Strategic communication skills are as necessary as legal skills in any crisis

Strategic communication skills are as necessary as legal skills in any crisis. The court of public opinion can have just as big of an impact—if not a bigger impact—on a company’s operations than any decision by a court of law.

A well-designed crisis management strategy frequently combines legal strategy with public relations planning. Identifying and assembling the right team in advance of a crisis can help companies avoid ongoing disclosures that not only complicate the legal response, but also keep bad news in public view.

This chapter discusses how to handle the public relations aspects of any crisis, including how to weigh the practical and legal risks and benefits of any public response, whether voluntary or mandated, such as disclosures that may be required of an issuer under securities laws, as well as factors to consider when crafting and delivering the message to limit risk when a response is warranted.