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General Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SDI Inc

General Counsel

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

The General Counsel is a licensed attorney who will ensure that the company's business practices, operations, risk management, and commercial dealings meet regulatory requirements and industry ...

Sky.money

General Counsel

Role Summary The General Counsel will define and lead the legal function for Sky Ecosystem. This leadership role spans two core dimensions: regulatory expertise, which the General Counsel will ...

Tuskegee University

Position Information Position Title General Counsel Status Full Time Job Summary The General Counsel will lead the legal and government affairs department and manages all government affairs for ...

Intralox

General Counsel

New Orleans, LA · On-site

(General Summary) Laitram, L.L.C. is seeking an accomplished and strategic General Counsel to report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. This executive will lead the company's Legal and Risk ...

Niagara University

$120K - $150K/yr

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY Founded 1856 • Vincentian Catholic Tradition GENERAL COUNSEL Office of the General Counsel Location: Lewiston, New York Employment Type: Full-Time, Regular FLSA Status: Exempt ...

W.E. O'Neil Construction

General Counsel

Irvine, CA · On-site

$250K - $310K/yr

General Counsel Department: Other Employment Type: Full Time Location: Irvine, CA Compensation: $250,000 - $310,000 / year Description The General Counsel will serve as the company's chief legal and ...

Niagara University

$120K - $150K/yr

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY Founded 1856 • Vincentian Catholic Tradition GENERAL COUNSEL Office of the General Counsel Location: Lewiston, New York Employment Type: Full-Time, Regular FLSA Status: Exempt ...

SDI Inc

General Counsel

Philadelphia, PA · Hybrid

The General Counsel is a licensed attorney who will ensure that the companys business practices, operations, risk management, and commercial dealings meet regulatory requirements and industry ...

LATIN SCHOOL OF CHICAGO

General Counsel

Chicago, IL

The Latin School of Chicago is conducting a search for its inaugural General Counsel -- a newly created executive leadership role reflecting the School's commitment to proactive, sophisticated legal ...

LATIN SCHOOL OF CHICAGO

General Counsel

Chicago, IL · On-site

$225K - $300K/yr

The Latin School of Chicago is conducting a search for its inaugural General Counsel - a newly created executive leadership role reflecting the School's commitment to proactive, sophisticated legal ...

Insure Stack

General Counsel

Tamarac, FL · On-site

The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing all of the companies in the conglomerate's compliance and growth efforts to ensure best in class operational outcomes. This role guides all legal ...

Laitram

General Counsel

New Orleans, LA · On-site

The General Counsel will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and business partners across the organization, providing practical, business-oriented legal counsel on a broad range of legal ...

Pharo Management

General Counsel

New York, NY · On-site

$250K - $300K/yr

General Counsel Who we are: Pharo Management is a leading global macro hedge fund with a focus on emerging markets. Founded in 2000, the firm has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi ...

Blockstream

General Counsel

Menlo Park, CA · Remote

The General Counsel will oversee corporate governance, commercial transactions, regulatory strategy, compliance programs, litigation management, employment matters, and legal operations across ...

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General Counsel information

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$58.5K

$151.6K

$267K

How much do general counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for general counsel in the United States is $151,643.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,500.00 and $190,000.00 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.

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General Counsel jobs near you
General Counsel

General Counsel

SDI Inc

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Position overview:
The General Counsel serves as a strategic partner to the executive team, bridging the gap between legal risk management and organizational culture. The General Counsel is a licensed attorney who will ensure that the company's business practices, operations, risk management, and commercial dealings meet regulatory requirements and industry standards. On the people side, the General Counsel will ensure that the company has the talent to meet its goals, manages daily operations like performance reviews, and focuses on constantly perpetuating the organization's empowered remote culture.
This will be a hybrid position based in Philadelphia, PA. Only candidates who are local to the area or willing to relocate will be considered.
A typical day in the life of a General Counsel:
  • Legal Counsel: Provide comprehensive legal advice and counsel to the company, leadership, and all internal stakeholders.
  • Policies & Governance: Draft and approve company policies, procedures, and bylaws while managing all corporate governance, licensing, and state registrations.
  • Contract Negotiation: Review and negotiate commercial, vendor, lease, and employment agreements in consultation with relevant teams.
  • Dispute Management: Manage all claims, litigation, and commercial or employment disputes for the company.
  • Regulatory Oversight: Advise the company on legislative or regulatory changes and provide all legal support for financial audit requirements.
  • Resource Management: Supervise law firms and external legal resources to ensure high-quality work and cost efficiency, prioritizing the internal handling of legal matters to minimize the need for outside counsel.
  • Talent Strategy: Build and oversee scalable systems to recruit and retain the talent needed to meet the company's objectives.
  • Compensation & Benefits: Design and manage data-driven pay scales and benefit structures to optimize labor costs and maintain competitiveness.
  • Operational Machinery: Ensure the daily functions of the HR department - including time-off tracking, and HR records -run without friction.
  • Performance Accountability: Implement and manage clear performance review processes to ensure organizational productivity and consistency.

The skills you'll contribute to our diverse team:
  • Legal Experience: Minimum of 10 years of legal practice.
  • Core Expertise: Ability to provide legal advice and counsel to leadership while overseeing the operational systems that manage the company's workforce.
  • Strategic Communication: Ability to communicate clearly with leadership, internal teams, and external parties.
  • Critical Thinking: Ability to evaluate complex situations, identify potential legal and operational risks, and provide practical, balanced solutions that align with business goals.
  • Operational Agility: Ability to multitask and manage a high volume of competing priorities across both Legal and HR functions simultaneously.
  • Resource Management: Experience managing legal/HR staff or external vendors (law firms, brokers, or PEOs) with a focus on cost control.
  • Conflict Resolution: Practical experience handling employee relations and internal disputes, either as a lawyer or as an HR professional.
  • Education & Licensing: J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and a member in good standing of any state bar (please include bar number).

Preferred:
  • Contracts: Strong background in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
  • In-House: Previous experience working directly within a corporate legal department.
  • HR Operations: Experience managing or overseeing core HR functions, including payroll and benefits.

Who are we?
At SDI, we're proud to help essential organizations across North America compete more effectively in a challenging global marketplace - and keep our economy moving. We do this by thinking differently, questioning conventional wisdom, and constantly challenging the status quo. We're evolving the way leading manufacturers, multi-site retailers, and higher education think about their maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) strategies - the critical supply chain of parts, materials, equipment, and consumables necessary to keep plants and facilities operating safely and productively. Every day, we help companies eliminate waste, minimize risk exposure, and stay competitive on an ever-changing world stage.
Why work for SDI?
The Philadelphia Inquirer named us a Top Workplace in 2023! Additionally, we pride ourselves on taking care of our employees. Here are some of the benefits we offer:
  • Health insurance (medical, dental and vision).
  • Training and development opportunities - 2023 winner of the People Accelerator award.
  • Vacation, wellness days, pet bereavement days and 12 paid holidays.
  • 401K with a company match.
  • Tuition reimbursement.
  • Student loan repayment assistance.
  • Reimbursement for safety shoes.
  • Discounted tickets to a variety of different vendors.

The pay range for this bonus-eligible role is $190,000 - $200,000 annually. Individual pay depends on various factors, such as role level, relevant experience and skills, and location. Pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the pay range applicable at the time.
EEO
SDI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation for any part of the employment process, please let us know by contacting us at hr@sdi.com. SDI participates in the E-Verify program.

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