David Sanders Discusses Lessons Learned from General Counsel Leadership Program

Foley & Lardner LLP partner David Sanders recently joined a panel discussion with members of The Vanguard Network’s General Counsels Advisory Group to discuss the evolving role of the general counsel.

The widespread reach and velocity of social media have transformed crisis management, with general counsels at the forefront. “There is no substitute for understanding the intersection of your company’s business plan and the need to mitigate legal and reputational risk,” Sanders explained.

Sanders recommended legal leaders could look to partner with communications professionals to manage crisis response and prevent reputational damage. “One of our lead crisis communications folks who we just brought on from a senator’s office is not a lawyer. She’s a crisis communications expert, she is a government affairs expert,” he said, highlighting Foley’s understanding of how guiding businesses to safety requires communications skills.

To watch highlight clips of Sander’s discussion with Greg Baker, General Counsel at Giant Eagle Inc., and Alfreda Bradley-Coar, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and People Officer at the Obama Foundation, click here. An audio recording of the conversation is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and is summarized in the article, “GC Also Means Great Communicator.”