Today’s General Counsels (GCs) have an opportunity to do more than just sit at the proverbial table. Standout legal officers are driving diverse cross-functional initiatives alongside CFOs and other members of the corporate C-suite. As the company’s chief legal adviser, the GC is responsible for guiding the company safely through a gauntlet of legal and business obstacles. These could include more traditional items such as risk management, regulatory compliance requirements, corporate and securities matters, intellectual property protections and contracts, but also could include more business-focused items such as digital transformation and technology adoption. The most successful GCs are active, dynamic and agile, anticipating new opportunities and driving positive change. 

For the chief legal officer or GC to operate beyond just the legal function, he or she must have a deep understanding of the company, as well as its broader industry. Having deep knowledge of the organization allows a GC to engage more fully in C-suite conversations, identify where the greatest vulnerabilities are, and tailor initiatives accordingly. 

Legal can be the nexus for change