Contracts 101 for In-House Counsel: Essentials, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned
Wednesday, May 14th • 12:00 PM – 2:45 PM ET
Contracts are the lifeblood of commercial in-house lawyering. Yet as any in-house lawyer knows, negotiating, drafting, and managing contracts is far more complex than it appears from the outside. From balancing business needs with legal risk to implementing practical workflows and staying ahead of compliance issues, in-house legal professionals must bring clarity, structure, and strategic insight to every agreement.
Join us on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 12pm ET / 9am PT as Jorge de la Osa, Director, Legal Recruiting & Placement at Latitude (formerly General Counsel at Wyndham Vacations and Bluegreen Vacations) moderates a practical discussion with David Francy, Latitude Attorney and former Senior Corporate Counsel at Caterpillar Financial, and Jack Elum, General Counsel at Jazwares (a Berkshire Hathaway company). This session will walk through the essentials of commercial contracting and equip in-house counsel with tools, frameworks, and best practices for confident contract management.
Discussion Topics Include:
The Role of In-House Counsel in Contract Management: Guiding the business and mitigating risk.
Contract Basics: Key terms, structures, and foundational knowledge for every agreement.
Drafting & Negotiation Best Practices: Techniques that protect company interests while enabling business success.
Leveraging Technology: Tools and systems to streamline contract workflows.
Ethics and Compliance in Contracts: Managing legal and regulatory risk throughout the lifecycle.
Lessons from the Field: Real-world takeaways from years of in-house experience.
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for GCs, CLOs, legal operations professionals, and in-house counsel who draft, negotiate, and manage commercial contracts. Whether you’re new to in-house or looking to refine your approach, this session will help you handle contracts with confidence and clarity.
