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 Counsel Report today. The data was collected from a random sample of in-house counsel throughout the United States via an online survey administered in September 2023.

“BarkerGilmore is unique because we offer executive coaching and advising services to General Counsel and their teams,” said Managing Partner Bob Barker. ‘The value of this coaching is evident in the survey findings. In-house counsel who have received executive coaching are nine percentage points more likely to be identified as a General Counsel successor. Our coaching clients are regularly promoted to General Counsel after completing an engagement.”

Key trends revealed by the report include:

Management-Identified Successors

• Forty-two percent of Managing Counsel and 11% of Senior Counsel report being identified by management as potential successors to the sitting General Counsel.
• Being identified as a potential successor is more likely to keep Senior Counsel (60%) from pursuing other opportunities than Managing Counsel (42%).
• In-house counsel who have received executive coaching (35%) are more likely to be identified as a successor than their counterparts without executive coaching (26%).
• Consistent with the 2023 General Counsel Succession Report findings, most identified successors are currently Deputy General Counsel (58%).
• Women are slightly more likely to be identified as a successor than men (53% vs. 47%). This is especially true at non-profits (60% women vs. 40% men) and private companies (59% women vs. 41% men).
• Women are most likely to have been identified as a potential successor within the consumer (75%), industrial/manufacturing (60%), and financial industries (56%).
• Twenty-three percent of potential successors identify as a race/ethnicity other than ‘white.’

Professional Development

• Thirty-seven percent of Managing Counsel and 20% of Senior Counsel have worked with an executive coach in their current position. The coach was most likely to be an external service provider for both Managing Counsel (91%) and Senior Counsel (74%). Managing Counsel (71%) and Senior Counsel (73%) found the coaching valuable or extremely valuable.
• Management-identified successors generally receive professional development at higher rates than Managing Counsel or Senior Counsel. The top four types of professional development for all groups were expanded scope of responsibility, increased board exposure, leadership training, and stretch assignments.

Aspiring General Counsel

• Most aspiring General Counsel have been in their roles for two years or less (38% Managing Counsel; 49% Senior Counsel).
• Senior Counsel were most likely to find their current role via a job posting (38%). In contrast, Managing Counsel were recruited directly (22%), contacted by a friend or colleague (21%), or contacted by an executive recruiter (20%).
• Managing Counsel let management know of their interest in becoming a General Counsel at higher rates than Senior Counsel (72% vs. 61%).

To download the complete study, access the 2024 Aspiring General Counsel Report.

About BarkerGilmore

Founded in 2006, BarkerGilmore is a boutique executive search, coaching, and advisory firm dedicated to building high-performing and diverse legal and compliance teams that drive business success.

Our distinguished team of professionals, including renowned General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officers, alongside expert executive search consultants, sets us apart. The combined national reach, established industry relationships, and proven CustomFit^SM assessment process ensure we excel in executing the most demanding and high-profile searches. Our team’s broad industry experience empowers us to assist clients in recruiting and developing top-tier talent effectively.

We measure our success by our high client satisfaction rates, exceptional search completion rates, strong diversity track record, and impressive stick rates.