Insights for General Counsel
Essential Crisis Management Strategies: A General Counsel Playbook
From regulatory challenges and high-profile litigation to data breaches and reputational threats — in-house legal leaders must be prepared to anticipate, manage, and limit the impact of negative events [...]
Former Cleveland Clinic Chief Legal Officer, David Rowan, Appointed Strategic Advisor and Leadership Development Coach by BarkerGilmore
Following a 30-year career at a top world-ranked healthcare provider, David Rowan Will Bolster BarkerGilmore’s Expertise in Healthcare Industry Executive Leadership and Corporate Governance. BarkerGilmore, a leading national executive search [...]
Legal Priorities versus External Communication Needs: Building a “Win / Win” Partnership
Balancing legal priorities with corporate communication needs is an essential management discipline, particularly during crises. Establishing clear roles and internal protocol builds mutual trust and closes the gap between [...]
AI Arrives at Work: Smart Approaches for Legal and Compliance Officers
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has reshaped our professional and personal lives to an extent that we may not ever realize. When we use spell check or redlining [...]
6 Tips for Legal and Compliance Professionals to Prepare for their Performance Review
As companies contend with increased competition, limited resources, and economic uncertainty, employee performance reviews may seem like a quaint relic of an earlier era – [...]
2024 General Counsel Compensation Report: Commentary from John Gilmore, BarkerGilmore
To offer further insights into the trends highlighted in General Counsel Pay Trends, Equilar spoke with John Gilmore, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at BarkerGilmore. Mr. Gilmore explored the evolving [...]
2024 General Counsel Compensation Report
General Counsel Pay Trends featuring data from Equilar and analysis from BarkerGilmore Over the past several years, the role of General Counsel (GC) has evolved into a key pillar [...]
Practical Insights to Increase Your Leadership Skills … and Grow Your Career
Are you aspiring to step into leadership roles and craving a deeper understanding of what it truly means to lead? Do you find yourself challenged by the complexities of [...]
Meet Executive Search Consultant, Chloe Barker
Chloe Barker brings a unique perspective to BarkerGilmore, drawing on her experience managing high-stakes projects and client relationships in the architectural industry. Her extensive background spans various business sectors, [...]
How to Position Yourself to Land a General Counsel Role
Over my 20-year career in executive search, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to land a general counsel role. Understanding the professional and personal characteristics that companies [...]
How you negotiate equity pay as important as the amount you reach, legal leaders say
When you’re negotiating a job with a new employer, offer a range rather than a hard number on what you think your equity holdings are worth, a veteran in-house [...]
Powering Business Success: Building Your Influence as a Leadership Team Member
Many in-house legal and compliance professionals aspire to be recognized as vital senior leadership team members within their organizations. However, success as a member of the leadership team requires [...]
2024 Chief Compliance Officer Compensation Report
Download your complimentary copy of BarkerGilmore’s report on Chief Compliance Officer salary trends. BarkerGilmore is thrilled to share our 2024 Chief Compliance Officer Compensation Report. As a compliance [...]
Executive Search Case Study: Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer for a Growing Privately Held For-Profit Healthcare Operator
Need: Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer with Legal Background The client is a prominent, for-profit health services company operating hospitals and healthcare facilities across the United States. With more [...]
2024 Portfolio Company General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Compensation Report
Download your complimentary copy of BarkerGilmore’s report on portfolio company salary trends. BarkerGilmore is thrilled to share our 2024 Portfolio Company General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Compensation [...]
Executive Search Case Study: General Counsel of a Global Construction and Manufacturing Organization
Recruiting a General Counsel Successor: Manufacturing and Construction Client Need: General Counsel The client, a global leader in construction and manufacturing with a substantial legal department, was at a [...]
Securing Your Seat at the Table: How GCs Create Value in the Boardroom
Building Stronger Relationships with Boards Working with a company’s Board of Directors can seem intimidating and challenging. Still, it’s also an opportunity for GCs to leverage their existing skills, [...]
Why Legal Departments That Thrive—Like Microsoft’s—Never Stop Succession Planning
Relentless succession planning remains an essential component of any well-run legal departments, despite the trend toward companies opting to fill more general counsel roles by hiring outside candidates, in-house [...]
GC Searches Veer Away From Internal Hires, Upending In-House Promotion Tracks
Roughly two-thirds of companies are going outside to fill general counsel openings, a dramatic increase from past practice driven by the reality that few legal departments have candidates in [...]
Checklist: Prepare for Video Interviews During an In-House Counsel Job Search
How to Showcase Your Most Valuable Qualities in Video Interviews Making a strong impression in a video interview is incredibly important. Video interviews are becoming increasingly vital in hiring [...]
Equity Compensation: Navigating Incentive Options and Shares in Private and Public Companies
Contributors: Jamey Seely | Tricia Elias | Melanie Margolin Equity compensation has become important to many companies’ employee recruiting, retention, and engagement strategies. Both private and public companies increasingly [...]
Study Reveals Continued Narrowing of Gender Pay Gap Among General Counsel
Download BarkerGilmore’s 2024 In-House Counsel Compensation Report BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments nationwide, released its annual 2024 In-House [...]
BarkerGilmore’s 2024 In-House Counsel Compensation Report
Download your complimentary copy of BarkerGilmore’s 2024 In-House Counsel Compensation Report BarkerGilmore is happy to share our 2024 In-House Counsel Compensation Report. How is General Counsel compensation impacted [...]
20 Top In-House Counsel Interviewing Mistakes of 2024
People often ask me what they could have done differently to secure a job offer. Times have certainly changed since the candidate-driven market during the post-pandemic era. Instead of [...]
Maximizing LinkedIn for In-House Counsel: A Strategic Guide to Professional Branding and Career Advancement
In the digital age, LinkedIn is a formidable tool capable of extending the professional reach of in-house counsel far beyond traditional networking avenues. Even when not pursuing new employment [...]
Mastering Time Management: Tips for General Counsel on the Clock
Essential Strategies for General Counsel with Seasoned Executives Many of us struggle with not having enough hours in a day to finish everything on our plates. This is especially [...]
The Essential Role of Executive Coaching for In-House Counsel
Contributors: A.B. Cruz III | Haydee Olinger Securing top-tier leadership positions like General Counsel (GC) or Chief Legal Officer (CLO) demands more than just legal acumen in the dynamic [...]
The 5 Greatest Challenges Facing In-House Legal Teams in 2024
As the overseer of an organization’s legal function, the General Counsel seeks to be proactive and perform the role of a strategic advisor to the ELT, board, and the [...]
Maximizing Value: Strategies for Effective Management of External Counsel
Strategic utilization of external counsel plays a crucial role in navigating the complex legal landscape. Productive relationships are economical and drive outcomes that align with the organization's business objectives. [...]
A Full Plate: The Healthcare GC’s Task List for 2024
Contributors: Brittney McDonough | Katie Gilmore The COVID-19 pandemic and its heightened precautions may have come to an end in 2023, but that doesn’t mean the trials it presented for [...]
8 Mistakes In-House Counsel Make When Seeking a New Opportunity
Contributors: John Gilmore | Brittney McDonough | Max Gelernter Gone are the days of mailing and faxing resumes to capture someone’s attention for a new role. These days, many in-house counsel positions [...]
Meet Strategic Advisor and Coach Paulette Dodson, Former GC and Corporate Secretary of Alight, Inc.
Before joining BarkerGilmore, Paulette Dodson served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Alight, Inc., a global human capital and business solutions provider. Her strategic leadership was pivotal in guiding the [...]
Study Finds Individuals Who Receive Coaching More Likely To Be Identified as GC Successors
Download BarkerGilmore’s 2024 Aspiring General Counsel Report BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments nationwide, released its 2024 Aspiring General [...]
2024 Aspiring General Counsel Report
Becoming a General Counsel is the ultimate achievement for many lawyers, but little research exists on what those who aspire to be a GC can do to reach this [...]
Strategic Alliance: Building the GC-CHRO-CFO Triad
The General Counsel ("GC"), Chief Human Resources Officer ("CHRO"), and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") lead teams that support crucial areas of an organization and must work collaboratively to enhance the success of [...]
Advising Case Study: Building a Better Business Partner for a Public Retail Company
Client Need: Build a Cost-Effective and Efficient Legal Team The client is a public retail company based in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The client acquired and merged with [...]
Meet Strategic Advisor and Coach Kristin Campbell, Former EVP, GC, and Chief ESG Officer of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
Kristin Campbell most recently served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief ESG Officer of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Fortune 500 company and leading global hospitality company [...]
