The business community today is contending with unprecedented challenges stemming from the global spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19)—not least of which is the widespread anxiety and uncertainty that the pandemic has created. In times like these, business leaders look to us as lawyers to help them cut through a veritable whirlwind of fast-moving, sometimes conflicting information and to understand the legal and business ramifications of the crisis. They expect us to be problem solvers and to be a core part of any crisis response team. 

During our years of leadership in government service we found a few simple, guiding principles to be helpful in a crisis. We offer these principles for general counsel and chief legal officers as they strive to protect the health of their businesses, employees and other key stakeholders.