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Legal Counsel Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Legal Counsel Please do not apply if you are not Raleigh-based and have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school with active admission to practice law in North Carolina (NC bar or eligible ...

Legal Counsel Please do not apply if you are not Raleigh-based and have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school with active admission to practice law in North Carolina (NC bar or eligible ...

Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · Hybrid

$119K - $190K/yr

Division General Counsel & Head of Contract Management IAPI __ Your role and responsibilities In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide strategic legal counsel as a business partner and ...

Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · Hybrid

$119K - $190K/yr

Division General Counsel & Head of Contract Management IAPI __ Your role and responsibilities In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide strategic legal counsel as a business partner and ...

Legal Counsel

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Hazen and Sawyer seeks Legal Counsel for our Raleigh, NC office. This attorney will partner with project teams and leadership to support commercial contracting, technology transactions, risk ...

Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · Hybrid

$119K - $190K/yr

Division General Counsel & Head of Contract Management IAPI __ Your role and responsibilities In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide strategic legal counsel as a business partner and ...

Hazen and Sawyer seeks Legal Counsel for our Raleigh, NC office. This attorney will partner with project teams and leadership to support commercial contracting, technology transactions, risk ...

Senior Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · Hybrid

$129K - $175K/yr

The Senior Legal Counsel role offers growth potential opportunities, professional development, an engaging team environment and amazing benefits. What You'll be Doing: The Senior Legal Counsel will ...

Senior Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · Hybrid

$129K - $175K/yr

The Senior Legal Counsel role offers growth potential opportunities, professional development, an engaging team environment and amazing benefits. What You'll be Doing: The Senior Legal Counsel will ...

Senior Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · Hybrid

$129K - $175K/yr

The Senior Legal Counsel role offers growth potential opportunities, professional development, an engaging team environment and amazing benefits. What You'll be Doing: The Senior Legal Counsel will ...

Senior Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · On-site

$129K - $175K/yr

The Senior Legal Counsel will provide legal advice and guidance on a wide variety of commercial, contractual, regulatory, litigation and day-to-day legal matters, with a particular focus on the ...

Senior Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · On-site

$129K - $175K/yr

The Senior Legal Counsel will provide legal advice and guidance on a wide variety of commercial, contractual, regulatory, litigation and day-to-day legal matters, with a particular focus on the ...

Senior Legal Counsel

Cary, NC · On-site

$129K - $175K/yr

The Senior Legal Counsel will provide legal advice and guidance on a wide variety of commercial, contractual, regulatory, litigation and day-to-day legal matters, with a particular focus on the ...

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Legal Counsel information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$8

$28

$58

How much do legal counsel jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal counsel in Raleigh, NC is $28.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.70 and $32.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges legal counsel face when balancing risk management with business objectives?

Legal Counsel often need to navigate the delicate balance between protecting the organization from legal risks and enabling business growth. This involves interpreting complex regulations, providing clear guidance to non-legal colleagues, and sometimes advising on decisions where the legal path may not fully align with business goals. Successful Legal Counsel build strong relationships with internal teams and develop practical solutions that meet both compliance requirements and operational objectives. Open communication and proactive risk assessment are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Legal Counsel vs Legal Advisor?

AspectLegal CounselLegal Advisor
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar admissionJuris Doctor (JD), Bar admission (often optional)
Work EnvironmentIn-house legal department, corporate settingsConsulting firms, law firms, corporate advisory roles
Employer & Industry UsageCorporations, large organizationsLaw firms, consulting agencies, corporate clients
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Legal Counsel typically works within a company's legal department, providing ongoing legal advice and handling corporate legal matters. Legal Advisors often offer specialized legal guidance on specific issues, frequently working as external consultants or in advisory roles. While both roles require legal credentials, Legal Counsel usually has a more permanent in-house position, whereas Legal Advisors may work on a project basis.

What does a legal counsel do?

A Legal Counsel is a qualified lawyer who provides legal advice and support to an organization, ensuring its operations comply with laws and regulations. They draft, review, and negotiate contracts, manage legal risks, and represent the company in legal matters. Legal Counsel also advises on employment law, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and other business activities. Their role is crucial in helping organizations avoid legal pitfalls and make informed business decisions.

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

To thrive as a Legal Counsel, you need a law degree, bar admission, and strong expertise in legal research, compliance, and contract drafting. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, and regulatory compliance platforms is typically required. Excellent negotiation, analytical thinking, and communication skills help you interpret laws and advise stakeholders effectively. These competencies are vital for mitigating risks, ensuring legal compliance, and protecting the organization's interests.
What are the most commonly searched types of Legal Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Legal Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Legal Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Counsel jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Legal Counsel jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Legal Counsel job openings:
Infographic showing various Legal Counsel job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,643 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Legal Counsel 

Please do not apply if you are not Raleigh-based and have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school with active admission to practice law in North Carolina (NC bar or eligible for NC in-house counsel license)

Role Overview

We are seeking a versatile and proactive Legal Counsel to join our legal team in Raleigh, NC (in office at least 3 days/week). This intermediate role is ideal for an attorney with 2-4 years of experience looking to blend high-volume commercial deal-making with broad corporate governance and specialized functional support.In this role, you will independently draft and negotiate core commercial agreements while partnering cross-functionally across corporate governance, privacy, regulatory compliance, and policy management. You will serve as a critical liaison between commercial execution and corporate strategy, streamlining processes and providing key legal counsel to internal business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Commercial & Transactional Execution (Primary Focus)
  • Independent Negotiation: Independently draft, review, and negotiate complex buy-side (vendor contracts, SOWs) and sell-side (customer sales agreements and orders) contracts, balancing legal risk with commercial goals.
  • Template & Playbook Drafting: Create, own, and update standard commercial templates, playbooks, and fallback language to accelerate deal cycles.
  • Process Optimization & Management: Streamline and operationalize the contracting lifecycle, managing contract repositories, reporting, and mapping to procurement and sales tools.

       2. Specialized & General Counsel Support

  • Global Regulatory Compliance: Monitor international regulations and operationalize applicable regulatory requirements, including industry-specific rules relevant to the Company or its customers.
  • Privacy & AI Governance: Interpret and manage domestic and international privacy regulations, support incident management, and provide legal advice in privacy-with a special focus on expanding legal considerations related to AI.
  • Import/Export Controls: Operationalize import/export regulations and ensure compliance amid evolving rules driven by changes in foreign relations.
  • Entity Maintenance: Assist with baseline corporate governance and entity management, including creation, dissolution, and routine annual maintenance across subsidiaries.
  • Policy Management: Draft, review, and maintain functional compliance policies (HR, Finance, InfoSec, Privacy) on an annual or ad hoc basis for leadership review.
  • Dispute Resolution: Support internal business teams in resolving standard vendor, commercial, and employee disputes efficiently.

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Education & Bar: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active admission to practice law (NC bar or eligible for NC in-house counsel license).
  • Experience: 2-4 years of relevant legal experience, with a heavy emphasis on drafting and negotiating commercial contracts (in-house or law firm experience preferred).

Required skills: 

  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage end-to-end commercial contract negotiations.
  • Familiarity with broader corporate functional areas, including employment law basics, IP oversight, and corporate governance.
  • Strong legal drafting skills with an appetite for process improvement and template creation.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with sales, procurement, HR, and executive leadership.
  • Self-sufficient but a team player.