What is a General Counsel?

Known as the chief or corporate counsel, depending on the organization’s structure, a general counsel (GC) is primarily a company’s chief in-house lawyer. They oversee the business’s legal aspects and guide on legal issues. A board may have a member or two knowledgeable in law. Still, an actual practicing lawyer is needed to ensure all activities and operations align with a specific industry’s legal and regulatory requirements. 

What does a general counsel do?

The word general indicates that the person filling in for this role has a broad range of legal responsibilities in the organization. While the specific duties may vary on the job description, they typically include: 

• Legal advisory – GCs provide legal advice to the company’s management and board of directors to guide business decisions. 
• Corporate governance – As part of the leadership team, they must ensure that the organization follows the highest corporate governance standards by looking after the board practices and shareholder relations while adhering to the established bylaws.
• Compliance and risk oversight – The GCs must also guarantee the company’s compliance with laws and regulations. They do this by conducting audits and implementing policies to minimize legal risks.
• Contract management – GCs often oversee contract drafting, negotiation, and review to protect the organization’s interests. This can include agreements with vendors, customers, and partners.
• Litigation management – If the organization faces lawsuits or legal disputes, the GC will manage the litigation process and handle any legal proceedings. In some cases, they coordinate with outside counsel to make sure that the organization’s legal position is effectively represented.
• Mergers and acquisition – During M&As, the GC must be present to review its legal aspects. Their responsibilities include due diligence, negotiation, and drafting related agreements.

In a nonprofit setup, the role of the GC is fairly similar, but since there is no profit motive, their capacity extends to providing legal advice on filing tax-exempt status and adhering to nonprofit regulations. 

How to Become a General Counsel

Becoming a general counsel requires a combination of education, relevant experience, and the right skill set. Here’s how to become one:

1. Obtain a degree – As a representative of the law, a GC must have a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. This is to establish credibility and demonstrate the legal expertise gained from years of training and education. Many GCs hold undergraduate degrees in the fields of business, finance, or public policy.
2. Gain legal experience – GCs generally have extensive legal experience due to years of actively practicing law, often ranging from 10 to 20 years. This experience might include working in law firms or in-house legal departments, focusing on corporate law, compliance, and litigation.
3. Hone necessary skills – Develop critical skills such as negotiation, communication, leadership, management, and analytical thinking. Strong documentation abilities and attention to detail are also crucial for success in the role.
4. Establish an executive presence – The ability to command respect and convey authority can inspire trust among colleagues and stakeholders, which is what a GC needs. What could help an aspiring one is to engage in public speaking, participate in leadership training, and seek mentorship to strengthen this presence further.
5. Build a network – Cultivating a professional network within the legal community can help aspiring GCs advance their careers and stay connected with the right people.