What Does a Corporate Counsel Do?
Corporate counsel is an in-house attorney who provides legal guidance to a company on a wide range of matters, including contracts, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, employment law, and risk management. They help the business make informed decisions while ensuring alignment with all applicable laws and minimizing legal exposure.
As a key business partner, corporate counsel works with departments across the organization to draft and negotiate agreements, manage legal disputes, and provide input on policies and procedures. Their role is essential in balancing legal protection with operational agility.
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Corporate Counsel Core Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including vendor agreements, NDAs, and service terms
- Advise internal stakeholders on legal issues related to operations, HR, marketing, and finance
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and industry-specific regulations
- Manage or assist with litigation, disputes, and legal claims
- Oversee intellectual property matters, including trademarks and confidentiality agreements
- Support corporate governance, including board resolutions, entity filings, and compliance
- Maintain internal legal documentation and policy libraries
- Liaise with external counsel for specialized legal needs or litigation
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
- Expertise in corporate, contract, and business law
- Ability to draft, redline, and interpret complex agreements
- Familiarity with employment law, risk mitigation, and compliance frameworks
Soft skills
- Strong communication with legal and non-legal audiences
- Business acumen and practical risk assessment
- Organizational skills with attention to detail
- Professional discretion and ethical judgment
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active license to practice law in relevant jurisdiction
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–7 years of legal experience, preferably in a corporate or in-house setting
- Background in commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, or employment law
- Experience working cross-functionally with HR, finance, or operations
- Familiarity with contract management software or legal operations platforms
National Average Salary
Corporate counsel salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Corporate Counsel is:
$144,320
Sample Job Description Templates for Corporate Counsel
Commercial Corporate Counsel
Position Overview
The commercial corporate counsel provides legal guidance on business agreements, vendor contracts, and strategic partnerships. This role supports procurement, sales, operations, and leadership teams by ensuring all commercial relationships align with legal standards and risk management policies.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts including vendor agreements, MSAs, and licensing deals
- Advise internal stakeholders on contract risk, obligations, and negotiation strategy
- Maintain and update standard templates and contract playbooks
- Monitor compliance with contract terms and assist in resolving disputes
- Support cross-functional teams on marketing, procurement, and operational legal issues
- Ensure agreements comply with applicable laws and internal policies
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong commercial contracting knowledge (pricing, liability, indemnity, termination)
- Legal drafting and redlining expertise
- Familiarity with SaaS, manufacturing, or supply chain contracts
- Proficiency with contract lifecycle management tools
Soft skills
- Business-minded approach to legal problem-solving
- Clear communication and stakeholder alignment
- Strong organization and attention to detail
- Ability to balance legal risk with operational flexibility
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active law license in relevant jurisdiction
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 4–7 years of commercial legal experience, including in-house roles
- Background in B2B transactions, licensing, or vendor management
Employment & Labor Corporate Counsel
Position Overview
The employment & labor corporate counsel advises on all legal matters related to employee relations, workplace compliance, and labor regulations. This role ensures that company policies and practices align with federal, state, and local employment laws.
Responsibilities
- Advise HR and leadership on employment law issues, including hiring, discipline, termination, and accommodations
- Draft and review employment agreements, handbooks, and workplace policies
- Monitor changes to labor laws and ensure timely compliance updates
- Respond to claims involving harassment, discrimination, or wage and hour disputes
- Manage or assist in employment-related investigations
- Support union matters, collective bargaining, or labor audits (if applicable)
- Partner with external counsel on complex claims or litigation
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep knowledge of FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and local labor statutes
- Employment contract and policy drafting
- Risk mitigation in workplace investigations and terminations
- Experience with EEOC, DOL, and state labor agency interactions
Soft skills
- Confidentiality and professionalism in sensitive matters
- Strong legal judgment and business alignment
- Communication with HR, leadership, and employees
- Ability to manage multiple, high-stakes issues simultaneously
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Licensed to practice in relevant state(s)
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of employment law experience
- In-house HR legal support or labor counsel background preferred
Regulatory Compliance Counsel
Position Overview
The regulatory compliance counsel ensures that the company’s operations adhere to applicable industry regulations, licensing requirements, and corporate governance frameworks. This legal role proactively mitigates risk and supports audit readiness and regulatory reporting.
Responsibilities
- Interpret and apply laws and regulations affecting operations, products, or services
- Develop and update internal compliance policies and training programs
- Provide guidance on data privacy, anti-corruption, licensing, or financial regulations
- Monitor regulatory changes and assess impact on operations
- Support audits and compliance assessments across departments
- Advise leadership on risk exposure and remediation plans
- Liaise with regulators or third-party compliance partners
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of federal and state regulatory frameworks (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, SOX, PCI, etc.)
- Experience managing compliance programs or policies
- Legal writing for disclosures, policies, and internal memos
- Understanding of audit processes and enforcement risk
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking and policy interpretation
- Strong cross-functional collaboration
- Proactive risk identification and communication
- High attention to detail and documentation
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Bar membership in good standing
Certifications
- None required
- Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of regulatory or compliance-focused legal experience
- Experience in healthcare, finance, tech, or highly regulated industries
Contracts Counsel
Position Overview
The contracts counsel is responsible for reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide range of contracts to support business operations and reduce legal risk. This role ensures all contractual agreements meet legal standards while supporting operational efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Draft and review vendor agreements, service contracts, NDAs, and consulting agreements
- Redline contract terms and negotiate with external parties
- Provide legal guidance on contract risks and obligations
- Maintain templates and contribute to contract management processes
- Collaborate with legal, procurement, and business teams on deal terms
- Support dispute resolution and contract enforcement when needed
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with commercial, licensing, and procurement agreements
- Contract drafting and redlining proficiency
- Familiarity with contract lifecycle management tools and processes
- Legal risk analysis in business transactions
Soft skills
- Attention to detail in language and structure
- Business-aligned legal judgment
- Strong interpersonal communication for negotiations
- Process management and legal operations familiarity
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Active license to practice law
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–6 years of contract law experience
- Background in B2B services, SaaS, or complex procurement settings
Mergers & Acquisitions Counsel
Position Overview
The M&A counsel supports all legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions. This role works with executive leadership, corporate development teams, and external advisors to assess deal risks, structure transactions, and manage due diligence.
Responsibilities
- Draft and negotiate M&A agreements, term sheets, and disclosures
- Conduct or coordinate due diligence reviews and risk assessments
- Advise on corporate structuring, financing, and transaction compliance
- Support integration planning and risk mitigation post-close
- Coordinate with outside counsel and cross-functional deal teams
- Manage confidentiality agreements and data room materials
- Ensure timely regulatory filings and closing documentation
Requirements
Hard skills
- Legal expertise in corporate transactions, M&A structuring, and securities law
- Due diligence and disclosure drafting experience
- Familiarity with antitrust, tax, and post-deal integration issues
- Knowledge of private and public transaction procedures
Soft skills
- Business acumen and strategic mindset
- Project management across high-pressure timelines
- Communication with executive leadership and investors
- Discretion and confidentiality throughout the deal lifecycle
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Licensed attorney in relevant jurisdiction
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 6+ years of M&A legal experience, preferably in-house or large law firm
- Experience with cross-border transactions or PE-backed companies