Coolidge Rhodes on legal practice
From Leading with Authenticity: CE Rhodes on Clarity, Service, and Solving Problems · · Becoming the GC Podcast with Joseph Schohl
“I feel like what I do now is I solve problems using my legal skills. That's a difference than practicing law from the standpoint of, you know, now I'm at a point where I have a good understanding of business and what our objectives are.”
On , Coolidge Rhodes, Group Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at CULLEN/FROST BANKERS INC, spoke about legal practice during Leading with Authenticity: CE Rhodes on Clarity, Service, and Solving Problems on Becoming the GC Podcast with Joseph Schohl.
About Coolidge Rhodes
Coolidge Rhodes, Group Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Cullenfrost Bankers, has described his role as solving business problems using legal skills, emphasizing that he has developed a strong understanding of the business and its objectives. In a November 2025 podcast, Rhodes discussed his approach to leadership, noting that he listens to legal advice from his team or outside counsel and then considers how to address business challenges within legal boundaries. He also highlighted the importance of plain language in contracts, stating that he aims to write agreements that his parents could generally understand. Rhodes reflected on his earlier career, including a 12-year tenure at Baker Hughes where he conducted FCPA audits and investigations, and noted that he was hired for his skills rather than specific experience. He also mentioned serving as the chief liaison with a government monitor, which he said gave him a different perspective on government expectations. Rhodes has spoken about the culture at Cullenfrost Bankers, describing the bank's mission as building long-term customer relationships and treating people fairly regardless of their account size. He noted that the CEO believes in extending grace and using the bank as a force for good, which resonated with him. Rhodes also described a practice of starting Monday management meetings with "Frost stories," customer examples that reinforce the bank's values. He emphasized the importance of concise communication, particularly when presenting to the board, and said the best compliment a general counsel can receive from a CEO is being considered a "consigliere" who is invited into business meetings for business judgment rather than solely for legal advice.