Photo of city skyline and the conference logo.

The General Counsel Institute (“GCI”) is a multi-day program of networking, education, and inspiration designed for senior in-house counsel. Sessions with the general counsel of major corporations and other inspirational speakers foster frank, collegial discussions about career advancement. Workshops on key topics with leading experts provide opportunities to refine skills.

With
in-house counsel comprising over 70% of the audience, GCI creates a unique environment to connect with other in-house counsel, share the highs and lows of in-house life, and build legal and leadership skills. 




2025 General Counsel Institute

The Power of Connection


Wednesday, October 15 - Friday, October 17, 2025


InterContinental New York Barclay

111 East 48th Street

New York, NY

A rooftop lounge area in a city with skyscrapers at night.

Destination

InterContinental New York Barclay

111 East 48th Street

New York, NY 10017



RECOMMENDED ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DATES

We recommended arriving Wednesday, October 15, in time to get settled before the Welcome Reception at 6:30 pm.

We encourage you to stay through the Closing Reception on Friday, October 17, which ends at 4:00 pm. Departing Friday evening or Saturday morning works well.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Book your room before September 29 for our special rate.
Reservations can be made online here.



  • Can I extend my trip outside of the conference dates? Of course! Take advantage of being in the middle of Manhattan. A limited number of rooms are available at the conference rate three days before and three days after the conference. These rates are subject to availability and on a first come first served basis, so book early!


Please be aware of scammers claiming to offer a better rate at the conference property. Use our link only to book your room at the InterContintental. Remember to never follow a link or answer any questions if you are contacted by anyone other than NAWL.


DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS

We're partnering with United and Delta to offer discounted rates for flights to GCI. Additional information is provided in your registration confirmation email.




Our Sponsors

Covington & Burling LLP

Premier - Covington & Burling LLP

Debevouse & Plimpton

Premier - Debevoise

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath

Premier - Faegre

Greenberg Traurig logo

Premier - GT

Jenner & Block logo

Premier - Jenner & Block

Microsoft

Premier - Microsoft

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

Rain - Arnold Porter

Gibbons P.C.

Rain - Gibbons

Hogan Lovells Logo

Rain - Hogan Lovells

Intel Corporation logo

Rain - Intel

Jackson Lewis P.C. Logo

Rain - Jackson Lewis

Tanenbaum Keale LLP

Rain - Tanenbaum Keale LLP

White & Case LLP logo

Rain - White & Case

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Of Couns - Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Conn Maciel Carey LLP

Acssoc - Conn Maciel Carey LLP

Jackson Walker L.L.P.

Assoc - Jackson Walker L.L.P.

JAMS, associate sponsor

Assoc - JAMS

Kutak Rock LLP

Assoc - Kutak Rock LLP

Littler Mendelson P.C.

Assoc - Littler Mendelson P.C.

Saul Ewing LLP

Assoc - Saul Ewing LLP

Partnering Organizations

Center for Women in Law

Georgia Association for Women Lawyers

Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association

Mexican American Bar Association of Texas

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

National Association of Women Judges

National Conference of Women's Bar Associations

Travis County Women Lawyers' Association

Winter Haven Women's Bar Association

Women Lawyers Association of Michigan

Women Lawyers of Alameda County

Women's Bar Association of Maryland

Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia

Women's Law Center of Maryland

Agenda


We're still finetuning the agenda, but in the meantime, explore the outline below.

Wednesday
Oct. 15
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ET
Welcome Reception

______________________________________________________________________


Thursday
Oct. 16
8:00 am - 9:00 am ET

Registration and Breakfast Reception

Thursday
Oct. 16
9:00 am - 10:00 am ET
Opening Mainstage Session


Sponsor:

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP logo
Headshot for Helen Cantwell.

Helen Cantwell

Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Headshot of Vandana Venkatesh.

