POV: Your client is in some hot water. Investors are blowing up executives’ inboxes with questions. Journalists are calling with requests for comment. Competitors are speculating. Employees are scared. Your role as legal counsel is becoming more urgent and complex with each new update. Oh, and we’ll be needing you to lead crisis communication as well.

For even the most seasoned attorneys, crisis management is a daunting assignment in which the slightest misstep can have far-reaching consequences. Moreover, crises that draw media scrutiny or intense public interest are not (and ideally, should not be) a recurring exercise in most companies. So, how can you effectively anticipate potential issues and avoid them in real-time with somewhat limited experience and all eyes on you? Start with some advice from the experts.