Without a GC at the executive's table, companies may not have the innovative spirit necessary to keep up with competitors, Ryan Anderson, CEO and co-founder at Filevine, says. If they want that C-suite role, however, GCs can't just wait to be invited.

It's become almost a truism to say counsel deserves a seat at the corporate executive table. According to the 2020 ACC Chief Legal Officers Survey, 80% of top-ranked corporate lawyers report directly to their company's chief executive, up 16 points from 2018.