Top 11 In House Counsel Certifications

Certifications for an in-house counsel are important for several reasons. First and foremost, certifications demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has a certain level of knowledge and expertise in their field. They also provide proof that the individual is dedicated to professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments. Additionally, certifications may be required by law or regulation in some areas of practice, such as securities or antitrust law. Finally, certifications can also provide an edge over other job applicants who do not have certification credentials, giving them a competitive advantage when seeking employment opportunities.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of some of the most beneficial certifications for In House Counsels and explain how they can help to propel their career.

What are In House Counsel Certifications?

In house counsel certification (also referred to as corporate counsel certification) is a voluntary designation that is available to lawyers who work in the corporate legal department of a company. This certification is granted by an independent organization, such as the National Association of Corporate Counsel (NACCC). To become certified, a lawyer must meet certain criteria and demonstrate proficiency in areas such as business law, ethics, and regulatory compliance.

In house counsel certification can be beneficial for both employers and employees. For employers, having a member of their legal team with this certification indicates that they have taken the extra step to ensure their staff are knowledgeable about the laws and regulations that govern their industry. It also shows that they have invested in their staff’s professional development. For employees, obtaining this certification can help them stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions within the company or when seeking employment elsewhere. It also provides them with recognition for their knowledge of business law and ethical standards. Being certified can also open up opportunities for career advancement and additional responsibilities within an organization.

Pro tip: Make sure to keep your in-house counsel certification up-to-date. This means regularly attending continuing legal education courses and seminars that focus on the specific areas of law relevant to your company's operations. Additionally, it's important to stay abreast of changes in the law that could impact your business, such as new regulations or case law developments.

Related: What does an In House Counsel do?

Top 11 In House Counsel Certifications

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

1. Certified In-House Counsel (CIC)

Certified In-House Counsel (CIC) is a professional certification program offered by the American Bar Association (ABA) for attorneys who practice in-house corporate law. The CIC credential recognizes attorneys who have achieved a high level of expertise and experience in the area of corporate law.

The CIC program requires applicants to meet certain qualifications, such as having at least five years of in-house legal experience, passing an examination on corporate law topics, and completing continuing legal education courses related to in-house practice. To maintain their certification, CICs must complete at least 10 hours of continuing legal education every year.

To obtain the CIC designation, applicants must submit an application to the ABA along with documentation of their legal experience and proof that they have passed the required exam. The cost for applying for the CIC designation is $1,000. Once approved, applicants will receive their CIC certificate within six weeks.

2. Certified Corporate Counsel (CCC)

Certified Corporate Counsel (CCC) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Corporate Counsel (NACC). The CCC designation is designed to recognize lawyers who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in corporate law. It is the only professional certification program specifically designed for corporate counsel.

To obtain the CCC designation, an attorney must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an examination administered by the NACC. Eligibility requirements include being an active member of the NACC, having at least five years of experience as a practicing corporate counsel, and having passed the bar exam in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

The CCC examination consists of two parts: a written multiple-choice section and an oral performance section. The written portion covers topics such as corporate governance, securities law, contracts, labor law, intellectual property law, antitrust law, tax law, and international business transactions. The oral performance section requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to analyze legal issues and provide practical advice on how to resolve them.

It typically takes six months to complete the CCC program once all eligibility requirements have been met. There are no prerequisites or educational requirements for taking the exam; however, it is recommended that applicants have some prior legal experience or education in order to be successful on the exam.

The cost of obtaining the CCC designation varies depending on whether you are already a member of the NACC or not. For non-members, there is an application fee of $250 plus a $500 fee for taking the exam itself; for members there is only an application fee of $100 plus a $400 fee for taking the exam itself.

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 and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of legal management professionals.

The CLM program comprises three levels: Certified Legal Manager (CLM), Senior Certified Legal Manager (SCLM), and Master Certified Legal Manager (MCLM). The CLM designation is the entry-level certification for legal managers. To become certified, applicants must have at least five years of experience in a legal management role, pass an exam, and complete continuing education requirements.

It typically takes approximately six months to one year to complete the CLM program. To get started, applicants must submit an application form to ALA along with a $100 non-refundable fee. Once accepted into the program, applicants will be assigned a mentor who will guide them through the process.

Applicants must then take and pass the CLM examination which consists of 200 multiple choice questions covering topics such as human resources management, financial management, operations management, technology management, practice development/marketing/business development, and ethics/risk management. The exam fee is $350 for members of ALA or $400 for non-members.

Once applicants have passed the exam they must complete 12 hours of continuing education credits within two years in order to maintain their certification status. The cost of these courses varies depending on where they are taken and whether or not they are sponsored by ALA or other organizations.

In total, it costs approximately $450-$500 to become certified as a CLM and an additional $200-$300 every two years to maintain certification status.

4. Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP)

Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) is a professional certification program offered by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). It is designed to help compliance professionals demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of compliance and ethics.

