General Counsel Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In today’s corporate world, the role of a General Counsel has never been more crucial.

As business landscapes evolve, the need for knowledgeable legal minds who can guide, protect, and navigate an organization’s legal framework becomes more pressing.

But what does a General Counsel really do?

Whether you are:

• A job applicant trying to understand the nuances of this role,
• A hiring manager outlining the perfect candidate,
• Or simply curious about the intricacies of legal counsel in a corporate setting,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we present a customizable General Counsel job description template, designed for easy posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s delve right into it.

General Counsel Duties and Responsibilities

General Counsels oversee all legal matters within a company, providing legal advice, guiding the business on legal rights and duties, and ensuring that the company operates within the law.

Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Provide legal advice on a wide range of issues to ensure the company operates within legal guidelines
• Handle or oversee the management of all legal matters, including contract negotiations, mergers and acquisitions, compliance issues, and litigation
• Represent the company in legal proceedings, either directly or through managing external attorneys
• Prepare and review company contracts, requests for proposals, and other legal documents
• Design and oversee the company’s policy and position on legal matters
• Ensure the company is updated on legislative and regulatory changes that may affect the company’s operations
• Develop an in-house legal team to handle routine legal tasks and coordinate legal issues handled by external lawyers
• Provide training to the company on legal topics and promote legal, compliance and risk management awareness within the company

 

General Counsel Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced General Counsel to oversee all legal aspects of our business.

Your duties will include ensuring that our company operates within the law at all times, offering counsel on legal issues, creating effective defense strategies, and enhancing business opportunities.

The successful candidate will be able to ensure legal compliance and limit risk exposure, provide expert and strategic legal advice to management, and set internal governance policies.

 

Responsibilities

• Provide expert and strategic legal advice to management
• Set internal governance policies and manage the impact of external factors
• Evaluate and weigh multiple inputs and impacts of any decision or course of action
• Anticipate issues and estimate risks strategically
• Identify proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate risks
• Base your decision-making process on ethics and integrity
• Create associations of trust and respect with key stakeholders
• Deal with external parties (regulators, external counsel, politicians, clients)
• Attract, develop, direct, motivate and drive performance from team
• Draft agreements that minimize risks and maximize legal rights
• Meet legal objectives

 

Qualifications

• Proven general counseling experience in business environment
• Overall broad legal knowledge (corporate law, litigations, labor law, etc)
• Understanding of how legal issues affect organizations
• Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives
• High degree of professional ethics, integrity and gravitas
• Excellent judgement and analytical skills
• First class interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to anticipate legal issues or risks and to see around the corner
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree
• Admitted to the State Bar

 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: General Counsel
• Work Environment: Corporate office setting. Some travel may be required for meetings or legal proceedings.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the CEO or Board of Directors.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $150,000 minimum to $300,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant legal certifications to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a General Counsel Do?

General Counsels are top-level legal experts within a corporation or organization.

They oversee all legal matters, provide legal advice, and guide strategies to mitigate legal risks.

Their main duties include drafting and reviewing legal documents and contracts, ensuring the company complies with laws and regulations, managing corporate governance issues, and advising on major business transactions or initiatives.

They also lead the organization’s legal department or team, setting objectives, building relationships, and developing policies and procedures that align with company goals.

In case of litigation, the General Counsel directs and oversees the organization’s defense strategy, often liaising with external law firms.

They may also be involved in negotiations and settlements outside of the courtroom.

Furthermore, they often serve as a key advisor to the board of directors and senior management, providing advice on a wide range of legal and business matters.

Their role requires not only a deep understanding of law, but also an understanding of the company’s business and industry to provide relevant and practical legal advice.

 

General Counsel Qualifications and Skills

A proficient General Counsel should have the skills and qualifications that align with your job description, such as:

• Legal knowledge and experience to provide accurate and timely advice on a wide range of legal topics such as contracts, tax law, intellectual property, corporate governance, etc.
• Excellent judgement and analytical skills to assess the potential impact of various legal issues on the company and suggest preventive measures.
• Effective communication skills to liaise with various stakeholders, explain complex legal issues and concepts in a clear, understandable manner, and negotiate effectively.
• Strong leadership abilities to manage the legal team and guide them towards achieving the company’s objectives.
• Problem-solving skills to find practical and creative solutions to legal problems that arise within the company.
• Interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively and meet deadlines.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies.

