COVID-19 Implications for the Strategic Asset General Counsel

In brief:  General counsel are playing an increasingly important leadership and governance role at their companies. From overseeing legal issues to advising on governance and government affairs, general counsel can perform a critical role in shaping strategy on emerging from the COVID-19 crisis and reopening the business. As the country settles into the new routine of social distancing and working from home, and with the pandemic beginning to show early (if subtle) signs of subsiding, boards and management are starting to shift their focus—from responding to the crisis to reopening their physical plants amid continued safety concerns. With this background, NACD, along with Sard Verbinnen & Co., convened Fortune 500 chief legal officers and general counsel to discuss how they are working with their boards to prepare for the next phase of the crisis: reopening and recovery.

This resource can help your board and general counsel to

• think through the process of reopening the business,
• understand the risks and opportunities that should be considered as companies reopen and emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, and
• shape a reopening strategy and communications plan.

Most relevant audiences: General Counsel, Corporate Secretaries