OCTOBER 19-22, 2026
OMNI INTERLOCKEN HOTEL
DENVER, CO
For almost 30 years, MCCA’s Pathways Conference (“Pathways”) 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. Whether you're charting your path to the GC suite or advancing your firm’s strategic vision, Pathways delivers the insight and access you need for high-impact networking and business development. Join peers from across the legal industry for four days of dynamic conversations, high-level networking, and practical sessions built around the issues you’re navigating right now.
Event Agenda
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026
*Agenda subject to change. Please note the agenda times are in MT. Session titles and descriptions will be updated as they become finalized.
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Registration
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
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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 2026 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 2026 Pathways Conference registration process.
To ensure that your application will be reviewed, it is strongly recommended that PSN applications be submitted as early as possible and no later than Friday, August 21.
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
C-Suite Leadership - Level I Program (Invite Only)
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
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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.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Welcome Lunch
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
-
Speakers to be announced — check back soon.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
C-Suite Leadership - Level II Program (Invite Only)
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Break
-
Speakers to be announced — check back soon.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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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 October 2, 2026, 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 October 19, 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 October 2, 2026, to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
Event details will be emailed to confirmed participants.
Registration closes on October 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, or once capacity is reached.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Pitch Session Network Dinner (Invite Only)
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
-
Speakers to be announced — check back soon.
Legal Trivia Night with Local Craft Brews
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026
*Agenda subject to change. Please note the agenda times are in MT. Session titles and descriptions will be updated as they become finalized.
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
-
Looking to connect with colleagues during Pathways? Join fellow attendees for a wellness session!
To secure your spot for the Strength Lab, a $50 deposit hold is required at the time of registration.
If you do not attend and do not cancel by October 2, 2026, 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 October 20, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. 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 October 2, 2026, to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
Event details will be emailed to confirmed participants.
Registration closes on October11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, or once capacity is reached.
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Registration
8:30 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 2026 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 2026 Pathways Conference registration process.
To ensure that your application will be reviewed, it is strongly recommended that PSN applications be submitted as early as possible and no later than Friday, August 21.
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome and Opening Keynote
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
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Senior leadership appointments are often described as the result of experience, performance, and readiness, but those factors alone rarely explain who ultimately gets selected. Executive search professionals have a unique view into how CEOs, boards, and leadership teams evaluate candidates, build slates, interpret career histories, and decide which individuals are ready for the next level. This panel will examine what actually happens behind the search process and why highly accomplished candidates with similar credentials can receive very different assessments.
Drawing on MCCA’s latest leadership and General Counsel data, executive search professionals will explore the experiences and signals that increasingly matter in senior leadership searches, the factors that quietly eliminate otherwise strong candidates, and how business inflection points, board priorities, succession dynamics, relationships, and perceptions of leadership readiness influence outcomes.
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Morning Break
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Morning Break
-
Speakers to be announced — check back soon.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Headshot Station
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Looking to connect with colleagues during Pathways? Join fellow attendees for golf!
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 October 2, 2026, 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 October 20, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 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 October 2, 2026, to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
Event details will be emailed to confirmed participants.
Registration closes on October11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, or once capacity is reached.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
-
Looking to connect with colleagues during Pathways? Join fellow attendees for a Brewery Tour!
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 October 2, 2026, 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 October 20, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 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 October 2, 2026, to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
Event details will be emailed to confirmed participants.
Registration closes on October11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, or once capacity is reached.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
-
Speakers to be announced — check back soon.
-
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 October 2, 2026, 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 October 20, 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 October 2, 2026, to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
Event details will be emailed to confirmed participants.
Registration closes on October 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, or once capacity is reached.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
C-Suite Leadership - Level III GC Ready Program (Invite Only)
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Networking Under the Stars
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2026
*Agenda subject to change. Please note the agenda times are in ET. Session titles and descriptions will be updated as they become finalized.
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
-
Looking to connect with colleagues during Pathways? Join fellow attendees for a wellness session!
To secure your spot for Yoga, a $50 deposit hold is required at the time of registration.
If you do not attend and do not cancel by October 2, 2026, 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 October 21, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. 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 October 2, 2026, to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
Event details will be emailed to confirmed participants.
Registration closes on October11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, or once capacity is reached.
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Registration
8:30 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 2026 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 2026 Pathways Conference registration process.
To ensure that your application will be reviewed, it is strongly recommended that PSN applications be submitted as early as possible and no later than Friday, August 21.
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
-
Speakers to be announced — check back soon.
