Job descriptions for the chief legal officer (CLO) and general counsel positions are nearly identical. However, the CLO position has appeared fairly recently in the corporate world because of an evolving understanding that a company's lawyer needs a seat at the senior executives' table in order to advise the company most effectively.The CLO is the head of the corporate legal department and is responsible for the legal affairs of the entire corporation. This role includes providing legal counsel to the board of directors, chairman of the board, chief executive officer and other senior management. As a senior executive of the corporation, the CLO also acts as a strategic business partner by providing advice and oversight in numerous areas, including ethics, privacy, transparency, data collection and storage, and regulatory and governmental changes and compliance. The CLO typically holds other positions within the company as well, such as corporate secretary, chief compliance officer or chief privacy officer.The CLO must possess strong initiative, as well as excellent management and leadership skills and strong business acumen. A juris doctor (JD) and an applicable state license to practice law are required. The level of experience required for the position may vary, depending on company size. Large legal departments of public companies (those employing 50 or more legal professionals) prefer candidates with 15 to 20 years of experience. Small startup companies may find that five or more years of relevant experience is adequate. Companies want candidates who also have experience in a major law firm or corporate legal department, where they have held positions of increasing responsibility, such as associate general counsel or partner. Experience in the company's specific field is preferred, and broad business experience that aligns with that of the company's is highly preferred. Many employers want candidates with experience representing public companies, including familiarity with periodic reporting, Sarbanes-Oxley and corporate governance mandates.Developing and leading corporate legal strategy to promote and protect the company's mattersDeveloping and leading internal audit and corporate compliance programsOverseeing delivery of legal services and resources to accomplish corporate goals, strategies and prioritiesMaintaining proper corporate interactions with the relevant local, state and federal governmental bodies, legislatures and the community at largeAdvising the CEO and other senior corporate officers on a variety of issuesParticipating in the formulation of general management policy as a member of the executive management teamSubmit your resume or request talent now and our expert recruiters will be with you shortly.Robert Half can assist you with your chief legal officer recruitment needs.
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