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Aug 20, 2026|
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How Do I Bring an Executive Perspective to Legal And Business Decisions?
My legal career has been closely connected to the way businesses are actually run. Before returning to private practice, I served as general counsel, CFO, COO and ultimately chairman and CEO of Sonic Corp., giving me experience making the legal, financial and operational decisions that now shape my work with clients.
Advising boards and executives on governance and significant business decisions
Clifford Hudson advises boards and senior executives on corporate governance, board responsibilities, franchising and other issues that arise at the highest levels of an organization. He also works with clients on significant deals and business decisions, helping them to assess their options and understand the potential risks and rewards of each approach.
A focus on franchising operations
Cliff also has firsthand experience with the opportunities and challenges of building and operating a large franchise system. During his tenure as CEO, Sonic’s systemwide sales increased from $861 million to $4.5 billion, giving him valuable insights into the operational and business factors that accompany significant franchise growth.
Drawing on experience across organizations
Cliff’s leadership experience extends beyond corporate America. He served as a trustee of the Ford Foundation and as chairman of the board of trustees of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in addition to his presidential appointment as chairman of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. These experiences offer additional perspective on the governance and leadership issues faced by organizations with many different structures, missions and responsibilities.