Corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent work is a genuinely important area that many law students overlook, the work concerned with how companies are governed, and with the governance, compliance and secretarial-adjacent matters that keep companies running properly. If this appeals to you, it can be a stable and meaningful path. Let me give you an honest guide to corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent careers.
Quick answer
Corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent careers involve work concerned with how companies are governed and with the governance, compliance and secretarial-adjacent matters that keep companies running properly.
The work can involve advising on and supporting corporate governance, including how the company is directed and controlled and board and governance matters; compliance with the applicable corporate and regulatory requirements; and governance and secretarial-adjacent processes and matters, depending on the role and setting.
This work happens in various settings, such as law firms, companies and in-house roles, and related roles, and it connects closely to the company secretarial function and to compliance.
The skills it rewards include solid legal and regulatory knowledge, especially around corporate governance and compliance, attention to detail, diligence, organisation, communication and reliability.
Corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent careers suit lawyers interested in how companies are governed and run properly, who value governance, compliance and diligent, detail-oriented work, and who may appreciate the stability and character of these roles.
Note that the formal company secretary role is a distinct profession with its own qualification. This area is about the governance, compliance and secretarial-adjacent work that lawyers can be involved in.
To build toward it: develop the relevant legal, governance and compliance knowledge and skills, and pursue relevant roles. The keys are to understand the work, the skills it requires, and who it suits, and build toward it deliberately. General overview; roles and settings vary; no figures.
What the work involves
Corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent work is concerned with how companies are governed and run properly. In general terms, it can involve advising on and supporting corporate governance, including how the company is directed and controlled and board and governance matters; compliance with the applicable corporate and regulatory requirements; and governance and secretarial-adjacent processes and matters.
This work connects closely to the company secretarial function and to compliance, and it happens in various settings, including law firms, companies and in-house roles, and related roles. The exact scope depends on the role and setting.
The skills it needs
This area rewards solid legal and regulatory knowledge, especially around corporate governance and compliance; attention to detail; diligence; organisation; communication; and reliability.
Because governance and compliance work is detail-oriented and requires careful, dependable handling of processes and requirements, these skills and qualities matter a lot. Build them to thrive in the area.
Who it suits (and a note on the company secretary role)
Corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent careers suit lawyers interested in how companies are governed and run properly, who value governance, compliance and diligent, detail-oriented work, and who may appreciate the stability and character of these roles.
One honest note: the formal company secretary role is a distinct profession with its own qualification, so this area, as discussed here, is about the governance, compliance and secretarial-adjacent work that lawyers can be involved in, rather than the formal company secretary qualification itself.
If governance, compliance and keeping companies running properly appeal to you, this can be a stable and meaningful path.
YLCC ACTION STEP: If you are drawn to how companies are governed and run properly, understand corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent work: advising on and supporting corporate governance, compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements, and governance and secretarial-adjacent matters, across settings like law firms and in-house. Build the relevant skills, including legal and regulatory knowledge around governance and compliance, attention to detail, diligence, organisation, communication and reliability, and pursue relevant roles. Note that the formal company secretary role is a distinct profession with its own qualification; this area is the governance, compliance and secretarial-adjacent work lawyers can be involved in.
If this is you
If you are interested in governance and compliance: corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent work may suit you, concerned with how companies are governed and run properly. Build the relevant knowledge and skills.
If you value stable, diligent, detail-oriented work: this area can offer that, along with meaningful work keeping companies running properly.
If you are considering the formal company secretary route: note that this is a distinct profession with its own qualification, separate from the governance, compliance and secretarial-adjacent work discussed here. Explore that qualification separately if it interests you.
FAQs
- What are corporate governance and secretarial-adjacent careers? Careers involving work concerned with how companies are governed and run properly, advising on and supporting corporate governance, compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements, and governance and secretarial-adjacent matters, across settings like law firms and in-house.
- What does the work involve? Supporting corporate governance, including board and governance matters, compliance, and governance and secretarial-adjacent processes and matters, closely connected to the company secretarial function and compliance.
- What skills does it need? Solid legal and regulatory knowledge, especially governance and compliance, attention to detail, diligence, organisation, communication and reliability.
- Who does it suit? Lawyers interested in how companies are governed and run properly, who value governance, compliance and diligent, detail-oriented work, and may appreciate stability.
- Is this the same as being a company secretary? No. The formal company secretary role is a distinct profession with its own qualification. This area is about the governance, compliance and secretarial-adjacent work lawyers can be involved in.
