Veasey and Di Guglielmo (2006) identify the following competing models of corporate counsel: “gatekeepers”, “corporate advocates”, and “persuasive counselors”. Discuss these roles with reference to challenges faced by in-house and external lawyers, and explain which role(s) you think corporate lawyers should play.
The role of a modern day corporate lawyer is one that has undoubtedly sparked a huge amount of debate in recent years. The numerous ways in which these professionals should conduct themselves in order to deal with the various challenges that accompany their occupation has been at the forefront of academic interest ever since the Enron scandal of the early 21st century (Fisch & Roson, 2003). The competing models of corporate counsel presented by Veasey and Di Guglielmo in 2006 are extremely interesting particularly in relation to the obstacles that stand in the way of both in-house and external lawyers in their quest for efficiency. Through this essay, I will discuss each of these models in relation to these previously mentioned obstacles, before finally outlining my personal …show more content…
the fact that “up-the-ladder” reporting to job controlling CEO’S and other member’s of senior management is a common theme in the corporate world (Veasey & Di Guglielmo, 2006). These lawyers may feel that prioritizing integrity ahead of company goals may sour their relationship with such authority and therefore jeopardize their personal future. This pro-co-operation approach by lawyers falls under the advocacy model of corporate counsel, in which lawyers engage in zealous advocacy whilst serving a client, even fighting for causes which they deem immoral (Coffee, 2006). I believe that this is a detrimental role for lawyers to assume however, as non-ethical behavior is not only a negative for their career, but also to the long term stability of the corporate
The role of a modern day corporate lawyer is one that has undoubtedly sparked a huge amount of debate in recent years. The numerous ways in which these professionals should conduct themselves in order to deal with the various challenges that accompany their occupation has been at the forefront of academic interest ever since the Enron scandal of the early 21st century (Fisch & Roson, 2003). The competing models of corporate counsel presented by Veasey and Di Guglielmo in 2006 are extremely interesting particularly in relation to the obstacles that stand in the way of both in-house and external lawyers in their quest for efficiency. Through this essay, I will discuss each of these models in relation to these previously mentioned obstacles, before finally outlining my personal …show more content…
the fact that “up-the-ladder” reporting to job controlling CEO’S and other member’s of senior management is a common theme in the corporate world (Veasey & Di Guglielmo, 2006). These lawyers may feel that prioritizing integrity ahead of company goals may sour their relationship with such authority and therefore jeopardize their personal future. This pro-co-operation approach by lawyers falls under the advocacy model of corporate counsel, in which lawyers engage in zealous advocacy whilst serving a client, even fighting for causes which they deem immoral (Coffee, 2006). I believe that this is a detrimental role for lawyers to assume however, as non-ethical behavior is not only a negative for their career, but also to the long term stability of the corporate