Hello, I am Walter Alexander, the head of Silvester Legal LLC. One strategy that corporate attorneys often employ to effectively communicate legal risks to non-legal stakeholders is to use plain language and real-world examples. Instead of relying solely on legal jargon and complex terminology, attorneys simplify the language and illustrate the potential consequences of legal risks in a way that resonates with the stakeholders' understanding. By using relatable examples and scenarios relevant to the stakeholders' industry or business operations, attorneys can help bridge the gap between legal concepts and practical implications. Fostering open communication channels and encouraging stakeholders to ask questions can facilitate a better understanding of legal risks and encourage proactive risk management efforts. Ultimately, by effectively communicating legal risks in a clear, accessible manner, corporate attorneys empower non-legal stakeholders to make informed decisions and mitigate potential liabilities effectively.
Understanding the client’s business objectives is the key to effectively communicating legal risks to non-legal stakeholders. The process of gaining that understanding must include discussing with the client the value they attribute to achieving those objectives and how that value proposition compares to the risks inherent in pursuing them. With this foundation, we can discuss alternative strategies or potential measures that may mitigate the risks. We are able then to formulate a plan to achieve the desired results. A good example could be a client who is considering an acquisition in a foreign jurisdiction in order to increase its manufacturing capacity to keep pace with a globally expanding customer. After understanding the impetus behind the move, evaluating with the client the risks inherent in a foreign acquisition and reviewing all alternatives, we might collaboratively determine a joint venture satisfies the original expansion objectives but with a materially lower risk profile. This would involve educating the client on the legal intricacies while gaining an understanding of its business goals and merging these understandings throughout our collaborative discussions.