1

General Counsel Jobs in Rochester, MI (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Legal Counsel & Business Advisory: Provide timely and practical legal guidance to management and ... General office equipment includes, but not limited to, a computer, printer, photocopier, shredder ...

Sr. Corporate Counsel

Birmingham, MI · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Perform general ongoing business and corporate governance duties and responsibilities. * Support ... Oversee outside counsel as needed. * Develop a thorough understanding of and familiarity with the ...

Sr. Corporate Counsel

Birmingham, MI · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Perform general ongoing business and corporate governance duties and responsibilities * Support ... Oversee outside counsel as needed * Develop a thorough understanding of and familiarity with the ...

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 ...

Senior Staff Counsel

Troy, MI · On-site

$132K - $179K/yr

The Senior Staff Counsel supports and acts in lieu of the State Managing Attorney (SMA) as needed and is skilled in all aspects of the SMA's role. The Senior Staff Counsel is an attorney with ...

Senior Staff Counsel

Troy, MI · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

The Senior Staff Counsel supports and acts in lieu of the State Managing Attorney (SMA) as needed and is skilled in all aspects of the SMA's role. The Senior Staff Counsel is an attorney with ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Sep 7, 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 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 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:

Infographic showing various General Counsel job openings in Rochester, MI 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 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,580 per year, or $67.1 per hour.

$125K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


United States Army rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 495 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

About the Position: This position is available at either Warren, MI or Herlong, CA.
If you are currently serving in a permanent, competitive service appointment in the Federal service, and are selected for this position, the appointment will remove you from the competitive service while you occupy this position.Qualifications:Who May Apply: Current and former Federal employees and US Citizens.
Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. KSA's:
  • Skill in identifying and researching highly technical and complex legal issues.
  • Skill in providing legal, technical, and policy guidance.
  • Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.
  • Ability to supervise or lead others.
Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration:
1) Education: Assignments require the first professional law degree (Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctorate (J.D.)). Applicants for initial appointment into attorney positions must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of the applicant's graduation. The Army General Counsel may make an exception upon a showing that a candidate possesses superior qualifications and that no well-qualified candidates from accredited law schools are available.
2) Bar Membership: Applicants must be active members in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of a State, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
3) Professional Legal Experience:
GS-14: Applicants must possess more than three (3) years of professional legal experience after admission to the bar commensurate with the duties of the position.
4) Time in Grade (current Federal employees): Candidates selected for advancement will normally have completed at least one year of service that is one grade lower than the position to be filled. The selecting official may request a waiver of the one year requirement in cases where hardship or inequity exists.
NOTICE OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty") to their submissions.
Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference", and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with the list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/.Education:Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Education websites at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Employment Type: OTHER

What United States Army employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


US Army logo

About US Army

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

Social media