The backgrounds and careers of lawyer-corporate chief executive officers in each of three historical populations of corporate chief executive officers are examined. Contrary to Newcomer (1955), the proportion of lawyer-chief executives now appears to be increasing. Data also indicate that the backgrounds of lawyer-chief executives frequently include attendance at prestigious undergraduate educational institutions and law schools, and initial positions in large, prestigious law firms. Career paths toward top corporate positions differ, but include organizational, professional, and interlocking governmental-corporate paths. These results are discussed.
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