n February 21, 2019, CEOWorld magazine published an article I wrote on “Executive Service on Corporate Boards of Directors – Benefits, Liabilities and Compensation” The magazine advised me that I can use “Featured in the CEOWOLRD magazine” and the CEOWORLD “Logo” on my website. 


This article is designed for CEOs and other senior executives offered the opportunity to serve on corporate Boards of Directors in your own company and particularly in other companies.


This article discusses the benefits that Board of Director service can offer to an executive to advance his or her career, including the following:

• Stock, options and other compensation that can be quite lucrative,
• Opportunities to network and learn from peers,
• Observation of other organizations manage their affairs,
• New source of information (in your own company or in business generally),
• Source of new contacts to take the next step up the career ladder.

The articles also discusses pitfalls and potential liabilities of Board service including the significant responsibility to oversee management of the business, due diligence expected to review the transactions before it and record those deliberations, and the fiduciary duties Board members owe to the shareholders so it is important to assure proper care and diligence, and also insurance coverage.


To see my full CEOWorld magazine. article, go to LINK:  https://ceoworld.biz/2019/02/21/executive-service-on-corporate-boards-of-directors-benefits-liabilities-and-compensation/
or on my website at https://www.executiveemploymentattorney.com/articles-section/board-of-directors-service/


With more than 12.4+ million-page views, CEOWORLD magazine is the world’s leading business magazine written strictly for CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, senior management executives, business leaders, and high net worth individuals worldwide.

It is my hope that this article will be helpful to CEOs, other C-Level and senior executives who are offered the opportunity to serve on their own or other corporate boards, and need to pay attention to both benefits and pitfalls of Board service. If you or any colleague of yours has a need in this area, please do reach out to me at radelson@engelschultz.com.

Author: Robert Adelson, Esq.Robert Adelson has been a corporate and tax attorney since 1977. He began as an associate at nationally prominent New York City “mega” law firms, first at the Wall Street firm Dewey Ballantine Bushby Palmer & Wood and later at the Park Avenue firm Weil Gotshal & Manges. In 1985, Adelson returned home, where he has since established himself as a respected Boston business attorney. He has attained partner at several small and midsize Boston law firms, most recently at Lawson & Weitzen LLP and then Zimble Brettler LLP, where he was a partner from 1994 to 2004 before becoming a partner at Engel & Schultz LLP. 

Joining a board of directors as an executive can be rewarding, yet has its pitfalls. Boston executive employment attorney Robert Adelson serves the role of an employment advisor to help executives weigh the costs and benefits of joining a board, as well as negotiates their compensation package. The many benefits of joining a board include but are not limited to lucrative stock and options, networking opportunities and access to a new source of information. However, despite these rewarding benefits, an executive who joins a board takes on a large task – one which, if left unfulfilled can expose them to shareholder lawsuits.


In November of 2013, executive Maxwell Vanderburgh* was asked to serve on a board of directors for an outside company, Mr. Vanderburgh’s C-level executive experience, knowledge and day-to-day management made him the perfect man for the position. When making his decision, Mr. Vanderburgh called on executive employment attorney and advisor Robert Adelson to help him advise the position and negotiate his terms. Attorney Adelson expressed the importance of understanding his rights and duties on the board and potential liabilities he could be exposed to. After Mr. Vanderburgh weighed the pros of cons of this position and realized serving on a board would advance his career and be a rewarding experience the two sat down to negotiate. Upon negotiating Maxwell Vanderburgh’s compensation package, Attorney Adelson implemented proper protections to limit risk exposure and negotiate lucrative stock and options. To ensure protection, Attorney Adelson made sure that there was proper liability insurance in place to protect executive Maxwell Vanderburgh in the event of any suit.
When negotiating the executive’s compensation package, Attorney Adelson explained the responsibilities that must be upheld by a board director; most importantly being a director’s fiduciary duty. This duty is comprised of three separate duties: a duty of care, a duty of loyalty and a duty of candor. In short, these duties require the executive to make informed decisions, act in the interest of the organization it is representing and always provide correct information to shareholders.
Executive employment attorney Robert Adelson was able to help and advise CEO Maxwell Vanderburgh on his decision to become a board director. Attorney Adelson also worked with Mr. Vanderburgh, hands on, throughout the stages of negotiation so Mr. Vanderburgh would receive a compensation package that would be rewarding as well as protect him from any potential suit.
If you or one of your colleagues is a CEO or senior executive who is considering taking on a board of director role, I am glad to assist.  Please do reach out to me at radelson@engelschultz.com.
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