Robert J. Bates, Jr. was elected as a founding member of the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel ('ACCEC"). The ACCEC is composed of preeminent coverage and extracontractual counsel in the United States and Canada, representing the interests of both insurers and policyholders. The College is focused on the creative, ethical and efficient adjudication of insurance coverage and extra-contractual disputes, peer-provided scholarship, professional coordination and improvement of the relationship between and among our diverse members. The ACCEC held its Inaugural May Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.