America' s Best Corporate Law Firms - Jul/Aug 2008

Cover Story

America's Best Corporate Law Firms
The 2008 Corporate Board Member/ FTI Consulting Survey
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is the winner and national champ for the eighth straight year.

July/August 2008

Features

Mutiny
Hot-tempered, high-living company founder Darwin Deason was accustomed to getting his way. But when he told all five outside directors to resign, they saw only one course of action.

How Low Must the Stock Price Go Before a CEO Gets Fired?
Chief executives can survive years of poor stock performance. A big part of the problem: Not enough boards have succession plans.

Next Time, Fly in Your Own Plane
Ready to wave goodbye to the airlines? Here's what it takes to choose—and pay for—a private jet.

Winners in 25 Metro Areas
In addition to choosing the nation's Top 20, more than 400 directors of public corporations picked the law firms they most admire in 25 metropolitan areas.

Legal Briefs
An M&A safety net for board members, trends in patent protection, why China's law firms are invading the U.S., and more.

Six Legal Questions Directors Must Ask
The answers will help you know which law firms your company should hire or fire—and how well prepared it is to defend lawsuits, initiate them, and ward off government investigations.

What Lawyers Don't Like to Talk About (And How to Loosen Their Tongues)
Direct communication—breaking bad news, say, or telling you your idea is lousy—may not be one of your attorney's many virtues. It's time to make him mend his ways.

Let Us Now Praise Great GCs
It takes more than lawyerly skills to make a great general counsel. Here are some of the crucial qualities.

Meet Five Great GCs
Brackett Denniston III (of GE), Leonard J. Kennedy (Sprint Nextel), Rick Palmore (General Mills), Gloria Santona (McDonald's), and Mark Treanor (Wachovia).

Directors Versus GCs: Where They Agree, Where They Don't
Nearly 700 directors and GCs shared their views on corporate issues in this Corporate Board Member/FTI Consulting survey.

Plus: How General Counsels Rank the Best National Law Firms

Departments

On Board
Secrets of Successful Board Planning Retreats

Common Traps Directors Can Fall Into Right Now

Follow Up: Cinderella Makes It Into the (Operating) Black

The Latest Insider-Trading Worries

Subprime Woes Spike D&O Rates

Follow Up: More Hedge Funds Get Board Seats

Before We Adjourn
Admit Yourself to the Bar

Opening Statement
The General Counsel, a Key Boardroom Player