legal counsel job description

Some of the duties of a legal counsel include: providing legal advice: as a legal counsel, the company looks to you for guidance on legal matters that impact its operations. Your role involves ensuring that the company complies with industry regulations and legal requirements. Your deep understanding of company law and the industry enables you to navigate the laws that affect the company. evaluating current company policies: as industry standards and laws are constantly changing, we help keep your company compliant. You evaluate your current policies and provide advice on necessary changes. For instance, if employee rights and protections laws change, you make sure your organisation updates its policies accordingly. managing legal disputes: as a legal counsel, your responsibility is to manage and resolve any legal disputes that the company may face. You represent the company in court proceedings and negotiations, ensuring that your client receives the best possible outcome. This could involve resolving disputes with other businesses either inside or outside of the courtroom. implementing risk management strategies: as a legal counsel, you are expected to identify potential legal risks a company faces and find ways to prevent them. You conduct risk evaluations in the entire company, especially in departments with multiple compliance requirements. Implementing risk management procedures protects the company from disputes and compliance concerns. Your job is to prevent risks associated with contracts and employment. writing legal documents: as a legal counsel, you don't go to court daily like criminal lawyers. A legal department in a company is often in charge of drafting agreements, contracts and other documentation required for court proceedings. Your job is to write the documents and ensure compliance with the law.

As a legal counsel, your work primarily takes place in an office setting within the legal department. Your duties entail conducting research, drafting contracts, and reviewing agreements. In the event of court proceedings, you will attend court and meet with opposing counsel to discuss out-of-court settlements. Occasionally, legal counsel jobs may require travel for work purposes, such as attending conferences and workshops. However, when not attending court proceedings, you have the option to work from home or a remote location.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include logistics managers, lawyers and paralegals. You might also be working in close proximity to legal secretaries and financial advisors, finance analysts as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, underwriters, financial planners and accountants .

A legal counsel usually follows traditional office hours from 9 am to 5 pm, but may need to work late evenings or weekends to meet urgent deadlines, attend conferences or meet clients. Full-time positions are typical, but there may be part-time options available for those seeking additional flexibility.

As a legal counsel, you have multiple opportunities for career progression. You start in a junior position as a legal secretary or paralegal before becoming a junior legal counsel. With experience and expertise, you become the senior legal counsel for the company. If you are interested in a managerial role, you can become the head of the legal department.

advantages of finding a legal counsel job through randstad

Finding your legal counsel job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a legal counsel is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

how do I become a legal counsel in New Zealand?

You require a bachelor's degree in law to become a legal counsellor in New Zealand. If you have a degree in an unrelated field, complete the Juris Doctor qualification to learn the law. Before practising law, complete the PLT program and get a practising certificate.

what is the role of an in-house legal counsel?

As a legal counsel, you work in the company's legal department, handling issues that arise from the company's practice. You ensure compliance with the law and industry standards by drafting policies to prevent legal risk.

how much does a legal counsel earn?

As a legal counsel, you take home a salary of $135,000 annually. Depending on your experience and qualifications, the remuneration package may be higher or lower. Most legal counsel earn between $115,000 and $155,000 per year.

what skills do you require to become a legal counsel?

You rely on your legal expertise to perform your duties. Aside from extensive legal knowledge, you require good negotiation skills to ensure your client gets the best outcome in an out-of-court settlement. Your writing and communication skills are also useful.

is legal counsel a good career?

Working as a legal counsel is a fulfilling career with excellent job opportunities. You have the chance to advance to managerial roles and specialise in your preferred industry. To excel in this field, you need a range of skills, including exceptional writing abilities to draft legal documents such as contracts and compliance policies. You also need strong organisational skills to manage multiple legal matters and ensure timely completion. Additionally, interpersonal skills are crucial as you collaborate with various professionals in the industry by actively listening and communicating effectively. Lastly, you must have extensive legal knowledge to help clients remain compliant and resolve disputes in accordance with the law.

how do I apply for a legal counsel vacancy?

Applying for a legal counsel job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here .

legal counsel

what is a legal counsel?

As a legal counsel, your job is to provide legal advice to a company's legal department. Companies often choose to hire a legal counsel instead of independent lawyers when they have multiple compliance requirements and may need advice from a lawyer. For example, you may work for an organisation that handles multiple contracts and needs legal representation to review the documents and handle disputes that arise from them. As a legal counsel, you may work in financial institutions and corporate offices in various business sectors, such as manufacturing, consulting, marketing, communications, or mining.