How to Motivate, Engage, and Develop Lawyers and Staff in a Hybrid or Remote Work Environment
In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, legal firms and departments are embracing hybrid and remote work models to accommodate changing work dynamics. Effectively managing and fostering motivation, engagement, and growth [...]
Advising Case Study: A Roadmap for Optimizing the Legal Team of a Mission-Driven Financial Organization
Client Need: Assessment of the Established Legal Department The client is a regional financial institution that stimulates and boosts the development of the communities it serves. With the previous [...]
Study Finds Women GC Less Likely to Know They Are GC Successors
Download BarkerGilmore’s 2023 Report to See General Counsel Succession Data BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments nationwide, released its [...]
2023 General Counsel Succession Report
Becoming a General Counsel is the ultimate achievement for many attorneys, but there is not much existing research on those that have reached the role and those that aspire [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Paulette Dodson, Former General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Alight, Inc., to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
BarkerGilmore, an in-house legal and compliance executive search, coaching, and advisory firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paulette Dodson as Strategic Advisor and Coach. With a track record [...]
The 7 Secrets to Keeping Legal Talent Engaged
Lawyers are people too, you know. It’s a simple premise that yields big results. In a recent conversation with a few of our Strategic Advisors and [...]
Meet Strategic Advisor and Coach Laura Schumacher, Former Vice Chairman of External Affairs and Chief Legal Officer of AbbVie
Laura J. Schumacher brings over 18 years of C-suite experience to BarkerGilmore, having served as an executive leader and General Counsel at two Fortune 100 companies. She most recently [...]
7 Key Ingredients to Becoming a General Counsel
The Recipe for a Successful General Counsel Will the dish turn out better if an extra dash of salt or another heaping tablespoon of butter is added? Although tastes [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Kristin Campbell, Former EVP, General Counsel, and Chief ESG Officer of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
BarkerGilmore, a leading in-house legal and compliance executive search, coaching, and advisory firm, is delighted to announce the appointment of Kristin Campbell as Strategic Advisor and Coach, adding her extensive [...]
Executive Search Case Study: EVP and General Counsel of a Fortune 500 Global Industrial Corporation
Client Need: EVP and General Counsel The client is a Fortune 500 global, industry-leading corporation with deep historical ties to the city where its headquarters are located, as well [...]
2023 General Counsel Compensation Report: Commentary from John Gilmore, BarkerGilmore
To provide additional perspective on the trends uncovered in General Counsel Pay Trends, Equilar sat down with John Gilmore, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at BarkerGilmore. Mr. Gilmore discussed the [...]
Executive Search Case Study: Vice President and General Counsel of a National For-Profit Healthcare System
Client Need: Vice President and General Counsel BarkerGilmore’s client is a leading privately held, multi-state, for-profit healthcare system. The outgoing General Counsel accepted a new role with a firm [...]
From Startup Through IPO: Insights on the General Counsel’s Journey of Transformation
As a company moves through its lifecycle from startup, to more mature private company, to a company preparing to go public, to an established public company, the role of [...]
The Top 2023 In-House Counsel Compensation Trends and Tips
BarkerGilmore releases its annual compensation reports to help in-house and compliance professionals understand the compensation trends and opportunities across various industries and roles. The data provides a benchmark for [...]
Laura Schumacher Joins BarkerGilmore as Strategic Advisor and Coach, Focusing on Executive Coaching in the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice
BarkerGilmore, a leading in-house legal and compliance executive search, coaching, and advisory firm, announces that Laura J. Schumacher will serve as a Strategic Advisor and Coach, providing guidance and [...]
Interviewing General Counsel – 12 Essential Questions to Ask
General Counsel today require leadership skills, good judgment, and strong ethics, and must also be pragmatic. With this in mind, I am sharing a sample [...]
Study Reveals Healthcare General Counsel at Public Companies Make Double the Total Compensation of Private Company Counterparts
Download BarkerGilmore’s 2023 Report to See Average Healthcare and Life Sciences Salary Data BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments [...]
2023 Healthcare and Life Sciences In-House and Compliance Compensation Report
Download your complimentary copy of BarkerGilmore’s report on healthcare and life sciences salary trends. BarkerGilmore is thrilled to share our 2023 Healthcare and Life Sciences In-House and Compliance Compensation [...]
How General Counsel Can Benefit From a Trusted Advisor
Why even seasoned General Counsel should lean on a trusted advisor Stepping into the role of General Counsel (GC) can feel like setting sail in the vast sea of [...]
7 Important Selection Criteria for Hiring In-House Counsel
When it comes time to hire, it is critical to discover information which cannot be found on a resume to determine who ultimately will thrive [...]
Being a Proactive Leader: A General Counsel’s Guide to Succession Planning
Thinking of succession planning might make some General Counsel feel like it is time to prepare for their retirement or dismissal. However, succession planning can be a positive experience [...]
Compensation Study Reveals In-House Counsel Expected Carry Value at Private Equity Firms
Download BarkerGilmore’s 2023 Report to See Average Private Equity and Portfolio Company Salary Data BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance [...]
2023 Private Equity and Portfolio Company In-House Counsel Compensation Report
Download your complimentary copy of BarkerGilmore’s report on private equity and portfolio company salary trends. BarkerGilmore is thrilled to share our 2023 Private Equity and Portfolio Company In-House [...]
The General Counsel’s Evolving Role in Private Company Growth
Contributors: Jamey Seely | Jason Lynch Private companies go through several stages before becoming public companies. So, too, General Counsel (GCs) must navigate the changing roles and functions of the [...]
Strategies to Lead Legal Teams in Today’s Unpredictable, Dynamic Business Environment
In the past few years, businesses have faced never-ending changes due to a global pandemic, war in Ukraine, high inflation, recession fears, a banking crisis, worry about a possible [...]
The Value of Team Workshops for Your Legal or Compliance Department and How to Conduct Them Successfully
In these times of remote work, the ability to bond and brainstorm is scarce, and most General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officers are worried about the expense of a [...]
Study Reveals In-House Compensation Stayed Strong in 2022
Download BarkerGilmore’s 2023 Report to See Average In-House Counsel Salary Data BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments nationwide, has [...]
Top Moves to Land a Board Seat
How to Land a Board Seat Getting a seat on the board of a publicly traded company is a goal of many legal professionals. For some, it seems the [...]
Examining Today’s Corporate Law Department
In the latest Thomson Reuters Institute Insights podcast, William Josten speaks to Meredith Ritchie, General Counsel of Alliant Credit Union; and Audrey Rubin, Strategic Advisor and Coach with BarkerGilmore [...]
Top 5 Moves to Become a General Counsel
Legal leaders who aspire to the ultimate legal professional achievement, the General Counsel, spend their careers making tactical decisions to achieve this goal. While there are infinite paths to becoming [...]
6 Reasons to Consider Hiring a General Counsel
Outsourcing legal work may make sense for a business initially. But as an organization grows, it will reach a point at which bringing a strategic legal advisor on board, [...]
Brittney McDonough on Finding Your Next Job [Podcast]
With seemingly constant news stories about layoffs, many are starting to wonder what they would do if they found themselves suddenly out of work and looking for their next [...]
Finding the Best In-House Counsel and Compliance Recruitment Firm
As the corporate legal landscape becomes increasingly complex, the role of in-house legal counsel is more important than ever. Recruiting the best legal talent who have the credentials, legal skills, [...]
BarkerGilmore Presents the General Counsel Toolkit
BarkerGilmore is pleased to offer the General Counsel Toolkit, a resource library designed to help General Counsel succeed in an ever-evolving role. Learn from former General Counsel and legal [...]
How to Successfully Navigate the GC-CEO-Board Dynamic
Although General Counsel, CEOs, and boards each have unique and specific roles and responsibilities, the ability to work together in a coordinated and complementary fashion is critical to the [...]
How Law Depts. — With And Without DEI Ideas — Have Fared
More than one-third of in-house legal department leaders who participated in a recent survey said their companies don't have even one recruiting strategy to increase diversity, equity and inclusion. [...]
From DEI Statements to Action
Successful Recruiting Strategies for Increasing In-House Legal Team Diversity Historically, the legal industry has lacked representation and diversity. In recent years, however, many organizations have committed or recommitted [...]
How to Prepare Your Law Department for the Next Recession
As Bob Dylan once sang, “You don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind’s blowing.” Similarly, you don’t have to be an economist to foresee the [...]
18 Favorite In-House Counsel Interview Questions
Ask the right interview questions to find the best legal counsel One of the most critical responsibilities of a General Counsel and other managing counsel is building a team. [...]
