The Australian Corporate Lawyers Association (ACLA) this month announced a new brand identity, ACC Australia (ACLA), as it officially joins forces with the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). The alliance expands global benefits and connectivity to members while also retaining local focus and content in programming.

ACLA, a national body with 4,000 members spanning 2,000 organisations has joined the global network of ACC that expands across 10,000 organizations in 90 countries. Together, the organizations will represent 40,000 members around the world as the largest independent advocate for the in-house profession.

“By joining the aligned values of ACLA and ACC, we amplify a stronger voice for the global in-house community,” said John Page, ACC chairman and chief corporate social responsibility officer and chief legal officer at Golden State Foods. “We can now build upon this solid foundation and expand efforts to advance the interests of in-house counsel and better serve our corporations.”

With the formation of the alliance, ACLA members can now access a broader library of tools and documents on global legal issues and trends, meeting the needs of the 70 percent of Australian in-house counsel who operate across borders, as reported by a 2013 ACLA study. Members will also be able to take advantage of global networking opportunities and international connections.

“The alliance brings the best of both worlds to in-house counsel in Australia with an array of local content and events, combined with a suite of global tools and resources,” said Adrian Goss, national president of ACC Australia (ACLA).

The alliance will also support in-house counsel working throughout the Asia-Pacific region.