A general counsel usually is an attorney who works in a corporate or governmental legal department. The job of a general counsel lawyer is varied, depending on the employer. In a corporate setting, this chief legal officer often reports to the chief executive officer. Those working in general counsel government jobs usually report directly to the head of the agency for which they work. In both settings, the range of duties is similar.
Corporate counsel jobs have grown in large numbers and status. A large number of lawyers have moved from private practice into a general counsel job. An attorney usually serves in an advisory capacity to an executive team, board or agency. The chief legal officer often keeps track of new laws that affect the corporation or entity and advises upon what action might be necessary, drafts contracts and participates in contract negotiations and acts as a liaison with any outside legal counsel retained to handle specific legal affairs. Other duties often include managing leasing agreements, due diligence of acquisitions and mergers, legal compliance matters, status reports on cases, projects and legal requests and other duties as assigned.
A general counsel also conducts research and analysis of existing and proposed laws and regulations and represents an individual or a department as a whole. Keeping a close eye on the day-to-day operations and overall policies and procedures of any entity bears a large burden of responsibility. For example, the chief lawyer in a corporation often must advise the board about what policies might need to be changed to ensure compliance with equal employment or anti-discrimination laws and might have to advise when the actions of board members, departments or individual employees might subject the corporation to civil or criminal liability.
General counsels in government have similar duties. Typical duties in a government setting include monitoring and advising about compliance with laws and regulations and assisting in the development of government policies, procedures, standards and contracts. In a government entity, the chief legal counsel might advise the governor, the president or an entire committee or board.
Pay for a corporate counsel or government general counsel position varies with assigned responsibilities and employer. Most general counsel attorneys make more than private firm associates, so openings in this field are much sought after. Because the job of chief legal officer entails this large amount of responsibility, most employers seeking to fill this position require a Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Laws or Master of Laws degree, depending on the country.