Nov. 15, 2001, was a nerve-wracking day for Brad Smith. That morning, the senior Microsoft lawyer received a phone call from CEO Steve Ballmer’s assistant asking him to meet with Ballmer at 4:30 that afternoon. Smith knew what it was about.
During the previous four months, Smith had been through six grueling interviews–in true Microsoft form–vying for the company’s coveted general counsel position. Microsoft was looking for the ideal candidate to fill the shoes of long-time GC Bill Neukom, who was retiring after 22 years with the company. And Smith was about to get his answer.
