Download This PaperLawyer CEOs
42 Pages Posted: 25 Feb 2017 Last revised: 7 Mar 2018
Date Written: February 21, 2017
Abstract
We examine the value of CEOs with specialized professional skills by focusing on CEOs with law degrees and their effect on corporate litigation. We find that lawyer CEOs are associated with both lower litigation frequency and less severe litigation. This relation is observed for most of nine types of common corporate litigation. This reduction in litigation is achieved, in part, through a decrease in activities that can lead to litigation, such as earnings management, and an increase in legal oversight by directors with legal expertise. Moreover, CEOs with legal training are associated with higher value in firms with high litigation risk and growth firms.
Keywords: CEOs, litigation risk, corporate finance
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M. Todd Henderson (Contact Author)
University of Chicago - Law School ( email )
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Matthew Pierson
Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) ( email )
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