CCI staff share recent surveys, reports and analysis on risk, compliance, governance, infosec and leadership issues. Share details of your survey with us: editor@corporatecomplianceinsights.com.
60% of GCs weighing job search this year
In-house counsel compensation, including for general counsel, managing counsel and senior counsel, rose by an average of 2.8% in 2025, slower than the previous year’s increase of 4.4%, and perhaps unsurprisingly, about 60% of in-house counsel are considering a job search in the next year, according to newly released data from BarkerGilmore.
The executive search firm’s report, based on surveys with more than 2,700 people working in in-house counsel roles in the US, examined total compensation for corporate legal professionals across industries, organization type and revenue.
Though the survey was conducted in March before recent market upheaval related to the introduction of tariffs in the US, many legal professionals expressed concerns about job security. A combined 39% said they were either “very” or “somewhat” concerned about job security, an unexpected finding.
“Given the essential role of the legal function at most companies, and because our research was conducted before major disruption related to government restructuring or financial market volatility, we are somewhat surprised at this level of concern among in-house counsel,” managing partner John Gilmore said.
Other notable findings:
- Public companies offered the highest salaries with the average general counsel (GC) making more than $4.5 million in total compensation, followed by those at private companies ($3.3 million), private equity-backed portfolio companies ($2.8 million) and nonprofits ($2 million).
- The gender pay gap widened, with women GCs being paid 5.4% less than their male counterparts, up from 4.3% in 2023.
- 64% of GCs say they hold a “trusted adviser” role in their organizations, much higher than managing counsel (49%) and senior counsel (37%).
63% of executives expect financial crime to increase in 2025
Business leaders are underprepared for mounting risks across multiple fronts, with less than 40% feeling very prepared to address cybersecurity incidents, according to a new survey by AlixPartners. The study of 1,000 senior executives in legal, regulatory/compliance and risk functions reveals that organizations face threats from escalating financial crime, regulatory changes and technology vulnerabilities — yet most lack sufficient preparation to address these challenges.
The consulting firm’s survey, conducted in February, found that 63% of respondents believe financial crime will increase in the next 12 months, even as regulatory enforcement is expected to ease. Meanwhile, more than 60% of organizations are insufficiently prepared to address nearly all the risks identified in the report.
Other key findings:
- Nearly 70% of respondents believe corporate litigation will increase in 2025.
- Fewer than half of respondents feel very prepared to adapt to potential regulatory changes.
- Less than 40% of organizations consider themselves very prepared to address cybersecurity incidents, data privacy breaches and digital disruption.
“As threat actors grow more coordinated and technology advances at breakneck speed, firms can no longer afford to operate with siloed cybersecurity functions and outdated response plans,” said Beth Musumeci, global leader of cyber at AlixPartners. “The most forward-looking companies are embedding cyber risk into enterprise-wide strategy — treating it not just as an IT issue, but as a board-level imperative tied directly to brand, innovation and market value.”
