By Mila Read Founder of GC Jobs
One of the questions I get asked often is: How do you find a remote General Counsel role, and how common are they?
For senior in-house lawyers, the appeal of remote work is clear. A fully remote role allows for flexibility, location independence, and a better work-life balance. Remote positions are particularly attractive for those who may want to:
With these goals in mind, let’s explore what “remote” really means for in-house legal roles, how common fully remote opportunities are, and where to focus your search to secure one.
When companies advertise a “remote” role, it can mean one of two things:
In my experience as a legal recruiter and a founder of a GC Job Board, over 95% of “remote” roles for in-house lawyers fall into the first category. Companies often prefer remote employees to be based in specific countries, particularly for legal roles that involve local compliance or regulatory issues. This is especially true in sectors like finance, where regulations vary by jurisdiction.
A select few companies—mainly those in the tech industry—offer truly global roles, allowing lawyers to work from virtually anywhere.
For example, one of the companies featured in my General Counsel Jobs newsletter recently was “Remote” (yes, that’s their company name), a payroll and HR tech provider that hires globally. They were seeking a Legal Director who could be based anywhere within EMEA or the U.S. East Coast.
For lawyers who want to be truly location-independent, remote-first companies are a great place to start. These organizations are structured for distributed teams and often open to global hires. Here are a few examples:
These companies often offer the flexibility to work from anywhere, and they tend to be more open to lawyers who want to combine career advancement with location flexibility.
One thing to consider in a remote role, particularly if you’re interested in working from various locations, is the need for a work permit.
Even if a role is fully remote, companies typically require that employees have legal work authorization in the country where they’re based. Visa sponsorship by employers is rare unless the role is truly niche (meaning very few professionals in the world can fill it).
Securing a remote general counsel job requires a focused search strategy. Here are several methods that have worked well for senior in-house lawyers:
Remote in-house roles, particularly at the senior level, are highly competitive and often filled quickly. By setting up alerts, you’ll be among the first to know about new opportunities.
One of the most effective strategies for finding remote GC roles is to network directly with decision-makers, particularly within remote-first companies. Here’s how to approach this:
Many senior lawyers I’ve spoken with have successfully bypassed the flood of applications by networking directly with key decision-makers before roles even go public.
In many cases, in-house roles advertised as “hybrid” may actually offer more flexibility than the job description suggests.
When I’m briefed on a vacancy, around 30% of hiring managers indicate that the role could be fully remote for the right candidate. If you see a hybrid role that seems like a strong match, consider applying and then exploring the possibility of full-time remote work during the interview.
If you have the skills and experience they are looking for, you may find that companies are more flexible than they initially appear.
Sometimes, the easiest way to work remotely is by negotiating with your current employer. If you’re in a role where remote work is feasible, propose a trial period to demonstrate that you can manage responsibilities effectively from a distance. Many line managers are open to this arrangement once they see that it works smoothly.
If you'd like to work remotely to be able to spend time in other countries, an option is to consider a digital nomad visa. These visas are designed for remote workers employed by companies outside the host country and often come with tax incentives and long-term stay options. Some of the countries offering digital nomad visas include:
This two-step approach—a remote role and a digital nomad visa—may be ideal for lawyers who wish to combine location independence with a stable, remote legal career.
Before committing to a remote role, it's worth considering whether full-time remote work or location flexibility better meets your needs.
Many tech companies, including major multinationals, allow employees to work abroad several weeks each year. By combining this flexibility with annual leave, you may enjoy extended stays abroad without needing a permanent remote arrangement.
If you are looking for a remote senior in-house role, our GC Jobs Newsletter regularly features these opportunities: they are clearly marked as Remote.