As Jason Brown takes the helm of the world’s largest organisation for in-house lawyers, he brings with him a contagious enthusiasm and a personal challenge to every in-house counsel. He shares his vision for the Association of Corporate Counsel with Sheryl Ubana
Jason Brown doesn’t just talk about leadership, he radiates it. His words tumble out with warmth and conviction, and there’s an unmistakable energy about him. The kind that makes you sit up a little straighter, sensing that this is someone who genuinely loves what he does. As he talks about stepping into his new role as president and CEO of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), his enthusiasm isn’t performative, it’s contagious. He leans forward, laughs easily and punctuates his thoughts with the confidence of someone who believes every lawyer can lead change, if only they decide to.
It’s a challenge, a mindset and perhaps the clearest window into the kind of leader Brown will be as he steps into his new role as president and CEO of the ACC, on 1 November.
After more than 25 years as a lawyer and leader, currently as vice president, general counsel and secretary at GE Appliances, a Haier company, Brown brings to the role not only experience, but a refreshing sense of purpose and momentum. He talks about the ACC’s future with the enthusiasm of someone who’s already envisioning packed conferences, inspired members and a stronger bridge between the organisation’s global network and its fast-growing chapters in Asia. His laughter comes easily, but so does focus. “We may not have all the answers,” he says with a grin, “but we’ll definitely have something to say about an answer for you.”
Brown’s enthusiasm leaves a strong impression. One that suggests the ACC’s next chapter will be anything but ordinary.
While based in the US, his career has been closely tied to Asia through his work with Haier, a Chinese-owned company. Under his leadership, the ACC aims to build deeper connections with in-house counsel across Asia, a region that already hosts thriving chapters in Hong Kong, India and Singapore.
His vision is built on engagement and enthusiasm, creating a membership experience where in-house counsel feel inspired, connected and equipped to meet global challenges such as AI governance and cross-border compliance.
Brown shares his plans for ACC’s next chapter, his approach to expanding engagement in the region, and a rallying call that lingers long after the conversation ends: “If it’s not you, then who? And if it’s not now, then when?”
As the world’s largest in-house counsel organisation with more than 48,000 members in 117 countries, Brown sees the ACC’s greatest strength in its origins. Paying tribute to his predecessor, Veta Richardson, advisory board member at the John L Weinberg Centre for Corporate Governance, Brown notes on his LinkedIn post that Richardson’s stewardship has positioned ACC as a global authority for in-house lawyers.
“Building upon the great leadership of Veta Richardson, ACC will continue its strong foundation to advance the interests of in-house counsel around the globe,” he says.
Built for in-house counsel
“ACC is unique primarily because it was created for in-house counsel by in-house counsel,” Brown explains. “The reason why it was focused and created was because there wasn’t an organisation that was out there that was uniquely crafted just to speak specifically to lawyers.”
That focus, he says, enables the ACC to address both technical and organisational challenges faced by in-house teams. These range from navigating shifting laws and regulations to building, strengthening and educating teams so they can deliver value to their businesses.
As he steps into the role of president and CEO, Brown hopes to draw on his 25 years of legal experience, most of it spent in-house, to guide the organisation with a practitioner’s perspective. “I’m hoping to come in … to kind of fuel the organisation … to provide some guidance and some support,” he says.
Looking ahead, he is determined to ensure the ACC remains a first port of call for in-house counsel seeking guidance on evolving business and legal trends. “Our mission is to make sure that we continue to stay top of mind,” he notes. “We may not have all the answers, but we’ll definitely have something to say about an answer for you.”
Asia at the forefront
That global vision naturally extends to Asia, where Brown’s professional experience and the region’s rising influence converge. Having served as general counsel of a Chinese-owned company, he has spent considerable time working across Asia, and is keen to translate that experience into deeper engagement with the region’s in-house community.
“I have spent a lot of time in Asia and understand the market, and the need for us to lean in a little bit more and help support Asian in-house lawyers,” he says. “I’m really excited about that opportunity.”
The ACC already has a strong foundation in Asia, with longstanding conferences that attract members from across the region. At its most recent gathering, in-house counsel from 13 countries were represented. Brown wants to build on that momentum, particularly as the association prepares to return to Singapore next year. “I hope to make it even bigger and better,” he enthuses.
