Today’s GCs are expected to deliver legal excellence and contribute to governance, ethics, business strategy, and compliance oversight, all while managing increasing workloads and tighter resources.
So, what’s really on a GC’s desk this year?
According to the 2025 Canadian In-House Counsel Report by CCCA and Mondaq, in-house leaders across Canada are being pulled in more directions than ever before. Below, we explore the top challenges, shifting priorities, and what this means for GCs looking to lead with confidence.
The Expanding Scope of Legal Leadership
Legal teams aren’t just handling contracts and litigation—they’re managing company-wide accountability.
- 47% of in-house counsel now oversee compliance
- 25% are responsible for ethics
- 24% manage company secretarial duties
These aren’t one-offs. Responsibilities—once shared with other departments—are now being consolidated under legal across the board, making the GC’s role broader and more strategic than ever.
Risk Management Is the Top Priority
Across all in-house roles, risk management is the #1 priority in 2025. That includes:
- Reputational risk
- Third-party risk
- Regulatory compliance
- AI governance
Trends indicate legal departments are being asked to proactively manage risk across multiple domains while staying ahead of fast-moving regulatory changes, especially in privacy, cybersecurity, and ESG.
If this isn’t on your desk yet, expect it to come your way in the near future.
Rising Workloads, Limited Resources
Managing volume remains the biggest challenge for in-house counsel at every level.
- 47% of in-house counsel report increased work-related stress and anxiety
- Only 1 in 12 report a decrease in stress compared to the previous year
While 35% of legal departments expect a budget increase in 2025, many still struggle to scale effectively—especially with hiring freezes and growing internal demand.
AI Is Creating Pressure and Opportunity
Artificial intelligence has quickly moved from a curiosity to a core legal issue. GCs are managing both:
- The implementation of generative AI tools
- The compliance and regulatory risks surrounding their use
The report highlights a disconnect in many organizations between legal leaders and boards—particularly at public companies—when it comes to AI readiness and governance.
GCs Are Moving Beyond Legal
The modern GC is increasingly seen as a business leader:
- 19% of in-house counsel are moving into non-legal roles, such as compliance, HR, and even the C-suite
- GCs are also taking a more active role in strategic planning, corporate development, and executive decision-making
In short, today’s GCs are no longer just legal gatekeepers—they’re integrated business partners.
What This Means for Legal Leaders
As GCs take on more, the need for scalable, strategic legal support has never been clearer.
At Caravel Law, we work with General Counsel across Canada to help them:
- Manage overflow and surge capacity
- Reduce the burden of routine legal work
- Gain flexibility without compromising on quality
- Navigate AI, compliance, and governance with confidence
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do It All
The GC role in 2025 is both exciting and demanding. If your legal team is feeling the pressure of doing more with less, now is the time to rethink how your legal function is structured—and supported.
Need backup? Let’s talk about how Caravel can help support your growing mandate.
Source: 2025 Canadian In-House Counsel Report – CCCA | Mondaq