"GC’s Critical Public Policy Role in an Age of Upheaval", 22 Mar 2017

Contemporary CEO's must,...aided by general counsel,...address business-in-society issues — legislation, regulation, investigation, enforcement, and litigation — that create risk and opportunity...[as corporations need to] navigate the fierce cross currents of geopolitical uncertainty and change...To meet these daunting challenges, corporations need a strategic, forward-looking, and balanced approach...But many don’t have one, instead adopting only defensive, short-term, or narrowly self-interested “government relations” tactics...[C]orporations need to keep their eyes on the true north of what is “right” in the long term for stakeholders and society, and not succumb to near term pressures...[T]he general counsel needs to adhere to [among others] the following core principles...balance values in conflict...defend globalization while addressing its problems...[and] take ethical action in the absence of regulation...