How to Be Corporate Attorney - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 9, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The demand for corporate attorneys has risen rapidly in recent years as businesses look to protect their investments and ensure compliance with applicable laws. This increased demand has led to higher salaries for corporate attorneys, as well as more job opportunities in the field. In addition, many firms now offer specialized corporate attorney positions to meet the varied needs of their clients.

Furthermore, corporate attorneys are increasingly sought out for their expertise on topics such as mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, corporate governance, and securities law. this increased demand for corporate attorneys has led to a surge in the number of law school graduates entering this field, creating a highly competitive job market.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Most corporate attorneys have at least a bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics or a related field. Courses in history, political science and English are also beneficial.
Take the Law School Admission Test. A score of at least 150 on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for admittance to most law schools. Achieving a higher score will increase your chances of admittance to a more prestigious law school.
Obtain a Juris Doctor Degree. A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is required to practice law in most states. A JD program typically takes three years to complete and includes courses in constitutional law, contracts, torts, property law, criminal law and legal writing.
Take the Bar Exam. After graduating from law school, you must pass the bar exam in order to be licensed to practice law in your state. Most states require that you pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) as well.
Gain Experience. Corporate attorneys usually gain experience by working as an associate in a law firm or by working in-house for a corporation or government agency. It is important to gain as much experience as possible in order to qualify for higher paying positions.
Get Certified. In some states, you may be able to become certified as a corporate attorney by passing the Corporate Law Certification Exam. This exam tests your knowledge of corporate law and governance and is administered by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification.

The ability to keep updated and capable as a corporate attorney requires a significant commitment of time and effort. To stay current, attorneys must stay abreast of the law, relevant regulations, and legal trends in their areas of practice. They must also be able to effectively use technology, including understanding the implications of cloud computing, data security, and privacy laws.

Attorneys must also have excellent communication and writing skills, so they can effectively interact with clients, opposing counsel, and the court. attorneys need to develop relationships with key people in their industry, and stay aware of the latest trends and developments. By doing so, corporate attorneys can be assured that their knowledge and skills remain up-to-date, allowing them to provide the highest quality service to their clients.

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Job Description

Draft, review and negotiate a variety of legal documents, such as contracts, licenses, and other agreements.
Advise clients on corporate governance matters and state and federal laws and regulations.
Monitor changes in relevant legislation and advise clients on potential impacts.
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
Advise clients on mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions.
Manage multiple legal projects simultaneously, including supervision of outside counsel.
Analyze complex business and legal issues and develop creative solutions for clients.
Research and investigate facts to determine the strengths and weaknesses of cases.
Prepare legal opinions, reports, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and other documents.
Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of corporate compliance programs.

Skills and Competencies to Have

In-depth knowledge of corporate governance, corporate law, and securities regulations
Ability to draft, review and negotiate contracts, agreements, and other legal documents
Familiarity with state, federal and international laws related to the establishment and operation of businesses
Understanding of mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and financial regulations
Ability to provide advice on corporate compliance matters
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to develop creative solutions to complex legal issues
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously
Knowledge of litigation procedures and court rules

Having excellent communication skills is essential for any corporate attorney. The ability to effectively communicate legal knowledge and advice to both clients and colleagues is key. Without strong communication skills, corporate attorneys may struggle to explain complex legal concepts, which can lead to misunderstandings and costly mistakes.

Furthermore, corporate attorneys must be able to build trust with clients and colleagues and negotiate on their behalf, which requires excellent interpersonal skills. With strong communication skills, corporate attorneys can increase client satisfaction, build relationships with colleagues, and negotiate more favorably on behalf of their clients.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in corporate law?
How familiar are you with the relevant local, state and federal laws that affect corporations?
What specific strategies do you use to advise corporate clients on legal matters?
How do you ensure that your advice is in line with a companys corporate objectives?
What is your experience with mergers and acquisitions?
How comfortable are you with dealing with complex business transactions?
What strategies do you use to ensure compliance with applicable corporate laws?
How do you handle difficult situations when advising corporate clients?
What is your experience with corporate litigation?
How do you ensure that your advice meets a companys ethical standards?

Common Tools in Industry

Contract Management Software. A software tool used to manage contracts and their associated documents. (eg: DocuSign)
Corporate Governance Software. A software tool used to ensure compliance with corporate governance regulations. (eg: BoardEffect)
Legal Research Software. A software tool used to conduct legal research. (eg: Westlaw)
Document Management Software. A software tool used to store, organize, and share documents. (eg: Microsoft SharePoint)
Virtual Data Room Software. A software tool used to provide secure access to confidential documents during due diligence. (eg: iDeals Solutions)
Client Relationship Management Software. A software tool used to manage relationships with clients. (eg: Salesforce)
eDiscovery Software. A software tool used to identify, collect, and analyze electronic data for use in litigation. (eg: Relativity)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Bar Association (ABA)
Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
American Corporate Counsel Association (ACCA)
National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
American Corporate Governance Institute (ACGI)
The National Law Review (NLR)
International Bar Association (IBA)
Business Law Section of the American Bar Association (BLS-ABA)
International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN)
Society of Corporate Secretaries & Governance Professionals (SCSGP)

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Common Important Terms

Corporate Law. The area of law that deals with the formation and operation of a corporation, including the legal rights and obligations of shareholders, directors, and officers.
Mergers & Acquisitions. The process of combining two or more companies in order to increase market share, gain a competitive advantage, or increase profits.
Securities Law. The area of law that deals with the buying and selling of securities, such as stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments.
Tax Law. The area of law that deals with the taxation of individuals, businesses, and organizations.
Contract Law. The area of law that deals with the creation and enforcement of contracts between parties.
Litigation. The process of bringing a legal dispute before a court or other tribunal for resolution.
Intellectual Property Law. The area of law that deals with the protection of intellectual property rights, such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
Antitrust Law. The area of law that seeks to promote competition by preventing anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing and monopolies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Corporate Attorney?

A Corporate Attorney is a lawyer who specializes in providing legal advice and services to businesses. They may be involved in everything from helping with the formation of a business to overseeing transactions and managing disputes.

What type of knowledge do Corporate Attorneys need?

Corporate Attorneys need to have a thorough understanding of business law, including corporate governance, contracts, securities law, taxation, intellectual property and more. They must also be familiar with relevant regulations, case law, and other legal precedents.

What does a Corporate Attorney do?

The primary responsibility of a Corporate Attorney is to provide legal advice to their clients on various business matters. This may include drafting and negotiating contracts, advising on mergers and acquisitions, resolving disputes, and representing clients in court.

How much does a Corporate Attorney earn?

The median salary for a Corporate Attorney is about $127,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, salaries can range from $105,000 to $164,000 depending on experience and location.

What qualifications are required to become a Corporate Attorney?

To become a Corporate Attorney, you must have a bachelors degree and then attend law school to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. You must also pass the bar exam in your state and obtain a license to practice law.