Small Law Department Compensation Survey
Job Descriptions
Job Descriptions below are displayed as a progression from a solo practitioner
environment to a complex departmental structure.
General Counsel – Single Lawyer Environment
This position is responsible for setting the overall legal strategy of the
organization and for providing legal advice and counsel to the Chief Executive
Officer, the executive leadership team, the Board and the organization as a
whole. This position is a central participant in all substantive negotiations
relative to the purchase and sale of business units, mergers and acquisitions,
major customer and other contracts, and regulatory and related matters. This
position determines the strategic position of the organization relative to
litigation and selects, directs and manages outside counsel, where appropriate.
This position may guide and oversee Corporate Secretarial activities within the
organization. This position may or may not have an assigned administrative
support staff on a full time, shared or part-time basis. This position requires
substantial post bar legal experience (typically, 15 or more years) combined
with a detailed knowledge of the structure and operations of the organization,
its subordinate units and the markets in which it operates.
Multi-Lawyer Environment - Core Job Structure
General Counsel – Multi-Lawyer Environment
This position is responsible for setting the overall legal strategy of the
organization and for providing legal advice and counsel to the Chief Executive
Officer, the executive leadership team, the Board and the organization as a
whole. This position is a central participant in all substantive negotiations
relative to the purchase and sale of business units, mergers and acquisitions,
major customer and other contracts, and regulatory and related matters. This
position determines the strategic position of the organization relative to
litigation and selects, directs and manages outside counsel, where
appropriate. This position may guide and oversee Corporate Secretarial
activities within the organization. This position provides leadership and
guidance to a subordinate staff of professional lawyers, legal paraprofessionals
and support staff and ensures that they are appropriately trained and developed
for the challenges facing the organization.
Assistant General Counsel (Executive Level Position)
This position provides executive level legal advice and counsel to the
organization in support of the overall legal strategy developed by the General
Counsel. This position may provide advice to operating executives on a broad
range of legal issues impacting the organization as a whole or may provide
expertise on one or more legal specialties based on a deep knowledge of the
organization and its needs. This position may provide leadership and direction
to less experienced attorneys, paraprofessionals and other staff relative to the
area of specialty or on more general legal matters. This position
may select, engage and direct outside counsel to undertake specific and complex
work requiring the application of highly specialized legal knowledge. This
position requires substantial post bar legal experience (typically, 12 - 15 or
more years) combined with a detailed knowledge of the structure and operations
of the organization, its subordinate units and the markets in which it operates.
Senior Counsel (Individual Contributor Position)
This position provides legal advice and recommendations for action to executives
and management regarding complex matters which have or may have a significant
impact on business activities and operations. This position may combine a
knowledge of one or more legal specialties with sound business acumen and
knowledge of the business objectives as they relate to the matter at hand. This
position operates under general direction from law department management. This
position may negotiate matters of some complexity, research legal principles and
precedents, consult with outside counsel, draft and execute legal documents,
gather relevant case related information using multiple sources and methods in
order to accomplish the assigned legal and business objectives. This position
may assist other less experienced professionals, paraprofessional and support
staff in developing solutions to problems presented. Incumbents are likely to
have 8 to 10 years of post bar experience in a combination of law firm and
corporate settings. May be a member of the bar of multiple states.
Counsel
This position provides legal advice and recommendations for action to executives
and management regarding matters of intermediate complexity which have or may
have a sizable dollar impact on business activities and operations. This
position primarily leverages its knowledge of its legal specialty in providing
counsel as it builds its knowledge of the business context in which it
operates. This position may receive specific direction from management or more
senior law professionals as to the outcomes, process and schedules expected.
This position may negotiate legal issues within defined parameters, research
legal principles and precedents, consult with outside counsel, draft and execute
legal documents, gather relevant case related information using multiple sources
and methods. This position may provide work guidance to paraprofessional and
support staff, if any, in developing solutions to problems presented. Incumbents
are likely to 5 to 7 years of post bar experience in a combination of law firm
and corporate settings. May be a member of the bar of multiple states.
