Knowing when to hire a General Counsel (GC) is an important decision for growing businesses. Many organisations initially rely on external law firms, but as a company scales, bringing legal expertise in-house can support strategic growth and better risk management.
A General Counsel is the senior legal leader within a business, responsible for legal strategy, corporate governance, compliance and managing legal risk. Beyond providing legal advice, a GC acts as a strategic advisor to leadership, helping guide major commercial and operational decisions.
Common signs it may be time to hire a General Counsel include increasing legal spend with external law firms, rapid business growth, expansion into new markets, more complex commercial contracts, or preparation for investment, acquisition or exit.
Many companies hire their first GC when revenue reaches £20m–£50m or when legal demands become more complex.
Hiring a General Counsel at the right stage can reduce legal risk, control costs and support long-term business growth.