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What does a Corporate Counsel do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A corporate counsel is responsible for providing legal advice to a company or organization. They may be involved in a variety of legal matters, such as contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, and litigation. Corporate counsels typically work closely with other members of the company's legal department, as well as with executives and other managers.

Corporate Counsel job duties include:

  • Advise management on legal matters and provide strategic legal guidance
  • Research and draft opinions on a variety of legal issues
  • Negotiate, draft and review contracts and other legal documents
  • Manage litigation matters, including supervising outside counsel
  • Advise on compliance with laws and regulations
  • Coordinate with other departments on legal matters
  • Train employees on legal compliance issues
  • Handle employment law matters
  • Manage intellectual property portfolio

Corporate Counsel Job Requirements

A corporate counsel, also known as an in-house counsel, is a lawyer who works for a corporation. The corporate counsel is responsible for providing legal advice to the corporation on all aspects of its business. The corporate counsel is also responsible for handling all legal matters for the corporation, including litigation. The corporate counsel must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice law in the state where the corporation is headquartered. The corporate counsel must also have experience working in a corporate legal department or as a corporate lawyer in private practice.

Corporate Counsel Skills

  • Analytical skills
  • Research skills
  • Writing skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Time management skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • Mediation skills
  • Conflict resolution skills

Related: Top Corporate Counsel Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Corporate Counsel

There are many different types of corporate counsel, but the basic job is to provide legal advice and support to a company. To become a corporate counsel, you will need to have a law degree and be licensed to practice law in your state. You should also have experience working in a corporate legal department or with a law firm that represents businesses. Corporate counsel positions are usually located in the headquarters of large companies.

Related: Corporate Counsel Resume Example

Related: Corporate Counsel Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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