The CCEP certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in the field of compliance and ethics. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as legal requirements, risk management, ethical decision-making, organizational culture, and more. The exam can be taken either online or in person.

To get certified as a CCEP, applicants must first register with SCCE and pay the applicable fee. The fee for the CCEP certification is $495 for members of SCCE and $595 for non-members. After registering with SCCE, applicants must complete an application form which includes information about their professional background and experience. Once the application is approved by SCCE, applicants can then take the exam.

It typically takes between four to six weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CCEP certificate from SCCE confirming your status as a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional.

5. Certified Regulatory Compliance Professional (CRCP)

Certified Regulatory Compliance Professional (CRCP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of regulatory compliance. It is designed for professionals working in the financial services, insurance, and other regulated industries.

The CRCP program is offered by the National Association of Regulatory Compliance Professionals (NARCP). To earn the certification, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of federal and state regulations, as well as their ability to interpret and apply them. Applicants must also complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education credits over a two-year period.

The exam typically takes four hours to complete and can be taken online or at an approved testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you take it online or at a testing center, but typically ranges from $250-$500.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CRCP designation and be eligible to use the “CRCP” designation after your name. You will also receive a certificate of completion from NARCP that you can display in your office or on your resume.

6. Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx)

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) is a professional body in the United Kingdom that provides qualifications, training and support to individuals who wish to become legal executives. It is a chartered institute, meaning it has been granted royal charter status by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.

In order to become a CILEx member, you must complete an approved course of study and pass exams. The courses are offered by CILEx Law School and can be studied on either a full-time or part-time basis. Depending on your chosen route, it can take anywhere from two years to four years to complete the course and obtain the necessary qualifications.

To get started, you will need to register with CILEx Law School and select your preferred course. You will then need to pay the relevant fees for tuition, exam entry and membership fees. The cost of studying varies depending on which route you choose but typically ranges from £3,000 - £10,000 per year.

Once you have completed your studies, you will need to sit the CILEx Professional Qualifying Exam (PQE). This is a two-day exam consisting of three papers: Civil Litigation & Practice; Criminal Litigation & Practice; and Legal Services Management & Practice. Once successful in this exam, you will receive your Certificate of Completion which allows you to apply for full membership with CILEx as a Chartered Legal Executive (CLE).

As a CLE, you will be able to practice law independently or work as part of a team within solicitors’ firms or other organisations providing legal services.

7. International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) is a global not-for-profit organization that provides education, certification, and networking opportunities for professionals in the field of data privacy. It was founded in 2000 and has over 25,000 members from more than 100 countries.

The IAPP offers several certifications for privacy professionals including Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E), Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), and Certified Information Privacy Professional/Canada (CIPP/C). The CIPP/E and CIPM are the most popular certifications offered by the IAPP.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to obtain an IAPP certification. To get certified, you must first complete a training course or self-study program on data privacy topics such as legal requirements, risk management, and security best practices. After completing the training program, you will need to pass an exam to receive your certification.

The cost of obtaining an IAPP certification varies depending on which certification you choose. The CIPP/E costs $549 USD while the CIPM costs $799 USD. There may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam or attending a training course.

8. American Bar Association’s Business Law Certification Program

The American Bar Association’s Business Law Certification Program is a voluntary program that recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill and experience in the practice of business law. The program is designed to provide an objective measure of competence for business lawyers, and it provides an opportunity for these lawyers to demonstrate their expertise to the public.

The certification process includes completion of an application, successful passage of a written examination, and submission of references from other attorneys or judges familiar with the applicant’s work. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as contracts, corporate law, securities regulation, intellectual property law, bankruptcy law, antitrust law, commercial transactions and more.

The entire certification process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. Applicants must pay a fee when they submit their application; this fee varies depending on the state in which they are applying. In addition to the application fee, applicants must also pay an examination fee when they register for the exam. This fee also varies by state.

Once certified, attorneys must complete continuing legal education (CLE) requirements every three years in order to maintain their certification status. The CLE requirement is determined by each individual state bar association.

Overall, obtaining ABA Business Law Certification requires dedication and commitment from applicants; however it can be extremely beneficial for those seeking recognition as experts in business law.

9. National Association of Corporate Directors’ Board Leadership Fellow

The National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) Board Leadership Fellow program is designed to provide experienced board directors with an advanced understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a board director, as well as the skills necessary to be an effective leader. The program consists of four online courses that can be completed in approximately 18 months.

The NACD Board Leadership Fellow program is open to any individual who has served on at least one corporate board of directors within the past five years. Participants must complete all four courses in order to receive the designation of NACD Board Leadership Fellow. The cost for the entire program is $4,000 for NACD members and $4,500 for non-members.

