Corporate Counsel Resume Example for 2024

Are you an experienced attorney looking to land a corporate counsel role? Our Corporate Counsel Resume Example provides a comprehensive guide and sample resume to help you stand out to potential employers. This article will walk you through the key skills, experience, and qualifications to include on your resume, as well as tips for tailoring your application to the corporate counsel position. Use our example to create a winning resume that showcases your expertise as a corporate counselor.

We will cover:

How to write a resume, no matter your industry or job title.
What to put on a resume to stand out.
The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder.
Why you should use a resume template

Plus, we will provide expert resume writing tips and professional examples to inspire you.

What does a Corporate Counsel do?

Advises company on legal matters
Represents the company in legal proceedings
Drafts and reviews contracts and other legal documents
Ensures company compliance with laws and regulations
Manages outside counsel for specialized legal issues
Participates in corporate decision-making and risk management

We’re about to begin, but first, here are some other Corporate Counsel related resume examples:

What are some responsibilities of a Corporate Counsel?

Providing legal advice and guidance to the company and its employees
Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements
Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
Managing litigation and other legal disputes
Participating in corporate governance and decision-making
Overseeing the company's intellectual property rights and trademarks
Handling labor and employment issues
Assisting with mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions

Sample Corporate Counsel Resume for Inspiration

Personal Details:

Name: John Smith

Email: john.smith@email.com

Phone: 123-456-7890

Address: 123 Main Street, City, State, Zip Code

Summary:

John Smith is a skilled Corporate Counsel with over 10 years of experience in providing legal advice and representation to corporations. He is highly knowledgeable in corporate law and has a proven track record of delivering positive outcomes for his clients. John excels in drafting contracts, negotiating agreements, and resolving complex legal issues. He is a strategic thinker with excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Work Experience:

Senior Corporate Counsel, ABC Corporation (2015-Present)
Corporate Counsel, XYZ Company (2010-2015)
Associate Attorney, Law Firm LLP (2006-2010)

Education:

Juris Doctor (JD), Law School University (2006)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, College University (2003)

Skills:

Legal Research and Writing
Contract Drafting and Review
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
Regulatory Compliance
Risk Management
Corporate Governance

Certifications:

Member of the State Bar Association
Corporate Compliance Certification

Languages:

English (Native)
Spanish (Proficient)

Resume tips for Corporate Counsel

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Corporate Counsel resume tips.
We collected the best tips from seasoned Corporate Counsel - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

Highlight your experience in corporate law and compliance
Showcase your expertise in negotiating and drafting various types of contracts
Include any successful litigation experience and cases you've handled
Emphasize your ability to provide strategic legal advice to senior management
Demonstrate your strong understanding of business operations and risk management

Corporate Counsel Resume Summary Examples

A Corporate Counsel Resume Summary or Resume Objective is used to give a brief overview of the candidate's skills, experience, and career goals. It helps the hiring manager quickly understand the candidate's qualifications and determine if they are a good fit for the position. A well-crafted summary or objective can grab the employer's attention and make the candidate stand out among other applicants.

For Example:

Experienced Corporate Counsel with a strong background in contract negotiation and drafting.
Skilled in providing legal advice to corporate management and employees on a wide range of legal issues.
Proven track record in managing corporate governance and compliance matters.
Ability to effectively manage and resolve complex corporate legal disputes.
Expertise in intellectual property law and protection of corporate assets.

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Corporate Counsel Resume

Building a strong experience section for a corporate counsel resume is essential for showcasing your expertise and qualifications in the legal field. This section allows you to highlight your professional accomplishments, such as successfully negotiated contracts, provided legal advice to senior management, and managed litigation matters. A strong experience section can help you stand out to potential employers and demonstrate your value as a seasoned corporate counsel.

For Example:

Drafted and negotiated commercial contracts, including vendor agreements, services agreements, and licensing agreements.
Conducted legal research and provided advice on a wide range of business and corporate matters.
Managed and resolved a variety of legal disputes and litigation matters, including employment disputes and intellectual property infringement claims.
Provided guidance and support to the company's executive team on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and mitigate legal risks associated with new business initiatives and product launches.
Conducted internal investigations into alleged violations of company policies and applicable laws.
Assisted in the negotiation and structuring of complex business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures.
Prepared and delivered legal training and updates to company employees to ensure awareness and understanding of relevant laws and regulations.
Managed relationships with outside counsel and supervised their work on various legal matters.

Corporate Counsel resume education example

A Corporate Counsel typically needs at least a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Most companies also prefer candidates with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in corporate law or business law. In addition to formal education, Corporate Counsels must also pass the bar exam in the state where they intend to practice law and have extensive knowledge and experience in corporate governance, contracts, and regulatory compliance.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Corporate Counsel resume:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association accredited law school
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
Admitted to practice law in the state of (insert state)
Continuing legal education in Corporate Law and Contract Law

Corporate Counsel Skills for a Resume

Adding skills to a Corporate Counsel resume is important as it demonstrates the candidate's abilities, knowledge, and expertise in relevant areas. It gives the hiring manager a quick overview of what the candidate can bring to the role, and allows them to assess if the candidate possesses the necessary skills for the job. This can make the resume stand out and increase the likelihood of being selected for an interview.

Soft Skills:

Legal expertise
Communication skills
Negotiation abilities
Problem-solving skills
Team collaboration
Emotional intelligence
Time management
Flexibility and adaptability
Ethical judgment
Leadership abilities

Hard Skills:

Contract negotiation
Legal research
Regulatory compliance
Intellectual property
Risk management
Litigation management
Mergers and acquisitions
Corporate governance
Employment law
Commercial transactions

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Corporate Counsel Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Corporate Counsel resume

Demonstrate expertise in corporate law and regulatory compliance
Highlight experience managing legal affairs and providing counsel to senior executives
Showcase strong negotiation and drafting skills
Emphasize ability to address complex legal issues and mitigate risk
Illustrate knowledge of corporate governance and commercial transactions
Include details of successful litigation and dispute resolution
Show evidence of collaboration with external legal partners and stakeholders

It's time to begin the job search. Make sure you put your best foot forward and land your next job with the help of Resumaker.ai.