---
title: First General Counsel Advice
description: First General Counsel Advice
---

[![2012 PLRisk Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2012%20PLRisk%20Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM.png?width=1650&height=500&name=2012%20PLRisk%20Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM.png "2012 PLRisk Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM")](https://plrisk.com/)

[![PL Risk](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Pl_Risk_June_2020/images/plrisk-50x140-logo.png?width=300&height=300&name=plrisk-50x140-logo.png "PL Risk")](https://plrisk.com/)

- [HOME](https://plrisk.com/)
- [CUSTOMER CENTER](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Make A Payment](https://plrisk.epaypolicy.com/)
    - [Submit An Application](https://www.plrisk.com/applications/)
    - [Confirmation of Coverage](mailto:info@plrisk.com)
    - [Download Applications](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [File a Claim](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [Claim Scenarios](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [Industry Tools](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [Free Cyber Hotline](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [Get Appointed](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- [INDUSTRIES WE SERVE](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Architects & Engineers](https://plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [Financial Institutions](https://plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [Healthcare / Medical](https://plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [Insurance](https://plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [Technology](https://plrisk.com/technology/)
    - [Consulting](https://plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [Legal](https://plrisk.com/legal)
    - [Real Estate](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [Media](https://plrisk.com/media)
    - [Miscellaneous Services](https://plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
- [PRODUCTS](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Overview](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [Errors and Omissions](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [Directors and Officers](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [Employment Practices](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [Cybersecurity](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [Fiduciary](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS 
    - [Reps and Warranties Sell](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-SellSide-Onesheet.pdf)
    - [Reps and Warranties](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-Onesheet.pdf)
- CANNABIS 
    - [Overview](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
    - [Account Highlights](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-account%20highlights_Onesheet-V2.pdf)
    - [Commercial Property](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-commercial-property/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-commercial-crime)
    - [Cyber Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-12-CANNABIS-Cyber-Insurance-Onesheet-V8.pdf)
    - [D&O](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-D%26O-Onesheet-V1.pdf)
    - [E&O](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-E%26O-Onesheet-V1.pdf)
    - [EPLI](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-10-CANNABIS-Employment-Practices-Liability-Onesheet-V9.pdf)
    - [General Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-02-CANNABIS-General-Liability-Onesheet-V4-1.pdf)
    - [Product Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-03-CANNABIS-Product-Liability-Onesheet-V2-4.pdf)
    - [Workers’ Comp](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-05-CANNABIS-Workers-Compensation-Onesheet-Reduced.pdf)
- [SELECT](https://www.plrisk.com/products/select-division/)
- [ABOUT](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Our Team](https://plrisk.com/our-team/)
    - [Careers](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
    - [Our Charity](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
- NEWSROOM 
    - [Blog](https://blog.plrisk.com)
    - [Newsletters](https://www.plrisk.com/plr-newsletters/)
- QUOTE ONLINE 
    - [Hiscox NOW Small Business Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)
    - [Custom Quote](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)

- CUSTOMER  
  CENTER
  
  
  
    - [MAKE A PAYMENT](https://plrisk.epaypolicy.com/)
    - [SUBMIT AN APPLICATION](https://www.plrisk.com/applications/)
    - [CONFIRMATION OF COVERAGE](mailto:info@plrisk.com)
    - [DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [FILE A CLAIM](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [CLAIM SCENARIOS](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [INDUSTRY TOOLS](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [FREE CYBER HOTLINE](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [GET APPOINTED](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- INDUSTRIES  
  WE SERVE
  
  
  
    - [TITLE AGENTS & MORTGAGE BROKERS](https://www.plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [REAL ESTATE](https://www.plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [LEGAL](https://www.plrisk.com/legal/)
    - [MEDIA](https://www.plrisk.com/media/)
    - [ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS](https://www.plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [CONSULTING](https://www.plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [MISC. SERVICES](https://www.plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
    - [HEALTHCARE MEDICAL](https://www.plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [INSURANCE](https://www.plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [TECHNOLOGY](https://www.plrisk.com/technology/)
    - [SPACs](https://www.plrisk.com/spacs/)
- PRODUCTS
  
  
  
    - [PRODUCTS OVERVIEW](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [Errors & Omissions](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [Directors & Officers](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [EPLI](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [Fiduciary Liability](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [Cybersecurity](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- [MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PLR-Managing-Insurance-Coverage-eBook-03272023.pdf)
  
  
  
    - [Reps and Warranties](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-Onesheet.pdf)
    - [Reps and Warranties Sell](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-SellSide-Onesheet.pdf)
- [CANNABIS](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
  
  
  
    - [Overview](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
    - [Account Highlights](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-account%20highlights_Onesheet-V2.pdf)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-commercial-crime)
    - [Commercial Property](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-commercial-property/)
    - [Cyber Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-cyber-liability/)
    - [D&O](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-directors-officers-do-liability/)
    - [E&O](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-errors-omissions-eo/)
    - [EPLI](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-employment-practices-liability/)
    - [General Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-general-liability/)
    - [Product Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-product-liability/)
    - [Workers’ Comp](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-workers-compensation/)
- [SELECT](https://www.plrisk.com/products/select-division/)
- ABOUT
  
  
  
    - [Our Team](https://plrisk.com/about-us/)
    - [Our Charity](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
    - [Careers](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
- NEWSROOM
  
  
  
    - [BLOG](https://blog.plrisk.com)
    - [NEWSLETTERS](https://www.plrisk.com/plr-newsletters/)
- QUOTE  
  ONLINE
  
  
  
    - [Hiscox NOW Small Business Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)
    - [Custom Quote](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)

×

### Get A Quote

# First General Counsel Advice

[Mike Smith](https://blog.plrisk.com/author/mike-smith)

 Apr 11, 2016, 4:47:19 PM

[![First General Counsel Advice](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_334043420-300x200.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=shutterstock_334043420-300x200.jpg)](http://www.plrisk.com/blog/first-general-counsel-advice/shutterstock_334043420/)Becoming a company’s first general counsel is both rewarding and challenging. While your clients are able to make their stamp on the company, there are undoubtedly going to be hurdles and inadequate processes that need to be overcome. Therefore, it’s important that these professionals maintain their [Lawyer Professional Liability](http://www.plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions/attorneys) insurance during this transition.