Executive Search Case Study: Deputy General Counsel at a Clean Energy Infrastructure as a Service Company
Client Need: Deputy General Counsel The client, a provider of infrastructure as a service, sought their first in-house legal hire reporting to the Chief Legal Officer. The client focuses [...]
8 Tips for General Counsel Seeking New Opportunities
As General Counsel, you might seek a new opportunity for a variety of reasons. Some may be personal, such as having to care for aging parents or wanting to [...]
Prioritizing Diversity Within a Corporate Culture: A Conversation with Bruce Jackson
A Conversation with Bruce Jackson, Microsoft’s Associate General Counsel/Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships/Office of the President All of us at BarkerGilmore are committed to the advancement of others. We know [...]
Transitioning from Leader to Strategic Advisor
A General Counsel used to be able to succeed simply by being an exceptional lawyer and manager of the legal department. Those days are gone. According to a BarkerGilmore [...]
How to Lose a Female Attorney: 5 Reasons Women Switch Jobs
Since the beginning of the pandemic, record numbers of women have changed positions or have left the workforce entirely. This upheaval has included female lawyers at all levels, greatly costing an organization. [...]
Creating an Effective Onboarding Program for Executive Legal Leaders
A Guide for Onboarding Legal Executives In a recent BarkerGilmore GC Advantage℠ webinar, “Creating an Effective Onboarding Plan for a Senior Legal Leader,” experienced General Counsel Cherée Johnson and [...]
4 Steps to Attract and Retain Top Legal Talent
Attracting top talent to any organization is easier said than done. In a recent survey of General Counsel conducted by BarkerGilmore, most respondents reported that attracting and retaining talent, especially [...]
Emotional Intelligence and Communication Skills in the Workplace
Enhancing Your Emotional Intelligence and Communication Skills in the 'New Normal' Work Environment While knowledge and technical abilities are required for on-the-job success, it takes more than that to [...]
Giving and Receiving Difficult Feedback
Marla Persky, BarkerGilmore Strategic Advisor, Executive Coach, independent board member, and former Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for Boehringer Ingelheim USA, is joined by Laura Stevens, [...]
Top 5 Goals to Accomplish in Year 1 as a GC
A General Counsel is the top legal executive on an in-house team, but there is much more to the position than just being "the company's lawyer." An attorney's expertise [...]
Executive Search Case Study: Chief Legal & Compliance Officer for Software Company
Client Need A $1.5B, pre-IPO software company sought to hire a new Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. After being referred by a previous client, BarkerGilmore was retained to execute [...]
From a Company’s Top Lawyer, a Top Decision Maker: Q&A with John Gilmore, BarkerGilmore
To provide additional perspective on the trends uncovered in Equilar's General Counsel Pay Trends, Hunt Scanlon spoke with contributor John Gilmore, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at BarkerGilmore. What are [...]
Building a Legal or Compliance Strategic Plan
Strategic planning as it pertains to the General Counsel role. "One of the most effective ways to prove the value of your law department is to conduct disciplined strategic [...]
How to Maximize Your Earning Potential
Strategic Advisor and Coach Haydee Olinger, former Global Chief Compliance Officer of McDonald's Corp., is joined by Tina Dekker, SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Meijer Inc., and former [...]
2022 General Counsel Compensation Report: Commentary from John Gilmore, BarkerGilmore
To provide additional perspective on the trends uncovered in General Counsel Pay Trends, Equilar spoke with contributor John Gilmore, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at BarkerGilmore. With the world facing [...]
For Women GC, Study Shows Mixed News on Compensation
Women General Counsel at large companies have taken at least one step forward and one step back in terms of equality in the workplace, according to a new report. [...]
How In-House Counsel Can Maximize Their Earnings
In-house counsel and chief compliance officers who are looking for a raise or promotion first need to assess where they are in their careers, where they want to be [...]
Should I Stay or Should I Go? What to Consider When Contemplating a Move
Strategic Advisor and Coach David Yawman, former EVP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of PepsiCo, Inc., is joined by Marjorie De La Cruz, SVP, Global Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer [...]
Ten Ways to Effectively Manage Remote Legal and Compliance Teams
Remote work, at least part of the time, is the new normal, and legal and compliance leaders must develop principles to guide their teams in a post-COVID (or living-with-COVID) world. [...]
Women in Law: Discovering the True Meaning of Success
Strategic Advisor and Coach Michelle Banks, former EVP, Global General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and CCO of the Gap Inc., is joined by Angela Han, Senior Corporate Counsel at HealthPro Heritage, [...]
Study Reveals 2021 was Excellent Year for In-House Compensation
Download BarkerGilmore’s 2022 Report to See Average In-House Counsel Salary Data With another year of record participation, BarkerGilmore’s annual 2022 In-House Counsel Compensation Report provides in-house counsel the ability [...]
Balancing the Roles of Business Partner and Manager of Legal Risk
Strategic Advisors and Coaches Helen Pudlin, former EVP and General Counsel of The PNC Financial Services Group; Ann Harlan, former VP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of The J.M. Smucker [...]
Competitors Can Be Friends: Why GCs in Competitive Industries Can and Should Work Together
Strategic Advisor and Coach Noah Hanft, Co-Founder of AcumenADR LLC and former General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Franchise Integrity Officer of Mastercard Inc., is joined by Josh Floum, former [...]
The Reporting Structure of Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Privacy Leadership
Download your complimentary copy of The Reporting Structure of Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Privacy Leadership BarkerGilmore conducted a survey across a random sample of General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officers, [...]
Q&A With Michelle Banks: A Pioneering Personality
Attorney at Work’s “Women in Law” series focuses on successful women lawyers who have carved a path for themselves in the legal industry and beyond. Meet Michelle Banks. Michelle [...]
Should You Lead Your Company’s ESG Program? The Pros And Cons
Strategic Advisor and Coach Audrey Rubin, former VP and Chief Operating Officer of the Law and Compliance Department of Aon Corp., is joined by Gregory Wilkinson, SVP and General Counsel [...]
Boards Rely on GCs More Than Ever: New Study From BarkerGilmore and Corporate Board Member
BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized by CEOs, boards and executives as best-in-class legal and compliance search professionals and leadership consultants, in partnership with Corporate Board Member, released [...]
Leveraging the GC: How the Right General Counsel Can Enhance Board Oversight
Download your complimentary copy of LEVERAGING THE GC: How the Right General Counsel Can Enhance Board Oversight Research Report from BarkerGilmore and Corporate Board Member identifies growing GC [...]
Best Practices for Building a Successful Board-General Counsel Relationship
Strategic Advisor and Coach Peter Ganz, former Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ashland Global Holdings, Inc., is joined by Brendan Cummins, former [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Former PepsiCo, Inc. Executive VP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
David Yawman, who most recently served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP: NASDAQ), a multinational Fortune 50 company with revenues in excess [...]
Inside the High Demand for General Counsel Leaders
It is not easy to win a general counsel position. Key criteria must be met, often including a specific industry background. Cultural fit, soft skills and diversity considerations also [...]
In-House Recruitment as a Driving Force for Diversity in the Legal Profession
Importance of Diversity in the Legal Profession Ten years ago, my family embarked on a family history trip. We traveled to Poland so that my grandmother could visit the [...]
Panavance Therapeutics Inc. Appoints BarkerGilmore Strategic Advisor and Coach Marla Persky to its Board of Directors
BarkerGilmore, a boutique firm specializing in legal and compliance executive search and leadership development, congratulates Strategic Advisor and Coach, Marla Persky, on her newest leadership role as a member of [...]
Secrets to Make Yourself Indispensable to Your Company
Strategic Advisor and Coach Mike Williams, former Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary of Staples, Inc., is joined by Ronald Wasinger, VP & General Counsel at LG Electronics [...]
General Counsel Pay Trends: A Q&A with John Gilmore, BarkerGilmore
John Gilmore provides additional perspective on the trends uncovered in Equilar’s General Counsel Pay Trends Report. How did the uncertainty and unpredictability of COVID-19 affect the General Counsel role [...]
Behind The High Demand For Chief Legal Officers
As the demand for legal talent continues into 2022, a related trend has arisen: a growing call for chief legal officers. Robert Barker, co-founder and managing partner of executive [...]
Meet Managing Director, Katie Gilmore, the Newest Member of the Executive Search Team
After establishing a successful career, Katie Gilmore made the decision to join her father John Gilmore, BarkerGilmore’s founding partner, in the family business. Growing up, Katie had a first-hand [...]
