The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), a global legal association representing more than 45,000 in-house counsel employed by over 10,000 organizations in 85 countries, has opened its first office in Brussels. It will serve as the nucleus of ACC in Europe, led by new managing director Giuseppe Marletta.
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's hiring of Marletta and new European office will allow the organization to offer more and more varied services to in-house lawyers on the continent. ACC Europe 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.
"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," said Veta T. Richardson, ACC president and CEO. "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."
A "Young Leader of the Year" nominee by the Associations Network, Marletta sits on the board of the European Society for Associations Executives and the advisory board of Boardroom magazine. He studied at the University of Catania and speaks English, French, and Spanish in addition to Italian.
"I am excited to join the ACC team," 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."