What Is The Pecking Order Of In-House Titles?

Some companies are flat — even partners come in as “Counsel.” At other companies, it seems like every other person is an AGC. Despite the variation across companies on titles, the standard pecking order is, from junior to senior:

1. Assistant (or Associate) Corporate Counsel. Companies usually don’t have such a junior position.
2. Corporate Counsel.
3. Senior Counsel (or Senior Corporate/Litigation/Commercial/IP Counsel).
4. Assistant General Counsel. Rare.
5. Associate General Counsel. This title is usually on par with Director.
6. Deputy General Counsel.
7. General Counsel.
8. Chief Legal Officer. If there is already a GC, CLO is usually above GC. Sometimes GC and CLO are the same person.

Remember: don’t get too caught up in titles. Recognizing that titles are different across companies, employers are looking at your roles and responsibilities and whether they broadened and deepened over time.