Not too long ago, the general counsel’s chief role was to act as the legal expert for his or her client. The GC was charged with minimizing the risks associated with actions decided upon by other executives and managing the company’s outside counsel, who were often charged with leading litigation and transactional matters.
But a lot has changed. Businesses have expanded into global markets, regulatory oversight has increased, social media and an instant news cycle have placed a spotlight on corporate activities, shareholder scrutiny and activism have heightened, and rapid technological changes have occurred. As a result, today’s GC often has different responsibilities.