Senior Paralegal
This position, under the general guidance of an attorney, applies a knowledge of
legal processes and procedures to perform the following types of work: legal
research, conducting fact gathering interviews with clients or witnesses,
drafting legal documents of some complexity, maintaining and updating files,
monitoring case schedules and filing deadlines, drafting correspondence and
pleadings, summarizing depositions, interrogatories and testimony, performing
statistical analyses and documentary research, and attending court or hearings
in support of attorneys, if needed. In addition to generalist paralegal
knowledge, the incumbent may also have more specialized skills in areas such as
real estate, intellectual property, or others at a senior paraprofessional
level. Incumbents in this role are expected to demonstrate excellent
organizational, communications and time management skills. Incumbents should be
qualified in an American Bar Association approved curriculum and, ideally, have
Certified Legal Assistant designation or have passed the Paralegal Advanced
Competency Examination. Incumbents in this senior role are likely to have 5 to 7
years of experience after qualification.
Paralegal
This position, under the supervision of an attorney, applies a knowledge of
legal processes and procedures to perform the following types of work at an
intermediate level of complexity: legal research, conducting fact gathering
interviews with clients or witnesses, drafting legal documents of intermediate
complexity, maintaining and updating files, monitoring case schedules and filing
deadlines, drafting more routine correspondence and pleadings, summarizing
depositions, interrogatories and testimony, performing statistical analyses and
documentary research, and attending court or hearings in support of attorneys,
if needed. In addition to generalist paralegal knowledge, the incumbent may also
have more specialized skills in areas such as real estate, intellectual
property, or others at an intermediate paraprofessional level. Incumbents in
this role are expected to demonstrate excellent organizational, communications
and time management skills. Incumbents should be qualified in an American Bar
Association approved curriculum and, ideally, have Certified Legal Assistant
designation or have passed the Paralegal Advanced Competency
Examination. Incumbents in this senior role are likely to have 2 to 4 years of
experience after qualification.
Executive Assistant to the General Counsel
(Match where Assistant primarily supports the General Counsel – in some smaller
organizations this position might support another non-legal function head
executive with similar organizational standing to the General Counsel on a
shared basis)
This position supports the General Counsel by performing a variety of
administrative and paraprofessional tasks such as: management of the general
Counsel’s daily schedule, screening of telephone calls and visitors, processing
routine correspondence, coordinating meetings and events, making travel
arrangements, processing travel and other expenses through the internal
administrative systems, tracking routine budget items, providing periodic, work
direction to other administrative support staff and temporary workers, and
undertaking ad hoc projects to support the more efficient operation of the
office.
Administrative Assistant – Legal
This position provides administrative support within the law department and may
be assigned to one more executives, attorneys or professionals. This position
may use departmental templates to process routine legal and non-legal
correspondence and documents, and may also maintain the schedule of the
supported professional(s). A working knowledge of office productivity software
and internal company administrative systems is required. This position requires
familiarity with legal terminology. Other tasks may include making travel
arrangements for the supported professionals, tracking travel expenses,
coordinating meetings with internal and external individuals, screening
telephone calls, and other administrative tasks. Incumbents will generally have
2 to 5 years of administrative work experience and may have an Associates or
undergraduate degree. This position does not require the incumbent to be a
qualified paralegal.
Multi-Lawyer Environment - More Complex Job Structure
Deputy General Counsel
(Match only if there is a clear Number 2 in the law Department).
This position supports the General Counsel in the development of the overall
legal strategy of the organization and assists in its implementation. This
position may have specific responsibility for providing legal support and advice
to a sizeable part of the overall organization based on a combination of legal
expertise and knowledge of the business. This position frequently leverages this
knowledge to conduct important negotiations for the benefit of the
organization, or to eliminate or mitigate significant actual or potential risks
or liabilities. This position may provide leadership and direction to some
subordinate legal professionals, paraprofessionals and support staff.
In addition, this position maintains close working relationships with outside
counsel providing them with direction and oversight on important issues or
transactions. This position may stand-in at important meetings or decision
points during periods of absence of the General Counsel. This position may also
assist the General Counsel on Board of Directors related issues. This position
requires substantial post bar legal experience (typically, 15 or more years)
combined with a detailed knowledge of the structure and operations of the
organization, its subordinate units and the markets in which it operates.
