ACC STL Caps Exceptional Year with Global Awards for Innovative Programming and Overall Excellence

St. Louis (Dec. 8, 2025) – The Association of Corporate Counsel – St. Louis Chapter (ACC STL) today announced a landmark year of achievement, marked by prestigious global awards, innovative professional development, and impactful community engagement.

The Chapter was honored by the global Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) with the 2025 Best Innovative Programming Award. This accolade recognized the Chapter's 2024 "Checkmate!: How Chess Strategy Can Make You a Better Litigator" program, a unique four-part series in partnership with the World Chess Hall of Fame.

This adds to the Chapter's top honors from earlier in the year, when it received the 2024 Gold Chapter of Distinction Award for the seventh consecutive year. This award, based on 2024 performance, places the Chapter among a select group of 16 chapters globally recognized for excellence in governance, operations, membership engagement, and programming.

"This has been an exceptional year for our Chapter, and these global recognitions are a direct reflection of the incredible dedication of our members and committee leaders," said Jay Repaso, 2025 St. Louis Chapter President, and Senior Counsel, Legal Services – Contract Services at Mastercard. "We are immensely proud to be honored for our innovative programming and our seventh consecutive Gold Chapter distinction. Our mission is to provide unparalleled value to our members through cutting-edge professional development, impactful diversity and inclusion initiatives, and meaningful service to the St. Louis community. These achievements demonstrate that commitment in action.”

A Year of Innovative Programming and Collaboration

Throughout 2025, the Chapter provided members with cutting-edge legal and business education and fostered important collaborations.

• Olin Business School Alliance: The Chapter continued its globally recognized partnership with Washington University's Olin Business School, hosting a 3-hour CLE on business strategy and talent development. This partnership previously won the global 2023 "Best Partnership Program" award.
• Annual Corporate Counsel Institute (CCI) Event: On May 8, the Chapter partnered with the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) to host the 40th Anniversary of the Annual Corporate Counsel Institute, a premier regional legal education and networking event.
• Inspirational Leadership: Members and guests heard from national bestselling author John O'Leary at the Missouri Botanical Garden, who shared his powerful message of resilience and perspective as part of the Chapter's focus on personal well-being.
• Annual CLE & Networking: The Chapter hosted its popular annual Golf/Spa CLE event, combining networking with sessions on AI, licensing, and EEOC/NLRB updates.
• National Recognition: The Chapter presented on best practices in sponsor communications for a mid-sized chapter at the ACC Spring Leadership Development Institute (LDI) in Washington D.C. on May 9, representing St. Louis on a national stage.

Engaging Members and the Community

The Chapter expanded its commitment to member engagement and community service through a variety of initiatives throughout the year.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

A cornerstone of the Chapter's mission, diversity and inclusion, were advanced through multiple high-impact programs:

• Fireside Chat Series: The Chapter hosted its 2025 Fireside Chat Series to spark dialogue on diversity. This included a powerful Juneteenth event with Lynne Jackson, a descendant of Dred and Harriet Scott, and sessions on Native American history with Galen Gritts, and queer terminology and allyship with Avi Ivatari.
• Diversity Internship Program: The esteemed 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Summer Internship Program successfully matched four talented law students with in-house attorney mentors at MiTek, Bayer US, Charter Communications, and the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. This program was the recipient of the 2024 Best Diversity Initiative Program award from ACC Global.

Commitment to Member and Community Service

• Pro Bono Service: In celebration of National Pro Bono Month, the Chapter highlighted its ongoing partnership with the Missouri Veterans Commission. Through clinics in June and November, members provided estate planning services to veterans and their families. This partnership has provided over $600,000 in estimated pro bono services since 2019.
• Volunteer Recognition: At its 2025 Annual Meeting, the Chapter honored members for their 2024 contributions, awarding Cara Stuckel Baker as Member of the Year, Barbara Barrett with the William E. Jaudes Service Award, and the Sponsorship Committee, chaired by Susan Bassford-Wilson, as Committee of the Year.
• Membership & Networking Events: The Chapter offered numerous social and engagement opportunities for members, including a Winter Social at ABC Distillery held Jan. 13, the regular Thirsty Thursday series, Golf Clinics at Forest Park held prior to the Golf Spa event, a Zoo Member Appreciation Event (October), and a Sponsor Appreciation Event at the Foundry's Museum of Illusions (October).

About the St. Louis Chapter:

The Association of Corporate Counsel - St. Louis Chapter, the premier bar association for in-house counsel, was founded in 1987. The Chapter has more than 650 members who represent over 175 organizations. The Chapter's commitment to its members and community has earned it an impressive list of accolades as a leader in the global network of chapters:

• Chapter of the Year 1995, 2012 and 2015,
• Chapter Challenge Award 2009,
• Legal Service of Eastern Missouri Richard B. Teitelman Distinguished Service Award for pro bono efforts 2014,
• Best Membership Strategy 2018,
• Gold Chapter of Distinction designation 2019-24,
• Best Diversity Initiative Award 2020, 2022 and 2024,
• Innovative Programming Effort Award 2023 and 2025
• Best Partnership Program Award 2023.

To learn more, please visit, https://www.acc.com/chapters/stlouis/.