GLOBAL headhunting firm Korn Ferry describes today’s general counsel (GCs) as bringing more to the table than just their legal knowledge and expertise. The GC role requires the individuals to act increasingly as both legal and business advisors to the board and the senior leadership team, drawing upon their broader business knowledge and a wider (non-legal) skill set. In other words, having the legal pedigree of a deep knowledge of the law and regulations, negotiating skills, and specialisations such as securities law is very much a given. 

The differentiation of GCs who are valued comes from their being “more than just a lawyer”. Important as the law may be, it is no more important than the knowledge found in other subject matter experts. The legal knowledge and experience is just the “admission ticket” to a company’s “top table”. The GC’s value is found in the experience, judgement and counsel that are offered to those who run the company.

Brian Woram, executive vice president and GC for KB Home, describes the evolving GC role well: “To be effective means being someone who is not only a good attorney, but also someone who has an appropriate influence on the overall activities of the business – someone whose advice is sought out and heeded.”