Anyone who works at the San Francisco 49ers’ offices has to get their temperature checked before entry -- and that decision was made by general counsel Hannah Gordon. It’s one example of how the global pandemic has thrust GCs into even more versatile roles, according to Law360. 

• Companies have countless questions about how to handle the coronavirus: And there are very few clear answers. That’s why they have turned to their legal departments. At Pitney Bowes, Inc., chief legal officer Daniel Goldstein said he faces new issues every day, from figuring out how social distancing will work to deciding when people need to wear masks.

• Shifting into a true counselor: “The job is about being a counselor in the broadest sense of the word,” Goldstein said to Law360. “We are problem solvers, and the legal component is just one aspect of the job.” 

• Questions from outside companies: The guidance doesn’t end with a GC’s company, either. Christopher Updike, general counsel at Stretto, Inc., said many business colleagues have called him seeking best practices for handling coronavirus changes.  

Rallying the GC team  

GCs dealing with new responsibilities have also dealt with the challenge of keeping operations smooth while people work from home. One tip, from Liberty Media Corp.’s Renee Wilm: turn monthly check-ins into weekly check-ins  

The Verdict

When a sense of normalcy returns, GC’s say that deeper connections with colleagues, whether virtual or in-person, will be the biggest change post-coronavirus.