General Counsel Resume Example
Looking for a General Counsel resume that gets interviews? This comprehensive guide provides a proven resume example, expert writing tips, and ATS optimization strategies specifically for General Counsel roles in legal. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting out, use these examples to craft a compelling resume.
Professional Summary Example
A strong summary is your 10-second pitch. Here's an example for General Counsel positions:
"Visionary General Counsel executive with 15+ years shaping legal strategy at Fortune 500 companies. Proven track record of driving revenue growth, building world-class teams, and navigating complex transformations. Board-level experience with expertise in gc, chief legal officer, corporate counsel."
Work Experience Examples
Use these bullet point examples to showcase your achievements:
VP of General Counsel
[Company Name]
- Drafted organization-wide gc strategy, driving $10M+ in annual revenue growth
- Negotiated and led team of 50+ professionals across 3 geographic regions
- Secured board approval for $5M chief legal officer investment, delivering 200% ROI within 2 years
- Researched strategic acquisitions and partnerships, expanding market share by 15%
- Represented company at industry conferences, establishing thought leadership in corporate counsel
Director of General Counsel
[Previous Company]
- Transformed underperforming department into top revenue generator, increasing output by 75%
- Advised P&L responsibility for $20M budget, consistently delivering under budget
- Represented company-wide gc initiative featured in industry publications
- Built executive team of 8 directors, establishing succession planning framework
Skills to Include
Balance technical expertise with soft skills for a well-rounded General Counsel resume.
Technical Skills
Soft Skills
Formatting Tips
Use a clean, ATS-friendly format with clear section headings
Keep your resume to 1 page (entry/mid) or 2 pages (senior/executive)
Use bullet points starting with strong action verbs
Include quantified achievements with specific numbers and percentages
Incorporate gc, chief legal officer, corporate counsel keywords naturally throughout
Use consistent formatting for dates, company names, and job titles
Save as PDF to preserve formatting unless specifically asked for Word
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using generic descriptions instead of General Counsel-specific achievements
Listing job duties instead of accomplishments with measurable results
Ignoring ATS optimization and keyword placement
Including outdated skills or irrelevant experience
Using an unprofessional email address
Forgetting to tailor the resume for each application
Including personal information like age, marital status, or photo
Complete Your General Counsel Application
General Counsel Resume FAQs
Common questions about writing a resume
A General Counsel resume should include: contact information, a professional summary highlighting gc and chief legal officer expertise, work experience with quantified achievements, relevant skills section, education, and certifications. Tailor each section to the specific legal role you're targeting.