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The art of transforming lawyers into directors on receptive boards

They can bring more than just their legal expertise to commercial boards

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    • Lawyers and general counsels who aspire to be on boards should emphasise their skills and experience in business, management and leadership – all of which they would have.
    • Lawyers and general counsels who aspire to be on boards should emphasise their skills and experience in business, management and leadership – all of which they would have. ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY

    Jeffery Tan

    Published Fri, Oct 11, 2024 · 05:00 AM

    IN AUGUST, US rental car giant Hertz announced that it is adding two lawyers as board members – a current and a former general counsel of corporations.

    This is the latest in an increasing trend where lawyers are welcomed by commercial boards.

    For years, companies have resisted (even frowned upon) the appointment of lawyers to boards, with some corporate leaders believing that because their businesses already have an internal chief legal officer or general counsel, appointing a lawyer from the outside would be superfluous. This was the mindset regardless of whether the lawyer hailed from legal practice or was a general counsel in another corporation.

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