Tips for a Modern General Counsel

What does it really mean to be a General Counsel today?In a world of relentless regulatory change, technological disruption, and growing scrutiny of corporate behaviour, the role of the General Counsel has evolved far beyond that of a senior legal technician. It now sits at the very heart of organisational integrity.In Tips for a Modern General Counsel, Ian McDougall offers a candid, practical, and thought-provoking guide to one of the most demanding roles in contemporary business. Drawing on real-world insight and hard-earned experience, this book reframes the General Counsel not just as a legal advisor, but as a guardian of the rule of law, a strategic leader, and a moral compass within the organisation.From designing effective legal functions and navigating complex regulatory landscapes, to embedding ethical decision-making and leading through influence rather than authority, this book provides a blueprint for both new and experienced General Counsel. It tackles the uncomfortable realities of the role-when to push back, when to escalate, and when to walk away-and explores the tensions between commercial pressure and professional duty with refreshing honesty.At its core, this is a book about responsibility: to the organisation, to the profession, and to the rule of law itself. It challenges General Counsel to think beyond problem-solving and towards shaping the very conditions that prevent problems from arising in the first place.Practical, principled, and unflinchingly direct, this is an essential companion for anyone who believes that legal leadership should stand for something more.