We examine whether the composition of top management with General Counsel (GC)
affects properties of management earnings forecasts disclosures. After controlling for
corporate governance and litigation risk, we find that firms with a GC in top management
are more likely to issue forecasts, particularly bad news forecasts, than other
firms. Further, their forecasts are less optimistic and more accurate than those issued by
others. Consistently, the stock price reaction to their forecast news is stronger. These
effects are more pronounced when the GC’s managerial status is higher. Overall, our
results suggest that GCs play an important role in corporate disclosures.