Chief Legal Officers are in High Demand
A recent LinkedIn study* analyzing the hiring of C-suite executives across the United States documented the continued growth of the role of the Chief Legal Officer. A review of [...]
Charting a Strategic Course for Your Legal Department
Strategic Advisor and Coach A.B. Cruz III, former Senior Vice President & Divisional General Counsel of USAA, is joined by Jason Winmill, Managing Partner at Argopoint, to address the growing [...]
Maximize Your Law Department’s Value by Leading ESG
The term ESG has gotten much attention lately, but many aren’t even sure what it means. “ESG” stands for “Environmental, Social, and Governance” and is a framework to evaluate [...]
A Deep Dive: The Critical Role of the General Counsel
BarkerGilmore is pleased to once again partner with Equilar for publication of the 2021 Edition of General Counsel Pay Trends, which seeks to shed light on how changes within [...]
How to Lead People Who Were Once Your Peers
Strategic Advisor and Coach Marla Persky, former Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Boehringer Ingelheim USA, is joined by Tim Murphy, Corporate Vice President and General Counsel [...]
Meet Executive Search Consultant, Max Gelernter, former K&L Gates Commercial Litigation Attorney
Max Gelernter's background as a practicing attorney and successful leader in advancing diversity brings his experience to BarkerGilmore to build highly effective legal and compliance teams by placing attorneys [...]
Confronting Origination Credit: Why GCs Need To Speak Up
Law firms' long-standing practice of awarding origination credit and compensation to attorneys who help bring in new business is perceived by many as a barrier to diversity. In this [...]
Organizing Your Legal Department: Determining the Optimal Structure
Optimal In-House Legal Department Structure Strategic Advisor and Coach Audrey Rubin, former VP & COO of the Global Law & Compliance Department at Aon Corporation, is joined by her colleagues, [...]
Working with an Executive Search Firm: The GC Candidate’s Perspective
BarkerGilmore’s esteemed executive search consultants, Managing Partner John Gilmore and Partner Brittney McDonough, are joined by Neeta Toprani, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer of Establishment Labs, and Aaron [...]
Executive Legal and Compliance Recruiting Firm, BarkerGilmore, Unveils New Image and Website
BarkerGilmore is pleased to reveal a new brand image and website. With a continued commitment to recruiting and developing in-house legal and compliance talent, the updated website showcases BarkerGilmore’s unparalleled [...]
Building, Mentoring, and Coaching Diverse Teams
Strategic Advisor and Coach Jamey Seely, General Counsel & Secretary of Covetrus, is joined by Patricia Elias, Chief People & Places Officer of CSG, and Kasey Johnson, former General Counsel [...]
Study Reveals Law School Rank and Am Law 100 Experience Increase In-House Counsel Compensation
BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments nationwide, released their annual 2021 In-House Counsel Compensation Report today. The data was [...]
Amid Associate Bonus Season, GCs are Finding Talent From Other Law Departments
Associate compensation in Big Law this year, including special bonuses topping off at $64,000, has made the talent pool for in-house attorneys more shallow than before. In particular, recruiters [...]
Meet Strategic Advisor and Coach Peter Ganz, former CLO, CCO, SVP, GC & Secretary of Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.
Peter Ganz most recently served as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ashland Global Holdings, Inc., overseeing all legal, government affairs, corporate compliance and [...]
Doing More with Less: Managing Work & Developing Talent with Ever Tightening Budgets
Strategic Advisor and Coach Maureen Brundage, former EVP, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & Chief Ethics Officer of The Chubb Corporation, is joined by Kristy Rogan Meringolo, SVP, General Counsel, Chief Compliance [...]
The CEO’s General Counsel: A Strategic Advisor and Champion of Business Growth
Download your complimentary copy of The CEO’s General Counsel: A Strategic Advisor and Champion of Business Growth BarkerGilmore recently conducted a poll of CEOs to determine the specific ways in [...]
How to Determine if a Company is the Right Culture Fit For You
In this three-part series, we provide practical advice and useful tips to help employers and candidates determine during the hiring process if there is a mutually beneficial cultural fit. [...]
Preparing for Your First Year as GC
Strategic Advisor and Coach Michelle Banks, former EVP, Global General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer of Gap Inc., is joined by Juliette Pryor, four-time General Counsel, currently serving as [...]
Fostering a Culture of Collaboration and Inclusion in the Digital Era
Employees are the lifeblood of an organization. Each one ensures a company runs smoothly on a daily basis, stays afloat during economic downturns, and continues [...]
Managing Through Crushing Litigation and Disruptive M&A
Strategic Advisor and Coach Mike Williams, formerly EVP, CLO & Secretary of Staples, Inc., is joined by Lisa Ropple, Partner, Practice Leader Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection of Jones Day and [...]
Pandemic Worsens Career Barriers For Marginalized Attorneys
Attorney Jean Lee's life was upended when the coronavirus pandemic began a year ago and she was forced into remote working. Taking care of her elderly mother while they're [...]
Efforts to Retain Diverse Talent Should Permeate a Company
For companies to create a truly diverse and inclusive workplace, they must make diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) an integral part of most every structure, plan, policy, and procedure, [...]
Data, Analytics and KPIs, oh my! How to Recognize and Use Metrics to Reduce Cost and Add Value
Strategic Advisors and Coaches Audrey Rubin and Haydee Olinger take a deep dive into using data to prove the value of your legal and/or compliance department to the business. They explore the parameters of [...]
How to Determine if a Candidate is the Right Culture Fit
In this three-part series, we provide practical advice and useful tips to help the employer and the candidate determine during the interview process if there [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Former Ashland Global Holdings Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Senior VP, General Counsel & Secretary to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
Peter Ganz, who most recently served as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ashland Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a global specialty [...]
8 Trends for Fortune 500 General Counsel Appointments in 2020
Every year, we see approximately 10% of Fortune 500 companies appoint a new top legal executive. In 2020, 44 lawyers were appointed to the enterprise [...]
Turning Lawyers into Leaders and Developing Successors
Strategic Advisors A.B. Cruz III and Marla Persky discuss the differences between leadership and management, how you can help your high potential performers become legal leaders, and ways to develop a succession [...]
Closing the Aspirational Gap: Study Finds Women and Men Aspire to Become GCs at Similar Rates
In December 2020, BarkerGilmore released its 2020 Aspiring General Counsel Report which investigates current legal counsel who aspire to become General Counsel in their careers. Two [...]
Insights: The Remote Legal Department
BarkerGilmore recently held a webinar on how in-house lawyers can, and should, prepare for their performance reviews in the current, primarily remote work environment. Participants were [...]
Study Investigates Legal Leaders Aspiring to Become General Counsel
Fairport, NY (December 3, 2020) – BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments nationwide, released their 2020 Aspiring General Counsel Report today. [...]
Succeeding as a Great Lawyer, Savvy Businessperson, and Indispensable Teammate —The In-House Counsel Imperative
Strategic Advisor and Coach A.B. Cruz, III is joined by Mary Talbott, CLO & Secretary, Gravity Diagnostics, and Shawnte Mitchell, EVP, GC & Corporate Secretary, Zogenix, Inc., to discuss their personal experience [...]
Finding Your Next Job (or Having It Find You)
Strategic Advisor and Coach Maureen Brundage is joined by Sunita Holzer, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Realogy Holdings Corp., and BarkerGilmore Co-Founder and Partner, John Gilmore, to provide helpful dos and [...]
4 Steps to Creating a GC Succession Plan
While most companies acknowledge that a succession plan is crucial for business and leadership continuity, preparing and maintaining a succession plan is a time-consuming process. [...]
Men More Likely to Be Promoted to GC, Women Get Recruited
Men are more likely to be promoted to general counsel, while women are more likely to be recruited externally for the role, according to a study of in-house lawyers [...]
Study Identifies Path Legal Leaders Take to Become a General Counsel
Fairport, NY (October 28, 2020) – BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments nationwide, released their 2020 General Counsel Succession Report today. [...]
What’s the Most Common Path to the General Counsel Seat?
General counsel reach the top of the legal department ladder by following a variety of paths and strategies, though some are more common than others. Many chief lawyers got [...]
How to Describe Your Company Culture to Attract the Right Candidates
In this three-part series, we will share practical advice and useful tips that can help both the employer and the candidate during the hiring process [...]
BarkerGilmore Has Been Exclusively Retained by Verso Corporation to Find Its Next General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
BarkerGilmore, a boutique firm recognized for its best-in-class legal and compliance executive search and leadership development, announced that it has been retained by Verso Corporation (“Verso”) to find its [...]
