General Counsel

A general counsel, chief counsel, or chief legal officer (CLO) is the chief lawyer of a legal department, usually in a company or a governmental department.

Typical 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
  • Keep abreast of legislative changes

 

Typical requirements:

  • Overall broad legal knowledge (corporate law, litigation, employment law etc)
  • In-depth understanding of how legal issues affect organisations
  • Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives
  • Well-versed in how business operate with financial acumen
  • High degree of professional ethics, integrity and gravitas
  • Excellent judgement and analytical skill
  • First class interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to anticipate legal issues or risks and to “see around the corner”
  • BSc degree in Law or J.D. degree (MA or BSc in Business Administration will be considered an asset).
  • Admitted to practice and hold a current unrestricted practicing certificate

 

Other Legal jobs we typically place include:

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