When clients want legal advice, they call Cornell Boggs. They called him when he was a junior in-house lawyer at Monsanto Co., and later when he was associate GC at Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. They turned to him when he was Americas regional counsel for Intel Corp., and then when he became GC for Tyco Plastics and Adhesives. Boggs is a go-to lawyer, and it’s paid off for him. In December he was appointed chief legal officer for Coors Brewing Co.
Why has Boggs been so successful? He knows how to think like a business-person, and he understands the business side’s legal needs. Most importantly: He’s considered part of the executive team. In an era when flatter law department organizational structures limit opportunities for advancement, strategic assignments are highly valued. The premium a client puts on a lawyer’s services can make (or break) a career.
