Blank Rome partners Cheryl S. Chang, Amy Joseph Coles, Jennifer A. Short, and Dennis M.P. Ehling will serve as speakers at the Association of Corporate Counsel (“ACC”) Southern California Chapter event, CLE Doubleheader, Dinner, and Concert at the Hollywood Bowl, taking place Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 3:30 to 10:00 p.m., in Los Angeles, California.

About the Program

The CLE program will consist of two one-hour panel discussions.

Protecting Privilege in the Age of Ephemeral Messaging: Risks, Benefits, and Best Practices

As businesses increasingly rely on text messages, encrypted platforms, and disappearing communications, ephemeral messaging presents both practical benefits and significant legal risks. This session will examine the legal and practical considerations surrounding ephemeral messaging, including its impact on attorney-client privilege, information governance, and preservation obligations. Attendees will gain insight into emerging enforcement trends, litigation challenges, and best practices for developing defensible communication policies. Panelists will provide practical guidance for balancing operational efficiency with legal, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities.

Speakers:

  • Cheryl S. Chang, Partner, Blank Rome
  • Amy J. Coles, Partner, Blank Rome

False Claims Act Enforcement in 2026: Emerging Risks, Enforcement Trends, and Practical Guidance for In-House Counsel

The False Claims Act (“FCA”) continues to be one of the federal government’s most powerful enforcement tools, with expanding application across healthcare, life sciences, government contracting, cybersecurity, and other regulated industries, as well as efforts to promote the Trump administration’s other policy objectives around eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) and immigration policies. It is also a favorite tool of whistleblowers to seek monetary compensation for acting as a private watchdog on these issues. This session will examine key FCA developments, the California correlative (“CFCA”), notable enforcement actions, and emerging theories of liability shaping investigations and litigation in 2026.

Attendees will gain practical insight into whistleblower (qui tam) actions, government investigations, compliance expectations, self-disclosure considerations, and the growing intersection of FCA and CFCA enforcement with cybersecurity certifications, federal funding programs, and corporate compliance initiatives. Through real-world examples and practical applications of current enforcement trends, panelists will explore how organizations can identify potential FCA or CFCA exposure, respond effectively to government inquiries, conduct internal investigations, assess the benefits of possible self-disclosure, and strengthen compliance controls before issues become enforcement actions. Designed for in-house counsel, this program will provide actionable strategies for mitigating risk and navigating an increasingly complex enforcement landscape. 

Speakers: 

  • Jennifer A. Short, Partner, Blank Rome LLP
  • Dennis Ehling, Partner, Blank Rome LLP

The discussions will be held at The Patio at the Hollywood Bowl and will be followed by dinner. The evening will conclude at the Hollywood Bowl with a special performance by Grammy‑winning jazz legend and LA Phil Creative Chair for Jazz, Herbie Hancock. His concert celebrates the centennial of Miles Davis and features an all‑star lineup including saxophonist Kenny Garrett, bassist Christian McBride, and conductor Vince Mendoza.

For more information, please visit the event webpage.