The Role of In-House Legal Counsel in Corporate Communication

In an article published by The Legal Intelligencer, Poston Communications CEO and General Counsel Dave Poston and Vice President Megan Paquin examine the evolving role of in-house counsel and explain the importance of effective collaboration between legal and communications departments.

Poston Communications recently surveyed in-house counsel members of the Association of Corporate Counsel in one state chapter to learn more about how corporate attorneys are interacting with their communications colleagues.

“Unsurprisingly, we found that 90% of in-house counsel surveyed believe they are responsible for maintaining corporate reputation,” Poston and Paquin write. “In a world where shareholder value is increasingly principles-driven, everyone plays a role in reputation management. But only about half (52%) said they supervise or even routinely consult with their corporate communications team. Many said only when specifically asked or directed to do so.”

This data suggests a disconnect between legal and communications functions and reveals a hesitancy from in-house counsel to collaborate with communications.

“Why? Because the most effective public relations strategies are often accommodative. Issuing an empathetic statement or apology can feel uncomfortable or risky. However, research shows these statements can reduce the likelihood of litigation. Yet even when the litigation or regulatory risk is minimal, the mere act of speaking out at all feels counterintuitive for many who have been trained to avoid any extrajudicial communication,” the authors explain.

To encourage a collaborative process and bridge the gap between legal and communications departments, in-house counsel should “work proactively with your partners in communications to develop action plans that can be well-vetted in advance of their use.”

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