General Counsel Jobs in California

General Counsel jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, entertainment, biotech, and financial services, with openings at every level from associate general counsel to chief legal officer. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Netflix, and Qualcomm maintain significant legal operations. Corporate governance, data privacy under California law, and employment litigation are the specialties drawing the most consistent demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find General Counsel Jobs

Overview

Open roles127+
Top employerMeta
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring42
Work type39% Hybrid
Top industryMedia

Showing 5 of 127+ General Counsel jobs

Associate General Counsel - Sales/BU Support, Boise or San Jose
We won't show you this job again
Added 1d ago
Associate General Counsel - Sales/BU Support, Boise or San Jose
Micron Technology
San Jose, California
Compliance & Legal
Corporate Development & M&A
Legal Counsel
$128k - $298k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Assistant General Counsel
We won't show you this job again
Added 2d ago
Assistant General Counsel
Swinerton
San Francisco, California
Compliance & Legal
Consulting & Professional Services
Legal Counsel
$200k - $220k/yr
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Part-Time General Counsel
We won't show you this job again
Added 2d ago
Part-Time General Counsel
UNIS
Walnut, California
Account Management
Business Development
Sales
$100 - $140/hr
501-1,000

Have you applied for this role?

Assistant General Counsel, Corporate & Securities
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Assistant General Counsel, Corporate & Securities
Accuray
Sunnyvale, California
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
Paralegal & Legal Support
Remote (US)
Bachelor of Science
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Associate General Counsel, Distinguished
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Associate General Counsel, Distinguished
Blue Shield of California
Oakland, California
Compliance & Legal
Corporate Development & M&A
Legal Counsel
$219k - $319k/yr
Remote (US)
Managed care organization experience
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

See All 127+ General Counsel Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find General Counsel Jobs

General Counsel Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
14 jobs
San Jose
11 jobs
Menlo Park
9 jobs
San Diego
8 jobs
Oakland
5 jobs
Palo Alto
5 jobs
Irvine
3 jobs
Sunnyvale
3 jobs

General Counsel Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Meta19
  • MrBeast8
  • Intuit7
  • CoreSite4
  • PICO California3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Media & Entertainment
  • Technology & Software
  • Insurance
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Banking & Financial Services

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in general counsel jobs across California.

  • Active membership in the State Bar of California required
  • Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
  • Significant experience advising on California employment and corporate law
  • Background in data privacy compliance, including CCPA and CPRA regulations
  • Demonstrated ability to manage outside counsel and litigation matters
  • Experience supporting M&A, financing rounds, or board-level governance work

General Counsel Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a general counsel in California?

To become a general counsel in California, you must be an active member of the State Bar of California, which requires passing the California Bar Exam and satisfying character and fitness requirements administered by the State Bar. Most general counsel roles also require a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and years of practice in a relevant specialty such as corporate, employment, or intellectual property law before moving into an in-house leadership role.

How much do general counsels make in California?

General counsels in California earn a median of about $195,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,950 for the lowest 10% to over $369,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire general counsels in California?

Employers hiring general counsels in California right now include Meta, MrBeast, and Intuit, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of publicly traded technology companies, major entertainment studios, and life sciences firms means in-house legal demand is broad and consistent across industries.

Which California cities have the most general counsel jobs?

San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose have the most general counsel openings in California. Los Angeles drives demand through its entertainment, media, and private equity sectors, San Francisco and the broader Bay Area reflect the concentration of technology and venture-backed companies, and San Diego's biotech and defense industries anchor hiring in the south.

Are there remote general counsel jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most legal roles, since general counsel work is primarily advisory and document-driven rather than courtroom-based. About 69% of general counsel openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of in-house legal work. Contract review, compliance advising, and board communication are the functions most commonly handled fully remotely.

How can I get hired as a general counsel in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a junior in-house counsel or legal operations role at a California technology or biotech company, which routinely hire recent law school graduates and junior associates for contract management, compliance support, and regulatory work. Large California employers such as major tech firms and hospital systems run structured associate legal programs for candidates early in their careers. Building experience in a California-focused practice area like CCPA compliance or employment law at a firm first makes the transition to in-house work significantly easier.

Where can I find and apply to general counsel jobs in California?

You can find and apply to general counsel jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 127+ General Counsel Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find General Counsel Jobs