Questions to Ask General Counsel During Interview
Strategic questions to evaluate a General Counsel candidate's legal expertise, leadership abilities, and ability to manage complex legal and business challenges.
1What is your approach to legal strategy and how do you align it with business objectives?
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What is your approach to legal strategy and how do you align it with business objectives?
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Why this works
Reveals their strategic thinking and how they plan to integrate legal considerations with business goals, showing their ability to provide business-focused legal counsel.
2How do you handle complex legal issues and what is your approach to risk management?
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How do you handle complex legal issues and what is your approach to risk management?
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Why this works
Shows their legal expertise and how they plan to identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks that could impact the business.
3What is your approach to managing external legal counsel and how do you optimize legal spend?
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What is your approach to managing external legal counsel and how do you optimize legal spend?
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Why this works
Reveals their ability to manage external relationships and how they plan to control legal costs while ensuring high-quality legal representation.
4How do you handle regulatory compliance and what is your approach to staying current with legal changes?
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How do you handle regulatory compliance and what is your approach to staying current with legal changes?
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Why this works
Shows their understanding of regulatory requirements and how they plan to ensure the company meets all compliance obligations.
5What is your approach to contract management and how do you ensure favorable terms?
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What is your approach to contract management and how do you ensure favorable terms?
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Why this works
Reveals their contract negotiation skills and how they plan to protect the company's interests in business agreements.
6How do you handle litigation and what is your approach to dispute resolution?
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How do you handle litigation and what is your approach to dispute resolution?
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Why this works
Shows their litigation experience and how they plan to handle legal disputes, including when to settle versus when to litigate.
7What is your approach to intellectual property protection and how do you manage IP assets?
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What is your approach to intellectual property protection and how do you manage IP assets?
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Why this works
Reveals their IP expertise and how they plan to protect the company's intellectual property and manage IP-related legal issues.
8How do you handle employment law issues and what is your approach to HR legal matters?
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How do you handle employment law issues and what is your approach to HR legal matters?
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Why this works
Shows their employment law knowledge and how they plan to handle HR-related legal issues and ensure compliance with labor laws.
9What is your approach to corporate governance and how do you ensure board compliance?
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What is your approach to corporate governance and how do you ensure board compliance?
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Why this works
Reveals their corporate governance expertise and how they plan to ensure the company meets all governance requirements and best practices.
10How do you handle data privacy and cybersecurity legal issues?
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How do you handle data privacy and cybersecurity legal issues?
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Why this works
Shows their understanding of privacy laws and how they plan to ensure the company complies with data protection regulations.
11What is your approach to legal team management and how do you develop legal talent?
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What is your approach to legal team management and how do you develop legal talent?
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Why this works
Reveals their leadership abilities and how they plan to build and develop a strong legal team that can support the business.
12How do you handle international legal issues and what is your approach to global compliance?
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How do you handle international legal issues and what is your approach to global compliance?
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Why this works
Shows their international law expertise and how they plan to handle legal issues across different jurisdictions.
13What is your approach to legal technology and how do you leverage legal tech tools?
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What is your approach to legal technology and how do you leverage legal tech tools?
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Why this works
Reveals their understanding of legal technology and how they plan to use technology to improve legal operations and efficiency.
14How do you handle crisis management and what is your approach to legal emergencies?
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How do you handle crisis management and what is your approach to legal emergencies?
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Why this works
Shows their crisis management skills and how they plan to handle legal emergencies and high-stakes situations.
15What is your approach to legal training and how do you educate the business on legal matters?
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What is your approach to legal training and how do you educate the business on legal matters?
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Why this works
Reveals their communication skills and how they plan to educate the business on legal issues and compliance requirements.
16How do you handle mergers and acquisitions and what is your approach to due diligence?
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How do you handle mergers and acquisitions and what is your approach to due diligence?
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Why this works
Shows their M&A experience and how they plan to handle complex transactions and ensure proper due diligence.
17What is your approach to legal innovation and how do you encourage legal process improvement?
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What is your approach to legal innovation and how do you encourage legal process improvement?
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Why this works
Reveals their commitment to innovation and how they plan to improve legal processes and drive efficiency in the legal function.
18How do you handle stakeholder management and what is your approach to board relations?
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How do you handle stakeholder management and what is your approach to board relations?
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Why this works
Shows their relationship management skills and how they plan to work with the board and other key stakeholders.
19What is your approach to legal budgeting and how do you manage legal costs?
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What is your approach to legal budgeting and how do you manage legal costs?
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Why this works
Reveals their financial acumen and how they plan to manage legal budgets and control legal spending.
20How do you handle legal ethics and what is your approach to maintaining professional standards?
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How do you handle legal ethics and what is your approach to maintaining professional standards?
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Why this works
Shows their commitment to ethical standards and how they plan to maintain the highest professional standards in their legal practice.
How to Interview General Counsel Candidates Effectively
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Focus on Strategic Legal Leadership
Ask about their approach to legal strategy and how they plan to align legal considerations with business objectives. Look for candidates who can provide business-focused legal counsel.
Assess Legal Expertise and Risk Management
Ask about their experience with complex legal issues and risk management. Look for candidates who can identify and mitigate legal risks effectively.
Evaluate Leadership and Team Management
Ask about their approach to managing legal teams and developing legal talent. Look for candidates who can build and lead strong legal organizations.
Question Sequences
The Strategic Legal Series
The Leadership and Management Series
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Legal Expertise
While legal knowledge is important, also consider their business acumen, leadership abilities, and how they plan to integrate legal considerations with business objectives.
Don't Ignore Risk Management
Ask about their approach to risk management and how they plan to identify and mitigate legal risks that could impact the business.
Don't Overlook Leadership Skills
Ask about their approach to team management and how they plan to build and develop a strong legal team that can support the business.