公開日:2022/02/11 / 最終更新日:2022/02/11

For those who’re concerned about how companies operate based on the law, corporate law may be a superb career path for you. In this function, you need authorized experience to help corporations follow laws and regulations and minimize litigation risks while conducting business. With expertise, you can work your way up to the senior-level function of a chief authorized officer (CLO). In this article, we explain the role of a chief authorized officer, methods to turn out to be one and reply some ceaselessly asked questions about this profession.

Key takeaways

A CLO is a legal executive who helps a company comply with authorized and regulatory issues.

A CLO is an adviser to other firm officers and board members to reduce authorized risks.

A CLO is usually the most powerful 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 intensive corporate experience. Because the head of a corporate authorized department, a CLO is chargeable for overseeing an organization’s authorized affairs. They’ve extensive legal backgrounds with earlier positions as head legal, first common counsel and law firm partner earlier than turning into a CLO.

What does a chief legal officer do?

Chief legal officers usually work as the most senior authorized executive for publicly traded companies. These firms need to ensure they’re protecting their workers, assets and stakeholders in accordance with the law.

A CLO’s duties may embrace:

Keeping leadership informed of new or altering laws

Consulting a company’s board on authorized advice and rules

Overseeing an organization’s in-house attorneys and authorized department

Educating workers on legal issues

Setting up training supplies regarding authorized matters for workers

Making ready authorized forms comparable to nondisclosure agreements or proprietary information agreements

Growing and implementing legal strategies and insurance policies in the most effective interest of the company

Leading inside audits and corporate compliance initiatives

Litigating on behalf of a company

Understanding contracts signed by the corporate

Tips on how to turn into a chief authorized officer

Follow these steps to turn into a certified chief legal officer:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree

Most aspiring lawyers start by earning a bachelor’s degree in business, philosophy or history. Different in style majors for pre-law students include history, enterprise, philosophy, English, political science and liberal arts. Since there are not any specific “pre-law” degrees, you must seek out coursework reminiscent of international law, cyber law, public speaking, argumentation idea, communications and any others related to the research of law.

Law school admission is highly competitive so that you want to maintain a high grade point average (GPA) during your undergraduate years. Law school admissions teams could prefer candidates with related work expertise so seek out an law firm internship before you graduate.

2. Apply to law school

In the course of the closing years of your undergraduate program, you could take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Your rating is a key part whenever you apply for law school. You could take the LSAT a number of times to get a higher score.

Law schools may additionally require a personal statement in your application. This is a brief essay where you explain why you wish to attend law school and why you are a certified candidate.

You might also be required to include a letter of recommendation. Ask a highly revered community member, similar to a professor or earlier employer, to write your letter of recommendation. The admissions workforce may want to meet with you in particular person to further discuss 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 legal writing, civil procedures, constitutional law and property law. In the second half, you will select a specialization. As an aspiring chief legal officer, it’s best to focus on corporate law. Along with courses typically law topics, chances are you’ll examine mental property law, corporate finance, business law, real estate law, employment law and other subjects associated to training law in a enterprise setting.

4. Pass the bar examination

Law school graduates want a state license and admission to the American Bar Affiliation to follow law. You could take a licensing or “bar” exam 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 similar for all lawyers regardless of their specialization. You will take the bar examination 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 training attorneys and work their way up via inner promotions or applying to higher level positions within their industry. They may have a background as a law firm partner, head of legal or first basic counselor.

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