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The responsibilities placed on modern legal leaders extend far beyond technical legal expertise. Lawyers who step into executive roles must guide organizations through complex decisions, influence senior leadership teams, and maintain credibility with boards and regulators.

Executive coaching for lawyers helps senior legal professionals strengthen the leadership capabilities required for these responsibilities.

BarkerGilmore provides executive coaching delivered by former Fortune 500 General Counsel who have served as trusted advisors to CEOs and boards. Coaching engagements focus on the practical leadership challenges faced by senior lawyers.

Coaching Designed for the Legal Profession

Most executive coaching programs focus on general leadership principles. Lawyers face unique challenges that require specialized guidance.

Executive coaching for lawyers addresses issues such as:

  • Transitioning from technical expert to enterprise leader
  • Communicating legal risk to business leaders
  • Building influence across executive teams
  • Navigating board relationships and governance responsibilities
  • Leading large legal and compliance teams

Coaching provides confidential support as legal leaders navigate these responsibilities.

Coaching for Every Stage of Legal Leadership

BarkerGilmore coaching engagements support lawyers across several career stages.

Rising Legal Leaders

Senior Counsel and Associate General Counsel preparing for executive roles often benefit from coaching focused on leadership presence and enterprise perspective.

Coaching helps rising leaders strengthen communication style, influence across the organization, and readiness for expanded responsibility.

First-Time General Counsel

Stepping into the General Counsel role represents a major professional transition. New GCs must quickly establish credibility with executive leadership and boards.

Executive coaching provides guidance during the early stages of the role, helping new legal leaders navigate expectations with confidence.

Experienced Chief Legal Officers

Even seasoned General Counsel seek trusted advisors during periods of change. Mergers, regulatory crises, leadership transitions, and board dynamics often require confidential guidance.

Executive coaching offers a forum for candid discussion and strategic reflection.

Guidance from Former Fortune 500 General Counsel

BarkerGilmore’s coaching advisors bring extensive experience leading global legal organizations. Each advisor has served as General Counsel within major corporations and understands the pressures associated with senior legal leadership.

Coaching conversations draw upon real-world experience rather than theoretical frameworks. Participants gain insight from advisors who have navigated boardrooms, regulatory crises, and corporate transformations.

Building the Capabilities of Enterprise Legal Leaders

Executive coaching for lawyers focuses on developing several critical leadership capabilities.

Strategic Thinking

Strategic Thinking

Lawyers must evaluate legal issues within the broader context of business strategy. Coaching strengthens the ability to frame legal guidance in ways that support enterprise decision-making.

Executive Presence

Executive Presence

Senior legal leaders must communicate with clarity and authority in high-stakes environments. Coaching strengthens boardroom presence and communication style.

Leadership Influence

Leadership Influence

Effective legal leaders build trust across executive teams. Coaching explores methods for strengthening relationships with CEOs, boards, and senior executives.

Connect with BarkerGilmore’s Executive Coaches

Audrey Rubin

Audrey Rubin

Former VP & COO Law

Aon Corporation

Chicago, IL

David Yawman

David Yawman

Former EVP, GC & Corporate Secretary

PepsiCo, Inc.

New York, NY

Gjon Nivica

Former SVP & GC

Celanese Corporation

Dallas, TX

Helen Pudlin

Former EVP & GC

PNC Financial Services Group

Philadelphia, PA

Jamey Seely

General Counsel

Crusoe Energy Holdings, Inc.

Denver, CO

Kristin Campbell

Former EVP & GC

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Boston, MA

Laura Schumacher

Former Vice Chairman, External Affairs & CLO

AbbVie

Chicago, IL

Maureen Brundage

Former EVP, GC, Chief Ethics Officer & Corporate Secretary

The Chubb Corporation

New York, NY

Peter Ganz

Former SVP, GC, CCO, CLO & Corporate Secretary

Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.

Cincinnati, OH | Asheville, NC

Integrated Insight from Legal Executive Search

BarkerGilmore has spent decades identifying and placing the nation’s most effective legal and compliance leaders. Executive coaching incorporates insight gained from hundreds of executive search engagements. Advisors understand what boards and CEOs expect from top legal leaders and help participants build those capabilities. Organizations frequently partner with BarkerGilmore for both executive coaching and executive search when developing leadership pipelines within the legal function.

“As the General Counsel, you’re alone. Working with the advisor gave me incredible confidence.”
SVP, GENERAL COUNSEL
“Of the many coaching efforts I have seen – you’ve had one of the greatest impacts in assisting our General Counsel. Many people cannot change years of practice.”
CEO, FORTUNE 1000 TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
“Issues with the CEO and board can take incredible finesse and it’s been extremely valuable having a trusted advisor to strategize with.”
SVP, GENERAL COUNSEL AND CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER
“BarkerGilmore’s advisor had extensive experience with C-suite executives and boards. They were an excellent sounding board for issues that arose and came up with great suggestions for getting around a variety of problems, whether legal, compliance, or personality-related. They understood that these issues take finesse and helped me strategize to resolve them.”
VP, GENERAL COUNSEL & CORPORATE SECRETARY
“I’m a better leader, increased my effectiveness, and am more strategic from a business perspective.”
VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL
"Working with the strategic advisor and coach was a great investment and exactly what I needed."
EVP, GENERAL COUNSEL & CORPORATE SECRETARY

Strengthen Your Leadership as a Legal Executive

Connect with BarkerGilmore to discuss executive coaching for lawyers and senior legal leaders.

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