Corporate Governance

Qwest and and Exemplary Legal Department (Part 2)

By J. Robert Brown

We have had an opportunity to comment on this Blog about the legal department at Qwest, the telecommunications company that has a large presence in this community.  Not long ago it was listed as the best in house legal department for 2008 by Corporate Counsel.   The general counsel, Rich Baer, survived the Joe Nacchio years and oversaw the transformation of the legal department. 

The consequences of presiding over a well run legal department are not always apparent but in the case of Qwest we've learned at least one of them.  The Qwest board recently announced a change in Baer's responsibilities.  As the announcement noted:  

• Rich Baer, 51, currently executive vice president and general counsel, will also now serve as chief administrative officer.   In addition to leading Qwest?s law department and the company?s risk management and compliance efforts, Baer will oversee public policy, federal relations, human resources, labor relations, corporate communications, the Qwest Foundation, corporate social responsibility, and sponsorships and events.

Full post as published by The Race to the Bottom on August 21, 2008 (boomark / email).