Division General Counsel
This position is responsible for formulating and implementing a legal strategy
for its assigned division, nationally and internationally, to support its long
term business objectives and consistent with the overall legal strategy of the
parent company. This position provides advice and counsel to the Top Division
Executive and the most senior executives of the division on material legal and
business matters impacting or potentially impacting the division. This position
applies both seasoned business and legal judgment while serving as a senior
member of the divisional leadership team. In addition to other legal
responsibilities, this position may provide oversight and guidance on divisional
governance and compliance matters consistent with the practice of the parent
company. This position has on-going contact with the General Counsel of the
corporation on a broad range of legal issues. This position may
provide direction and leadership to law professionals and support staff assigned
to the division, if any. In addition, this position selects and
engages outside counsel to provide critical support on complex legal, regulatory
and business issues. This position requires substantial post bar legal
experience (typically, 12 - 15 or more years) combined with a detailed knowledge
of the structure and operations of the division and the overall organization.
Subsidiary General Counsel
This position is responsible for formulating and implementing a legal strategy
for a subsidiary of a parent organization. This position advises the executive
leadership of the subsidiary on national and international legal issues and
risks impacting the subsidiary to support the achievement of long term business
goals. This position ensures that that the subsidiary's legal positions are
consistent with the legal strategy of the parent organization. This position
applies both seasoned business and legal judgment while serving as a senior
member of the subsidiaries executive leadership team. In addition to other legal
responsibilities, this position provides oversight and guidance on subsidiary
registration, governance, regulatory reporting and compliance matters consistent
with the practices and policies of the parent company. This position may provide
direction and leadership to law professionals and support staff assigned to the
subsidiary, if any, and facilitates their growth and development both within the
subsidiary and in the corporation as a whole. In addition, this position selects
and engages outside counsel to provide critical support on complex legal,
regulatory and business issues. This position requires substantial post bar
legal experience (typically, 15 or more years) combined with a detailed
knowledge of the structure and operations of the subsidiary and its parent
organization.
Intellectual Property Counsel
(Match only where IP is the sole focus of the position – if IP is only a partial
responsibility -chose another attorney position and select IP as a Specialty)
This position is responsible for guarding and protecting the organization’s
portfolio of intellectual property assets and for mitigating risks associated
with intellectual property issues. This position provides advice and counsel to
operating managers and executives on securing, protecting and defending the
organizations intellectual property claims and assets. This position may work
closely with operating managers, engineers, scientists, software developers,
researchers, or others to identify services, products or items that are good
candidates for protection by patent, trademark or copyright. This position
prepares and structures the necessary claims and supporting materials for filing
in the appropriate domestic or international Patent Offices or other institution
charged with granting intellectual property protection. This position may also
be actively involved in investigating violations or the organizations
intellectual property including counterfeiting and piracy issues. Incumbents
should be registered with the USPTO and have 5 to 7 years of post bar experience
as an Intellectual Property lawyer. Additionally, this position likely, requires
a undergraduate degree in a technical disciple relevant to the operations of the
organization.
Contract Negotiator (Non-Lawyer)
This position prepares, negotiates, and manages various standard and
non-standard contracts for the organization to ensure they comply with business
requirements as well as corporate policy. This position operates under general
direction from law department management. The position has authority to
negotiate contracts within certain parameters specified by the General Counsel
or other Senior Lawyers. This position may report to the General Counsel in a
very small department or to a direct report to the General Counsel in a somewhat
larger department. Incumbents may have experience working as a contract
negotiator from within an organizational business unit prior to working in the
law department. Typically requires a bachelors degree and at least 8 - 10 years
relevant experience.
Manager Compliance
This position, under the direction of the General Counsel or other designated
executive, is responsible for the effective implementation of the organization’s
compliance and ethics program for an assigned substantial area of the business
or for an assigned series of complex business processes. This position works
closely with peer level operational management in providing advice on the
interpretation and implementation of compliance policies and in evaluating the
compliance implications of planned business activities. This position provides
direction and guidance to subordinate compliance staff, if any, relative to the
implementation, monitoring, investigation, evaluation and reporting compliance
policies, programs and issues. This position is responsible for ensuring
effective remediation of non-compliant situations within its assigned areas,
through the re-design of processes and testing of their effectiveness. This
position requires a comprehensive understanding of the assigned business area
and an in-depth knowledge of the legislation, regulations, compliance policies
and standards that apply to it. This position typically requires a degree and 8
to 10 years of experience.