 

General Counsel Experience Requirements

General Counsel roles typically require extensive experience in the field of law.

Candidates are often expected to have a minimum of 7-10 years of experience practicing law, particularly in a corporate setting.

This experience is typically gained through roles such as Associate Attorney, Legal Counsel or Senior Counsel.

During their years of experience, candidates are expected to have broad exposure to various facets of corporate law, including contract law, labor and employment law, intellectual property rights, and regulatory compliance.

Candidates for General Counsel should have a significant amount of litigation experience, as well as experience in negotiating and drafting complex legal documents.

Those with more than 10 years of experience often have substantial leadership experience, having directed legal teams or departments.

They may have also served in a General Counsel role in a smaller organization or as a Deputy or Assistant General Counsel in a larger organization.

The candidates are usually required to have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and must be licensed to practice law in their respective jurisdictions.

Continuing education and specialization in relevant areas of law are also considered advantageous in a General Counsel role.

In addition to legal experience, General Counsel candidates should also have experience working closely with executive teams and have a strong understanding of business strategy and operations.

This often comes from time spent in roles that require direct interaction with senior leadership.

 

General Counsel Education and Training Requirements

A General Counsel role typically requires a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

In addition, all states require General Counsels to pass their state’s bar examination to become licensed attorneys.

Undergraduate education usually involves a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Political Science, Economics, or English, followed by three years of law school.

Law school education combines theoretical instruction with practical application, teaching students to understand the law, conduct legal research, and argue a case in court.

Moreover, General Counsels often have several years of experience practicing law, with a preference for those who have had experience in a leadership role or within the specific industry of the company.

Continued education is also crucial in this role, as they must keep abreast of legislative changes and recent court decisions that may affect their company’s operations.

Additional training or qualifications, such as a Master of Laws (LLM) degree, while not necessary, can be beneficial and demonstrate a candidate’s dedication to their field.

 

General Counsel Salary Expectations

A General Counsel can expect to earn an average salary of $192,930 (USD) per year.

This pay rate can fluctuate based on factors such as the individual’s level of expertise, the size and industry of the hiring company, and the geographical location of the position.

 

General Counsel Job Description FAQs

What skills does a General Counsel need?

A General Counsel should possess excellent communication and negotiation skills to deal with various stakeholders.

They should have a deep understanding of business law, contractual agreements, and corporate governance.

Critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills are also necessary to navigate complex legal scenarios.

They must also have strong leadership skills as they often lead a team of attorneys and legal professionals.

 

Do General Counsels need a degree?

Yes, a General Counsel must have a bachelor’s degree, followed by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

They must also pass their state’s bar examination to be licensed to practice law.

Some organizations may also prefer candidates with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or other relevant advanced degrees.

 

What should you look for in a General Counsel resume?

In a General Counsel’s resume, you should look for a strong background in corporate law with a proven track record of handling complex legal matters.

They should have experience in drafting and negotiating contracts, managing litigation, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Experience in a leadership role and a demonstrated understanding of business strategy are also desirable.

 

What qualities make a good General Counsel?

A good General Counsel is not only an expert in the legal field but also understands the business’s operational and strategic needs.

They should be proactive and able to foresee potential legal issues to prevent them from happening.

A good General Counsel is also ethical, trustworthy, and has high integrity.

They should have the ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a way that non-legal staff can understand.

 

Is it difficult to hire a General Counsel?

Hiring a General Counsel can be challenging due to the high level of expertise and experience required for this role.

The ideal candidate should have not only a strong legal background but also a strategic business understanding.

A thorough selection process is crucial to ensure the candidate’s alignment with the organization’s values and goals.

 

Conclusion

And there you have it.

Today, we’ve demystified the role of a general counsel.

Guess what?

It’s not just about practicing law.

It’s about guiding the legal direction of a company, one decision at a time.

With our go-to general counsel job description template and real-world examples, you’re ready to make your mark.

But why settle here?

Venture further with our job description generator. It’s your next step to precision-tailored job listings or fine-tuning your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every legal decision contributes to the larger corporate strategy.

Let’s shape the future. Together.

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