The board of directors and the new reality in the recruitment of general counsel

The corporate scandals of the past several years have fueled significant boardroom change at companies across America. With the adoption of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, now more than ever board directors rely on the company’s general counsel. When companies need to hire a new general counsel, it is not surprising — or even unwelcome — that directors are more likely to be hands-on during the recruitment process.

This article explores how it is critical that board members understand their role in the search process to avoid possible recruitment failures, which can result when directors are not fully briefed or do not understand what is being asked them. Best practices include assessing the board’s expectations, establishing a role for directors, educating the board, communicating and, in some cases, partnering with an adviser.

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