The four courses included in the NACD Board Leadership Fellow program are:

1. Foundations of Directorship

2. Strategic Oversight

3. Financial Literacy & Risk Oversight

4. Leading High-Performing Boards

Each course includes interactive learning modules, assessments, and case studies which participants must successfully complete before moving onto the next course. Upon completion of all four courses, participants will receive a certificate recognizing their achievement as an NACD Board Leadership Fellow and access to exclusive resources from NACD including webinars and networking events.

10. Society for Corporate Governance’s Corporate Governance Certification

The Society for Corporate Governance’s Corporate Governance Certification is a professional credential that provides recognition of an individual’s knowledge and experience in the field of corporate governance. The certification is designed to help individuals demonstrate their commitment to the highest standards in corporate governance, as well as their understanding of the best practices and principles that guide effective corporate governance.

The certification process typically takes two to three months to complete. The first step is to complete an online application form, which includes providing information about your background, qualifications and experience in corporate governance. Once approved, you will be required to take a series of online courses and exams covering topics such as board structure and composition, risk management, shareholder engagement and compliance. Upon successful completion of all course requirements, you will receive your certification.

The cost for the Corporate Governance Certification varies depending on the number of courses taken. Each course has its own fee, but typically ranges from $200-$500 per course. In addition, there is an administrative fee associated with the certification program that can range from $100-$200 depending on the number of courses taken.

Overall, obtaining the Society for Corporate Governance’s Corporate Governance Certification is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to high standards in corporate governance and gain recognition for your knowledge in this area.

11. American Health Lawyers Association’s Health Care Compliance Certification

The American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) Health Care Compliance Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the field of health care compliance. The certification is awarded to individuals who meet the criteria set forth by AHLA and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the legal, ethical, and regulatory issues related to health care compliance.

The certification process typically takes between 3-6 months to complete. To be eligible for the certification, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in health care compliance or a related field. Additionally, applicants must pass an online assessment that tests their knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.

Once an applicant has met all eligibility requirements, they can apply for the certification through AHLA’s website. The application fee is $395 for AHLA members and $495 for non-members. After submitting the application, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online assessment. Once completed, applicants must submit their results along with any additional documentation required by AHLA for review and approval.

If approved, applicants will receive their certificate within two weeks after submission of all documents. The certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued and must be renewed before it expires in order to maintain active status as an ACHC certified professional.

Do You Really Need a In House Counsel Certificate?

No, you do not necessarily need an in-house counsel certificate in order to practice law. An in-house counsel certificate is a specialized certification that allows attorneys to practice law within an organization or company. This type of certification is typically only necessary if the attorney wants to focus on corporate legal matters and provide legal advice to their employer.

However, even without an in-house counsel certificate, attorneys can still be employed by companies and organizations as a general legal adviser or consultant. In such cases, the attorney would need to have general knowledge of the laws of the state where they are practicing and should also demonstrate experience with contract review and negotiation, litigation management, corporate governance, and other related topics.

In addition to this, there may be certain industries or specific tasks within those industries that require more specialized training for attorneys who wish to work within them. For example, many environmental law firms may require their attorneys to have expertise in environmental regulations and compliance before they can begin work on behalf of clients. Similarly, healthcare organizations may require their lawyers to have additional experience with medical malpractice cases or health insurance regulations.

In conclusion, while it is often beneficial for attorneys who want to specialize in corporate legal matters to obtain an in-house counsel certificate, it is not always necessary for them to practice law within a company or organization. Attorneys can still gain employment as a general legal adviser or consultant without the extra certification and should be knowledgeable about the laws of their state as well as any specialized topics that may be required by their industry or employers.

Related: In House Counsel Resume Examples

FAQs About In House Counsel Certifications

1. What is In House Counsel Certification?

Answer: In House Counsel Certification is a professional certification program offered by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC) that recognizes attorneys who have met certain standards of expertise in their practice as corporate counsel. The certification requires applicants to demonstrate substantial experience, legal knowledge, and ethical conduct in the practice area they wish to be certified in.

2. What are the benefits of being certified?

Answer: Being certified as an In House Counsel demonstrates to potential employers your commitment to excellence and understanding of the legal profession. It also provides a competitive edge when applying for jobs, as well as credibility and recognition from peers and colleagues. Additionally, it can open up opportunities for career advancement and new areas of specialization.

3. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must meet specific criteria set forth by the NBLSC including minimum years of experience, passing a written examination, completing continuing education requirements, and submitting a signed application verifying your qualifications. Additionally, you must demonstrate ethical conduct in your practice and adhere to the NBLSC Code of Professional Responsibility.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The process typically takes between 6-9 months depending on how quickly all required materials are submitted and processed by the NBLSC board members.

5. Is there an annual fee associated with certification?

Answer: Yes, there is an annual fee associated with certification which helps cover administrative costs associated with maintaining membership status with the NBLSC board members. Additionally, there may be additional fees for taking the written examination or renewing certifications after expiration dates have passed.