will take place on September 8, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. MCCA will coordinate all reservations and share additional details with confirmed participants.
Please note:
- The Dine-A-Round is exclusively available to registered Pathways attendees.
- Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
- The $100 deposit will be charged for no-shows. Cancellations must be received by September 4, 2025, to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
- Event details will be emailed to confirmed participants.
- Registration closes on August 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, or once capacity is reached.

9:30 PM – 11:30 PM

Networking Under the Stars

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025

Please note the agenda times are in ET.

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Improving Wellness: Walk & Run

7:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Registration & Information Desk

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast

8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

The Pitch Session Network ("PSN") allows in-house counsel to connect with law firm partners to expand their preferred provider portfolios and develop relationships with those values align with their company values. PSN provides a platform for law firm partners to meet privately, make meaningful connections, and build lasting business relationships with corporate legal departments interested in legal services. In order to participate in Pitch Session Network, the participant must be a confirmed registrant for the 2025 Pathways Conference. There is no additional cost to participate.
Pitch Session Network Registration Instructions:
Eligible conference registrants interested in participating in the Pitch Session Network must complete the application form that will be made available as part of the 2025 Pathways Conference registration process.
The PSN application closed on Friday, August 8.

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Welcome and Opening Keynote

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

CLE Credit: Technology / General
Moderator:
- Niloy Ray – Shareholder, Co-lead AI & Technology Practice, Littler Mendelson, P.C.
Speakers:
- E.J. Bastien – Senior Director, Discovery Programs, Microsoft Corporation
- Betsy Greytok – Associate General Counsel, Responsible Technology, IBM Corporation
- Jackie Davis – Deputy General Counsel, Atlassian Corporation
- David Hubbard – Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Verizon Communications Inc.
- Rachel Nico – Chief Privacy Officer & Associate General Counsel, Privacy, Cybersecurity & AI Governance, Intel Corporation
This session explores how AI adoption, automation, and client expectations are forcing law firms and in-house departments to modernize. Panelists will examine how forward-looking legal leaders are integrating emerging technology, optimizing workflows, and confronting ethical and compliance risks in real time. This discussion will offer both strategic and operational insights for staying ahead in a transforming legal market.
Session Highlights:
- AI adoption in legal workflows
- Operational transformation in law firms and in-house teams
- Technology-enabled compliance and risk strategy
Who Should Attend:
Partners, legal ops leads, GC tech advisors, innovation counsel

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Morning Break

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

CLE Credit: Ethics / Elimination of Bias
Moderator:
- Ellen Duffy – Senior Vice President, Employment Law, Lincoln Financial Group
Speakers:
- Deneen Donnley – General Counsel, Con Edison
- Mike Jackson – General Manager & Associate General Counsel, Responsible AI, Microsoft Corporation
- Janet Kwuon – Vice President, Global Head of Litigation and Investigations, Gilead Sciences, Inc.
- Rodney C. Pratt – Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, LVMH
As expectations evolve and legal challenges emerge, legal departments and firms are reexamining how to support inclusive workplace cultures in a way that is defensible, data-driven, and aligned with their business objectives. This panel brings together legal, compliance, and policy experts to explore how organizations are maintaining momentum around inclusion—while proactively managing regulatory risk, litigation exposure, and stakeholder expectations.

Panelists will share frameworks that center on policy design, governance best practices, and institutional resiliency, helping legal leaders confidently navigate change without abandoning core values.
Session Highlights:
- Key compliance and governance trends impacting inclusion efforts
- Designing policy frameworks that mitigate risk while advancing cultural goals
- Data, audit, and stakeholder alignment strategies to future-proof inclusion
Who Should Attend:
General counsel, employment lawyers, compliance officers, HR legal advisors

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Morning Break

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

CLE Credit: General
Moderator:
- Marie Ma – Chief Legal Officer, Articulate
Speakers:
- Timothy Brown – Chief Legal Officer, Venerable Holdings, Inc.
- Yolanda Lyle – Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, Pfizer Inc.
- Tom Robertson – Corporate Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Microsoft Corporation
- Rocco Sica – Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Textron Specialized Vehicles
This interactive session brings together leading voices from corporate legal departments, law firms, and ethics counsel to explore how lawyers make high-stakes decisions in ethically ambiguous situations. As regulatory and reputational risks intensify, legal professionals are increasingly called upon to lead with clarity—often when no clear path exists. Through a series of real-world legal dilemmas, panelists will share their decision-making frameworks and strategies, while attendees engage in live table discussions and collaborative reflections.
Session Highlights:
- Real-time scenario breakdowns by legal experts
- Structured table prompts and interactive polling
- Leadership insights on ambiguity, ethics, and risk
Who Should Attend:
Mid- to senior-level law firm and in-house counsel