In addition to providing legal advice to the company, outdated processes and procedures need to be revamped by general counsel. This includes improving the organizational structure of the company and improving their processes to be compliant with regulations and law standards.

One such example is Liz Verrier who is the general counsel for B2R financing. As she discussed with [Inside Counsel](http://www.insidecounsel.com/), her immediate focus was to reduce outside counsel spending. After speaking with employees in both offices, Verrier soon realized that “any and everybody \[within the company\] was contacting outside counsel, sometimes on the same exact issue,” says the article. As this was costing the company upwards of $600 an hour, she was proactive about redirecting all legal advice to her before seeking any outside counsel, thus reducing spending significantly.

What’s more, general counsel doesn’t often get the luxury of becoming acquainted with the new company and their practices before they are thrown into their work. This can cause many attorneys to be placed out of their comfort zone. Furthermore, in-house counsel is the only resource for the company and client requests and deadlines need to be met regardless of the lack of time or staff.

While becoming general counsel is an ideal career step for many attorneys, they are naturally going to face many challenges. However, with time, practice, and the right insurance protection, these issues can be mitigated.

In addition to bringing you the latest news from the insurance industry,[ PL Risk](http://www.plrisk.com/) provides[ Resources for Agents and Brokers](http://www.plrisk.com/for-agents/) nationwide. We’ve recently implemented[ Hiscox Now](http://www.plrisk.com/hiscox-now/), which allows agents their own access to Hiscox and instant quoting. To learn more about our operations, contact us today at (855) 403-5982.

## Recent Posts

- [Tracking Cookies Beginning to Run Afoul of Consumer Data Protection Laws](https://blog.plrisk.com/tracking-cookies-beginning-to-run-afoul-of-consumer-data-protection-laws)
- [PLRisk welcomes Jeffery Phi to their growing Wholesale Broker roster](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-welcomes-jeffery-phi-to-their-growing-wholesale-broker-roster)
- [PLRisk Welcomes Michelle Delaney as Wholesale Account Manager](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-welcomes-michelle-delany-as-wholesale-account-manager)
- [PLRisk Spotlights Rachel Coughlin](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-spotlights-rachael-coughlin)
- [PLRisk congratulates Matt Culkin on joining NJYIP Board](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-congratulates-matt-culkin-on-joining-njyip-board)

Search

### Share this post

[![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Ffirst-general-counsel-advice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Ffirst-general-counsel-advice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Ffirst-general-counsel-advice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Ffirst-general-counsel-advice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Ffirst-general-counsel-advice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Ffirst-general-counsel-advice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

### Subscribe to our blog

[![PLRisk-LogoWhite](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PLRisk-LogoWhite.png?width=400&height=123&name=PLRisk-LogoWhite.png "PLRisk-LogoWhite")](https://plrisk.com/)

### Stay connected to learn the latest from PLRisk

By clicking submit I agree to the  [Privacy Policy](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)  and [Terms & Conditions.](https://www.plrisk.com/terms-conditions/)

###### 795 Franklin Avenue, Suite 210 Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 Tel: (855) 403-5982 Fax: 201-847-9174

- RESOURCES 
    - [DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [FILE A CLAIM](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [CLAIM SCENARIOS](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [INDUSTRY TOOLS](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [FREE CYBER HOTLINE](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [GET APPOINTED](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- PRODUCTS 
    - [PRODUCTS OVERVIEW](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [ERRORS & OMISSIONS](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [DIRECTORS & OFFICERS](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [COMMERCIAL CRIME](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [FIDUCIARY LIABILITY](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [CYBERSECURITY](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- PROFESSIONS 
    - [TITLE AGENTS & MORTGAGE BROKERS](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [REAL ESTATE](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [LEGAL](https://plrisk.com/legal)
    - [MEDIA](https://plrisk.com/media)
    - [ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS](https://plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [FINANCIAL INST.](https://plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [CONSULTING](https://plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [MISC. SERVICES](https://plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
    - [HEALTHCARE/MEDICAL](https://plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [INSURANCE](https://plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [TECHNOLOGY](https://plrisk.com/technology/)
- ABOUT 
    - [OUR TEAM](https://www.plrisk.com/about-us/)
    - [BLOG](https://blog.plrisk.com/)
    - [OUR CHARITY](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
    - [CAREERS](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
    - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)
    - [TERMS & CONDITIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/terms-conditions/)
    - [ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT](https://www.plrisk.com/accessibility-statement/)
    - [STATE LICENSES](https://www.plrisk.com/state-licenses/)

Copyright © 2023 PLRisk | All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)

PLRisk Specialty Insurance Agency LLC is a licensed insurance broker legally operating in the state of New Jersey under license number NJ 3002329782 and in California DBA NJ PLRisk Specialty Insurance Agency LLC, License number CA 6009937