General Counsel Compensation: A Deep Dive
BarkerGilmore is pleased to, once again, have partnered with Equilar for publication of the 2021 edition of General Counsel Pay Trends. The purpose of the [...]
Focus on Personal Development: Tips to Prepare for Your Performance Evaluation During the Days of COVID-19
Strategic Advisors Ann Harlan, Marla Persky, and Helen Pudlin discuss how COVID-19 is changing the performance review process, the value of frequent check-ins and arranging them in a virtual work world, the [...]
The Value Series: A ClariLegal interview with Audrey Rubin, Strategic Advisor and Coach at BarkerGilmore and Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois College of Law
Cash Butler and I recently had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Audrey Rubin, a Strategic Advisor and Coach in BarkerGilmore’s advisory and coaching division. Audrey is also an [...]
A Commentary on the GC’s Expanded Role
The responsibilities of the General Counsel have expanded in recent years, propelling a position once known solely as the head of the legal department into [...]
Clear the Path to Your Own Success: Three Ways Women Lawyers Can Overcome Reluctance to Self-Advocate in the Workplace
By now, most people are aware of the persistent wage and value gaps existing between men and women in the United States. The legal profession [...]
Uh, Oh — There’s a New CEO in Town! What Do I Do?
Strategic Advisor and Coach Noah Hanft is joined by Bart Schwartz, partner at Wilkie Farr & Gallagher and former General Counsel of Assurant, Inc., and Susan Blount, former Executive Vice President and [...]
Insights into the Role of the Modern GC and Succession
A recent report by BarkerGilmore and Chief Executive Group found that CEOs are wanting more from their GCs. They want them to step up and [...]
BarkerGilmore and Equilar Announce Release of New General Counsel Pay Trends Report
The responsibilities of General Counsel have expanded in recent years, propelling a position once known solely as the head of the legal department into a key executive team member [...]
Hot Topics for Boards — How the GC and CCO Should Respond
Strategic Advisors Haydee Olinger and Marla Persky identify the hot topics on today’s board agendas and how GCs and CCOs should respond to provide board members with the information they need to [...]
Study Finds CEOs Want More from Their GCs. How Should GCs Respond?
In a recent report by BarkerGilmore and Chief Executive Group, 70% of CEOs described their ideal GC as one who acts as a strategic business partner [...]
How to Say “No” to the CEO or Other Business Executives and Provide a Range of Alternatives to Achieve the Business Goals
Strategic Advisors Helen Pudlin, Maureen Brundage, and Noah Hanft share their experience and advice on how to reframe a “no” message into options and recommendations to mitigate legal risk while adding value [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Legal Operations Pioneer and General Counsel to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
Audrey Rubin, nationally acclaimed as both a pioneer of the legal operations function and a preeminent leader in the business of law, with an innovative background in advising law [...]
Legal Work’s In-House Shift Shows No Sign of Slowing
Before the pandemic, legal departments were moving more work in-house and relying less on outsourcing, and industry experts predict this trend will continue long after the crisis wanes because [...]
INSIGHT: CEOs Want More Strategic Advice from General Counsel
CEOs want their general counsel to improve on business strategy, new market expansion, and industry knowledge, according to a new BarkerGilmore LLC and Chief Executive Group survey. GCs should [...]
Study Reveals 40% of In-House Counsel Would Consider a New Position in 2020, Prior to Epidemic
BarkerGilmore, a boutique executive search firm recognized for helping companies build world-class legal and compliance departments nationwide, released their annual 2020 In-House Counsel Compensation Report today. The data was collected from [...]
Working with a Recruiter: In the End, Trust is a Must
Trustworthy. Transparent. Communicative. Confident. Excited. Passionate. Would any of these words describe the last recruiter you worked with? If you answered anything but a resounding [...]
In-House Data Privacy, Cybersecurity Lawyers Are in High Demand, With Little Competition
Despite GC appointments bouncing back after a dismal April, high-profile in-house legal department cuts may leave some in-house attorneys uneasy. However, lawyers with a data privacy or cybersecurity background should take some solace in [...]
GCs Forced to Juggle as Legal Teams Face COVID-19 Cuts
As general counsel lay off lawyers and other staff to help companies shoulder the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis and adjust to operating with leaner departments, they're being [...]
CEOs Want More From Their General Counsel, Says Chief Executive Group and BarkerGilmore Report
A new report by Chief Executive Group and BarkerGilmore found that the majority of CEOs (84%) have their General Counsel on the executive management team while data shows that private companies [...]
CEOs Want General Counsel ‘More Strategically Involved’ in Leadership Roles
Many chief executives at U.S. companies want their general counsel to be “more strategically involved” in the business decisions and leadership of their companies, according to a newly released [...]
The Role and Value of Today’s Modern GC: The CEO Perspective
Download your complimentary copy of this report from the teams at BarkerGilmore and Chief Executive Group Most CEOs want their General Counsel to be a strategic advisor, but many [...]
The Requirement of Resilience: How to Lead (and Live) in Times of Crisis
So far, 2020 is shaping up to be the most challenging year in at least a decade for global businesses and their in-house counsel. The first cases of the [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Former CLO, General Counsel and U.S. Navy Admiral to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
A.B. Cruz III, who has distinguished himself in many of today’s leading industries, having served as CLO, General Counsel, CECO, CRO and Corporate Secretary in Biotech, Pharma, Oil & [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Technology President and General Counsel to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
Jamey Seely, one of today’s singular corporate executives who simultaneously holds business and legal roles, currently serving as President and General Counsel of Integra, Inc., a leading developer of [...]
Educating Executives and Board Members as to the Necessity and Importance of the GC’s Involvement at a Strategic Level
Strategic Advisor and Coach Bill Solomon shares his views on how to inform and even persuade your management and board to involve you at the corporate strategic level, above and beyond the [...]
What CEOs Want in a GC
BarkerGilmore Strategic Advisor and Coach Ann Harlan (Former Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, The J.M. Smucker Company) talks with two former CEOs, Jenniffer Deckard and Kevin McMullen, to share insights [...]
The Top Ways GCs are Adapting and Reacting to the Pandemic
We at BarkerGilmore sincerely hope you, your family, and your team are well despite the health crisis upon us. After speaking with many General Counsel [...]
Meet Strategic Advisor and Coach, Noah Hanft, former General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Franchise Officer for MasterCard Worldwide
Noah Hanft most recently served as the General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Franchise Officer for MasterCard Worldwide. In addition to overseeing law, regulatory affairs, [...]
How to Land a Board Seat
Many lawyers think that being an attorney makes it harder to get on a corporate board – truth or myth? Many think that being a woman or person of color [...]
Top Trends for Healthcare & Life Sciences In-House Counsel Compensation
In 2019, overall growth in the healthcare, life sciences, and related industries was prominent. The healthcare and life sciences industries are often blended with other [...]
Do I Want to Become a Public Company GC?
Strategic Advisor and Coach Michelle Banks, Managing Partner John Gilmore, and Carolyn Herzog discussed differences between public and private company GC roles and what CEOs and boards look for in a candidate. [...]
1 Industry Pays Certain Women In-House Counsel More Than Men
While the gender pay gap for in-house counsel stubbornly persists, something different—and, perhaps, encouraging—appears to be happening within the health care and life sciences realms. Women at the managing [...]
Women Led a Third of Fortune 500 Legal Departments in 2019
Women led 33% of Fortune 500 legal departments in 2019, up from 28% a year earlier, according to legal headhunting firm BarkerGilmore. Fifty-six lawyers were appointed to a new [...]
7 Trends for Fortune 500 General Counsel Appointments in 2019
Every year, we see approximately 10% of Fortune 500 companies appoint a new General Counsel. In 2019, 56 lawyers were appointed to the enterprise GC [...]
Journey to Best-in-Class: A Roadmap to Improving the Law Department’s Effectiveness and Efficiency
Strategic Advisors and Coaches Gjon Nivica and Marla Persky shared best practices for law departments to become more effective and efficient in how they deliver service that results in value to the customer, and [...]
Reframing Value: A New Paradigm for Law Firm Compensation
In my last year as a general counsel of a large public company, we were embroiled in a complicated international transaction that required tax advice under time pressure. I [...]
Meet Strategic Advisor and Coach, Michael Williams, Former EVP, CLO and Secretary of Staples, Inc.
Michael Williams most recently served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary of Staples, Inc., while the Massachusetts-based company was the largest office [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Longtime MasterCard General Counsel to Its Senior Adviser Slate
Noah Hanft, the former general counsel of MasterCard, has been made a senior adviser at BarkerGilmore and will give guidance to in-house clients. Hanft said for years he has informally given [...]
BarkerGilmore Adds Former MasterCard Worldwide Executive to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
Noah Hanft, who most recently served as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Franchise Officer for MasterCard Worldwide, has joined the advisory and coaching division of BarkerGilmore, a New [...]
BarkerGilmore’s GC Advantage to Help Foster Collaboration Between In-House Leaders
For the past three years, BarkerGilmore has had its advisers work with in-house counsel on how to better interact with the C-suite and board of directors. Now, the firm [...]
General Counsel Comp Continues to Rise, Study Finds
A report by Equilar and search firm BarkerGilmore states that over the past five years there has been a 7.4 percent increase in general counsel median total compensation. That [...]
Strategies for Paying and Retaining Top General Counsel: Webinar Recording
Our recent webinar showcased an expert panel discussing how growth in responsibilities and influence impacts recruitment and pay for top legal talent, based on findings [...]
Benchmarking General Counsel Compensation
General Counsel pay continues to rise at an accelerated rate, keeping pace with the increased expectations that the CEO and Board place upon them. It [...]
Change at the Start: How Law Firm Origination Credit Still Hurts In-House Counsel Diversity Focus
Who receives origination credit at a law firm still impedes in-house counsel’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the firms they work with—almost a decade after major bar [...]
Best Practices for General Counsel Succession Planning
Like other executives, General Counsel are tasked with identifying and developing their successor. While hiring a new General Counsel from the outside can be costly, [...]
Gender Pay Gap for General Counsel Has Grown, Study Says
The gender pay gap for U.S.-based general counsel is widening, according to a new report. Equilar’s latest General Counsel Pay Trends study shows that male GCs earned 18.6% more than their [...]
Diversity Drives Business Performance
The results of a recent global survey of more than 1,700 companies published in the Harvard Business Review showed that diversity has a favorable impact on [...]
The 2019 GC Compensation Survey: Pay’s Moving On Up
The compensation king is back. For the second year in a row, Morgan Stanley chief legal officer Eric Grossman is America’s top paid legal executive. According to our 2019 [...]
Former Staples Chief Legal Officer Becomes Senior Adviser at BarkerGilmore
The former chief legal officer of Staples has joined consulting firm BarkerGilmore as a senior adviser. Michael Williams said he is excited to be working as a senior adviser for [...]
BarkerGilmore adds former EVP, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary to Strategic Advisor and Coach Roster
Michael T. Williams, who most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary of Staples, Inc., has joined BarkerGilmore, a New York-based boutique legal and compliance [...]
“Do You Have The Right Stuff?”
The Academy Award-winning movie, The Right Stuff, inspires us to think about having the “right stuff” from a new perspective. This mysterious mix is not [...]
Big Payday For GC, But With A Gender Gap
The latest compensation survey from recruiter BarkerGilmore finds average annual salary increased in 2018, with the greatest increases showing up in publicly-traded companies. Among the public companies the highest [...]
Top 2019 Trends for In-House Counsel Compensation
This year, in-house counsel reported unprecedented rates of compensation satisfaction, with over 62% of lawyers unlikely to look for a new job and almost 60% [...]
Rising Pay Reflects Demand For In-House Counsel, Study Finds
Average annual salary increase rate rose to 4.4 percent in 2018. Fewer in-house counsel are in the market for new jobs, amid rising compensation and a recognition among companies [...]
It’s A Good Time To Go In-House — Salaries Are On The Rise
But still, a hefty chunk of in-house lawyers are dissatisfied with their salary. The amount of money that in-house counsel take home is on the rise! According to a new [...]
Reaching Past Inclusion
Reviewing a recent survey conducted by global management consulting firm BCG, I was struck by the finding that “Diversity plus inclusion is the source of real [...]
Benefits of Executive Coaching, Mentoring, and Advising: Webinar Recording
Our recent webinar showcased an expert panel of our Strategic Advisors and Coaches – former Fortune 500 General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officers, and current board members [...]
Four Steps to Optimize Your Legal Department
As in-house legal departments continue to grow and legal leadership continues to enjoy a greater scope and influence within the business, the legal team is, conversely, [...]
Most Unreasonable Expectations Placed on Legal Departments
As in all companies, internal expectations vary between business units. Of these various relationships, one of the most dynamic and complex exists between business and [...]
Top Seven Skills Required by Direct Reports to the General Counsel
Change. Transformation. Disruption. Innovation. Today’s buzzwords ring throughout corporate America. Yet these terms aptly describe what I experienced as a long-tenured general counsel in a [...]
BarkerGilmore Strategic Advisor and Coach Receives ABA Margaret Brent Award
Congratulations to the 2019 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement! These women, who were selected for their professional excellence and their work to support other women in the legal [...]
Contemplating a Critical Legal Operations Hire? Look for These Six Personality Traits in an Ideal Candidate
Today’s corporate law department plays a front-and-center business advisory role. You’ve read other posts from us describing the General Counsel’s ascension to the board room [...]
The General Counsel Interview – Tips to Get to the Finish Line
The agony of defeat is tough for anyone to swallow, especially for the top lawyers we work with who are driven to win. Not making [...]
BarkerGilmore Announces Increase in Diversity Placements
BarkerGilmore, a New York-based executive search firm specializing in general counsel and senior compliance officer assignments, celebrated industry-leading diversity placement rates in 2018. Last year, 51% of the firm’s [...]
How Boards Can Leverage The GC as a Strategic Asset
The strategic value of the general counsel to the board of directors depends on and is directly proportional to the scope of free and open communication between the board [...]
The Factors Shaping General Counsel Pay In 2019
Law360 (January 1, 2019, 12:03 PM EST) -- The total amount reflected in many general counsel paychecks has climbed in recent years thanks to complex regulatory environments and the [...]
The Rise of the GC: Recruiting and Paying Your Top Legal Talent: Webinar Recording
Our recent webinar showcased an expert panel discussing how growth in responsibilities and influence impacts recruitment and pay for top legal talent, based on findings from [...]
Tesla Tapped a Trial Lawyer as GC—Here’s What That Could Mean
Last week, troubled auto company Tesla announced that a trial lawyer Dane Butswinkas will become its general counsel. It’s a move that’s uncommon, but not entirely unheard of. John Gilmore, co-founder and [...]
Experience The GC & CCO Advantage: Meet Gjon Nivica, Jr., former SVP and General Counsel of Celanese Corporation
Gjon Nivica, Jr. most recently served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 500 global technology and specialty materials company [...]
A Legal Team (Geographically) Divided: How to Manage a Dispersed Department
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal reported, Amazon is planning to split its second headquarters into two different cities, dispersing its growing workforce to more locations [...]
Compensation Climbs 6.7% for Top Legal Officers
As the role of the top legal officer at public companies continues to evolve, median total direct compensation (TDC) has increased 6.7%, according to the [...]
Five Key Gaps in General Counsel Succession Planning
As the importance of the role of General Counsel has grown, succession planning has become a hot topic of discussion. With so much talk about [...]
4 Secrets To Ace The Interview For Your In-House Dream Job
Law360 (September 25, 2018, 7:35 PM EDT) -- Whether it's a yearning to have an impact on a business or ditch the pressure of billable hours, there are various [...]
BarkerGilmore Announces Industrial Practice Team
Over the past several years, BarkerGilmore has experienced increased demand for executive search, coaching and advising services from the industrial and manufacturing sectors. In response to this growing demand, [...]
General Counsel Succession — Hear From Three General Counsel Who Got It Right: Webinar Recording
During this recording of the webinar, you will learn from BarkerGilmore’s panel of experienced Strategic Advisors and Managing Partner how to develop and execute an [...]
Cultivating Future CLOs With People-focused Leadership
General counsels (GCs) and chief legal officers (CLOs) repeatedly cite talent and succession planning as critical to the success of their department and ability to be valued business partners. [...]
Experience The GC & CCO Advantage: Meet Michelle Banks, Former Global General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and CCO of Gap Inc.
Michelle Banks most recently served as Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer of Gap Inc. (Fortune: 178/NYSE: GPS), the third [...]
Think Like a CEO
Josh Beser went to law school because he was interested in the intersection between business and the law — but working in a law firm after graduation, he wasn’t [...]
How GCs Struggle (And Succeed) After Retirement
Jetting along in high-powered positions, top in-house lawyers can make the mistake of failing to prepare for the day when their landing gear drops for the last time. But [...]
