Top 10 General Counsel Certifications

Certifications are important for general counsel in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in a particular area of law. They can be used to demonstrate that an individual has a certain level of experience and skill that can be beneficial to an employer. Additionally, certifications provide potential employers with an assurance that the individual is up-to-date on recent changes in the law and has the necessary training to handle legal matters. Certifications also indicate that the individual has taken extra steps to stay informed about their field, which shows initiative and dedication to their profession. In short, certifications can give general counsels an edge over other applicants when it comes to job hunting.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for General Counsels and explains how they can help to advance a general counsel's career.

What are General Counsel Certifications?

General counsel certification is a professional designation that recognizes the knowledge and expertise of corporate legal advisors. The designation is awarded by the American Bar Association (ABA) to attorneys who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in their practice area. This certification provides assurance to employers, clients, and other legal professionals that an attorney has achieved a certain level of competency in their field.

General counsel certification can help attorneys increase their visibility in the marketplace and stand out from other lawyers. It also serves as an assurance to potential employers or clients that they are getting an experienced and qualified attorney who has taken extra steps to demonstrate their competence. Additionally, having general counsel certification may make a lawyer more attractive as a job candidate or consultant when compared to other candidates without such credentials. Finally, it helps promote public confidence in the legal profession by ensuring that those with general counsel certifications have met stringent standards for professional excellence.

Pro Tip: General Counsel Certification is a valuable asset for any legal professional. It can open up opportunities for career advancement, increased salary, and recognition as a leader in the field. To become certified, make sure to research the requirements and application process thoroughly and seek advice from experienced professionals in the field. Additionally, take advantage of study materials, such as books and online courses, to ensure you are well-prepared for any certification exam.

Related: What does a General Counsel do?

Top 10 General Counsel Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to General Counsels today.

1. Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)

Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) is a professional certification program offered by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to lead an organization’s compliance and ethics program.

The CCEP certification requires completion of a two-day course, passing a comprehensive exam, and having at least three years of full-time experience in the field. The course covers topics such as risk management, legal compliance, corporate governance, ethics programs, auditing/investigations, and more.

To get the CCEP certification, you must first register with SCCE for the two-day course. After completing the course and passing the exam, you will receive your official CCEP certificate. The cost of registration for the two-day course is $1,495 USD plus applicable taxes.

2. Certified Corporate Counsel (CCC)

Certified Corporate Counsel (CCC) is a professional certification program offered by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). It is designed to recognize and promote excellence in corporate legal practice. The CCC certification is the highest level of recognition for corporate counsel and demonstrates a commitment to professional development and ethical standards.

The CCC certification process requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and experience in four core areas: corporate law, ethics, business acumen, and leadership. Applicants must also meet certain education requirements as well as have at least five years of experience in corporate legal practice.

The application process for the CCC certification typically takes six to eight weeks from start to finish. To get started, applicants must submit an online application form which includes information about their education, professional experience, and other relevant qualifications. Once this is submitted, applicants will be asked to complete an assessment test which covers the four core areas mentioned above. After passing the assessment test, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from colleagues or supervisors who can speak to their professional abilities and character. Finally, applicants are required to pay a fee of $400 USD before they can be officially certified as a Certified Corporate Counsel (CCC).

3. Certified Legal Manager (CLM)

Certified Legal Manager (CLM) is a professional certification program offered by the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the management of law firms and other legal organizations. The CLM credential is a mark of distinction that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to excellence in legal management.

The CLM program consists of two parts: a written examination and a portfolio assessment. To become certified, applicants must pass both parts. The written examination covers topics such as financial management, human resources, marketing and communications, technology, operations, and ethics. The portfolio assessment requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the areas covered by the written examination.

The entire process typically takes six to nine months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application form along with all required documents and fees. Once approved, they can then register for the exam and begin preparing for it. After passing the exam, applicants must complete the portfolio assessment within one year of passing the exam.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you are an ALA member or non-member, as well as which type of certification you are seeking (e.g., Certified Legal Manager or Certified Paralegal Administrator). Generally speaking, however, it costs around $1,000-$1,500 USD for members and $2,000-$2,500 USD for non-members to become certified through ALA's CLM program.

4. Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US)

Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). The CIPP/US certification is based on the US privacy laws, regulations and principles and provides professionals with the necessary knowledge to understand and implement US privacy requirements.

