What does a legal manager do?

If you are interested in the intersection of law and business, you might want to consider a career as a legal manager. A legal manager is a professional who oversees the legal aspects of an organization's operations, such as contracts, compliance, risk management, and litigation. In this article, we will explore what a legal manager does, what skills and qualifications are required, and what are some of the benefits and challenges of this role.

1 Legal manager responsibilities

A legal manager is responsible for ensuring that the organization follows the relevant laws and regulations in its activities, as well as protecting its interests and rights in legal matters. Common tasks for this role include drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements; developing and implementing policies and procedures to comply with legal requirements and best practices; advising and supporting senior management and other departments on legal issues and risks; managing and supervising the legal team and external counsel; handling and resolving disputes and litigation cases; and researching and updating on the latest legal developments and trends.

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Shilpa M

|| Sales HRBP || KIA India II
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The major responsibilities of a Legal manager is to look after internal and external legal affairs in an organisation. A legal manager can update the stakeholders and management regarding the on-going issues and support the organisation in the decision making process.

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Dr. Alexander Rohde

Advising law firms in strategy 🪢 business transformation 🪢 operational excellence 🪢 leadership 👉 helping law firms (and in-house legal departments) to reach their full potential 💪
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The responsibilities of a legal manager (= in-house lawyer) can vary depending on the specific industry, company size, and the nature of legal issues involved. Typical responsibilities of an in-house lawyer include: contract drafting, review and negotiation, leading the company's litigation, intellectual property (IP), labor and employment law, managing relationships with external legal counsel, regulatory bodies, government agencies, and other stakeholders as necessary for legal matters, compliance with laws and regulations, legal risk management and corporate governance.

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Vishal P.

Human Resource Management👨💼 | 31000+ followers | Collaborator 👥 | 🌟 Expert in Personal Branding & Influence
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A legal manager oversees an organization's legal affairs, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. They manage legal risks, provide counsel on contracts, litigation, and corporate governance, liaise with external counsel, and develop policies to safeguard the company's legal interests while supporting strategic business objectives.

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2 Legal manager skills and qualifications

To become a legal manager, you typically need to have a bachelor's degree in law, a license to practice law, and several years of experience as a lawyer or a legal officer. Additionally, excellent knowledge of the relevant laws and regulations in your industry and jurisdiction is necessary, as well as strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Effective communication, negotiation, and presentation skills are also important for this role. Furthermore, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, attention to detail and accuracy, leadership, teamwork, and management skills, as well as business acumen and strategic thinking are all necessary qualifications for this position.

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Maroš Pogány

Legal Services for Innovation and Ethical Growth
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One of the most important - non-legal - skills the legal manager in a corporation should possess is a "marketing" skill. It means ability to show value of the legal department's work to the top management, middle management and other employees in the corporation. However, each target group values different things on legal department. I can recommend Mr Sterling Miller's blog Ten Things You Need to Know as In-house Counsel as it provides great insights on this matter as well as other hands-on topics for in-house counsel.

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3 Legal manager benefits

Working as a legal manager can provide a variety of advantages, such as having a major role in forming the organization's strategy and direction, developing an extensive and varied legal knowledge and experience, and having a high degree of autonomy and responsibility. Furthermore, you could gain a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as have chances for career growth and professional development.

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4 Legal manager challenges

Working as a legal manager can be challenging due to the complexity of legal environments and situations, and the need to balance an organization's goals with legal obligations and risks. Additionally, managing multiple projects and stakeholders with different expectations can be difficult, as well as keeping up with changing laws and regulations. Moreover, legal managers must also be prepared to handle stressful and contentious issues that may arise.

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GB (Gbenga) Ajomale, ACIPM, PHRi™ CDR

Talent Advisory: Strategic Programs
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To be successful as Legal Manager, having situational awareness and high-level understanding of the legal landscape in your locality or jurisdiction is key. Colleagues, stakeholders and business leaders are banking on your expertise to mitigate risks and maneuver sticky situations.

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Maroš Pogány

Legal Services for Innovation and Ethical Growth
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If you're aspiring to become a legal manager you should get ready for a situation that all difficult issues, even non-legal ones, end up at legal department and you will be the one to deal with them and solve them successfuly. But the biggest challenge is to learn how to say to the C-suite that their idea is bad. Ability to do this diplomatically and without leaving a bad taste is crucial for your success.

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5 Legal manager tips

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a legal manager, here are some tips to help you succeed. It is important to stay abreast of the latest legal developments and trends in your industry and jurisdiction. Additionally, building and maintaining a strong network of contacts and relationships is essential. Seeking feedback and guidance from senior legal managers and mentors is also beneficial. Investing in your professional development and learning by attending courses, seminars, workshops, and conferences can further your success. Demonstrating your value and contribution to the organization through high-quality work and results will also be advantageous.

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6 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?

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What does a legal manager do?

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1 Legal manager responsibilities

2 Legal manager skills and qualifications

3 Legal manager benefits

4 Legal manager challenges

5 Legal manager tips

6 Here’s what else to consider

HR Operations

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What does a legal manager do?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Legal manager responsibilities

2 Legal manager skills and qualifications

3 Legal manager benefits

4 Legal manager challenges

5 Legal manager tips

6 Here’s what else to consider

HR Operations

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