A legal counsel handles all legal matters for their clients, working on several aspects of the law. For example, if a company faces a lawsuit on compliance issues or contract disputes, you are expected to navigate all aspects of the law. In addition to having legal knowledge, a legal counsel must also integrate into the client's business structure. For instance, in mining or manufacturing, it is important to understand the processes and operations of the business to provide effective legal guidance.

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average legal counsel salary

As a legal counsel, your annual salary averages at $135,000. However, this amount can vary based on different factors. For instance, if you are starting in an entry-level position, you may earn a remuneration package of $115,000 per year or less as you learn the ropes. As you gain experience, your salary may increase to over $155,000 per year.

how to increase your salary as a legal counsel

The compensation that a legal counsel receives is influenced by various factors, with the size of the company being one of them. In a small firm, the legal counsel is responsible for handling a lower number of legal matters compared to their counterparts in larger companies. In a larger organisation, the legal counsel is involved in dealing with intricate compliance issues and legal matters that require extensive industry knowledge. Additionally, the legal counsel is responsible for overseeing the signing of multiple contracts, which can increase their compensation prospects.

If you work in a metropolitan area, you may earn a higher salary because the demand for your role may be high. In some metropolitan areas, there may be additional compliance requirements that can increase your earning potential. Your salary expectation will also depend on your experience and educational qualifications. As a recent graduate with minimal experience in the field, your salary may be lower than that of an experienced legal counsel.

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types of legal counsel

Legal counsel specialises in different areas depending on their role in a company and the matters they handle. Here are some areas of specialisation for legal counsels:

issuer counsel: they ensure that the state authorising the bond has followed the rules and regulations for issuing bonds. They check for compliance with local or state laws and file the necessary documentation to fulfil disclosure laws. They provide legal advice before the actual issuance of the bonds.
bond counsel: they represent the interests of bondholders as part of the legal counsel for the debt issuance team. They act on behalf of the bondholders to ensure that the proposed municipal securities meet all the procedural and legal requirements. They also draft the relevant documentation showing the legality of the bonds.
tax compliance legal counsel: they provide expertise in tax laws affecting the company. They ensure compliance with complex tax issues to avoid penalties and fines.

close up, smiling man looking down, wearing suit and tie

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working as a legal counsel

If you are interested in working as a legal counsel, explore the role's daily activities, responsibilities and career outlook.

legal counsel job description
Some of the duties of a legal counsel include:
- providing legal advice: as a legal counsel, the company looks to you for guidance on legal matters that impact its operations. Your role involves ensuring that the company complies with industry regulations and legal requirements. Your deep understanding of company law and the industry enables you to navigate the laws that affect the company.
- evaluating current company policies: as industry standards and laws are constantly changing, we help keep your company compliant. You evaluate your current policies and provide advice on necessary changes. For instance, if employee rights and protections laws change, you make sure your organisation updates its policies accordingly.
- managing legal disputes: as a legal counsel, your responsibility is to manage and resolve any legal disputes that the company may face. You represent the company in court proceedings and negotiations, ensuring that your client receives the best possible outcome. This could involve resolving disputes with other businesses either inside or outside of the courtroom.
- implementing risk management strategies: as a legal counsel, you are expected to identify potential legal risks a company faces and find ways to prevent them. You conduct risk evaluations in the entire company, especially in departments with multiple compliance requirements. Implementing risk management procedures protects the company from disputes and compliance concerns. Your job is to prevent risks associated with contracts and employment.
- writing legal documents: as a legal counsel, you don't go to court daily like criminal lawyers. A legal department in a company is often in charge of drafting agreements, contracts and other documentation required for court proceedings. Your job is to write the documents and ensure compliance with the law.
work environment

As a legal counsel, your work primarily takes place in an office setting within the legal department. Your duties entail conducting research, drafting contracts, and reviewing agreements. In the event of court proceedings, you will attend court and meet with opposing counsel to discuss out-of-court settlements. Occasionally, legal counsel jobs may require travel for work purposes, such as attending conferences and workshops. However, when not attending court proceedings, you have the option to work from home or a remote location.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include logistics managers, lawyers and paralegals. You might also be working in close proximity to legal secretaries and financial advisors, finance analysts as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, underwriters, financial planners and accountants.
work schedule

