Is general counsel part of the C-suite?

Asked by: Carmel Dickinson  |  Last update: September 9, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (25 votes)

It is popular to use the C-suite type designations - partly to show the GC is a peer of the CFO, CIO, etc. Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is one of many possible appellations that might apply to a General Counsel.

Is General Counsel part of the executive team?

The general counsel is considered a member of the management team. This is because their advice and guidance are fundamental to making everyday business decisions. Generally, the executive director or CEO is responsible for recruiting and hiring an individual to serve as the organization's GC.

Is general counsel part of management?

Now considered a core member of the top management team, the general counsel is an important leader in any company.

Can General Counsel also be the CEO?

General counsel as a business leader

A business-focused GC who understands the company's strategy and effectively partners with senior management to drive that strategy is a powerful member of the executive team — and, perhaps one day, a CEO.

What is the relationship between CEO and general counsel?

For good business practice and to avoid reputational damage, there needs to be safety and trust on both sides. This means working together hand-in-hand on the strategy, so General Counsel can implement the legal and compliance aspects effectively, but also be able to push back and be independent when required.

How Leading General Counsels Handle the C-Suite

40 related questions found

What is higher than general counsel?

A CLO is the highest-ranking legal executive in an organization, reporting directly to the CEO or COO. Each CLO is responsible for overseeing all aspects of legal affairs, including: Compliance and risk management.

Should general counsel report to CEO?

The standard lawyer viewpoint: the General Counsel should always report directly to the CEO, and that General Counsel should automatically have management authority over Legal's people, operations, and budget.

Which is higher chief legal officer or general counsel?

While the Chief Legal Officer oversees legal strategies on a higher level, General Counsel offers more hands-on management, making decisions in the moment for legal matters like compliance regulations, contract review and negotiation, asset protection, and litigation.

What is another name for general counsel?

A general counsel, also known as chief counsel or chief legal officer (CLO), is the chief in-house lawyer for a company or a governmental department.

How do you address a general counsel?

Address an attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." in most contexts. In the salutation for a letter or email, address an attorney the same way you would any other respected professional- using "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their surname. Generally, this is the best way to address an attorney if you've never spoken to them before.

What is the chief of staff to the General Counsel?

The Legal Chief of Staff is often the member of the general counsel's senior leadership team charged with strategic thinking and planning. Though each Legal Chief of Staff role varies, they generally manage a wide range of responsibilities to support the legal, compliance, ethics, or security operations of a business.

What is the difference between corporate and General Counsel?

General counsel, for example, is typically the title given to the highest-ranking in-house lawyer within a legal department, and that person is usually a c-suite executive like the COO or CFO of an organization. Corporate counsel, on the other hand, is usually just a job title within a legal department.

Who is C-Suite?

"C-suite" refers to the executive-level managers within a company. Common c-suite executives include chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO), and chief information officer (CIO).

What does a VP of General Counsel do?

Vice presidents and general counsel are responsible for overseeing ongoing tasks within a company and providing assistance and resolving problems as they arise. They may also be in charge of directing and overseeing smaller teams of employees as they work on individual projects.

What makes a great General Counsel?

Cultural fit and integrity are the two most important qualities for an effective general counsel. To maximize the likelihood for a successful general counsel, there should be a clear understanding of the values and priorities for the organization and the GC, as well as input from diverse perspectives and stakeholders.

What does it mean to be General Counsel of a company?

Who Is General Counsel? General Counsel — also known as “GC” or Chief Counsel — heads the legal department in a company. In a small organization, the general counsel role may have broad functionalities, with the GC expected to lead the legal team and provide advice to other departments.

What level is a general counsel?

A general counsel is considered a more traditional executive role within a company. The main focus of a GC is to manage a company's legal compliance as well as corporate governance. The role of GC is also more closely aligned with a high-level lawyer which ensures the company's legal obligations are all met.

What is higher assistant or Associate General Counsel?

1. Titles vary widely from one to company to the next. In some companies, “Associate General Counsel” is a level above “Assistant General Counsel”, and in other companies, the reverse is true. Also, one company's “Senior Corporate Counsel” can be called “Senior Counsel” at another company or “Associate Director”.

What is general counsel in CIA?

ANSWER: As the chief legal officer of the CIA, the General Counsel is responsible for the management and evaluation of all attorneys providing legal advice to the Agency.

What is the highest position in lawyer?

Within the world of law firms, the highest position is a partner. It is arguably the pinnacle of their career for most lawyers. It is no small feat to achieve this and not many people can do it.

Can a company have two general counsels?

At many other companies, go one level down, and you may see additional “GCs.” This is because if a company has operating subsidiaries, it may designate the top legal officer for each of those operating subsidiaries as a General Counsel. It may also grant the GC title to legal heads of lines of businesses.

Who is the highest rank law officer?

Attorney General is the highest law officer in India. Article 76 of the Indian Constitution under its Part-V deals with the position of Attorney General of India. He is the chief legal advisor to the government of India and advises the union government on all legal matters.

Should GC report to CEO or CFO?

According to a recent ACC Chief Legal Officer (CLO) Survey, with more than 1,300 chief legal officers participating globally, the majority (about 80%) state that their reporting line is directly to the CEO of the organization.

What positions report directly to CEO?

Who reports to the CEO?
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO): The COO is usually the CEO's second-in-command. ...
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO): The CFO is responsible for managing a company's finances. ...
  • Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): The CMO is responsible for the company's marketing efforts.

Who does the CEO directly report to?

Chief Executive Officer (CEO): As the top manager, the CEO is typically responsible for the corporation's entire operations and reports directly to the chair and the board of directors.