• Nov 03, 25
• Shawn Cole
• Legal
• 0 comment

How to Become a Successful General Counsel

As business environments become more complex and nuanced, more attorneys with formative years in public or private legal practice see themselves advancing their careers in general counsel roles.

The opportunity to do challenging work while leading a company’s legal department is typically a big draw. This, alongside the sizable executive benefits of the role, leads many to conclude that an in-house position should be their next big step. 

But getting in the door and becoming a successful general counsel may not be as straightforward as the decision to move in-house. The work of an internal counsel requires many specialized skills and attributes, and the requirements and experiences of the hiring organization usually drive candidate selection. 

Consequently, it’s worth taking the time to understand the competencies an in-house role requires, what the selection process might entail, and how to successfully make the transition to internal corporate counsel. 

Attributes of a Successful In-House Attorney

Succeeding in a general counsel position requires a mix of technical and non-technical skills. While no lawyer can be expected to know the whole law, competent internal counsel are often generalists who have a fair grasp of basic legal principles across many legal fields. 

In addition, they possess a range of “soft” skills such as strategic thinking, excellent communication, and sound judgment – all of which are vital in the consigliere role that a general counsel often occupies. Here’s a closer look at the skills spectrum outstanding candidates should have in their locker to stand out in this role. 

How the General Counsel Role Evolves Into Chief Legal Officer

In many organizations, the general counsel role serves as a foundation for broader legal leadership responsibilities that may eventually expand into a Chief Legal Officer position. While both roles require strong legal judgment and business acumen, the CLO often operates with a wider enterprise mandate that extends beyond traditional legal oversight.

Understanding how the general counsel role can evolve allows legal professionals to proactively develop the strategic capabilities required to operate effectively at the highest levels of corporate leadership.

Emerging Skillsets for Modern Legal Leadership

The expectations placed on senior legal leaders continue to expand as regulatory environments become more complex and business models become more technology-driven. In addition to traditional legal competencies, many organizations now prioritize candidates with experience managing evolving risk categories that extend beyond conventional legal frameworks.

Modern general counsel and chief legal officers increasingly require familiarity with:

• Data privacy regulations and cybersecurity governance
• Artificial intelligence risk management considerations
• Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance frameworks
• Cross-border regulatory environments
• Digital contracting and legal operations technology
• Internal investigations and ethics oversight
• Stakeholder transparency expectations

Legal leaders are also expected to contribute meaningfully to enterprise decision-making by providing insight into how regulatory developments, geopolitical dynamics, and emerging technologies may influence corporate strategy.

Professionals seeking to advance into senior legal leadership roles often benefit from developing multidisciplinary expertise that integrates legal proficiency with operational and strategic awareness.

Technical Legal Skills

General counsels have broad legal subject matter expertise. They are essentially “jacks of all trades” who must know a bit of everything. That said, they are still required to be masters of specific legal fields, especially those that have a direct impact on the organization’s ordinary business.

Companies will want a candidate who has cognate experience within their industry and who can bring a demonstrable track record of successfully navigating complex issues within that sector. 

Other legal expertise will be determined by the unique needs or position of the company. For instance, In-house attorneys at public entities will also require expertise in SEC disclosure and reporting. They must keenly understand public company requirements, governance obligations, and investor relations. 

Non-Legal Skills

In terms of non-legal skills, sound judgment is perhaps the most important attribute that successful candidates must demonstrate. In their role, general counsel will often be required to:

• Evaluate and weigh multiple courses of action.
• Clearly and logically assess the inputs and potential outcomes of competing strategies and come to a sound decision. While judgment may not be the easiest of skills to acquire, it can be honed through experience – and therefore, hiring companies will insist on candidates with several years of know-how beneath their belts. 
• Display excellent communication skills.
• Simplify and effectively present complex legal matters.

Since they will be working with non-lawyers – both within and outside the c-suite – they need to be able to put the merits and demerits of various legal alternatives into plain words. The reverse will also be the case when communicating with other legal experts and outside counsel – they must be able to clearly explain the company’s business objectives to other legal minds. 

Therefore, they should have a strong ethical compass and clearly understand where the line between legal and unethical conduct lies. 

Candidates who can demonstrate the traits and skills discussed above gain the opportunity to stand out to the hiring company. Even better, they secure the chance to shine throughout the process when they have a clear understanding of what to expect and the steps to take. That’s what we turn to next. 

