Winston & Strawn Sponsors 21st Annual Boardroom Summit

Winston & Strawn sponsored the 21st Annual Boardroom Summit & Board Committee Peer Exchange. This unique event brought together industry-leading public company directors to discuss current trends, including shareholder activism, CEO succession strategies, and uses of AI in the boardroom.

Mike Blankenship, Houston Managing Partner and Capital Markets Practice Co-Chair, led the General Counsel Peer Exchange during the conference. Find Mike’s insights from the discussion below. 

Key Takeaways 

• Board/GC Dynamics Are Evolving — Participants emphasized that the modern GC is no longer just a legal gatekeeper but a strategic partner in the boardroom. GCs are expected to play an active role in framing business risk, anticipating regulatory change, and influencing corporate strategy, especially in industries under heavy scrutiny.
• AI and Technology Are Reshaping Risk Oversight — AI adoption has moved rapidly from a “future concern” to a board-level issue. GCs reported that boards are asking how to govern AI use responsibly, balance innovation with compliance, and establish reporting structures to oversee algorithmic risk. Cybersecurity remains closely linked, with boards pressing for incident readiness plans that integrate legal, technical, and reputational considerations.
• Shareholder and Stakeholder Pressures Continue to Converge — Boards are increasingly asked to navigate competing expectations from institutional investors, proxy advisors, activists, regulators, employees, and communities. GCs described how this convergence often places them in the role of mediator, ensuring that directors balance short-term financial metrics with long-term ESG and reputational concerns.
• Succession Planning Remains a Critical but Underdeveloped Area — Many companies are still reactive rather than proactive in addressing CEO and C-suite succession. GCs noted that boards are seeking frameworks that go beyond compliance check-the-box exercises and instead focus on resiliency, continuity, and preparing leaders to adapt to disruption.
• The GC Peer Network is a Force Multiplier — A recurring theme was the value of peer-to-peer dialogue. GCs benefit greatly from candid exchanges about sensitive topics (activist defenses, crisis response, board dynamics) that are rarely discussed openly. Participants left with actionable insights and a stronger network to lean on in future moments of pressure.