Compensation for General Counsel (GC) at major corporations has seen a notable upward trajectory in recent years. Data indicates that the median pay for GCs at large companies increased from $2.8 million in 2020 to $3.4 million in 2024, marking a 20.5% rise over that period. ([law360.com](https://www.law360.com/pulse/amp/articles/2391831?utm_source=openai))
Several high-profile examples illustrate this trend. In 2023, HP Inc.’s General Counsel, Julie Jacobs, received a total compensation package of $6.2 million, which included a $2 million payment related to her departure from Yahoo Inc. the previous year. ([law360.com](https://www.law360.com/articles/1807493/hp-inc-s-general-counsel-earned-6-2m-pay-package-in-2023?utm_source=openai)) Similarly, Chevron’s General Counsel earned over $8 million in total compensation in 2022. ([law360.com](https://www.law360.com/articles/1596546/chevron-gc-s-total-compensation-topped-8m-in-2022?utm_source=openai))
In the technology sector, Alphabet Inc.’s Chief Legal Officer, Kent Walker, received a total compensation of $30.17 million in 2024, marking the first instance of a U.S.-based corporation’s general counsel surpassing $30 million in annual compensation. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Walker?utm_source=openai))
These increases are not confined to the technology industry. For instance, News Corp’s General Counsel, David Pitofsky, saw his total compensation rise by $1.2 million to $6.2 million in fiscal 2025. ([law360.com](https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/2398009/news-corp-raised-gc-s-pay-a-million-to-6-2-million-in-2025?utm_source=openai))
Overall, the compensation landscape for General Counsel reflects a broader recognition of their strategic importance within corporate leadership, with pay packages aligning closely with company performance and industry standards.