Core Responsibilities of a General Counsel

While career pathways into general counsel roles may vary, the functional scope of the position is relatively consistent across industries. Boards and executive leadership teams rely on general counsel to oversee the organization’s legal strategy, manage risk exposure, and ensure regulatory compliance across business operations.

Typical general counsel responsibilities include:

• Maintaining corporate records and managing legal documentation
• Establishing internal legal policies and risk controls

Because general counsel operate at the intersection of law and business strategy, the role often requires balancing risk mitigation with commercial opportunity. Increasingly, organizations seek legal leaders capable of providing practical guidance that supports innovation while maintaining regulatory discipline.

Preparing for Executive-Level Legal Leadership

Transitioning into a general counsel role often requires demonstrating readiness to operate within executive leadership environments where legal considerations directly influence organizational strategy. Beyond technical legal experience, companies typically evaluate candidates based on their ability to communicate effectively with boards, collaborate with senior executives, and support complex decision-making processes.

Common evaluation criteria for executive-level legal candidates include:

• Ability to translate legal risk into business implications
• Experience advising boards or executive committees
• Track record in managing outside counsel relationships
• Familiarity with corporate governance standards
• Capacity to operate in highly regulated environments
• Demonstrated leadership of internal legal teams

Organizations increasingly prioritize legal executives who can serve as strategic advisors while maintaining independence of judgment, professional integrity, and strong ethical leadership.

Securing a General Counsel Role

General counsel roles, particularly at the executive level, are typically filled by search firms in concert with the hiring company. Consequently, building relationships with a reputable legal executive search firm can improve visibility for opportunities and provide insight into how organizations define leadership requirements.

Build a Network

General counsel roles, particularly at the executive level, are typically filled by search firms in concert with the hiring company. Consequently, taking steps to become known by the major search firms is wise, even before an opportunity appears on the horizon. This way, you can stay top of mind when a suitable position opens. 

Beyond this, it also pays to carefully cultivate a network of partners and other highly placed people at law firms. They do a lot of work for companies and are likely to be in the know, and can give you a solid reference, when their clients begin to consider hiring general counsel. Befriending practicing general counsel can also be helpful, because they are often invited to recommend suitable candidates. 

Understand the Process

As mentioned, a search firm will likely drive the general counsel hiring process. Firstly, it’s important to note that you’re not the search firm’s client. Its client is the company that has hired it to fill the position. 

Usually, the process will begin with the search firm meeting the company to discuss and agree on the position profile and what a successful candidate should look like.

Your first contact with the search firm will typically be in the form of a communication to gauge your interest in the role. If you are interested, the firm will share more detail about the role and request your current resume. 

The search firm may conduct a preliminary interview before sharing your details with the hiring company. What follows afterwards will depend on the company’s internal recruitment process.

There may be two or more interviews, typically in-person, and other on-site interactions. Don’t be irritated if the process seems to move slowly. Hiring at this level typically has several moving parts and there may be multiple schedules to juggle. 

The whole process should take between four to six months from start to finish. If you’re successful, you’ll receive an offer from the company detailing your expected compensation, benefits, and other terms such as pension, retirement, and equity. 

Career Pathways Leading to General Counsel Roles

Legal professionals pursuing general counsel roles often build experience across multiple environments, including law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments.

While no single path guarantees advancement, professionals who combine legal excellence with commercial awareness and leadership capability are frequently best positioned for long-term career progression.

Legal Executive Search for General Counsel Leadership

As demand for experienced General Counsel and Chief Legal Officers continues to grow, organizations increasingly seek legal leaders who can operate as both risk advisors and strategic partners to executive teams and boards.

Identifying candidates with the right combination of legal expertise, business judgment, and leadership capability requires a disciplined search process and deep understanding of evolving corporate governance expectations.

Cowen Partners Executive Search conducts senior partner-led searches to help companies recruit General Counsel and other C-suite leaders who can support long-term growth, regulatory readiness, and operational resilience. With access to a national network of proven executives across industries, Cowen Partners helps organizations identify legal leaders equipped to navigate complex business environments and guide strategic decision-making.

Contact Cowen Partners Executive Search to discuss your search for a General Counsel or legal executive aligned with your organization’s structure, industry, and long-term objectives.