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Chief General Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Associate General Counsel

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$181K - $198K/yr

If you answered, "Yes!" then the AFL-CIO Office of the General Counsel may be the right place for you. We are currently welcoming applications for an Associate General Counsel to join our department ...

Associate General Counsel

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$181K - $198K/yr

If you answered, "Yes!" then the AFL-CIO Office of the General Counsel may be the right place for you. We are currently welcoming applications for an Associate General Counsel to join our department ...

General Counsel @ Keystone

Boston, MA · On-site

$300 - $450/hr

The General Counsel will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, executive team, and Board, leading legal, compliance, and risk while actively enabling the business. Key Responsibilities * Advise ...

Masterworks is seeking a General Counsel to take over primary responsibility for the company's legal function, reporting directly to the CEO. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role rather ...

The General Counsel serves as the Company's chief legal officer and trusted business advisor, providing strategic legal guidance that supports business objectives while protecting the organization ...

Masterworks is seeking a General Counsel to take over primary responsibility for the company's legal function, reporting directly to the CEO. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role rather ...

Masterworks is seeking a General Counsel to take over primary responsibility for the company's legal function, reporting directly to the CEO. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role rather ...

The Deputy General Counsel for Administration (Chief Legal Counsel) works under the direction of the General Counsel and serves as the agency's Ethics Officer, Informal Hearing Officer, and Public ...

The Deputy General Counsel for Administration (Chief Legal Counsel) works under the direction of the General Counsel and serves as the agency's Ethics Officer, Informal Hearing Officer, and Public ...

The Deputy General Counsel for Administration (Chief Legal Counsel) works under the direction of the General Counsel and serves as the agency's Ethics Officer, Informal Hearing Officer, and Public ...

The Deputy General Counsel for Administration (Chief Legal Counsel) works under the direction of the General Counsel and serves as the agency's Ethics Officer, Informal Hearing Officer, and Public ...

The Deputy General Counsel for Administration (Chief Legal Counsel) works under the direction of the General Counsel and serves as the agency's Ethics Officer, Informal Hearing Officer, and Public ...

The Deputy General Counsel for Administration (Chief Legal Counsel) works under the direction of the General Counsel and serves as the agency's Ethics Officer, Informal Hearing Officer, and Public ...

Showing results 41-60

Chief General Counsel information

See salary details

$97K

$153.1K

$250K

How much do chief general counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief general counsel in the United States is $153,084.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Chief General Counsel vs Corporate Lawyer?

AspectChief General CounselCorporate Lawyer
CredentialsJD degree, bar admission, extensive legal experience in corporate lawJD degree, bar admission, specialized in corporate law
Work EnvironmentIn-house legal department, executive levelLaw firms or corporate legal teams, client-facing
Employer & IndustryCorporations across industries, large companiesLaw firms, corporate legal departments
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding executive legal roles, career pathsLegal services, corporate legal advice

The Chief General Counsel is a senior executive responsible for overseeing all legal aspects of a corporation, often involved in strategic decision-making. In contrast, a Corporate Lawyer typically provides legal advice on corporate matters, contracts, and compliance, often working within law firms or corporate legal teams. While both roles require similar legal credentials, the Chief General Counsel holds a broader leadership position with greater responsibilities in corporate governance and risk management.

What are some of the main challenges chief general counsels face when balancing legal risk with business objectives?

Chief General Counsels often navigate the delicate balance between minimizing legal risk and supporting the organization's strategic goals. This involves advising executives on regulatory compliance, assessing potential liabilities, and ensuring that business initiatives align with legal and ethical standards. The role requires strong communication skills to clearly explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders and to facilitate practical, business-friendly solutions. Additionally, Chief General Counsels must stay current with evolving laws and industry trends, which can add complexity to decision-making and risk assessment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief general counsel, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief General Counsel, you need deep expertise in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and risk management, typically backed by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and bar admission. Familiarity with contract management systems, compliance software, and legal research tools such as LexisNexis or Westlaw is often required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and strong negotiation and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are vital for guiding organizational strategy, mitigating legal risks, and ensuring the company operates within the bounds of the law.

What does a chief general counsel do?

A Chief General Counsel is the senior legal executive in an organization, responsible for overseeing all legal matters and ensuring the company complies with laws and regulations. They advise the board of directors and executive leadership on legal risks, corporate governance, and strategic decisions. Additionally, they manage the organization’s legal department, handle litigation, draft and review contracts, and may coordinate with external law firms. Their role is crucial in protecting the organization’s interests and supporting its long-term goals.
More about Chief General Counsel jobs
What cities are hiring for Chief General Counsel jobs? Cities with the most Chief General Counsel job openings:
What states have the most Chief General Counsel jobs? States with the most job openings for Chief General Counsel jobs include:
Infographic showing various Chief General Counsel job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,084 per year, or $73.6 per hour.

Associate General Counsel

AFL-CIO

Washington, DC • Hybrid

$181K - $198K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Are you a lawyer who is passionate about economic fairness and social justice? Do you seek to foster and support creative, broad movement building on behalf of workers? Are you interested in working on legal and policy issues that impact millions of working people nationwide? If you answered, “Yes!” then the AFL-CIO Office of the General Counsel may be the right place for you.

We are currently welcoming applications for an Associate General Counsel to join our department of nine lawyers, one legal fellow, and three professional support staff who together work on a broad range of legal issues in many different programmatic areas on behalf of the AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions.

The AFL-CIO is a federation of 65 national and international unions who together represent over 15 million working people across the United States. The AFL-CIO is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and this position is based in Washington, D.C. As in-house counsel to the largest federation of labor unions in the United States, our team joins with the Federation’s staff of dynamic professionals to grow worker power and fight to give every working person a voice on the job. When you work at the AFL-CIO, you’re more than just an individual employee—you’re helping to lead a movement with a proud history and a bright future ahead.

The Office of the General Counsel engages in litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court, courts of appeals, National Labor Relations Board, and other bodies in cases of broad importance to the labor movement. We assist in the development of, advocacy for, and defense of, federal, state, and local legislative and executive branch initiatives to advance workers' rights. We staff the AFL-CIO Union Lawyers Alliance (ULA) (an organization of 2,000 lawyers representing affiliates of the AFL-CIO and their local unions) and assist with the development and implementation of the ULA's educational programming for union-side labor lawyers across the country. We provide advice and assistance to all the departments of the AFL-CIO, including organizing, legislation, and campaigns. We advise the executive officers and senior staff on a wide range of policy and governance issues and we ensure the Federation's compliance with governing laws.

Although the exact scope of work for this position will vary depending on experience, expertise, employee interest, and the Office’s needs, the successful applicant must have the skills,

experience, and desire to engage in a wide range of litigation, policy development, legal education, client advice, and governance and compliance matters on behalf of the Federation. 

We are looking for a lawyer with significant experience working in-house for a union, in a union-side labor law firm, and/or with relevant government or nonprofit experience. Applicants should have strong analytical, writing, and communication skills, a demonstrated commitment to the labor movement, and a willingness to work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Please be sure to include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references with your application.

The AFL-CIO is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages women, people of color, and LGBTQ candidates to apply. Please apply by Friday, June 5, 2026.

Salary: $181,981 - $198,780 based on years of experience.

The AFL-CIO offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer-paid medical insurance, a defined-benefit retirement plan, a 401k plan, and generous paid time off. Telework is available in accordance with AFL-CIO policy, which currently allows up to two days of telework per week.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME