Anne Kerwin Payne, founder of Kerwin Associates and an expert in legal executive search, discusses the evolving landscape of legal hiring. She reveals that outstanding judgment is the top trait sought by companies in legal leaders. Communication style often trumps resume credentials, and GCs are expected to act like COOs. Anne emphasizes the importance of crafting a compelling career narrative and the role of emotional intelligence in the hiring process. She also navigates the challenges of the current job market, offering insights for aspiring general counsels.
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insights INSIGHT
Outstanding Judgment Is Key
Outstanding judgment is the key quality that sets great legal leaders apart.
Leadership presence, mentoring ability, and unflappable problem-solving complement judgment.
insights INSIGHT
Communication Trumps Technical Skills
Communication style and presence can outweigh technical skills in boardroom effectiveness.
Top GCs command attention subtly and make clear, tough decisions that CEOs rely on.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Broaden Practice and Sell Yourself
Broaden your practice by taking on diverse projects to gain transaction experience.
Develop a clear career narrative and learn to humbly sell your problem-solving skills early.
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When your board asks, “Why this GC?”, you'd better have a good answer. That’s where Anne Kerwin Payne comes in.
In this episode, Mary O’Carroll sits down with one of the most trusted names in legal executive search. As founder and managing director of Kerwin Associates, Anne has helped place legal and compliance leaders at some of the most innovative companies in the world. She knows what it takes to stand out—and what gets overlooked.
They dive deep into what CEOs are really looking for in today’s legal hires, and why pedigree alone won’t cut it. Whether you’re an aspiring general counsel or a legal ops pro helping build the next great team, this episode delivers a masterclass in legal leadership hiring.
In this episode:
The Judgment Factor: Why outstanding judgment—not technical chops—is the #1 trait companies want in legal leaders.
The Resume vs. The Room: How communication style and presence carry more weight than you might think—and why the best GCs can command a boardroom with just a few words.
Storytelling That Sells: How to craft a career narrative that makes sense, even with lateral moves, gaps, or a long stint at one company.
Following the Leader: Why the ability to attract and develop top talent says more about your leadership than your title ever will.
The Business-Minded Lawyer: CEOs want legal partners who think like operators. Anne explains why general counsels are increasingly expected to function like COOs.
The Reality of the Market: From backdoor references to AI disruption, get a brutally honest take on today’s hiring landscape and what it means for your next move.
Whether you're job-hunting, hiring, or just trying to future-proof your career, this conversation is full of insights you can’t afford to miss.
Pearls On, Gloves Off