Agree: a legal director can lessen the 'mortal fear' of litigation

The author agrees with the theme of Gary Schmidt's article in its suggestion that a public corporation board benefits from the experience of former general counsels as board members. Many non-lawyer board members are emotionally and unnecessarily fearful of lawyers or litigations or threats of extended legal involvement. Their near paralysis (in some cases) is detrimental to the companies and shareholders they represent. Instead of worrying about D&O insurance they should worry about D&O leadership. He has been a member of over 30 new directors with non-legal backgrounds. Most new board members lack the length and breadth of board experience that seasoned general counsels possess.