Legal Counsel Job Description Template
What is a Legal Counsel?
Legal counsels are responsible for providing legal advice, drafting and reviewing legal documents, representing clients in legal proceedings, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. They must have a strong understanding of legal principles and excellent analytical skills.
A legal counsel's key education requirement is a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school. Additionally, they must be licensed to practice law in their jurisdiction and have strong communication and negotiation skills.
Legal Counsel Job Description Template
Job Brief
We are looking for a highly qualified Legal Counsel to oversee the legal aspects of our business. You will safeguard our reputation by guaranteeing that the company strictly follows law guidelines and give legal advice to management about all relevant issues.
The successful candidate will effectively ensure legal conformity and minimize probability of exposure.
Responsibilities
- Give accurate and timely counsel to executives in a variety of legal topics (labor law, partnerships, international ventures, corporate finance etc.)
- Collaborate with management to devise efficient defense strategies
- Specify internal governance policies and regularly monitor compliance
- Research and evaluate different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations
- Apply effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advise on possible legal issues
- Communicate and negotiate with external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority etc.), creating relations of trust
- Draft and solidify agreements, contracts and other legal documents to ensure the company’s full legal rights
- Deal with complex matters with multiple stakeholders and forces
- Provide clarification on legal language or specifications to everyone in the organization
- Conduct your work with integrity and responsibility
- Maintain current knowledge of alterations in legislation
Requirements
- Proven experience as a Legal Counsel in business environment
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of corporate law and procedures
- Full comprehension of the influences of the external environment of a corporation
- Demonstrated ability to create legal defensive or proactive strategies
- High degree of professional ethics and integrity
- Sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and information
- Outstanding communication skills
- BSc degree in Law or J.D. degree
- MA or BSc in Business Administration will be considered an advantage
What does Legal Counsel do?
A Legal Counsel, also known as an In-House Counsel or Corporate Counsel, provides legal advice and guidance to a company on various matters. On a day-to-day basis, their responsibilities may include:
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Legal research: Conducting legal research on relevant laws, regulations, precedents, and industry standards to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
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Contract review and drafting: Reviewing, negotiating, and drafting various contracts and agreements, such as vendor agreements, confidentiality agreements, employment contracts, and licensing agreements.
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Risk assessment: Identifying and assessing potential legal risks and liabilities associated with business activities and providing recommendations to mitigate those risks.
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Compliance monitoring: Monitoring changes in laws and regulations that may affect the company's operations and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
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Litigation management: Managing and overseeing any litigation or disputes involving the company, including engaging external counsel, reviewing legal documents, and advising on settlement negotiations.
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Corporate governance: Assisting with corporate governance matters, such as maintaining corporate records, facilitating board meetings, and ensuring compliance with corporate policies and procedures.
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Internal legal advice: Providing legal advice and guidance to various departments within the company, such as HR, finance, marketing, and operations, to ensure they are aware of legal implications and risks associated with their activities.
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Intellectual property: Advising on intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents, and managing the company's intellectual property portfolio.
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Regulatory compliance: Ensuring compliance with industry-specific regulations, such as data privacy laws, advertising regulations, or healthcare regulations, depending on the nature of the company's business.
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Training and education: Conducting training sessions or workshops to educate employees on legal matters and issues related to their roles and responsibilities.
It is important to note that the specific duties and responsibilities of a Legal Counsel can vary depending on the size and nature of the company, as well as the industry in which it operates.
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