General Counsel

General counselors work in the business world as the main legal advisers for their respective companies. If a company specializes in a particular type of industry, such as manufacturing, their general counsel will likely be a specialist or have prior experience in the types of law that may be especially applicable to that company. For instance, an insurance company may want to hire a general counsel who is already experienced with insurance fraud law.

General counselors may handle a variety of different legal matters including copyright management and infringement, claims against the company or providing advice on the legal recourse or ramifications from a particular course of action. A large amount of the time, a general counsel attorney will be spending their time with the board of directors or executives of a company because it is to these individuals with whom the general counsel directly works.

Since general counselors carry a great deal of legal burden, there are a large number of requirements to become a general counsel. First and foremost, a degree from a nationally certified law school is absolutely necessary. In addition, most companies ask/require that their general counsel have previous experience representing clients for a number of years based on the size and prestige of the organization. As with many legal positions, most general counselors work Monday through Friday, but they can have very long hours outside of the usual 9-5 time slot depending on their job requirements.

With 6-9 years of experience as a General Counsel in Singapore, your main responsibilities include:

• Oversee legal operations, ensuring compliance with all local and international laws and regulations. Manage legal risk, develop and implement strategies to mitigate legal exposure.
• Provide legal counsel to senior management and key stakeholders on business decisions and transactions. Advise on contract negotiations, mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate matters.
• Manage and supervise internal and external legal teams, ensuring effective coordination and delivery of legal services. Monitor performance, provide feedback, and mentor junior legal professionals.
• Develop and implement company-wide policies, procedures, and training programs to promote legal compliance and ethical conduct.

For a General Counsel job role, the following qualifications are required:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and admission to the relevant state bar. This ensures a strong foundation in legal principles and qualifies the candidate to practice law.
• Extensive experience in corporate law and legal counsel role. This includes a deep understanding of corporate governance, contracts, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and litigation management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess complex legal issues, identify risks, and provide sound legal advice to support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with internal stakeholders, executive management, external legal teams, and regulatory authorities.

The role of General Counsel is crucial for legal compliance and guidance in organizations. For professionals with 6-9 years of experience in Singapore, here are following alternative roles to consider:

• Compliance Manager: A position focused on ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, implementing compliance policies, and conducting internal audits.
• Legal Operations Manager: A role centered around optimizing legal processes, managing budgets and resources, implementing technology solutions, and driving efficiency in the legal department.
• Contract Manager: A position involving drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts with clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders, while ensuring legal and commercial terms are favorable.
• Risk Manager: A role focused on identifying and mitigating potential risks for the organization, developing risk management strategies, and implementing policies to safeguard against legal and financial vulnerabilities.

The role of General Counsel in Singapore is projected to experience significant growth in the market. Over the past 10 years, the job role has witnessed an upward trend in demand, showcasing its increasing importance in legal departments. With Singapore's thriving economy and increasing complexities in regulations, the need for experienced legal advisors is expected to further fuel job opportunities for General Counsels. The future holds promising prospects, with a surge in employment opportunities expected to cater to the growing legal requirements of businesses operating in Singapore. This positive outlook is supported by various recent data points from Google and industry experts.