Experience The GC & CCO Advantage Firsthand: Ann Harlan, Former Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of The J.M. Smucker Company
In her role as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Ann Harlan was a member of the senior management team at The J.M. Smucker [...]
Leaders Create More Leaders: Why GC Succession Planning is Critical
There may be nothing more important to the work of the legal department - and its impact on the organization it serves - than the way it plans for and executes general counsel succession.
People-focused Leadership: Developing strong talent as a Chief Legal Officer
The importance of developing talent The Deloitte Chief Legal Officer (CLO) Program has been working closely with CLOs to help them become successful legal executives and strategic members of [...]
Top Six Trends for In-House Counsel Compensation in 2018
Within the last year, uncovering compensation information has become increasingly difficult as states and cities across the country began passing legislation that bans employers from [...]
Experience The GC & CCO Advantage: Meet Maureen Brundage, Former EVP, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & Chief Ethics Officer of The Chubb Corporation
Maureen Brundage most recently served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & Chief Ethics Officer of The Chubb Corporation, which was one of the [...]
What to Look for When Hiring A-List Players
Steve Jobs was brilliant at hiring A-list players at Apple. His laser focus on designing the best products was dependent on hiring and keeping the [...]
Lingering Gender Pay Gap Plagues US In-House Counsel, Study Says
The gender pay gap is alive and well among U.S. in-house counsel, especially at the general counsel level where women make about 78 percent of the average total compensation [...]
Female In-House Attorneys Earn 84 Cents For Every Dollar Men Do
Law360 (May 8, 2018, 7:49 PM EDT) -- Female in-house counsel earn 84 percent of what their male counterparts earn on average, with the gender pay gap growing steeper [...]
Four Reasons Lawyers Fail To Be Viewed As Strategic Advisors
Business leaders today expect in-house lawyers to contribute to the success of the business and serve as strategic advisors. While everyone ultimately seeks to earn [...]
2018 In-House Counsel Compensation Report
Introduction BarkerGilmore is pleased to present the 2018 In-House Counsel Compensation Report. […]
Executive Coaching for Legal & Compliance Leaders: Webinar Recording
Our recent webinar showcased an expert panel discussing how executive coaching can significantly enhance the performance of legal and compliance leaders. Click here to access the [...]
In Case You Missed It: 14 Top Mistakes Made by New In-House Counsel
In case you missed it, I am giving you another chance to read this blog from last year. The content provided by top GCs has [...]
Experience The GC & CCO Advantage: Meet Advisor Helen Pudlin, Former PNC Financial Services Group’s EVP and General Counsel
Helen Pudlin most recently served PNC Financial Services Group, one of the largest diversified financial institutions in the U.S., as its Executive Vice President and [...]
How to Evaluate the Metrics for Your Search Firm
We are constantly being asked by potential new clients to differentiate BarkerGilmore from our competitors. While it may not seem difficult to find an executive [...]
Three Steps to Building a High Performance Legal Team
There’s no doubt that legal departments are being run like a business, increasingly so every day. The 2017 State of the Industry Survey, conducted by [...]
Michelle Banks: How Risk Taking and Dedication to Supporting Women Led her to a Successful Career
Michelle Banks is one of 2018 Ms. J.D "Her Story" Conference Key Note speakers. As a former EVP Sustainability & Global General Counsel, Michelle is currently an executive coach, a frequent speaker [...]
Experience The GC & CCO Advantage: Meet Advisor Haydee Olinger, Former McDonald’s Global CCO
Haydee Ortiz Olinger, who most recently served McDonald’s Corporation as its Global Chief Compliance Officer, adds her expertise to the strategic counsel, leadership development, succession [...]
Seven Steps to Increasing Your EQ
Leaders today require high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to succeed. High EQ equates to a person’s success in dealing with stress internally, how the person will [...]
Legal Assessments Benefit the Bottom Line
Staying ahead of the competition, combined with ever-changing priorities, regulations and technology, requires a legal department able to adapt to evolving company strategy and be [...]
BarkerGilmore Launches The GC & CCO Advantage
New Platform Provides Enhanced Solutions for Today’s Expanding Legal and Compliance Departments BarkerGilmore, a New York-based executive search firm, launched today a new client-focused platform, The GC&CCO AdvantageSM, consisting [...]
Passing the baton: Succession Planning for GCs
As the general counsel role becomes increasingly pivotal amid today’s climate of increased regulation, succession planning is something that all GCs need to think about very carefully, even if [...]
12 Ridiculous Things Lawyers Did on Interviews
Being in the executive search business for 29 years, you would think I have seen it all. Nevertheless, I am still occasionally surprised by the [...]
Former McDonald’s Global Chief Compliance Officer Joins BarkerGilmore
Haydee Ortiz Olinger, who most recently served McDonald’s Corporation as its Global Chief Compliance Officer, has joined the advisory and coaching division of BarkerGilmore, a [...]
Assessing Your Legal Department to Improve Effectiveness, Efficiency and Value
Navigating the changing tides of the legal profession calls for frequent course correction. The rise of the business-minded General Counsel represents a new wave of leadership within organizations, reflecting [...]
The Importance of Building and Leading High-Performance Legal Teams
We are definitely on to something at BarkerGilmore. According to Erin Harrison, former editor-in-chief for Legaltech News, as more legal work remains in-house across corporate America, “legal departments are [...]
Why You Need a Legal Department Assessment
Leading former General Counsel agree that holding legal department assessments at regular intervals helped them to streamline their legal services, articulate departmental value, enhance communication with [...]
Maureen Brundage, Former EVP, General Counsel of Chubb, Joins BarkerGilmore
BarkerGilmore is pleased to announce the newest addition to its Coaching and Advising team, Maureen Brundage, the former Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary [...]
How Does Your In-House Counsel Compensation Compare?
As key players in the executive search industry, our team is exposed to both sides of the coin when it comes to compensation. On a [...]
Creating Your Legal Department’s Vision and Mission to Shape Strategy
Strategic Direction For Your Corporate Legal Department Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.” [i] This [...]
The Importance of Courage for In-House Counsel
Legal leaders in a corporate setting must have the courage to speak up and prevent stupid or potentially illegal things from happening. […]
The Most Revealing Interview Question
Without a doubt, the best part of my job is speaking with accomplished leaders. Whether interviewing someone for a high-level search or learning about the [...]
Assessing Your Legal Department to Improve Effectiveness, Efficiency and Value
Download your complimentary copy of Assessing Your Legal Department to Improve Effectiveness, Efficiency and Value In the modern corporate environment, General Counsel must build a legal team that is [...]
NY Recruiter Launches Consultancy with Top Fortune 500
BarkerGilmore, best known as a Rochester, New York-based recruiting firm that specializes in placing in-house attorneys, announced on Monday a dozen former general counsel and chief compliance officers, mostly [...]
12 Distinguished GCs and CCOs Join BarkerGilmore Executive Search Firm
(May 8, 2017) BarkerGilmore, a New York-based boutique executive search firm specializing in building corporate legal and compliance teams from the top down, announced a strategic [...]
7 Keys Propelling General Counsel to Success
First and foremost, I would like to thank so many readers for their kind remarks and endorsement of the recent article 14 Top Mistakes Made [...]
The General Counsel as Chief Executive
The General Counsel’s role is being transformed by what can be termed the “professional convergence revolution”. Breakthrough innovation mostly happens when diverse groups of people, [...]
14 Top Mistakes Made by New In-house Counsel
After reading and writing many articles on best practices for in-house counsel and compliance officers, I decided to look at development from a different angle. [...]
6 Tips for Interviewing In-House Counsel
The most talented person for your position typically falls into one of two categories: perfectly happy and well treated by his or her current employer, [...]
Using EQ as a Predictor of In-House Counsel Success
When emotional intelligence (EQ) burst on the scene in the 1990s, it was seen as the answer to the troubling observation that IQ alone was [...]
Top Reasons to Consider a Specialty Boutique Search Firm
Any businessperson over 50 years old should be able to remember when IT professionals rationalized their love affair with IBM mainframes with the simple explanation: [...]
How to Find and Attract the Right GC Candidate – Part 2 of 2
In our last article on this topic, we focused on the upfront planning work required when you’re hiring a new GC (How to Find and [...]
How to Find and Attract the Right GC Candidate – Part 1 of 2
If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you know the importance we place on well-executed succession planning (A Roadmap for Effective GC Succession Planning). [...]
A Roadmap for Effective GC Succession Planning
Within Fortune 500 companies, it’s unlikely you would find even one that didn’t have a formal CEO succession plan in place. Because it’s difficult to [...]
