General counsel play a central role in coordinating a company’s COVID-19 response. They are the center of many critical corporate activities from tracking regulatory standards and interacting with government officials to coordinating internal stakeholders to setting corporate policies and enabling corporate actions. An organization cannot respond well to COVID-19 without a GC who can clarify legal and regulatory uncertainty, balance competing interests and build consensus.

Over the past month, Gartner has hosted conversations with hundreds of GC and thousands of corporate executives. We found that executive focus has shifted from immediate COVID-19 response toward return-to-work decisions, maintaining trust with employees and stakeholders, and preparing the company for the new normal operating environment. From these conversations we’ve pulled six lessons for GC and legal department leaders.

  • Create Return-to-Work Criteria