The evolution of general counsel’s responsibilities: Challenges and opportunities

A general counsel, also known as chief counsel or chief legal officer, advises the senior management team on the legal strategy and tactics that they should undertake in the best interests of the business.

The many roles and responsibilities of general counsel within an organisation can be quite different from those of a traditional lawyer or attorney in an external law firm, since general counsel are required to have specific industry knowledge and business expertise, which is integral to their ability to advise senior management. In this article, we examine some of the challenges and opportunities they face in their position.

Challenges

• The skill set of a general counsel is much broader than that of a lawyer in a law firm. They must be knowledgeable in business matters so that they can provide contextual legal advice that contributes to the growth and success of a business.
• In many cases, a general counsel will also require industry-specific knowledge and experience. This is essential for navigating the legal landscape in certain cases that are industry-specific. This means that a general counsel is also responsible for seeking out opportunities within an organisation to build their knowledge and skills with an industry-specific approach.
• Given that a general counsel is responsible for providing legal advice that is in the best interests of the business, it is also essential that they understand the financial implications of their advice. As such, they need to acquire knowledge and experience in finance, and proactively find opportunities where they can combine that with their legal, business and industry-specific knowledge.
• The general counsels of an organisation not only dispense legal advice; they are viewed as a go-to adviser within a business. This means that they need to develop a high standard in soft skills, such as networking, communication and leadership. They need to be approachable and provide complex advice in a manner that is understandable to different levels and departments in an organisation. This can be quite challenging as it requires a non-legalese approach to communicating complex legal topics.
• In addition to soft skills, a general counsel requires the right personality to carry out their responsibilities. With an advanced skill set and knowledge, they must have the emotional intelligence to navigate the political climate of an organisation to get things done.

Opportunities

• The general counsel’s responsibilities open up networking opportunities at different levels and departments. Unlike other members of senior management, they provide a well-rounded view of a business and an organisation. For this reason, they are viewed as a key adviser to the CEO.
• The opportunity to network provides a general counsel with a broader view of the organisation than other members of senior management. In this way, a general counsel has more flexibility to learn about different aspects of a business, thus making them an invaluable resource.
• The ability of a general counsel to fulfil their responsibilities is enhanced by their interaction with different areas of an organisation. In this way, they must expand their knowledge beyond the law. This presents a unique opportunity for lawyers who enjoy new challenges and experiences.
• When a general counsel overcomes the challenges and embraces the opportunities before them, their broad knowledge and skill set greatly distinguishes them from other lawyers, making them attractive for a variety of roles in an organisation.
• As the skills, knowledge and experience of a general counsel evolve, they become more influential within the organisation. In this way, a general counsel has the opportunity to make a significant impact on a business.

The general counsel’s responsibilities lend themselves to a sociable leader with high emotional intelligence. Undoubtedly, there is a considerable learning curve for a lawyer, since this role requires a well-rounded set of skills, knowledge and experience that can only be gained through consistent, proactive development in business, finance and industry-specific subject matter areas.

A general counsel is also expected to take on other roles, which can extend beyond the position of business and legal adviser. However, there are unique opportunities for a general counsel: with their specialised knowledge and skill set, they can have a significant impact on a business and an organisation. Their responsibilities and skill set also prepare them for a variety of career opportunities that extend beyond the legal landscape.