General counsel have been banging on the boardroom door for years, but the coveted seat at the table has long remained elusive. The tide may finally be turning as companies are forced to get creative about their board selections in the face of more regulatory scrutiny and disruptive technology.

John Kuo, a veteran general counsel in the radiation technology field who sits on a public company board, said misperceptions and stereotypes can hamstring legal chiefs in being considered for board positions.