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General Counsel Jobs in Rochester, MI (NOW HIRING)

Senior Legal Counsel

Troy, MI · On-site

$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 ...

Senior Contract Analyst

Royal Oak, MI · On-site

$64K - $78K/yr

Select and coordinate work with general counsel when necessary. Assist the Director, Corporate Contract and Procurement in the administration, oversight of the Vendor Management program, as well as ...

Counsel -Contracts Job Summary Thecounsel position will report totheManaging Counselandwillwork closely with other legal leaders, seniorcounsel,and team memberstoprovidelegalservices, support and ...

Partner, Employment - Detroit

Detroit, MI · On-site

$94K - $127K/yr

Business-Oriented Legal Culture - Work alongside former general counsel, operators, and founders who understand business from the inside out. * Agile and Collaborative - Attorneys are empowered to ...

Partner, Employment - Detroit

Detroit, MI · On-site

$94K - $127K/yr

Business-Oriented Legal Culture - Work alongside former general counsel, operators, and founders who understand business from the inside out. * Agile and Collaborative - Attorneys are empowered to ...

Staff Counsel will support the Company's national warranty litigation function by managing automotive warranty litigation matters and partnering with internal clients and outside counsel to achieve ...

Staff Counsel will support the Company's national warranty litigation function by managing automotive warranty litigation matters and partnering with internal clients and outside counsel to achieve ...

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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:
Corporate Counsel

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Toyota Tsusho America rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

133rd of 352 rated logistics


Job description

We firmly believe that our employees drive the success of the company! With success in mind as the ultimate goal, we strive to create and provide an environment that offers challenging, stimulating and financially rewarding opportunities. We are looking for The Right One to join our team!

What's In It For You?

  • Competitive Salary with Bonus Opportunities

  • Paid Time Off

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits (Low Premiums!)

  • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

  • 14 Paid Company Holidays

  • 401(k) with Company Contribution

  • Educational Tuition Reimbursement

Summary

Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. is looking for an experienced attorney to join our team!
Are you an experienced attorney who is skilled and energized by a variety of business transactions? Are you self-motivated? Can you work autonomously and as part of a team? Do you enjoy a challenging and vibrant work environment?
If this sounds like you, you may be The Right One! Please continue on to learn more about this opportunity.

What You'll Do

  • Report to the Deputy General Counsel.
  • Negotiate and prepare a wide variety of commercial contracts, including, among other agreements, supply and service agreements, commercial real estate agreements, consignment and warehouse agreements, confidentiality agreements, as well as atypical agreements.
  • Manage, advise on, and document a diverse range of corporate investments and other transactions.
  • Assist in handling regulatory compliance matters, including those involving the importation and exportation of various industrial materials and other products.
  • Counsel and advise business teams located across North America.
  • Assist with corporate governance, including through preparation of director and shareholder meeting minutes and resolutions.
  • Analyze risk and advise on possible outcomes and mitigation strategies.
  • Work with company management to align legal approach with business objectives.

What You Need

  • Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school.
  • 8-12 years of experience as an attorney, including at least 4 years of experience with a reputable business law firm.
  • Strong experience working on complex business transactions.
  • Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
  • Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • A results-oriented mindset with a high level of integrity and honesty.
  • Ability to exercise independent discretion and sound judgment.

Our company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer! It is the policy and commitment of the company to maintain a work environment that provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all its employees and applicants. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital/domestic partner status, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other applicable lawfully protected basis. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

We seek to employ individuals qualified for a position by virtue of job-related educational standards, training, experience, and personal qualifications.


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