General Counsel

Cherry Bekaert has been proudly providing Elite Accounting and Advisory services to our clients for over 70 years. The general counsel is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives. The general counsel provides senior management with effective advice on company strategies and their implementation, manages the legal function, and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel. The general counsel is directly involved in complex business transactions in negotiating critical contracts.

Essential Functions

Participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters.

Serves as key lawyer/legal advisor on all major business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.

Judges the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the company, works with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense and approves settlements of disputes where warranted.

Assumes ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the company conducts its business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Structures and manages the company’s internal legal function and staff.

Oversees the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all outside counsel.

Advises on legal aspects of the company’s financing, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities.

Competencies

Client Focus.

Collaboration Skills.

Communication Proficiency.

Leadership.

Problem Solving/Analysis.

Thoroughness.

Time Management.

Required Education and Experience

Law degree.

Admitted to the bar.

Previous experience in a law firm environment.

Experience working on matters of corporate governance and with a board of directors.

Experience managing other attorneys and supervising support staff in a corporation; experience with cost-effective management of outside legal resources.

Qualifications

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Attorney