The CIPP/US certification consists of three parts: a multiple-choice exam, an online course, and a practical experience requirement. The multiple-choice exam tests your knowledge of US privacy laws, regulations, and principles. The online course covers topics such as data collection, use, sharing, security, compliance, enforcement and international transfer of personal information. Finally, the practical experience requirement requires that you have at least two years of relevant work experience in the field of privacy law or related areas.

The entire process to obtain the CIPP/US certification typically takes between 6-12 months depending on how quickly you complete each step. To get started with the process you must first register for the exam through IAPP's website. After registering for the exam you will need to complete an online course which can be found on IAPP's website as well. Once you have completed both steps you will then need to submit proof of your work experience in order to be eligible for the final step: passing the multiple-choice exam.

The cost to take all three parts of the CIPP/US certification program varies depending on whether or not you are a member of IAPP. For non-members it costs $845 USD for all three parts while members pay $745 USD for all three parts.

5. Certified Government Contract Lawyer (CGCL)

Certified Government Contract Lawyer (CGCL) is a certification program developed by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) to recognize lawyers who have achieved the highest level of expertise in government contract law. The CGCL certification is designed to provide attorneys with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of government contract law.

To earn the CGCL designation, attorneys must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in government contract law by passing an exam administered by NCMA. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that cover topics such as federal acquisition regulations, bid protests, contracts administration, dispute resolution and more.

The exam takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete and can be taken either online or at an NCMA testing center. The cost for the exam is $495 for NCMA members and $595 for non-members. After successfully completing the exam, applicants must also submit documentation demonstrating their experience in government contract law in order to receive their CGCL certification.

Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their CGCL certificate and be recognized as a Certified Government Contract Lawyer by NCMA.

6. Board of Legal Specialization Certification

Board of Legal Specialization Certification is a voluntary certification program that recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated expertise in a specific area of law. The certifications are offered by the American Bar Association (ABA) and many state bar associations. To become certified, an attorney must meet certain requirements such as having a minimum number of years of experience practicing in the specialty area, completing continuing legal education courses, and passing an examination.

The time frame for obtaining Board of Legal Specialization Certification varies depending on the specialty area. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one to three years to complete the process.

To get certified, attorneys must first apply for certification with their state bar association or with the ABA. Depending on the organization, there may be an application fee associated with this process. After submitting an application, attorneys will need to provide proof of their experience and qualifications in the specialty area they wish to pursue certification in. This could include providing transcripts from continuing legal education courses taken or other evidence demonstrating proficiency in the subject matter.

Once all required documentation has been submitted and reviewed, applicants will need to take and pass a written exam related to their chosen specialty area. Upon successful completion of this exam, applicants will receive Board of Legal Specialization Certification in that particular field.

The cost for Board of Legal Specialization Certification varies depending on which organization is offering it and which specialty area you are pursuing certification in. Generally speaking, costs can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars depending on the requirements necessary for certification.

7. Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Attorney (CMAA)

A Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Attorney (CMAA) is a designation given to attorneys who are experts in the field of mergers and acquisitions. This certification is granted by the American Bar Association (ABA) and requires that an attorney have extensive experience in the area of mergers and acquisitions law, as well as pass a rigorous examination.

In order to become certified, an attorney must have at least five years of experience practicing mergers and acquisitions law, be a member in good standing with the ABA, and complete a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as corporate finance, securities laws, antitrust laws, tax laws, contract drafting and negotiation, due diligence procedures, and other areas related to mergers and acquisitions.

The process for becoming certified typically takes about six months from start to finish. During this time period, an attorney will need to submit their application materials to the ABA for review. Once approved by the ABA Board of Governors, they will then be eligible to take the certification exam. After passing the exam with a score of at least 70%, they will receive their CMAA designation.

The cost for becoming certified varies depending on factors such as geographic location and whether or not an attorney has already passed any relevant exams prior to applying for certification. Generally speaking though, it can cost anywhere from $1,000-$2,000 USD in fees associated with taking the exam and submitting all necessary paperwork.

