Legal wins mean nothing if your company loses trust. In today’s fast-moving world, reputation is as valuable as compliance. Many companies still let legal teams dictate messaging, but failing to integrate strategic communications with legal counsel can cost businesses their credibility, investors, and long-term success. From Boeing’s crisis fallout to Microsoft’s M&A triumph, this article explores why General Counsel (GC) and strategic communications must collaborate to navigate legal risks while safeguarding trust, reputation, and stakeholder confidence. Boards that fail to act risk financial and reputational losses that far outweigh any legal victory.