Corporate Counsel Onboarding Process
Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Corporate Counsel starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Legal onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Corporate Counsel, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Corporate Counsel onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
Corporate Counsel Onboarding Checklist
1. Introduction to the company: The new Corporate Counsel should be provided with a comprehensive introduction to the company, including its history, mission, values, organizational structure, and key stakeholders. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.
2. Orientation to the legal department: The new Corporate Counsel should receive an orientation specific to the legal department, which includes an overview of the team’s roles and responsibilities, reporting structure, ongoing projects, and any specific policies or procedures. This task is usually performed by the Head of Legal or a senior member of the legal team.
3. Review of company policies and procedures: The new Corporate Counsel should be given access to and thoroughly review all relevant company policies and procedures, including those related to legal and compliance matters. This task can be performed by the HR department or the legal team, depending on the company’s structure.
4. Familiarization with legal systems and databases: The new Corporate Counsel should be provided with training and access to the legal systems and databases used by the company, such as case management software, contract management tools, and legal research platforms. This task is typically performed by the IT department or the legal operations team.
5. Introduction to key internal stakeholders: The new Corporate Counsel should be introduced to key internal stakeholders, such as executives, department heads, and other legal team members. This task can be facilitated by the Head of Legal or a designated mentor within the legal department.
6. Introduction to external legal partners: The new Corporate Counsel should be introduced to external legal partners, such as law firms or consultants, who work closely with the company. This task is usually performed by the Head of Legal or a senior member of the legal team.
7. Review of ongoing legal matters: The new Corporate Counsel should receive a comprehensive review of any ongoing legal matters, including pending litigation, regulatory compliance issues, or contract negotiations. This task is typically performed by the Head of Legal or a designated attorney responsible for the specific matter.
8. Training on company-specific legal matters: The new Corporate Counsel should receive training on any company-specific legal matters, such as industry regulations, intellectual property rights, or data privacy laws. This task is usually performed by the Head of Legal or a subject matter expert within the legal team.
9. Introduction to company culture and values: The new Corporate Counsel should be provided with an introduction to the company’s culture and values, including any specific ethical guidelines or codes of conduct. This task can be performed by the HR department or the legal team, depending on the company’s approach.
10. Shadowing and mentoring opportunities: The new Corporate Counsel should be given opportunities to shadow and learn from experienced attorneys within the legal department. This can include attending meetings, participating in negotiations, or reviewing legal documents under supervision. This task is typically facilitated by the Head of Legal or a designated mentor within the legal team
Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process
From reading through the items in the example Corporate Counsel checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Corporate Counsel up to speed and working well in your Legal team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.