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 released its annual 2023 In-House Counsel Compensation Report. The data was collected from a random sample of in-house counsel throughout the United States via an online survey administered in March 2023.

“This year’s report reveals new insights related to practice areas, General Counsel Compensation, and portfolio company compensation compared to private and public companies,” said John Gilmore, Founding Partner of BarkerGilmore. “Overall, 2022 compensation remained strong, and companies continued to motivate and reward their teams. BarkerGilmore had an outstanding year placing women and minority candidates into leadership positions – I am very proud.”

Key Findings:

• Overall Annual Compensation Rates: The median total compensation across all industries was down 3% from 2021. Base compensation was flat and LTI was up 10%, but bonuses realized a 23% loss from 2021. The energy industry realized the only total compensation increase at 3%. Total compensation for the consumer industry was down 7%.
• New Positions: Eleven percent of respondents obtained a new position in 2022, a decrease of 1 percentage point from 2021. Forty percent of new legal positions received sign-on bonuses, an 8% increase from 2021. Managing Counsel were the most likely to receive a sign-on bonus at 46%. General Counsel were the least likely to receive a sign-on bonus (36%); however, the General Counsel median sign-on bonus was significantly higher ($75,000) than that of Managing Counsel ($28,000) and Senior Counsel ($20,000). The number of lawyers in their roles for 1-5 years was up 7 percentage points from the prior year, reflective of the historic hiring that took place in 2021.
• The Value of Law School Rank/Law Firm Experience: The largest group of in-house lawyers went to top law schools and worked at top law firms (General Counsel 27%, Managing Counsel 25%, Senior Counsel 17%). On average, in-house lawyers who went to top 50 law schools make 30% more than law schools ranked 100+. Additionally, in-house lawyers who worked at AM Top 50 law firms make 52% more than those without law firm experience. In-house lawyers who went to top law firms and top law schools make 76% more in total compensation than lawyers who didn’t go to a top school and didn’t work at a firm.
• General Counsel Reporting and Responsibilities: Eighty-five percent of General Counsel report to the CEO. In addition to their General Counsel responsibilities, 68% of General Counsel act as Corporate Secretary, 54% as Chief Compliance Officer, and 15% are responsible for Government Affairs. General Counsel that act as Corporate Secretary make 50% more than those that do not. General Counsel who act as Chief Compliance Officer make 25% more than those that do not. Finally, General Counsel who handle Government Affairs make 42% more than those that do not. Three other responsibilities, Risk, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer were negatively correlated with total General Counsel compensation.
• Company Types: Public companies continued to surpass private and portfolio total compensation at all in-house position levels. As we would expect, General Counsel at portfolio companies have significant long-term incentive compensation relative to their peers at private and public companies. Base compensation was flat or down for Managing Counsel and Senior Counsel at public and private companies; bonuses were also down for both positions.
• Practice Area Highs & Lows: This year saw interesting changes and new industry leaders. Download our report to see the practice areas that pay the most and the least.

To view the complete study, download the 2023 In-House Counsel Compensation 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.