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General Counsel Jobs in Rochester, MI (NOW HIRING)

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will own legal support for Slate's accessories, wraps, digital customer experience, service, and customs and trade, while also serving as a senior partner to the ...

The Deputy General Counsel will help oversee legal risk management, regulatory compliance, transactions, litigation management, and corporate governance activities across the enterprise. The ideal ...

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... IT General Manager. This individual will be responsible for improving and maturing the IT process ... counsel to cross-functional stakeholders on contract and commercial law matters • Lead the ...

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Regional Legal Counsel

Troy, MI · On-site

$200K - $275K/yr

Prior General Counsel, Senior Counsel, or Partner-level experience * Strong business acumen, understands operations, not just legal theory * Experience managing or replacing outside counsel ...

Prior General Counsel, Senior Counsel, or Partner-level experience * Strong business acumen, understands operations, not just legal theory * Experience managing or replacing outside counsel ...

Senior Legal Counsel

Troy, MI

$132K - $180K/yr

This position will report to the Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer. Responsibilities include: * Provide strategic, practical, and prompt advice on labor and employment ...

Senior Legal Counsel

Troy, MI

$132K - $179K/yr

This position will report to the Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer. Responsibilities include: Provide strategic, practical, and prompt advice on labor and employment ...

Job Responsibilities: • Work closely with the Magna Exteriors General Counsel on all legal matters relating to the operations of Magna Exteriors in North America, including contract negotiations ...

Work closely with the Magna Exteriors General Counsel on all legal matters relating to the operations of Magna Exteriors in North America, including contract negotiations with customers and suppliers ...

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Showing results 1-20

General Counsel information

See Rochester, MI salary details

$53.8K

$139.6K

$245.8K

How much do general counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for general counsel in Rochester, MI is $139,580.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,900.00 and $174,900.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of General Counsel jobs in Rochester, MI? The most popular types of General Counsel jobs in Rochester, MI are:
What are popular job titles related to General Counsel jobs in Rochester, MI? For General Counsel jobs in Rochester, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching General Counsel jobs in Rochester, MI look for? The top searched job categories for General Counsel jobs in Rochester, MI are:
What cities near Rochester, MI are hiring for General Counsel jobs? Cities near Rochester, MI with the most General Counsel job openings:

Deputy General Counsel

Slate Auto

Troy, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

ABOUT SLATE
At Slate, we're building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love-and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.
Who we are looking for:
Slate is looking for a Deputy General Counsel (the "Deputy GC") to join the legal leadership team in Troy, MI. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will own legal support for Slate's accessories, wraps, digital customer experience, service, and customs and trade, while also serving as a senior partner to the General Counsel and the broader legal team across the operational legal portfolio.
What you get to do:
  • Bring the senior judgment and operational discipline to help build a lean, efficient, and scalable legal department; one that delivers strong commercial outcomes without growing headcount in lockstep with the business.
  • Serve as the legal lead for Slate's digital customer experience program, including vehicle connectivity and telematics agreements, mobile app and software terms, data privacy and consumer consent frameworks, and the contractual infrastructure needed to support a direct digital relationship with customers at scale.
  • Serve as the legal lead for Slate's accessories and wraps program, including parts and aftermarket distribution, vehicle wrap design and fulfillment partnerships, supplier and partnership agreements, channel and consumer matters, and the contractual infrastructure needed to scale a personalization-driven product line.
  • Serve as the legal lead for service operations, including service network agreements, mobile service frameworks, warranty programs, and parts and logistics arrangements.
  • Lead negotiation and structuring of complex commercial transactions and strategic relationships within your portfolio, partnering with subject-matter counsel across commercial, supply chain, and compliance to deliver coordinated outcomes for the business.
  • Provide senior-level leverage to the General Counsel and the broader legal team, acting as a force multiplier across cross-functional matters.
  • Partner with the General Counsel to develop and operationalize company-wide policies and procedures covering ethical business practices, data governance, claims management, and contract administration.
  • Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting accessories, wraps, digital customer experience, and service, and the broader automotive industry; brief leadership on impacts and recommend responsive action.
  • Advise on litigation risks and support proactive legal strategies to mitigate liabilities; coordinate litigation, settlement negotiations, and dispute resolution alongside the General Counsel and subject-matter counsel as needed.
  • Provide preventative legal counseling and ensure compliance with applicable laws and internal policies.
  • Lead periodic legal risk assessments within your portfolio and own mitigation plans.
  • Manage outside counsel relationships within your portfolio, including scoping engagements, controlling spend, and holding firms accountable to quality and cost expectations.
  • Supervise approximately 2-3 attorneys and legal professionals; develop the team and own performance management.
  • Step in as acting General Counsel when required for continuity of legal services.

What you bring to the team:
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent degree, with an active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state (Michigan preferred).
  • 10-15+ years of progressive in-house and/or law firm experience advising operating companies on complex commercial, regulatory, and litigation matters.
  • Experience in the Electric Vehicle (EV), automotive, or industrial manufacturing sector preferred.
  • Experience supporting accessories or aftermarket distribution, vehicle wraps, service network operations, digital consumer products, or warranty and consumer products matters is a plus.
  • Demonstrated expertise with modern legal automation and productivity platforms. Uses force-multiplier technologies fluently to scale individual and team output, and brings a track record of deploying them across contracting, research, and operations.
  • Strong ability to analyze complex legal documents and provide strategic, business-oriented legal counsel.
  • Excellent ability to respond effectively to sensitive legal inquiries and present information persuasively to executive leadership.
  • Expertise in negotiating and structuring complex commercial transactions, strategic relationships, and legal settlements.
  • Proficiency in mathematical reasoning for financial transactions, contract structuring, and legal risk assessments.
  • Strong critical thinking skills to interpret technical legal concepts and manage complex regulatory requirements.
  • Demonstrated team leadership, develops talent, builds operational rigor, and drives accountability.
  • Seeks opportunities to collaborate across teams, leveraging diverse perspectives to create seamless, constructive solutions that support exceptional service delivery throughout the business.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?
At Slate, we're fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.
  • Safety First
  • Delight Customers
  • One Team
  • Relentless Improvement
  • Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
  • Respectful Collaboration
  • Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.
Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.
Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at
slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.