Here’s a brief list of what Corporate Counsels do:

• Legal Advice: Provides legal advice and guidance to the corporation, its executives, and employees on a wide range of legal issues related to business operations, transactions, and compliance.

• Contract Review and Drafting: Reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts, agreements, and legal documents with clients, suppliers, vendors, and other parties to protect the corporation's interests and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

• Corporate Governance: Advises on corporate governance matters, including board of directors' responsibilities, compliance with corporate laws and regulations, and shareholder relations.

• Regulatory Compliance: Monitors and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting the corporation's operations, products, and services.

• Risk Management: Identifies legal risks and liabilities associated with business decisions, transactions, and policies, and develops strategies to mitigate and manage these risks effectively.

• Litigation Management: Manages and oversees litigation and legal disputes involving the corporation, including coordinating with external counsel, developing litigation strategies, and representing the corporation's interests in court or alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

• Employment Law: Provides guidance on employment law matters, including employee relations, discrimination claims, wage and hour issues, and compliance with labor laws and regulations.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Educational Foundation:

• Undergraduate Education: Obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While there is no specific major required for law school, it is advisable to choose a field that develops critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing skills. Common majors include business administration, economics, political science, history, English, or any other liberal arts discipline.

• Law School: Complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program at an accredited law school. Law school typically takes three years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. During law school, focus on courses relevant to corporate law, business law, contracts, securities regulation, intellectual property, and any other areas related to the field you wish to specialize in as a corporate counsel.

2. Pass the Bar Exam:

• After graduating from law school, you must pass the bar examination in the state where you plan to practice law. Each state has its own bar exam, which tests your knowledge of state-specific laws and legal principles. Some states also require a separate ethics exam.

3. Gain Legal Experience:

• Gain practical legal experience by working as an attorney. To become a corporate counsel, it is beneficial to gain experience in corporate law, business transactions, and regulatory compliance. Consider working in a law firm with a corporate practice group, in-house legal department of a corporation, or government agency handling corporate matters.

4. Develop Skills Relevant to Corporate Counsel:

• Develop strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to understand complex business transactions and corporate governance issues. Corporate counsels must be proficient in contract drafting and negotiation, risk management, regulatory compliance, and providing strategic legal advice to corporate clients.

5. Understand the Role of a Corporate Counsel:

• Familiarize yourself with the responsibilities and ethical obligations of a corporate counsel. Corporate counsels provide legal advice and guidance to corporations on a wide range of legal issues, including contracts, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, employment law, litigation management, and regulatory compliance.

6. Build a Professional Network:

• Join professional organizations such as the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) or industry-specific legal associations related to your area of practice. Networking with other corporate counsels, legal professionals, and business executives can provide valuable insights, mentorship opportunities, and career connections.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!