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Lunch Break

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

CLE Credit: General
Moderator:
- Julian Ha – Managing Partner, Heidrick & Struggles
Speakers:
- David Burd – Regional Practice Managing Partner, Heidrick & Struggles
- Jennifer Gerney – Partner, Head of Legal, Compliance and Government Affairs and Market Leader, East Spencer Stuart
- William McKinnon – Managing Director, Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance Practice, Russell Reynolds Associates
Landing a Fortune 1000 General Counsel role isn’t just about legal expertise—it’s about the strategic fit, cultural alignment, and leadership readiness companies need. Executive search professionals serve as the essential bridge between top-tier legal talent and GC appointments.

In this session, leading search experts will reveal what truly matters when corporations are selecting their next GC. Based on fresh data from MCCA’s 2025 General Counsel Survey, panelists will unpack:
- What companies value most: leadership style, stakeholder insights, and measurable impact
- The influence of governance structures and board priorities
- How leadership readiness and inflection points shape opportunity
- Strategic takeaways for sponsors, recruiters, and rising executives
Who Should Attend:
Deputy general counsel, senior legal leaders, law firm partners, executive recruiters, board counselors

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Afternoon Break

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

CLE Credit: Ethics / Elimination of Bias
Moderator:
- Jennifer Ivan – Associate General Counsel, Microsoft Corporation
Speakers:
- Deneen Donnley – General Counsel, Con Edison
- Duane Holloway – Former Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, U.S. Steel Corporation
- Linda Lu – Chief Legal and Risk Officer, Zip Co
This powerful conversation features distinguished general counsel who reflect on their personal and professional journeys leading from the top. Through an honest exploration of identity, influence, and leadership integrity, panelists will share how they’ve built credibility, challenged norms, and led transformative change while remaining true to themselves.
Session Highlights:
- Leading with authenticity in high-visibility roles
- Balancing identity, values, and executive presence
- Lessons learned from senior legal trailblazers
Who Should Attend:
Aspiring leaders in corporate legal departments and law firms

4:15 PM – 6:00 PM

Break

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Dress Code: Business Attire / Cocktail Attire
Awards Reception: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Awards Dinner & Ceremony: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
- Welcome & Opening Remarks
- George B. Vashon Innovator Award
- Paula L. Ettelbrick Award
- Rising Stars Award
- Attorney of the Year Award

10:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Networking After Hours

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025

Please note the agenda times are in ET.

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast

8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

C-Suite Leadership - Level I Program

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM – 5:30 PM

C-Suite Leadership - Level II Program

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

C-Suite Leadership - Level III GC Ready Program

Meet the Speakers

E.J. Bastien

Senior Director, Discovery Programs
Microsoft Corporation
Timothy Brown

Chief Legal Officer
Venerable Holdings, Inc.
David Burd

Regional Practice Managing Partner
Heidrick & Struggles
Jackie Davis

Deputy General Counsel
Atlassian Corporation
Deneen Donnley

General Counsel
Con Edison
Ellen Duffy

Senior Vice President, Employment Law
Lincoln Financial Group
Jennifer Gerney

Partner, Head of Legal,
Compliance and Government Affairs
and Market Leader, East
Spencer Stuart
Betsy Greytok

Associate General Counsel,
Responsible Technology
IBM Corporation
Julian Ha

Managing Partner
Heidrick & Struggles
Duane Holloway

Former Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Chief Ethics
& Compliance Officer
U.S. Steel Corporation
W. David Hubbard

Vice President & Deputy General Counsel
Verizon Communications, Inc.
Jennifer Ivan

Associate General Counsel,
Microsoft Corporation
Mike Jackson

General Manager & Associate General Counsel, Responsible AI
Microsoft Corporation
Janet Kwuon

Vice President, Global Head of
Litigation and Investigations
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Linda Lu

Chief Legal and Risk Officer
Zip Co
Yolanda Lyle

Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer
Pfizer Inc.
Marie Ma

Chief Legal Officer
Articulate
William McKinnon

Managing Director, Head of Legal,
Risk and Compliance Practice
Russell Reynolds Associates
Rachel Nico

Chief Privacy Officer & Associate General
Counsel, Privacy, Cybersecurity &
AI Governance
Intel Corporation
Rodney C. Pratt

Senior Vice President &
Chief Legal Officer
LVMH
Niloy Ray

Shareholder, Co-lead AI &
Technology Practice
Littler Mendelson, P.C.
Tom Robertson

Corporate Vice President,
Deputy General Counsel
Microsoft Corporation
Rocco Sica

Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Textron Specialized Vehicles

Registration & Fees