For those who’re enthusiastic about how companies operate based mostly on the law, corporate law could also be a great career path for you. In this role, you need authorized expertise to assist corporations follow laws and laws and reduce litigation risks while conducting business. With expertise, you possibly can work your way up to the senior-level position of a chief legal officer (CLO). In this article, we clarify the role of a chief legal officer, learn how to grow to be one and reply some incessantly asked questions about this profession.
Key takeaways
A CLO is a legal executive who helps an organization observe legal and regulatory issues.
A CLO is an adviser to other company officers and board members to minimize legal risks.
A CLO is often probably the most highly effective authorized executive in a publicly traded company.
What is a chief legal officer?
A chief authorized officer is a lawyer with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state license and in depth corporate experience. Because the head of a corporate legal department, a CLO is chargeable for overseeing a company’s legal affairs. They’ve extensive authorized backgrounds with earlier positions as head authorized, first general counsel and law firm partner earlier than changing into a CLO.
What does a chief legal officer do?
Chief legal officers typically work as probably the most senior legal executive for publicly traded companies. These firms need to guarantee they’re protecting their workers, assets and stakeholders in accordance with the law.
A CLO’s duties might embrace:
Keeping leadership informed of new or altering laws
Consulting a company’s board on authorized advice and laws
Overseeing a company’s in-house attorneys and legal department
Educating employees on legal issues
Setting up training supplies relating to authorized matters for employees
Preparing authorized forms reminiscent of nondisclosure agreements or proprietary information agreements
Developing and implementing legal strategies and policies in the very best interest of the corporate
Leading inner audits and corporate compliance initiatives
Litigating on behalf of an organization
Understanding contracts signed by the corporate
The best way to become a chief legal officer
Comply with these steps to turn out to be a professional chief legal officer:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Most aspiring lawyers start by earning a bachelor’s degree in enterprise, philosophy or history. Different standard majors for pre-law students embrace history, enterprise, philosophy, English, political science and liberal arts. Since there are no particular “pre-law” degrees, it is best to seek out coursework comparable to worldwide law, cyber law, public speaking, argumentation theory, communications and any others related to the examine of law.
Law school admission is highly competitive so that you wish to maintain a high grade level common (GPA) throughout your undergraduate years. Law school admissions groups might choose candidates with related work experience so seek out an law firm internship before you graduate.
2. Apply to law school
In the course of the ultimate years of your undergraduate program, it’s essential to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Your rating is a key component when you apply for law school. You might take the LSAT a number of occasions to get a higher score.
Law schools may require a personal assertion in your application. This is a short essay the place you clarify why you need to attend law school and why you’re a qualified candidate.
You may additionally be required to incorporate a letter of recommendation. Ask a highly revered community member, akin to a professor or previous employer, to write your letter of recommendation. The admissions workforce may also wish to meet with you in particular person to further talk about your background and application.
3. Attend law school
It typically takes three years to earn a JD degree. The primary half of the program focuses on authorized writing, civil procedures, constitutional law and property law. Within the second half, you will choose a specialization. As an aspiring chief legal officer, it’s best to concentrate on corporate law. Alongside with programs usually law topics, it’s possible you’ll examine intellectual property law, corporate finance, enterprise law, real estate law, employment law and other topics associated to training law in a enterprise setting.
4. Pass the bar exam
Law school graduates need a state license and admission to the American Bar Affiliation to apply law. You have to take a licensing or “bar” examination on federal, criminal, constitutional and multistate law, a written essay part and an ethics test. Necessities vary by state and jurisdiction however the bar exam is the same for all lawyers regardless of their specialization. You will take the bar exam within the state the place you want to practice. Be prepared to pass a background check to be admitted to the bar.
5. Acquire work experience
Many chief legal officers start as working towards attorneys and work their way up by means of inner promotions or applying to higher level positions within their industry. They may have a background as a law firm partner, head of authorized or first basic counselor.
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