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General Counsel Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

General Counsel Department or Division : Legal Reports To : CEO and board of directors Job Summary The general counsel is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives.

General Counsel Department or Division : Legal Reports To : CEO and board of directors Job Summary The general counsel is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives.

Deputy General Counsel

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$150 - $210/hr

The Deputy General Counsel plays a pivotal role in advancing the university's mission by providing high-level legal counsel and strategic guidance on matters impacting North Carolina State University.

Posting Information Posting Number PG193816EP Internal Recruitment No Working Title Deputy General Counsel Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience. Work Schedule ...

Posting Information Posting Number PG193816EP Internal Recruitment No Working Title Deputy General Counsel Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience. Work Schedule ...

General Counsel

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$150 - $210/hr

Primary Function of Organizational Unit The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor, Board of Trustees, senior leadership team and administrators, and heads ...

General Counsel - Remote

Cary, NC ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

General Counsel Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote Job Summary: We are seeking seasoned General Counsels for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite legal ...

General Counsel - Remote

Raleigh, NC ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

General Counsel Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote Job Summary: We are seeking seasoned General Counsels for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite legal ...

Assistant General Counsel

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$180K - $230K/yr

The Assistant General Counsel serves as a key member of the Legal and Risk Management team, providing strategic legal counsel and practical guidance on contracts, subpoenas, employment law, and ...

General Counsel - Remote

Durham, NC ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

General Counsel Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote Job Summary: We are seeking seasoned General Counsels for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite legal ...

Assistant General Counsel

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$130 - $170/hr

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, this position will work closely with personnel in all of Strata's departments. Essential Duties and Responsibilities * Work alongside external counsel, and ...

As the Interim General Counsel (Maternity Coverage), you will lead the legal team providing timely, high quality, and commercially minded legal support to our business partners. Reporting to the ...

As the Interim General Counsel (Maternity Coverage), you will lead the legal team providing timely, high quality, and commercially minded legal support to our business partners. Reporting to the ...

As the Interim General Counsel (Maternity Coverage), you will lead the legal team providing timely, high quality, and commercially minded legal support to our business partners. Reporting to the ...

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, this position will work closely with personnel in all of Strata's departments. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: * Work alongside external counsel, and ...

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, this position will work closely with personnel in all of Strata's departments. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: * Work alongside external counsel, and ...

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General Counsel information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$56.9K

$147.4K

$259.5K

How much do general counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for general counsel in Raleigh, NC is $147,401.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,500.00 and $184,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a general counsel?

A general counsel, also known as a chief counsel or a Chief Legal Officer (CLO), acts as the primary legal advisor to the senior leadership board of a business or law firm. Like corporate attorneys, a general counsel is well versed in laws, regulations, and negotiating skills. However, unlike corporate lawyers, these specialists have a broader knowledge base and must be able to identify legal issues in a variety of industries, including engineering, marketing, finance, human resources, and business policy. CEOs depend on a general counsel to give confidential feedback and suggestions on firm cases and internal attorney activity.

What does a general counsel do?

A General Counsel is the chief lawyer of an organization, responsible for overseeing all legal matters. They provide legal advice to the company's executives and management, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and manage legal risks. General Counsels may also handle contracts, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and litigation. Their role is crucial in helping the organization make informed decisions while minimizing legal exposure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a general counsel?

To thrive as a General Counsel, you need a law degree (J.D.), admission to the state bar, and extensive experience in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Familiarity with contract management systems, legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and specialized compliance software is often required. Exceptional judgment, leadership, negotiation, and communication skills set outstanding General Counsels apart. These skills are critical for providing sound legal guidance, protecting the organization from risk, and effectively supporting business objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by a general counsel in balancing legal risk and business objectives?

