In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Phillips Enterprises’ Shannon Cagnina discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
Texas Lawbook: How does the role of the GC at nonprofits different from those at for-profit companies?
Cagnina: I have served in privately held companies and public and private nonprofits, and the role isn’t that different. The GC is the risk manager. The risks involve products, services, people and money. I have learned to spot the risks and usually have an analogous experience to use as a framework to develop a mitigation strategy. And I am grateful for outside expertise.
Lawbook: What do you look for in hiring outside counsel or in developing relationships with outside counsel?
Cagnina: Responsiveness. Expertise is paramount when looking for outside counsel, but that’s a given. So many lawyers are overscheduled or slow to respond. I find that difficult to deal with and generally just move on. A lawyer who responds promptly and will deliver on what we request is on our team for the long term. I also see the other side of the coin. I’ve had the opportunity to work as outside counsel in my of counsel role at Jameson & Powers, PC, where I have done pro bono work for many nonprofits, volunteered for the Dallas County Expunction Expo and served a select handful of private clients. I’m careful to be responsive, even when the response is, “Not yet.”
Click here to read the Lawbook profile of Shannon Cagnina.