Vandana Venkatesh

CLO, Verizon


Thursday
Oct. 16
10:00 am - 10:15 am ET
Networking Break
Thursday
Oct. 16
10:15 am - 11:15 am ET

Sponsor:
Microsoft logo
Mainstage Session

Thursday
Oct. 16
11:15 am - 11:45 am ET
Networking Break
Thursday
Oct. 16
11:45 am - 12:45 pm ET
Concurrent Workshops

______________________________________________________________________

Sponsor:

Intel logo
Thursday
Oct. 16

12:45 pm - 3:00 pm ET

Lunch and Mainstage Session

Sponsor:
Greenberg Traurig, LLP logo
Headshot of Arleen Nand.

Arleen Nand

Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP


Headshot of Kathy Ruemmler.

Kathy Ruemmler

CLO, Goldman Sachs

Thursday
Oct. 16
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
Concurrent Workshops

______________________________________________________________________

Thursday
Oct. 16
4:00 pm - 4:15 pm ET
Networking Break
Thursday
Oct. 16
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm ET
Mainstage Session

Thursday
Oct. 16
7:00 - 8:20 pm ET
Playbill for SIX the musical
Limited Availability Add-On:

SIX Broadway Musical Ticket

Through our group rate, purchase a discounted ticket to attend the Tony Award-winning musical SIX, at the Lena Horne Theatre, just an 18-minute walk from the InterContinental.


From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to reclaim their identities out of the shadow of their infamous spouse – remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!


After you register, you'll get the link to purchase a ticket in your confirmation email.


Friday
Oct. 17
9:00 am - 10:00 am ET

Breakfast Reception

Friday
Oct. 17
10:00 am - 11:15 am ET

Sponsor:
Faegre Drinker logo

Mainstage Session

Friday
Oct. 17
11:15 am - 11:30 am ET

Networking Break

Friday
Oct. 17
11:30 am - 12:30 pm ET
Concurrent Workshops

______________________________________________________________________

Friday
Oct. 17
12:30 pm - 2:15 pm ET

Lunch and Mainstage Session


Sponsor:


Covington & Burling LLP logo
Headshot of Stefanie Doebler.

Stefanie Doebler

Partner, Covington & Burling LLP


Headshot of Jennifer Zachary.

Jennifer Zachary

General Counsel, Merck & Co., Inc.


Friday
Oct. 17
2:15 pm - 4:00 pm ET

Closing Reception

The General Counsel Institute program is open to registered attendees only.

Pricing

Registration Types


In-House NAWL Member / Sponsor


In-House Non-Member


Non-Profit / Government Attorney


Law Firm Attorney


Optional Add-On: SIX Musical Ticket

More information.

By September 22

$800


$900


$650


$4,000


$99

After September 22

$900


$1,000


$750


$4,000


$99

Member and Non-Member registration types are limited to in-house counsel or event sponsors. The only option for law firm attorneys not with a sponsor is the Law Firm Attorney registration type.

Complimentary unemployed attorney registrations are available. Please apply for a scholarship as indicated in the FAQs section.



Need help making the case to your employer?


Use our template email!

Leadership Team


Headshot of Sheea Sybblis

Sheea Sybblis

Boehringer Ingelheim

Chair

Headshot of Divya George-Wedge.

Divya George-Wedge

AT&T

Vice Chair and Plenary Chair

Headshot of Danielle Williams

Danielle WIlliams

Progressive

Workshop Chair

Headshot of Alex Bodnar

Alexandra Bodnar

ThirdLove

Sponsorship Chair

Headshot of Ayushi Rajpurohit.

Ayushi Rajpurohit

Amazon

Engagement Chair

Headshot of Brande Smith.

Brande Smith

Allstate

Plenary Vice Chair

Headshot of Nikaela Jacko Redd

Nikaela Jacko Redd

 Morgan Stanley
Workshop Vice Chair

Headshot of Katherine Gnadinger.