8. American Bar Association Certificate in Business Law

The American Bar Association (ABA) Certificate in Business Law is a professional certification program designed to provide attorneys with the skills and knowledge needed to practice business law. The certificate program consists of three courses: Introduction to Business Law, Advanced Business Law, and Corporate Governance. The program typically takes 12-18 months to complete, depending on the student’s individual pace.

To get the ABA Certificate in Business Law, you must first become an ABA member and then register for the certificate program. Once registered, you will be able to access course materials online and submit assignments via email or fax. Upon completion of all three courses, you will receive a certificate from the ABA.

The cost of the ABA Certificate in Business Law varies depending on whether you are an ABA member or not. For non-members, the cost is $1,500; for members it is $750. Additional fees may apply if you choose to take any of the courses at a physical location instead of online.

9. National Association of Corporate Directors Certification

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and experience of corporate directors. The program is intended to help ensure that board members have the necessary expertise and competencies to serve their companies effectively.

To earn NACD Certification, board members must complete a rigorous training program that covers topics such as corporate governance, risk management, financial reporting, and executive compensation. The program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person workshop. The online course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and the in-person workshop lasts for two days.

In order to receive NACD Certification, board members must successfully pass both parts of the program with a minimum score of 80%. Upon successful completion, they will receive a certificate from the NACD confirming their certification status.

The cost of NACD Certification varies depending on whether or not you are an NACD member. For non-members, the cost is $2,500 while for members it is $1,500.

10. International Association of Privacy Professionals Certification

The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) is a professional organization that provides certifications to individuals who demonstrate expertise in privacy and data protection. The IAPP certification program is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, and laws related to protecting personal information.

The IAPP offers two levels of certification: Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). To obtain either certification, individuals must pass an exam that tests their knowledge on topics such as data protection law, privacy policies, and risk management. The CIPP/E exam focuses on European data protection laws while the CIPM exam covers global privacy regulations.

The CIPP/E exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The CIPM exam takes about four hours to complete and includes both multiple-choice questions and written responses. Both exams are offered online or in person at select locations around the world.

The cost for taking either exam varies depending on whether you are an IAPP member or non-member. For members, the cost for the CIPP/E exam is $399 USD while the cost for the CIPM exam is $599 USD. For non-members, the cost for both exams is $599 USD each.

Once you have successfully passed your chosen exam, you will receive your official IAPP certification within four weeks via email or mail depending on your preference.

Do You Really Need a General Counsel Certificate?

No, you don't need a General Counsel Certificate to practice law. A General Counsel Certificate is not a requirement for practicing law and does not provide any formal qualifications or credentials. The certificate is merely a certification of the attorney’s knowledge base in general counsel law. It does not provide any additional legal authority or expertise.

However, having a General Counsel Certificate can be beneficial for lawyers who want to demonstrate their expertise in this area of the law and better market themselves as an expert on general counsel matters. The certificate also serves as an indication that the lawyer has taken the time to study and understand this area of the law. Additionally, it may help lawyers gain access to certain career opportunities or clients who require specialized expertise in this field.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a General Counsel Certificate depends on your goals and desired career path as a lawyer. If you believe that having a General Counsel Certificate will help you achieve your professional ambitions, then it may be worth pursuing one.

Related: General Counsel Resume Examples

FAQs About General Counsel Certifications

Q1: What is a General Counsel Certification?

A1: A General Counsel Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize attorneys who have achieved a high level of expertise in the area of general counsel law. The certification is awarded by the National Association of Corporate Counsel (NACC) and signifies that an attorney has demonstrated knowledge and experience in corporate legal matters.

Q2: Is a General Counsel Certification required for practicing general counsel law?

A2: No, it is not required, but having the certification can be beneficial for attorneys who are looking to advance their careers or gain recognition within the legal field.

Q3: How do I become certified as a General Counsel?

A3: In order to become certified, you must complete an application process that includes submitting evidence of your qualifications, passing a written exam and participating in an interview with members of the NACC Board of Governors. Once approved, you will receive your certification from the NACC.

Q4: How long does it take to get Certified as a General Counsel?

A4: The entire process typically takes between six months and one year. This includes gathering documentation, taking the exam and completing the interview process.

Q5: What are some benefits of becoming Certified as a General Counsel?

A5: Benefits include increased credibility among peers and employers; recognition as an expert in general counsel law; access to exclusive resources such as networking events, webinars and conferences; and potential career advancement opportunities.