Sub silentio: one reason why a benchmark participant might request anonymity

My most recent column for InsideCounsel, under the nom de plume of “Morrison on Metrics,” gave data on the number of participants in the General Counsel Metrics global benchmark survey who requested anonymity. I speculated on several reasons why they did not want to have the name of their company disclosed.

A few days ago, instead of speculating I asked a new “stealth” participant. The answer was simple: the CEO must review all references to the company that will be made public, such as listing the company as a participant in an benchmark study, and the general counsel did not want to use up a chit to seek permission. Ergo, sub silentio.