How do you become an assistant general counsel?

1 Education and experience

To become an assistant general counsel, you need to have a bachelor's degree and a juris doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school. You also need to pass the bar exam and obtain a license to practice law in your state. Additionally, you need to have several years of experience as a lawyer, preferably in a relevant field or industry. Depending on the size and nature of the organization, you may also need to have expertise in specific areas of law, such as securities, antitrust, health care, or environmental law.

2 Skills and qualities

As an assistant general counsel, you need to possess a range of skills and qualities, such as analytical and problem-solving abilities, communication and negotiation proficiency, leadership and management aptitude, and ethical and professional standards. You must be able to research, interpret, and apply complex laws and regulations to find solutions to legal issues. You should also be able to communicate effectively and persuasively with clients, colleagues, regulators, judges, and arbitrators. Moreover, you need to lead a team of legal professionals and collaborate with other departments. Additionally, you must uphold the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability while adhering to the rules of professional conduct and the code of ethics of your organization.

3 Career path and salary

To become an assistant general counsel, you need to have a solid track record of success as a lawyer, and demonstrate your potential for advancement. You can start your career as an associate or a counsel in a law firm, or as an in-house counsel in a company or organization. You can then progress to a senior or managing counsel role, and eventually to an assistant general counsel role. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an assistant general counsel in the United States is $144,617 per year, as of June 2021. However, the salary may vary depending on the size, sector, and location of the organization, as well as your qualifications, experience, and performance.

4 Benefits and challenges

Becoming an assistant general counsel can bring many rewards, such as autonomy, a stimulating range of legal matters to handle, a strategic and influential role in an organization, professional development opportunities, and a competitive compensation and benefits package. However, it can also come with its own challenges, including high levels of pressure and responsibility, complex and changing laws and regulations, the need to balance multiple interests and priorities, long and irregular hours, and stress and uncertainty.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?