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      The mandate of the general counsel is expanding fast

      What was once a predominantly protective role is now firmly a strategic one. As legal leaders are pulled into decisions on technology, growth, transformation and governance, the legal function has become a core enterprise capability — helping organizations navigate complexity, manage risk and make better strategic decisions.

      Based on insights from 468 senior legal leaders across 28 jurisdictions and a broad range of industries, the 2026 KPMG Global General Counsel Outlook examines how the GC role is evolving and what it takes to lead a next-generation legal function.

      Find out how today’s legal leaders are:

      • Positioning themselves as strategic advisors in the C-suite and boardroom
      • Redesigning legal operating models to keep pace with rising complexity and stakeholder expectations
      • Embedding AI across legal workflows to deepen insight and increase capacity
      • Demanding more from external legal providers on technology and AI

      2026 KPMG Global General Counsel Outlook

      Discover how the GC role is evolving from gatekeeper to strategic leader.

      Download the survey report

      Notable findings

      GC is becoming one of the enterprise’s most influential executives

      75% report being regularly or constantly asked to weigh in on non-legal issues and 92% say they interact regularly with their boards.

      AI will not replace lawyers — but it’s already changing how legal work gets done

      70% of respondents report having implemented AI in legal research and analysis, 66% in privacy and data protection, and 65% in compliance and regulatory monitoring.

      Influence depends on well-rounded leadership, not just legal expertise

      53% cited a balanced perspective of risk and opportunity as the attribute most valued by enterprise leadership when receiving advice from GCs.

      The operating environment is becoming more demanding

      Regulatory volume and complexity tops the list, with 39% citing it as their biggest source of pressure, followed by the widening range of issues requiring legal input and the speed at which advice is required.

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