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General Counsel Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Qcells

Sr. Counsel, M&A

Irvine, CA · On-site

$190K - $220K/yr

This position reports to the Assistant General Counsel. This position will be based out of our Irvine, CA office, with an in-office schedule that is set at the direct manager's discretion in ...

Qcells

Sr. Counsel, M&A

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$190K - $220K/yr

This position reports to the Assistant General Counsel. This position will be based out of our Irvine, CA office, with an in-office schedule that is set at the direct manager's discretion in ...

PDS Health

Corporate Counsel

Irvine, CA · On-site

$169K - $227K/yr

Overview Under general direction from the Associate General Counsel, Corporate Transactions, this position will work closely with attorneys and paralegals in the Legal Department, business partners ...

PDS Health

Corporate Counsel

Irvine, CA · On-site

$169K/yr

Under general direction from the Associate General Counsel, Corporate Transactions, this position will work closely with attorneys and paralegals in the Legal Department, business partners ...

ASICS

Sr. Corporate Counsel

Irvine, CA · On-site

A Brief Overview The Senior Corporate Counsel will report to the Associate General Counsel (Commercial) and serve as lead counsel across procurement and commercial contracting, sustainability and ...

PDS Health

Mgr, Paralegal III, Employment

Irvine, CA · On-site

$103K/yr

Under direction from the Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Employment, the Mgr, Paralegal III will work closely with attorneys, dental professionals, operations leaders and administrative ...

PDS Health

Mgr, Paralegal III, Employment

Irvine, CA · On-site

$103K - $133K/yr

Overview Under direction from the Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Employment, the Mgr, Paralegal III will work closely with attorneys, dental professionals, operations leaders and ...

ConsumerDirect, Inc.

Legal Operations Manager

Irvine, CA

$110K - $120K/yr

General Counsel ***This position is full-time and i n person located in Irvine, CA*** About ConsumerDirect: At ConsumerDirect, we're transforming the way consumers control their credit, money and ...

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All JobsGeneral Counsel JobsGeneral Counsel Jobs in Riverside, CA

General Counsel information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$61K

$158.2K

$278.6K

How much do general counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for general counsel in Riverside, CA is $158,204.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,200.00 and $198,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do you do as general counsel?

A general counsel is the chief legal officer of an organization, responsible for overseeing legal matters, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and providing legal advice to management. They often handle contract review, risk management, and may supervise a legal team, requiring strong legal knowledge and negotiation skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a General Counsel, and why are they important?

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.

Do you need a law degree to be a general counsel?

A law degree is typically required to become a general counsel, as the role involves providing legal advice and representing the company in legal matters. Most general counsels are licensed attorneys with extensive legal experience, often including passing the bar exam and maintaining active licensure. While alternative qualifications are rare, legal expertise and a strong understanding of corporate law are essential for the position.

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.

Is general counsel a high position?

Yes, the general counsel is a senior executive role responsible for overseeing a company's legal matters. It is typically one of the highest-ranking legal positions within an organization, often reporting directly to the CEO or board of directors.

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.

Who is the highest paid general counsel?

The highest paid general counsel typically work for large multinational corporations and can earn total compensation exceeding several million dollars annually, including base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Compensation varies based on company size, industry, and individual experience, with top earners often holding senior leadership and legal expertise in complex corporate environments.

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.

More about General Counsel jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of General Counsel jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of General Counsel jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to General Counsel jobs in Riverside, CA? For General Counsel jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching General Counsel jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for General Counsel jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for General Counsel jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most General Counsel job openings:
General Counsel jobs near you
Infographic showing various General Counsel job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,204 per year, or $76.1 per hour.
Sr. Counsel, M&A

Sr. Counsel, M&A

Qcells

Irvine, CA • On-site

$190K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 hours ago

Qcells rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Description
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. is looking for a Senior Counsel to help support its M&A business. You will join a collegial team of 20 legal professionals and report to the Assistant General Counsel. The Senior Counsel will primarily provide support on commercial, community and industrial (C C&I) solar and storage project acquisitions and sales, but also provide support from time to time on project development and financing, operations and maintenance, project engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), real estate and permitting, regulatory and dispute resolution/litigation matters. Special consideration will be given to candidates with expertise in renewable energy project acquisition and sale matters. This position reports to the Assistant General Counsel. This position will be based out of our Irvine, CA office, with an in-office schedule that is set at the direct manager's discretion in accordance with the company policies and procedures. Remote options could be considered for exceptional cases.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Transaction Execution: Advise on the structuring and execution of M&A transactions, including project and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions. Lead the drafting, negotiation, and closing of Membership Interest Purchase Agreements (MIPAs) and joint venture arrangements.
  • Due Diligence Leadership: Lead legal due diligence efforts on a given transaction and provide support in various areas of due diligence (real estate, environmental, permitting, interconnection, incentives) alongside other internal teams to identify "red flag" risks in solar and battery energy storage portfolios. Identify and assess legal and commercial risks associated with acquisitions and development activities. Coordinate efforts with other teams to propose appropriate risk management solutions to critical project risk issues and make recommendations to management.
  • Project Development & Finance: Partner closely with project development and finance teams to support deal execution and financing strategies. Support negotiation of key development agreements, including revenue contracts, EPC agreements, and site control agreements.
  • Regulatory Navigation: Assist commercial teams with understanding compliance with evolving state and federal energy regulations (FERC/ISO-RTO) and manage legal aspects of community solar subscriber frameworks.
  • Management of Outside Counsel and Internal Resources: Manage and coordinate external counsel on various transactions, ensuring efficient and cost-effective execution. Contribute to the development of internal processes, templates and best practices to streamline transaction execution.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • 5 + year's experience
  • Top law firm training preferred
  • In-house experience, preferably with a broad range of responsibilities
  • Strong background in renewable energy (solar/storage) M&A work
  • Experience working for a renewable project development and finance business preferred
  • Experience with federal, state and/or permitting issues is a plus
  • JD from a top law school preferred
  • Membership in at least one state bar
Preferred Qualifications
  • Business Acumen: Ability to translate complex legal risks into commercial "go/no-go" advice for executive leadership.
  • Adaptability: Experience using AI-based legal tech for high-volume diligence and document automation to increase deal velocity.
  • Community Solar Markets: Experience on transactions involving community solar project portfolios, especially in New York and Illinois.

Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. ("HQCA") is a Qcells company, one of the world's largest manufacturers and providers of solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HQCA has been rapidly expanding its business in North America through the expansion of products and solutions, including distributed energy solutions, direct-to-homeowner solar sales and financing, and EPC services. We provide an opportunity to be part of an exciting and growing world-class global business in an interesting and expanding industry of the future.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL & ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
To comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the essential physical, mental and environmental requirements for this job are listed below. These are requirements normally expected to perform regular job duties. Incumbent must be able to successfully perform all of the functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Mobility
Standing
20% of time
Sitting
70% of time
Walking
10% of time
Strength
Pulling
up to 10 Pounds
Pushing
up to 10 Pounds
Carrying
up to 10 Pounds
Lifting
up to 10 Pounds
Dexterity (F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never)
Typing
F
Handling
F
Reaching
F
Agility (F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never)
Turning
F
Twisting
F
Bending
O
Crouching
O
Balancing
N
Climbing
N
Crawling
N
Kneeling
N
The salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job's minimum qualifications.
*This target salary range is for CA positions only and should not be interpreted as an offer of compensation.
You may view your privacy rights by reviewing Qcells' Privacy Policy or by contacting our HR team for a copy.

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