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Morning Break
-
There is no single path to the General Counsel role, and the experiences that prepare someone for leadership are not always the ones that stand out most on a résumé. This panel will bring together General Counsel with different career journeys to examine the decisions, relationships, stretch opportunities, setbacks, and inflection points that shaped their paths. Panelists will reflect on when they took risks, changed direction, accepted roles before they felt fully ready, and built credibility beyond technical expertise. The conversation will focus on the moments that actually shaped their leadership and the judgment, resilience, and influence they developed along the way.
At the same time, the role they were preparing for has changed. Today’s General Counsel may be expected to advise the board, shape business strategy, navigate AI and geopolitical risk, lead through crises, and make decisions where the legal answer is only one part of the equation. Panelists will explore what they had to learn – and unlearn – as their responsibilities expanded, which skills aspiring leaders may be over- or under-investing in today, and what capabilities will matter most in the years ahead. Grounded in the experiences of General Counsel but relevant to professionals at every stage, the session will ask a broader question: how do you prepare for leadership when both the path and the role itself continue to evolve?
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Morning Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
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This interactive workshop will help participants strengthen their resumes by clearly communicating their experience, accomplishments, and professional value. Attendees will learn practical strategies for tailoring resumes to specific opportunities, highlighting measurable impact, and avoiding common mistakes that can weaken an application.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Career advancement in the legal profession is shaped by more than performance alone. The assignments lawyers receive, the partners and clients who see their work, the sponsors who advocate for them, and the relationships they build often determine who ultimately rises into leadership. This session moves from the public debate over merit to the internal systems that decide who actually gets the opportunity to prove it. Panelists will examine how high-value work is distributed in law firms and corporate legal departments, whether “free market” assignment systems reinforce familiar networks, and what organizations can do to make access to career-building opportunities more intentional, transparent, and fair. The session will focus on tangible practices: how organizations track who gets complex matters, client exposure, stretch assignments, feedback, sponsorship, and leadership visibility; how they intervene when work keeps flowing to the same people; and how they maintain high standards while ensuring that opportunity is not available only to those already inside the right informal networks.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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The legal profession is having a more constrained about talent opportunity. Organizations are under pressure to prove that their people systems are lawful, rigorous, and open to all, while still competing for lawyers who can serve clients across markets, communities, and cultures. Are leaders changing the substance of how talent is found and developed, or only changing the language around it? Drawing on MCCA’s State of the Legal Profession Survey, panelists will examine the various responses now emerging across the profession. The discussion will explore what is actually working now: how leaders are framing the work without retreating from it, how recruiting strategies are changing as group-specific channels face scrutiny, and how organizations can define merit in ways that reflect the judgment, trust, cultural fluency, and client-service skills the modern profession requires.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Break
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Awards Reception and Dinner (Open to All Attendees)
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Networking After Hours
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
*Agenda subject to change. Please note the agenda times are in ET. Session titles and descriptions will be updated as they become finalized.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Breakfast and Send-Off
8:30 AM - 12:00 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 2026 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 2026 Pathways Conference registration process.
To ensure that your application will be reviewed, it is strongly recommended that PSN applications be submitted as early as possible and no later than Friday, August 21.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
MCCA Membership – Drop-In Session
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
C-Suite Leadership - Level I Program (Invite Only)
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch Break
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
C-Suite Leadership - Level II Program (Invite Only)
October 19 - 22, 2026
Registration now open!
Registration Deadline:
Sunday, October 11 at 11:59 PM ET
Omni Interlocken Hotel
500 Interlocken Blvd Broomfield, CO 80021
Hotel Room Block
We are now accepting hotel reservations at the Omni Interlocken Hotel.
The room block will close on:
Monday, September 28 at 5:00 PM ET
Registration & Fees
Full Conference Fees (includes access to the Awards Reception and Dinner)
Registration includes full access to all programming, meals, and the Awards Reception and Dinner, with the exception of optional spa services and tee times.
What Your Registration Includes
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• All CLE sessions and keynotes
• Pitch Session Network programming (where eligible)
• Blueprint for Buying and Selling workshop
• Wellness programming (yoga, run/walk, strength training)
• Golf clinic
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• Breakfast each conference day
• Lunch each conference day
• Welcome Reception and Networking Under the Stars
• Pathways Awards Reception, Dinner, and After-Hours Event
• Conference materials and program book
• Access to all exhibitor and sponsor spaces
• Conference mobile app and digital resources
IN-HOUSE MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$2,400
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$2,500
LAW FIRM MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$2,500
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$3,000
GOVERNMENT/NON-PROFIT/ SMALL FIRM OR COMPANY
Regular (Before September 25)
$2,400
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$2,400
IN-HOUSE NON-MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$2,500
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$2,700
LAW FIRM NON-MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$3,000
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$3,500
VENDOR
Regular (Before September 25)
$3,500
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$3,500
Government, Non-Profit, Small Firm or Company, and Vendor categories are offered at a single flat rate regardless of registration timing. Eligibility for small firm or small company pricing is verified at registration.
