totallylegal.com’s top tips for lawyers looking to become a General Counsel
We know that there is a difference between working for an in-house team and becoming the General Counsel of a company. To find out what really matters, we’ve spoken to Helen Fletcher Rogers and have obtained a comprehensive list of issues to think about and questions to ask when considering a General Counsel role.
Helen is very familiar with this, having been European General Counsel for Eastman Kodak Company. Helen is now a Consultant with Lawyers in Business, an organisation dedicated to ensuring in-house lawyers are able to make a real contribution to their businesses. For further information, you may like to visit their website - www.lawyers-in-business.co.uk. Lawyers in Business run a series of workshops from lunchtime networking seminars to morning and afternoon classes. You can view their future events on their website or in our own legal events diary.
totallylegal.com: What should a lawyer consider when applying for or responding to an approach for a General Counsel position?
Helen Fletcher Rogers: The General Counsel role can vary tremendously from one company to another as can the structure, function and expectations of the Legal Department. If you are moving from private practice, be prepared for a different style of client relationship and, depending on the size of the company, potentially a degree of corporate bureaucracy that you may not have previously encountered!
totallylegal.com: Can you suggest a list of factors which lawyers should be taking into account?
Helen Fletcher Rogers: The following pointers may help you, not only to be prepared for the selection process, but also to assist you in deciding whether the position is one which will suit your aspirations and capabilities. Although you should do as much as possible independent research on the company, there are many questions that only the company itself can answer. Some of the issues would, however, only be appropriate to raise at the final stages of the selection process. Here are some factors to research and questions to think about.
- Research the company, its organisational structure, its industry sector and its position in that sector
What major issues are facing the company? Has it made recent acquisitions or disposals? Is it involved in any joint ventures?
What is the company’s competitive position within the industry/sector? What are its main products and/or services?
What is the financial position of the company? What are the share price movements (if it’s a public company?) If it’s a subsidiary, what are its relations with the parent company?
- Position of the Legal function in the organisation
Where does the Legal function report? If not to the CEO and/or Group General Counsel, are you satisfied that the reporting line will give you adequate access to senior management?
- Legal Department structure
Is the organisational model centralised or dispersed? Are there overseas responsibilities? If applicable, what control does the parent company have? What legal services are currently offered? What are the numbers and location of professionals and support staff? What is the length of service? What are the roles, responsibilities and expertise of the lawyers? What is the level of morale/motivation? Is there any employee survey information available? Ensure you meet all or most of staff who are key to your role.
- Legal Department budget
Who sets it? What does it include? How has it changed over the last 5 years? How are legal costs allocated/charged to business?
- Legal department administration
Consider the IT resources and functionality. Is time recording operated? Are there work management systems in place? What legal databases/resources are subscribed to or available to you?
- External advisers
Who are the current advisers? Who appoints the advisers? Is there a formal panel? How recently has there been a review of advisers? Do all instructions go through the Legal department? What matters are routinely outsourced?
- Human Resources issues
What is the grading/pay structure for Legal Department staff? Is there a formal company objective setting/ training and development/appraisal system?
- Relationships with business clients
Form a view of the culture of legal support in the company. How are legal services structured in relation to clients? Is there any client survey information? Is there a Legal Department Mission statement or any other publications advising clients of services offered and how to use the Legal department? Does the Legal department have an Intranet page and/or input to client Intranet pages?
- Interaction with other groups within the company
E.g. Company Secretarial; Compliance; Public Affairs; Pensions; Tax; Insurance. Will you be responsible for any of these functions? If so, is there adequate staff to support you?
- Issues facing the Legal Department
What are the 10 most important matters dealt with by the Legal department over the last 2 years?
- Culture of the company
This is possibly one of the most difficult aspects to assess. You may want to review the company’s corporate governance and business conduct/ethics policies.
totallylegal.com: Any further comments or thoughts?
Helen Fletcher Rogers: Well, these are just some of the points you may find useful. If it is a newly created position then much of these will not be applicable, but you will need to form a view as to how much freedom you will have to set your own structure and agenda. If this is an established position, you need to consider why the current incumbent is leaving and what freedom you will have to make changes to the existing structure.
And, finally...
To get some further information about what it’s like to work in-house, you may like to read our article ‘Why work in-house'.
In addition, you will need to establish whether your proposed remuneration package is attractive. You may like to view our in-house salary surveys in are you earning enough?
If you’re now inspired to apply for an in-house position, it may be a good time to review your CV and make sure it reflects all of your recent work and puts you in the most positive light. Why not read our tips on how to write the perfect CV and brush up on your interview skills in succeeding at interview.
Check out the latest in-house opportunities and see where you might find your perfect in-house role by viewing our in-house directory. Better still, make sure you keep up-to-date with any new opportunities by signing up to receive our free jobs by email.
Whether you decide to pursue a career as an in-house lawyer or General Counsel, we wish you the very best of luck.
If you found this article useful, why not send it to a friend. Alternatively, if there are other areas you would like us to cover do let us know. Your comments are appreciated so please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Good luck with your search
The totallylegal.com team
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