An in-house legal department is found in many large corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies. The general counsel, or head of this department, is in charge of safeguarding the organization’s interests and supervising legal associates. A well-established attorney with a significant amount of time and experience in a business or corporate law environment is typically required to become a general counsel. To work as a general counsel, you’ll almost certainly need to be a strong leader.
A law degree is required in most areas for a general counsel. Many organizations also require a working knowledge of business law and government regulations specific to the industry. Law courses focusing on these topics can help you get the education you need to work as a general counsel.
The level of experience required to become a general counsel is typically much higher than that required for other types of attorneys. Because a position as general counsel is not an entry-level position, experience can be just as important as education in some cases. Individuals interested in becoming general counsel should have prior experience in business or corporate law. Individuals with a working knowledge of business law specific to their industry are typically sought out companies as general counsel. Some attorneys may work their way up from lower-level positions in a corporate legal department to become the firm’s general counsel.
A general counsel serves as an organization’s watchdog, ensuring that the company’s interests are protected and that all legal obligations are met. As a result, strong leadership skills are a desirable trait in a general counsel. A general counsel in a government agency typically deals with government policies and regulations, which differs slightly from a general counsel in the private sector. General counsel in both the private and public sectors, on the other hand, tend to share many of the same responsibilities.
In the form of associations and forums, a number of organizations provide assistance to general counsel. In the United States, the Silicon Valley Association of General Counsel and The General Counsel Forum, as well as the GC100 in the United Kingdom, are among them. Each of these organizations and forums provides assistance to its members, which may include attorneys as well as management professionals. Members of each organization can network with other industry professionals to discuss best practices, risk management, and current compliance issues.