Awards Reception & Dinner Only Fees (includes pre and post dinner receptions)
IN-HOUSE MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$800
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$1,000
LAW FIRM MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$1,000
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$1,250
GOVERNMENT/NON-PROFIT
NON-MEMBERS
Regular (Before August 15)
$1,000
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$1,250
IN-HOUSE NON-MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$1,000
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$1,250
LAW FIRM NON-MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$1,250
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$1,500
VENDOR NON-MEMBERS
Regular (Before September 25)
$1,500
Late (September 26 - October 19)
$1,750
PAYMENT MESSAGE:
All payments must be received no later than October 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
Visa, Mastercard, and American Express accepted.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Any special needs for visual aids or auditory aids must be sent to events@mcca.com.
CANCELLATIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS:
Included benefits apply only to attendees who complete registration and participate in the conference. Late cancellations and no-shows forfeit access to meals, ticketed events, and any benefits tied to in-person attendance, without refund.
Refund Policy: No refunds will be issued after July 31, 2026.
Transfer Policy: Transfers of registration to another individual are not permitted after August 31, 2026.
All cancellation and transfer requests must be submitted in writing to events@mcca.com.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Click here to review the MCCA Conference Registration General Terms and Conditions.
MCCA Members: As part of your organization’s membership benefits, your company or firm is eligible to register a designated number of participants at no additional cost. Registration codes will be provided directly to your organization’s membership point of contact.
To take advantage of this benefit, please request your unique registration code from your organization’s designated MCCA membership contact. During the registration process, enter this code in the Discount Code field on the Payment Page and click “Apply Now” to activate the benefit and adjust your balance accordingly.
If you have any questions about the registration process or need assistance confirming your organization’s membership status, please contact us at events@mcca.com.
Pathways Sponsorship
WHY SPONSOR THE 2026 MCCA PATHWAYS CONFERENCE?
For almost 30 years, MCCA's Pathways Conference has brought together legal leaders for dynamic conversations, strategic connection, and meaningful advancement of inclusion in the profession.
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.
To sponsor the 2026 Pathways Conference or discuss a custom package, contact us at sponsorship@mcca.com
Read More
We’re honored to welcome back longtime partners and excited to build new relationships. Below are details on MCCA’s sponsorship tiers. If your organization has unique goals, we’re happy to design a custom package to fit your needs.
Note: All benefits listed below are fully customizable. We’re happy to tailor visibility and recognition based on your preferences.
To sponsor the 2025 Pathways Conference or learn more, please contact us at sponsorship@mcca.com.
This is a pivotal moment for our profession. The students we support, the research we lead, and the conversations we host today will shape the legal industry for years to come. By supporting Pathways, you’re investing in a more inclusive profession, where opportunity and access are available to all.
SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION BENEFITS
Exclusive Access to Industry Decision-Makers: Engage directly with senior legal professionals, top in-house counsel, and law firm leaders. Build real connections that support strategic partnerships and long-term business growth.
Front-row Insight into Industry Priorities: Discover how today’s top legal departments are turning inclusion into action and uncover how your organization can lead and contribute to lasting change.
Bold Public Commitment to Access and Opportunity: Showcase your organization’s leadership in advancing access and opportunity in the legal profession by supporting an event dedicated to driving concrete change.
High-Impact, Consistent Brand Exposure: Keep your brand front and center with prominent placement on the conference website, the central resource for attendees. Enjoy repeat visibility as traffic builds leading up to the event.
Prime Placement in Targeted Email Campaigns: Be featured in high-impact emails that reach attendees directly – such as event updates, must-see sessions, and speaker spotlight – ensuring your brand stays top of mind.
Thought Leadership Spotlights: Position your organization’s leadership through sponsored articles or features in event emails, showcasing your insights alongside key conference updates.
Social Spotlights: Your organization will be featured in engaging, branded content across our social media channels (LinkedIn, X, and Facebook), driving visibility, interest, and engagement with our influential audience.
* MCCA is a 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts are deductible to the full extent allowable under IRS. EIN: 13-3920905
Questions about Pathways?
Contact our Events team at events@mcca.com.
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.