A General Counsel often faces the challenge of providing legal advice that protects the organization while supporting its strategic and operational goals. This means carefully evaluating legal risks and proposing solutions that enable business growth without exposing the company to unnecessary liability. Navigating complex regulatory environments, addressing fast-evolving compliance requirements, and communicating legal considerations in clear, actionable terms to non-legal colleagues are all part of the role. Collaboration with executive leadership is essential to align legal priorities with broader business objectives, often requiring creative problem-solving and negotiation skills.

What is the difference between General Counsel vs Corporate Lawyer?

AspectGeneral CounselCorporate Lawyer
CredentialsJD, bar admission, extensive legal experienceJD, bar admission, specialized in corporate law
Work EnvironmentIn-house legal department of a companyLaw firms or corporate legal teams
Employer & IndustryCorporations across industriesLaw firms or corporate legal departments
Primary FocusLegal strategy, risk management, corporate governanceTransactional work, contracts, mergers & acquisitions

While both roles require a JD and legal expertise, the General Counsel serves as the top in-house legal advisor focusing on overall legal strategy and risk management within a company. In contrast, a Corporate Lawyer typically handles transactional work like contracts and deals, often working in law firms or corporate legal teams. The General Counsel has a broader leadership role, whereas the Corporate Lawyer specializes in specific legal transactions.

Is general counsel a prestigious job?

The role of general counsel is considered a prestigious position within organizations, often held by experienced legal professionals with significant responsibility for corporate legal matters. It typically requires a law degree, extensive legal experience, and strong leadership skills, reflecting its high status in the corporate hierarchy.

What are the most commonly searched types of General Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of General Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to General Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For General Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for General Counsel jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most General Counsel job openings:

Infographic showing various General Counsel job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,401 per year, or $70.9 per hour.

General Counsel

Air Clean Systems

Creedmoor, NC โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives and provide legal advice to senior management and the board of directors.

  • Manage the legal function, oversee outside counsel, and participate in complex business transactions such as acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures.

  • Ensure company compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and structure legal aspects of financing and business structures.


Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

AIRCLEAN SYSTEMS


Job Title: General Counsel

Department or Division: Legal

 

Reports To: CEO and board of directors 

 

Job Summary

 

The general counsel is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives. The general counsel provides senior management and the board of directors with effective advice on company strategies and their implementation, manages the legal function, and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel. The general counsel is directly involved in complex business transactions in negotiating critical contracts.

Essential Functions

  • Participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters.
  • Serves as key lawyer/legal advisor on all major business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.
  • Judges the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the company, works with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense and approves settlements of disputes where warranted.
  • Assumes ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the company conducts its business in compliance with applicable SEC et al. laws and regulations.
  • Structures and manages the company’s internal legal function.
  • Oversees the selection, retention, management and evaluation of outside counsel.
  • Advises on legal aspects of the company’s financing, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility
 

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

 

 

Required Education and Experience

  • Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
  • Admitted to the North Carolina bar.
  • Minimum of six years’ legal experience. 
  • Experience working on matters of corporate governance and with a board of directors
  • Experience with cost-effective management of outside legal resources.
  • Experience in directing strategy and managing Intellectual property. 
  • Experience as legal counsel to family companies with various investments is a plus. 
  • General knowledge of NC employment law helpful.

Accountabilities 
 

  • Highest quality of Customer Service is displayed.
  • Highest quality of legal work is displayed.
  • Foster a team environment between management, sales, production and marketing to ensure corporate goals are achieved.
  • Develop and maintain a creative environment for new ideas and inventions.


Terms of employment

 

This is a full-time, exempt, salary position. 

 

Hours

 

The general hours shall be Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm with an hour break for lunch. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

 

Work Environment


Work is regularly performed in an office environment.

 

Physical Demands


The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, push or pull up to 10 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.


Travel

 Travel may be required; some international travel may be required. 

 

Benefits

Compensation package includes salary, major medical benefits, life insurance and 401K plan with employer contribution. Paid personal leave plus company paid general holidays and paid company holidays.