Consero Report Finds That Over 50% of General Counsel Surveyed Do Not Have The Capacity to Manage NLRB Changes

Bethesda, MD (January 9, 2016) – Fifty-seven percent of General Counsel respondents stated they do not have the capacity to manage National Labor Relations Board changes relating to joint employment or social media limitations, according to a new report by Consero Group, an international leader in creating high-level, invitation-only events for senior executives. The results were reported as a part of the General Counsel Report, compiled by Consero Group and developed in partnership with Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm.

Fortunately, over two-thirds of General Counsel surveyed reported that their legal departments were prepared to provide proactive labor and employment advice on new Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor and NLRB guidance. Twenty-two percent of those surveyed stated that the planned Fair Labor Standards Act changes relating to overtime, currently on hold, had a high impact on their company, while25% of General Counsel reported a medium impact.

“The report provides insight into the top priorities and concerns for General Counsel in the coming year and highlights the importance of focusing on regulations relating to labor and employment,” said Paul Mandell, Founder & CEO of Consero Group.

“The Consero General Counsel Report reflects much of what we are hearing from our clients,” said Fisher Phillips Chairman Roger Quillen. “This report gives some insight into the priorities and challenges facing General Counsel in 2017.”

Additional findings from the General Counsel Survey & Report included:

• Compliance & Ethics Named Top Area of Focus for 2017: Fifty-four percent of General Counsel surveyed named compliance and ethics management their top area of focus for 2017. Labor and employment was ranked second at 29%, and outside counsel management came in third at 27%.
• Two-Thirds Of GCs Believe Their Companies Are Prepared for Cybersecurity Threats: Sixty percent of General Counsel reported that their companies are prepared to defend against cybersecurity threats. A little over 50% are very involved or involved in cybersecurity and data privacy matters.
• Law Department Costs to Grow: Over forty percent of General Counsel expect their legal department spend to increase, while 44% do not foresee any changes. Over a quarter of those surveyed have increased use of alternative fee arrangements to combat an increase in expenditures.