How GCs are becoming the secret weapon driving business growth

A recent KPMG report spotlights the growing influence of the modern general counsel, whose evolving role is shaped by a rapidly shifting risk landscape driven by regulatory expansion, geopolitical uncertainty, and technological disruption.

Against this backdrop, businesses are increasingly turning to their legal leaders not just for counsel on compliance but also for advice that informs major strategic decisions, mitigates risk, and drives organisational growth.

The big four law firm survey underscored just how central general counsel have become, with 75 per cent of senior legal leaders reporting that they are regularly called upon to advise on non-legal matters – and nearly a quarter (23 per cent) saying this happens constantly.

On top of this, engagement with boards is equally strong, with 92 per cent of respondents reporting that they regularly interact with the board or equivalent governance bodies on regulatory matters.

These findings highlight the evolving realities of today’s general counsel, with KPMG noting that they operate at the “intersection of legal oversight, strategic judgement, and enterprise governance” – a role that demands far more than technical legal expertise.

Derek Hegarty, head of financial services and dispute resolutions at KPMG Law LLP (Ireland), expressed how general counsel are emerging as pivotal leaders, shaping legal influence while equipping organisations with the systems, skills, and technology for faster, smarter business decisions.

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“Across industries, the general counsel is becoming one of the enterprise’s most consequential leadership roles,” Hegarty said.

“The challenge now is not simply expanding legal influence, but ensuring the legal function has the structure, capabilities and technology needed to support faster and more complex business decisions.”

As the GC role expands, so too does the scope and impact of their influence.

When asked what leadership values most in their counsel, respondents emphasised guidance that balances risk with opportunity – cited by 53 per cent of survey participants – while 41 per cent highlighted the value of clear, practical recommendations that can be acted on immediately.

Additionally, general counsel themselves are highly confident in their ability to shape organisational performance, with the report finding that 96 per cent of respondents believe their role will actively contribute to enterprise growth over the next three years.

Nearly half of the respondents (47 per cent) also indicated that this is very likely to occur.

Eric Gorman, principal, legal business services at KPMG US, highlighted how the modern-day general counsel is a rare leader who fuses strategy, risk, and governance, empowering organisations to seize opportunities, drive value, and confidently navigate uncertainty.

“Few roles inside an organisation meld visibility and insight into strategy, risk and governance in the way the general counsel does,” Gorman said.

“That enterprise-wide perspective and judgement enables legal leaders to help their organisations pursue opportunity and create value with confidence while protecting the business against undue risks.”