The role of General Counsel has never been more demanding: cuts on spending and doing more for less; a demanding board and Executive Committee; and a plethora of law and regulation. This Special Report, by Ian White and Simon McCall, seeks to help address some of these challenges. By guiding you through the first 100 days in a significant role, it will show you how to navigate between acting as wise counsel to management while leading your team successfully. It also covers: working with the board; coaching; developing a legal strategy; taking on the company secretarial role; and developing your career within legal and beyond. This Special Report is a must-read for any current or aspiring GC, in-house legal teams, HR directors, CEOs and private practice lawyers who wish to know what to expect from the in-house teams.

1. Introduction - why you need this Guide 2. The First 100 Days - Legal Consiglieri or functional manager? 3. What have you been dealt? a. Start up b. Enhancing an effective team c. Rebuilding a demoralised one 4. The Legal Team and a. Strategy - aligning yourself to Group strategy b. Operations and IT c. Finance d. Marketing and Sales e. HR and People f. Other departments 5. Building, coaching and mentoring your team 6. Securing your reputation within the business 7. The GC and the Board 8. Taking on the Company Secretary mantle 9. Developing your role inside and outside of the confines of the Legal Team 10. Looking back and reinventing yourself 11. The next episode... Appendix 1. Useful sources 2. Models 3. Acknowledgements