Katherine Gnadinger

Microsoft

Engagement Vice Chair

Karen Abravanel

Natura & Co

Alieza Ali

Microsoft

Amanda Arriaga

Sperry Commercial - The Arriaga Group

Mandy Bast

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Jennifer Chiarella

Valitana

Amy Collins

AT&T

Gina Damasco

New Jersey Economic Development Authority

Maria DiLorenzo

Chicago History Museum and Erikson Institute

Diedre Dunn

Ethos Veterinary Health

Dana Gilland



Maggie Girard

Girard Consulting Services

Susanna Gray

Empower

Becky Gutiérrez

Stevens Institute of Technology

Selina Hinten-White

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International

Erica Jenkins

Armed Forces Benefits Association

Jacqueline Keller

Malayan Banking Berhad, New York Branch

Cristal Lambert

ETS

Beverly Lee

USAA

Anna Lozoya

CommUnityCare

Mimi MacDonald

AT&T

Paulette Mara

Boehringer Ingelheim

Aracely Muñoz

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) Property Management Corporation

Kathy Oviedo

Novo Nordisk

Alanna Peterson

National Network of Abortion Funds

Kathleen Reilly

ButcherBox

Stephanie Shack

Continental Realty Corporation

Kari Sheinfeld

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Ora Sheinson

Jade Mountain Partners

Kirsten Silwanowicz

Detroit Housing Commission

Jasmine Simmons

USAA

Donna Temple

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Camilla Titterington

Microsoft

Isabela Valdes

Fordham University School of Law

Meg Vernal

Voyager Space

Felicia Yen

SentinelOne

Jinelle Yien

Intel

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who should attend this event?

    The program is created for corporate counsel of public, private, large, and small companies, non-profits, government, and educational institutions. A designated ticket is available for law firm attorneys not with a GCI sponsor. NAWL welcomes all regardless of age, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, or gender identity. We recognize and celebrate the value that a vast range of backgrounds, cultures, and professional experiences brings to our community. 


  • How do I become a NAWL member?

    If you are not already a member, simply sign up for the 2025 General Counsel Institute at the “New Member” rate which includes a NAWL membership through December 2026. 


  • Is this event accredited? Can I earn CLE?

    NAWL will apply for CLE credit in New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington, with reciprocal credit in California, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Additional CLE applications may be submitted based on attendee location. Speaker attendance is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.


    As we receive approval, credits for each session will be listed in the agenda above. We anticipate the program will offer a total of 5-7 credit hours.


    Questions? Email Ola

  • Are there scholarships available?

    NAWL will offer scholarship assistance for this conference to a limited number of in-house attorneys, law students, and unemployed attorneys who wish to attend but may not be able to do so due to cost considerations. The financial assistance covers the registration fee for the events on October 15-17, 2025.


    The application process requires the applicant to demonstrate their eligibility and to provide a short essay setting forth the reasons why they are an appropriate candidate to receive scholarship funds, including how the conference will benefit them and information regarding financial need.


    Applicants should send materials to NAWL's Program Director, Chelsea Robinson, at crobinson@nawl.org. Applications are due by Friday, September 12, 2025.


  • Will there be any COVID safety protocols at the event?

    We will determine COVID safety protocols closer to the conference.


  • Is there a Code of Conduct for NAWL programs?

    Yes. NAWL programs are designed to evoke the spirit of community, curiosity, and consideration. Attendees and speakers are invited to join our programs with an open mind and willingness to learn.


    NAWL program participants have agreed to:

    • Be respectful of fellow attendees' boundaries.
    • Thoughtfully and openly communicate with others and be considerate of a diversity of viewpoints and opinions.
    • Approach difficult conversations with grace and empathy.
    • Avoid soliciting services or products.

    If you experienced or witnessed any behavior you feel is in violation of this code of conduct, we ask that you fill out this form to anonymously report the incident, or email Chelsea Robinson, NAWL's Program Director, at crobinson@nawl.org.


  • What is NAWL's cancellation policy?

    Please send cancellation requests to nawl@nawl.org by October 15, 2025. Full refunds will be honored before or on October 15, 2025. 


  • Whom do I speak to about my special dietary needs?

    You may include dietary needs information during online registration. If you have already registered, please e-mail us at nawl@nawl.org with a request at least two weeks prior to the conference.


  • What is the dress code?

    The typical attire is business, but there is no dress code for this program.