The General Counsel is both a business's most senior lawyer and, increasingly, a trusted strategic advisor. Hiring one well means finding both. Here is how.
Define the legal and risk landscape
The right General Counsel depends on what the business actually faces — the balance of transactional work, regulatory and compliance demands, disputes, and governance. A business active in M&A needs different strengths from one navigating heavy regulation or rapid international expansion. Defining the specific landscape the role must navigate is the essential first step, and shapes the profile to look for.
Hire a strategic partner, not just a lawyer
The modern General Counsel role has grown well beyond technical legal advice into strategic counsel to the CEO and board. The strongest are trusted advisors on the biggest decisions — bringing not just what is legal, but what is wise — and combine legal expertise with commercial judgement and the standing to be heard. Hiring for that broader capability, rather than technical legal skill alone, is what distinguishes a great appointment.
Independence and judgement
A General Counsel also serves as a guardian of the business — safeguarding its integrity, flagging risks others may not want to hear, and helping ensure things are done properly. This calls for genuine independence and judgement alongside partnership. Assessing for the balance — a leader who supports the business's goals while retaining the independence to counsel against unwise action — is central to the hire.
How the search works
Define whether the priority is transactional expertise, regulatory depth, or broad strategic counsel, and a retained search can match a General Counsel to the business's specific legal, risk, and governance needs.
Hiring senior legal leadership?
We recruit General Counsel and senior legal and risk leaders across consumer businesses.
Explore Executive Search →Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when hiring a General Counsel?
Deep legal expertise combined with genuine commercial judgement and the standing to advise at the top — a strategic partner and guardian of the business, not just a technical lawyer — matched to the specific legal and risk landscape the role must navigate.
What does a modern General Counsel do beyond legal work?
Acts as a strategic advisor to the CEO and board on major decisions, safeguards the company's integrity and flags risks, and supports good governance — combining legal expertise with commercial judgement and independence.
Related: What Does a General Counsel Do? · What Is Corporate Governance? · How to Hire a Board Director
