One of the critical success factors (ugh, consultant speak) for a general counsel is grooming replacements for her position and other key positions in the department. Thar be dragons, one might say, but a recent article spots many of the critters and suggests how to slay them.
Succession planning, one of the steps of professional development, takes time and attention, but it makes such a huge difference over the years to a law department. Here is the article.