The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) has opened its first office in Brussels. It will serve as the nucleus of ACC in Europe, led by new managing director Giuseppe Marletta.

Anniversary year

Mr Marletta, former general manager of the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA), has an extensive background in pan-European advocacy and high-level operations management.  ACC aims to offer more varied services to in-house lawyers on the continent, where ACC Europe currently serves about 2,500 lawyers, both in and out of the European Union. Celebrating 25 years in 2019, it is one of ACC's oldest chapters. This year will see the 2019 Annual Conference in Edinburgh, the 2019 Global General Counsel Summit in London, and dozens of roundtables and events on the topics affecting European corporate lawyers. The office's proximity to European institutions, as well as its easy travel access from travel hubs across the continent, make it an ideal venue for EU-level advocacy and for an international member base.

Important signal

Veta T Richardson, ACC president and ceo, says, ‘we are happy to establish a permanent presence in Brussels, and absolutely delighted to welcome such a talented executive as Giuseppe to the ACC team.’ She added, ‘’it is an important signal to our members that we are serving an international community of in-house counsel, whose needs and interests cross borders and languages.’ Mr Marletta said, ‘the 2,500 members of ACC Europe are our top priority, in and out of the European Union. I fully expect our new Brussels office will mean amplified services for our members and greater overall growth.’