US General Counsel Compensation Reaches Record High in 2025: Study

• General counsel pay reached a record high in 2025, driven by volatile long-term stock awards.
• Technology and entertainment general counsels dominated the top 20 earners, with notable figures including Matthew McQueen, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Welltower Inc.
• The study found a significant increase in stock awards at U.S.-based companies since 2019, with an 87% increase in median stock awards from 2019 to 2025.

General counsel pay has steadily increased over the last few years, according to the study.

A recent study by Law.com Compass has revealed that general counsel compensation reached an all-time high in 2025. The report highlights the significant increase in long-term stock awards, which contributed to this milestone. Technology and entertainment general counsels were among the top earners, with notable figures including Matthew McQueen, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Welltower Inc., who topped the list with a reported $93.5 million in compensation. This surge in pay is not an isolated incident, as the study notes that general counsel pay has been steadily increasing over the last few years.

The growing recognition of in-house legal heads as valuable members of executive teams has led to increased compensation. This shift is also reflected in the significant growth in stock awards, with a 50.8% increase at the 500 biggest U.S.-based companies since 2019 and an 87% increase in median stock awards from 2019 to 2025 at Fortune 1000 companies. The study suggests that long-term stock awards are becoming a key component of executive compensation packages, with many general counsel receiving substantial payouts after a waiting period.

The increasing reliance on stock awards raises questions about their alignment with company financial performance and compliance obligations. As general counsel continue to receive record-breaking compensation, it is essential for companies to review their executive compensation packages and ensure that they are in line with regulatory requirements. The study's findings may prompt lawyers to scrutinize the financial implications of long-term stock awards and consider whether they are aligned with the company's interests.

This development may prompt lawyers to review their clients' executive compensation packages and consider whether long-term stock awards are aligned with the company's financial performance and compliance obligations.

Source: Original reporting via Law.com Compass