A legal counsel usually follows traditional office hours from 9 am to 5 pm, but may need to work late evenings or weekends to meet urgent deadlines, attend conferences or meet clients. Full-time positions are typical, but there may be part-time options available for those seeking additional flexibility.
job outlook

As a legal counsel, you have multiple opportunities for career progression. You start in a junior position as a legal secretary or paralegal before becoming a junior legal counsel. With experience and expertise, you become the senior legal counsel for the company. If you are interested in a managerial role, you can become the head of the legal department.
advantages of finding a legal counsel job through randstad
Finding your legal counsel job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a legal counsel is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

4

education and skills

To become a legal counsel, you should be a degree-qualified expert in law. Some of the educational qualifications required include:

bachelor’s degree: you require a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) to become a legal counsel in New Zealand. If you completed a bachelor’s degree in a different field, you can become a legal counsel by completing the Juris Doctor (JD) qualification. A law degree takes five years, while a Juris Doctor takes three years. To practise law in New Zealand, complete the Practical Legal Training (PLT) requirement during the study. You may also consider completing a postgraduate study like a master of law.
work experience: gain experience through the PLT since you will work with a qualified lawyer. The program takes three months for full-time or eight months for part-time students. When you have the PLT, you receive a graduate diploma of legal practice, which you use to apply for a legal practitioner in your territory or city. You must obtain a Certificate of Completion from the NZCLE , and be admitted to the roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand and hold a current practicing certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) .

legal counsel skills and competencies

Legal counsel are required to possess a diverse range of skills, some of which include:

exceptional writing skills: legal counsel are responsible for drafting various legal documents such as contracts, agreements, and compliance policies. To ensure that these documents meet the legal requirements and are free from errors, they must possess excellent writing skills.
organisational skills: with numerous legal matters to juggle, legal counsel must possess exceptional organisational skills. This enables them to plan their work schedule, prioritise tasks, and ensure that every legal matter is handled in a timely and efficient manner.
interpersonal skills: legal counsel work with a wide range of professionals within the legal industry. They rely on their interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with others, especially through active listening and communication. This enables them to build strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and other professionals.
legal knowledge: a comprehensive understanding of the law and legal processes is a critical skill for legal counsel. They must be knowledgeable about various legal aspects, such as compliance requirements and dispute resolution procedures, to help their clients remain compliant and resolve disputes effectively.

In summary, legal counsel requires a combination of writing, organisational, interpersonal, and legal knowledge skills to deliver excellent legal services to clients.

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FAQs about working as a legal counsel

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a legal counsel.

how do I become a legal counsel in New Zealand?

You require a bachelor's degree in law to become a legal counsellor in New Zealand. If you have a degree in an unrelated field, complete the Juris Doctor qualification to learn the law. Before practising law, complete the PLT program and get a practising certificate.
what is the role of an in-house legal counsel?

As a legal counsel, you work in the company's legal department, handling issues that arise from the company's practice. You ensure compliance with the law and industry standards by drafting policies to prevent legal risk.
how much does a legal counsel earn?

As a legal counsel, you take home a salary of $135,000 annually. Depending on your experience and qualifications, the remuneration package may be higher or lower. Most legal counsel earn between $115,000 and $155,000 per year.
what skills do you require to become a legal counsel?

You rely on your legal expertise to perform your duties. Aside from extensive legal knowledge, you require good negotiation skills to ensure your client gets the best outcome in an out-of-court settlement. Your writing and communication skills are also useful.
is legal counsel a good career?

Working as a legal counsel is a fulfilling career with excellent job opportunities. You have the chance to advance to managerial roles and specialise in your preferred industry. To excel in this field, you need a range of skills, including exceptional writing abilities to draft legal documents such as contracts and compliance policies. You also need strong organisational skills to manage multiple legal matters and ensure timely completion. Additionally, interpersonal skills are crucial as you collaborate with various professionals in the industry by actively listening and communicating effectively. Lastly, you must have extensive legal knowledge to help clients remain compliant and resolve disputes in accordance with the law.
how do I apply for a legal counsel vacancy?

Applying for a legal counsel job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

legal counsel.