General Counsel in Portland, OR

General Counsel Job Description

The general counsel serves as the primary legal advisor to the organization, focusing on managing legal risks, ensuring compliance, and providing day-to-day legal guidance across various business units. This role requires a deep understanding of the company’s operations and industry-specific regulations. The general counsel typically reports to the chief legal officer (in larger organizations) or directly to the CEO and is responsible for overseeing the internal legal team or managing relationships with external counsel. They play a crucial role in interpreting laws and regulations, advising on contractual matters, and implementing legal policies and procedures throughout the organization.The general counsel must possess excellent management, teamwork, delegation, and problem-solving skills. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active state bar license is required. The amount of experience required for the position may vary depending on company size. For example, large companies (more than $250 million in revenue) may prefer candidates with 15 to 20 years of experience, while small companies (up to $25 million in revenue) may seek five or more years of relevant experience. Companies seek candidates who also possess experience in a corporate legal department or major law firm where they held positions of increasing responsibility, such as associate general counsel or partner.

Typical general counsel duties:

Providing legal advice and support to various departments and business units Managing and mitigating legal risks associated with company operations Overseeing contract drafting, negotiation, and management processes Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies Managing litigation and dispute resolution processes Conducting legal research and providing opinions on complex legal issues Collaborating with HR on employment law matters and workplace policies Advising on intellectual property protection and management Coordinating with external counsel on specialized legal matters when necessary Developing and implementing legal training programs for employees Overseeing the company’s intellectual property

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Salary for General Counsel in Portland, OR
243923 - 299978
25th percentile
243923
The candidate is new to the role and building the needed skills, experience and autonomy.
50th percentile
265845
The candidate has the experience to perform core responsibilities without direct supervision and is comfortable with the role’s processes and subject matter.
75th percentile
299978
The candidate delivers value beyond the stated job duties, has advanced qualifications and experience, and is ready for the next career level.
Projected salaries for related positions Position title 25th percentile 50th percentile 75th percentile Chief Legal Officer 256133 279165 314963 In-House Counsel/Associate General Counsel, 10+ Years’ Experience 172605 202298 241425 In-House Counsel, 4-9 Years’ Experience 118493 163448 196748 In-House Counsel, 0-3 Years’ Experience 102675 125985 148185
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