- Veta T. Richardson to Take the Helm of Global In-house Counsel Association -

(BLACK PR WIRE)--WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the world's largest association of in-house counsel, announced today that Veta T. Richardson, Executive Director of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, has been selected as the association’s new President and CEO, effective July 1, 2011. She will succeed Frederick J. Krebs, who has served as President for 20 years.

“Veta’s close ties to the in-house counsel community, her excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills, coupled with the regard in which she is held as an association executive and a leader in the diversity arena will be invaluable assets for ACC,” noted J. Alberto Gonzalez-Pita, ACC Board Chair and Executive Vice President & General Counsel of HCP, Inc. “The Board is looking forward to working with her and to seeing ACC’s continued growth and success.”

The Search Committee, Chaired by Jonathan Oviatt, ACC Board Vice-Chair and Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, Mayo Clinic, included representatives from ACC’s Board, chapters and committees, and was intent on identifying a candidate who not only satisfied specific job requirements and responsibilities, but who would also transition seamlessly with members, staff and the legal community. The Search Committee was unanimous in its decision that Richardson best met these specifications.

“Due to the stable infrastructure Fred established, ACC was well-positioned to be able to identify the next innovative, strong leader,” explained Oviatt. “Veta’s stellar reputation, laudable achievements and commitment to the legal profession made her uniquely qualified for the position. ACC will benefit greatly from her strong leadership skills and depth of knowledge and experience within the industry.”

As Executive Director of MCCA since 2001, Richardson established its reputation and credibility as the nation’s thought leader and leading advocate in advancement of diversity in the legal profession through a multi-pronged platform consisting of groundbreaking research and education, thought-provoking publications, such as Diversity & the Bar, and best-in-class programs, services and large-scale networking events. She is also credited with launching a diversity scholarship program, which has raised and distributed more than $1,500,000 and assisted more than 100 diverse law students over the program’s five-year history.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected as President and CEO of ACC, an organization I have held in high regard for so many years,” explained Richardson. “ACC has a dedicated and extremely talented staff and leadership, strong and committed volunteers, and a robust and growing membership. ACC’s work and contributions are not only important to the in-house counsel community, but to the broader legal profession and beyond. I am excited about the opportunity to build on the remarkable work and momentum Fred initiated and oversaw for the past 20 years.”

“Under Fred’s stewardship, ACC experienced decades of considerable growth, played a pivotal role in advocacy initiatives and affected significant change within the profession,” Gonzalez-Pita further explained. “We are grateful for his contributions and the entire in-house community is indebted to him for his commitment to the profession and the association.”

Krebs and Richardson have been professional colleagues since 1997, when Richardson was Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of ACC. Over the years, they have collaborated on diversity initiatives and thought leadership, as well as shared the stage at numerous industry events. Upon hearing of Richardson’s appointment, Krebs said, "What a great choice! I respect and admire Veta for her skills and significant contributions to the legal profession. I wish her every success and will do my best to support her in any way possible."

Prior to joining MCCA, Richardson was, as noted, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of ACC (1997-2000) and in-house counsel to Sunoco, Inc. (1986-1997). She has been recognized for diversity leadership by a number of organizations, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Black Law Students Association; National Minority Business Council; and ACC. She was named an “Ally for Justice” by the National LGBT Bar Association; included in the Washington Business Journal’s Class of 2009, “Women Who Mean Business;” and is a member of the Capital One Bank Business Advisory Council since 2009. She received a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Maryland at College Park and a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.

About ACC:

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world’s largest organization serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations and other private-sector organizations around the globe. ACC promotes the common interests of its members, provides resources to help save time, money and effort, contributes to their continuing education and provides a voice on issues of global importance. With more than 26,000 members in over 75 countries, employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel.® For more information, visit www.acc.com.

Editor’s Note: Please contact Robin Scullin at 202.349.1509 for interview and/or photograph requests.