MCCA® Thanks Sponsors of the Third Annual General Counsel Invitational Golf Classic
On April 7–9, 2006, MCCA® hosted its Third Annual General Counsel Invitational Golf & Spa Classic, a weekend-long event that serves as the primary fund raiser for MCCA’s Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. (LMJ) Scholarship Program.
With the support of its sponsors—Holland & Knight LLP, Akerman Senterfitt, Vault, Microsoft Corporation, Mercedes-Benz USA, White & Case LLP, American Lawyer Media, Visa International, Shell Oil Company, Navigant Consulting, American Airlines, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and the many others who were in attendance—MCCA raised over $230,000 in support of the LMJ Scholarship Program through which MCCA annually offers financial assistance and professional development support, including opportunities for paid corporate internships, to an outstanding, diverse group of law students.
This year’s attendance swelled to over 225 participants, which included about 200 golfers for the Captains’ Choice tournament on the legendary Blue Monster at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Fla. In addition to great golfing, Doral offered great food, luxurious spa activities, helpful golf lessons, and proximity to the nightlife of South Beach.
The MCCA weekend events kicked off on Friday afternoon with a distinguished Continuing Legal Education (CLE) panel sponsored by Vault and moderated by Marilyn J. Holifield, partner, Holland & Knight. The CLE session addressed the relationship between the legal department and the business units. Panelists included Mercedes-Benz USA General Counsel Tracey Matura; LG Electronics MobileComm USA, Inc. General Counsel Alan K. Tse; Senior Vice President of Sony BMG’s Zomba Label Group and President of Zomba Gospel Max L. Siegel, Esq.; and Senior Vice President and General Counsel of USI Holdings Ernest J. Newborn, II. On Friday evening, the welcoming reception was graciously sponsored by White & Case and allowed a perfect opportunity to renew friendships and network.
On Saturday, attendees were delighted to meet PGA golf legend Jim Dent at the hospitality tent of presenting sponsor Holland & Knight. In addition, novice golfers and others wishing to sharpen their skills, prior to competing in the Sunday tournament, were treated to complimentary lessons (sponsored by Microsoft) at the Jim McLean Golf School, with instructions provided by Jim McLean himself. For the many non-golfer registrants, MCCA provided pampering spa treatments that were just what the doctor ordered before an evening of “Jazz Under the Stars” and networking at the poolside reception and buffet dinner hosted by Akerman Senterfitt.
Sunday was all about golf as nearly 46 foursomes took turns to tee off at the infamous Blue Monster course and set their sights on sinking a hole-in-one on the ninth hole to walk away with a brand new Mercedes Benz R500. At the end of the day, no one won the car, but everybody had a great time.
Congratulations to our first-place foursome: Team Holland & Knight, who shot 14 under par with a team score of 58, ousting last year’s champions from Team Adorno & Yoss, who finished third this year, behind second-place finisher, Team Vinson & Elkins. If you are interested in being a part of the Fourth Annual General Counsel Invitational Golf & Spa Classic, please contact Jennifer Chen at 202.739.5902 or jenchen@mcca.com.
(L to R): Vaughn Phillips of Shell Oil Company, Alan K. Tse of LG Electronics MobileComm USA, Inc., and Andrew Morrison of Shell Oil Company at the Golf Clinic sponsored by Microsoft Corporation.
MCCA® HONORS MIDWEST REGION DIVERSITY WINNERS
MCCA® is pleased to announce the winners of the Midwest region Employer of Choice and Thomas L. Sager diversity awards.
The legal departments of two leading companies and a law firm were selected as a result of their inclusiveness efforts and initiatives. Accepting the awards on behalf of their companies were: Siri S. Marshall, senior vice president, corporate affairs, general counsel and secretary, General Mills, Inc.; Douglas G. Scrivner, general counsel and secretary, Accenture; and Stephen R. Winters, associate general counsel, BP America Inc.
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| Siri S. Marshall | Douglas G. Scrivner | Stephen R. Winters |
The Sager award, which was named in honor of DuPont’s vice president and general counsel, Thomas L. Sager, is given to a law firm for its commitment to improve hiring, retention, and the promotion of minority attorneys. The award was presented to the law firm of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP. Accepting the award on behalf of her law firm was Debora de Hoyos, managing partner.
The keynote speaker was Dean Frank H. Wu of Wayne State University Law School.
REMAINING MCCA® 2006 EVENTS
Don’t forget to mark your calendars! Join us in 2006 as we gather to promote inclusiveness and network for success.
- The Mid-Atlantic region diversity dinner will be held in Washington, DC at the JW Marriott on June 13, 2006.
- The Western region diversity dinner will be held in Los Angeles at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on October 3, 2006.
- The 7th Annual Creating Pathways to Diversity conference will be held in New York City at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on November 8, 2006.
- The Northeast region diversity dinner will be held in New York City at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on November 8, 2006.
For more information, go to www.mcca.com.
From the May/June 2006 issue of Diversity & The Bar®