General Counsel: Adding Value to the C-Suite
Survey: How General Counsel Are Adding Value To the C-Suite General Counsel are adding greater value by advising the CEO and board in all forms of corporate governance, from shareholder [...]
General Counsel Succession Planning Practices From the Pros
Identify and Develop GC Successors with These Key Insights Former MasterCard GC Noah Hanft and former Covance GC James Lovett share their insights on the matter in “General Counsel Succession Planning [...]
Charting Your Career Path to GC
As a seasoned legal recruiter with over 20 years of experience, I’ve learned that a lot of very smart attorneys make the same not-so-smart mistake: [...]
What Color is Your In-House Parachute?
Chances are when you began your law firm career, you dreamed about making partner. Next would be managing partner. And then, the icing on the [...]
Survey Says: 5 Areas Where General Counsel Will Have the Most Impact in 2020
If your General Counsel doesn’t have a seat at the table, you probably need to think about getting a bigger table. BarkerGilmore partnered with NYSE [...]
How to Build a World Class Legal Department
Uncertain global markets … cybersecurity … tightening credit sources … increasing regulatory demands … antitrust. Obstacles to business success have never loomed larger. And corporate legal departments have never [...]
Survey Says: Legal Competence Not What Matters Most in a General Counsel
If It’s Not Legal Skill, What Exactly Are Corporations Looking for in Their General Counsel? New research from NYSE Governance Services and BarkerGilmore offers a [...]
Can Your Salary Strategy Compete in the High-Stakes Arena of General Counsel Hiring?
Reputation will take you only so far. To get the best General Counsel, you need to offer an extraordinary package including compensation, equity, long-term incentives, [...]
Aspiring to General Counsel? Make Sure You’re Doing These 4 Things
If your goal is to become an extraordinary General Counsel, start by becoming an extraordinary General Counsel candidate. You’ve put in the work and now [...]
Choosing a General Counsel Is a Business Decision, Plain and Simple. (If Only Finding the Right One Were That Simple.)
The longer the General Counsel’s office sits empty, the greater your exposure Abraham Lincoln said, “The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man [...]
Searching for a new General Counsel? 4 Steps to a More Focused, Less Frantic Process
Whether You’re Hiring from Within or Outside, Preparation Is the Differentiator Finding a GC can mean many months of upheaval in order to identify an [...]
Disappointed in What Interviews Reveal about Candidates for In-House Assignments? Maybe It’s Your Technique.
Interviews for legal and compliance positions often fail to provide insight into a candidate’s real skills and abilities. Behavioral interviews can uncover much more. As [...]
General Counsel Succession Planning: Are You Prepared if Your GC Walks Tomorrow?
If you’re expecting your GC to stay around forever, it’s probably time to change your expectations. The role of General Counsel has been expanding in [...]
Planning your Legacy: Interview with Noah Hanft
A general counsel started years before he left his company. After you've reached the pinnacle of your law career—becoming a seasoned general counsel—you're likely coming up on some other [...]
Finding Your Next General Counsel
If your general counsel (GC) unexpectedly resigned tomorrow without a successor, consider how many moving parts would come to a halt. Who would protect your company from the many [...]
Report: What All CEOs Should Know About GC Succession Planning
Over the past decade, we have seen a dramatic increase in the influence of General Counsel on company strategy. In 2014, 86 percent of CEOs [...]
More Companies Prioritize General Counsel Succession Planning
Today’s General Counsel are much more likely to be considered key members of the C-Suite, according to the results of an exclusive survey. […]
What To Look For When Choosing a Legal Recruiting Firm
If there is one factor that will have more impact on your organization in the next five years than anything else, it’s the quality of [...]
Legal Recruiting: 5 Questions You Can’t Forget to Ask
We’ve all heard that hiring the wrong person is an expensive mistake, but what does it really cost your company? It could be as much [...]
Hiring General Counsel: 3 Unique Roles GCs Are Filling
Most General Counsel probably didn’t go to law school to learn customer service—but some are finding it’s now part of their job description. One reason? [...]
Legal Recruiting: 3 Unconventional Ways to Source Candidates
For human resource managers, sourcing qualified legal candidates can be a challenging first step in an arduous process to identify top lawyers who are the [...]
Succession Planning: What to Do When Surprised By a Resignation
Just as the new year begins, CEOs are sometimes blindsided by the resignation of a key player within their legal function. It may be a [...]
5 Practical Ways to Rein in Legal Spending this Year
If you’re like most companies, you’ve already grown accustomed to doing more with less. It’s easier to cut the less essential costs first, but what happens when you’ve made [...]
Law Department Metrics Your CEO Wants to See
Executives and stakeholders are business-centric thinkers; meaning they perceive value and success by the numbers. In this increasingly competitive marketplace, they also demand more of [...]
Evaluating Your Law Department: 5 Statistics All GCs Should Know
Your CEO may not require you to report specific numbers from your law department other than the annual budget, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t [...]
Building Your Law Department: Evaluating Employee Performance
As the new year begins, it’s time for General Counsel to take a close look at their law departments and each of the employees who [...]
Evaluating Your Legal Department, What Metrics Matter Most
What does success look like for your law department, and how do you know when you’ve achieved it? How do you communicate that success to your CEO? How do [...]
The Differences Between Active and Passive Candidates
First, the good news for hiring managers: About 85 percent of the talent in the marketplace are open to hearing about a new opportunity. However, [...]
5 Behavioral Questions to Ask Legal and Compliance Candidates
Your next legal or compliance hire must be prepared to work under tremendous pressure and make difficult decisions to protect your company. Those decisions have [...]
How to Attract In-house Counsel Candidates Who Aren’t Actively Looking
The ultimate goal of every search is to land the very best talent who will bring a substantial return on investment by excelling at the [...]
How to Recruit Your Next In-House Counsel
The position of in-house counsel for your company carries weighty responsibilities, which makes finding the right individual extremely important. Legal recruiting can be challenging for [...]
Women in Law: Paying it Forward in the Workplace
I recently had the privilege of attending the second annual Women, Influence & Power in Law conference in Washington, D.C., the only national forum where [...]
Top 100 Women Next In Line To Be General Counsel: Jennifer Hein
Earlier this year, BarkerGilmore was asked to recommend women who are leaders in the legal profession, women who could be next in line to be [...]
Top 100 Women Next In Line to Be General Counsel: Kathryn Simpson
For the second consecutive year, BarkerGilmore has been asked to recommend women who are leaders in the legal profession, women who could be next in [...]
5 Things Candidates Reveal Without Saying a Word
In many ways, a candidate assessment is an elaborate charade in which a skilled interviewer attempts to read clues based on the most subtle factors, [...]
Legal Recruiting: The Most Common Interviewing Mistakes
Much has been written about cringe-worthy mistakes candidates make while interviewing, so it’s easy to forget even the most experienced interviewers aren’t immune from error [...]
4 Benefits of Using Panel Interviews to Assess Legal Candidates
Anyone trying to attract the most qualified executive candidates is racing against the hourglass. The interview process consumes valuable time and resources, so it makes [...]
Recruiting General Counsel: 5 Essential Questions to Ask
The General Counsel is a critical member of the executive leadership team, and hiring the wrong person is a costly mistake. Even the most skilled [...]
Succession Planning: 4 Ways to Plan Ahead to Hire General Counsel
Hiring General Counsel is one of the most important company decisions board members will make, yet many are not adequately prepared for it. The Corporate [...]
Hiring General Counsel: Why You Need a Compliance-Minded GC
Financial regulation, new employee laws and cybersecurity all weigh heavily on the minds of today’s General Counsel. In fact, 98 percent of company directors said [...]
Hiring General Counsel: 4 Ways to Close the Deal
Today’s General Counsel is much more involved in shaping the direction of most companies, and the role continues to evolve. More than 71 percent of [...]
BarkerGilmore Announces Increase in Diversity Placements
BarkerGilmore, a New York-based executive search firm specializing in board member, general counsel and senior compliance officer assignments, celebrated industry-leading diversity placement rates in 2013. Last year, 47% of [...]
Recruiting General Counsel As A Crucial Legal and Business Partner
In a recent article “Seven Steps to GC Succession Success,” we explored how the concept and practice of succession planning have been expanding at many [...]
7 Steps to GC Succession Success
In a more intense regulatory environment, the GC role has taken center stage. While succession planning has become de rigueur for CEOs, increasingly, leading companies [...]
Recruiting and Retaining the Best Diversity GC Candidates
We see a growing awareness of the value of recruiting diversity to organizations… adding or at least systematically considering both women and minorities… and it [...]