For Brown, his unique background working for an Asia-based multinational company and serving as a general counsel in the US gives him a dual perspective that he believes will be valuable for the association’s growth in the region. He says this experience allows him to better understand the challenges faced by Asian in-house counsel and “really help expand our reach in Asia, and hopefully provide more of the needs and the services for the in-house counsel in that market”.
Leading the ACC is not about reinventing the wheel but about building on a strong legacy. “I’m lucky because I’ve inherited a really strong organisation,” he says. “ACC has a rich history of what it’s been able to do, and I want to just continue to be a part of that and grow that.”
His leadership philosophy, shaped by years of guiding in-house teams, centres on fostering genuine enthusiasm. Just as employees choose where they want to work, he believes members also choose which organisations to join and which events to attend, and for the ACC to thrive, it cannot simply rely on its reputation.
“I believe that we’re the best, but I don’t want people just to default to that,” says Brown. “I want people to be enthusiastic about coming to ACC events, enthusiastic about their membership, and enthusiastic about being part of something bigger than themselves.”
That spirit of engagement, he says, is what will elevate both the profession and the broader community. With Asia firmly on his agenda, Brown looks forward to channelling this energy when he joins members in Singapore next year. “I want to really make sure that I tap into that and drive that enthusiasm with the membership,” he says. “That’s really one of my goals.”
Although the ACC footprint in Asia is already significant, with more than 750 members in Hong Kong, 600 in Singapore and about 300 in India, Brown believes there is ample room to grow. His vision is to expand intentionally into markets and companies that the association has yet to reach, using a more hands-on and personal approach.
“It’s really about growing and expanding upon the footprint that we have, tapping into companies and certain parts of the continent that we haven’t been able to reach, and doing that in a way that is more intentional,” he explains.
Brown draws on his own experience of working for an Asia-based multinational to shape this strategy, noting that regional innovation and resilience have long been integral to the ACC’s global story. “Asia has been leading, right in it with all the innovations and things that I’ve seen, and also the challenges,” he says.
Breaking down borders
In his view, strengthening engagement also means fostering cross-border connections. Brown is eager to see more Asian members participating not only in local events but also in the ACC’s conferences in Europe and the US, creating opportunities for shared learning across jurisdictions. “A focus of mine is just to make sure that we don’t look at our borders as a hindrance and a blockade, but something that we’re going to break down.”
He points to the ACC’s expanding suite of resources as a key advantage for members navigating complex global risks. Among these is the recently launched AI toolkit, which he describes as one of the association’s most innovative offerings in years. The toolkit is designed to help in-house counsel assess how their organisations are using AI, evaluate their level of comfort with the technology and build governance structures that support responsible adoption.
For him, it’s just one example of the value available to members through the ACC’s research library and knowledge-sharing platforms. What’s equally important, he stresses, is the feedback loop with members themselves, particularly in Asia.
“We want to make sure that we are also continuing to reach our Asian counterparts to say, ‘What is it that you’re seeing? What are the trends you’re seeing from a regulatory standpoint, or pitfall standpoint, that’s unique to the Asian market? Let’s figure out a way to address it in a way that is meaningful’,” he says.
The goal, he explains, is to identify region-specific challenges and address them in ways that are both practical and meaningful. Brown hopes that deeper engagement from Asian members will help the association tailor its resources more effectively.
“I’m really excited about what we’ve already done … but I’m also energised about what we can do in the future,” he says. “Once I step into my role officially, on 1 November, and start asking people, ‘What have you been able to benefit from? What are the things that we can do to enhance and make some of these resources better for you and your particular region, in your area?’, we will try to figure out how to enhance that as best we can. I’m really looking forward to that opportunity.”
Simple message
To Asia’s next generation of in-house counsel, Brown offers a simple but powerful message: step forward. For him, leadership is not something to wait for, it is something to seize.
He urges young lawyers to take control of their careers by investing in their own growth and seeking out opportunities to contribute, both within their organisations and through networks like the ACC.
Brown’s own journey is a case in point. In his first year as an in-house lawyer, he joined the ACC to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of corporate counsel work. The training and resources he accessed through the association helped him secure his first general counsel role and equipped him with the confidence to succeed. “A lot of what I had learned in the training that was provided, and the resources, helped me get my first general counsel opportunity and I felt confident that I had the tools to do it,” he recalls.
He believes the ACC can offer the same support to members across the globe, especially in Asia. “It’s a great opportunity for you to bet on yourself and really see what you’re made of, and the ACC can help you get there.”
For membership information, visit the ACC website.
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