The Chief Legal Officer is often the most powerful legal executive, and is an expert and leader responsible for helping businesses minimize legal risks by providing advice on legal affairs. The CLO governs a firm's legal department, leads in-house attorneys, provides direction on major legal and regulatory issues, and works to minimize legal risks. The role includes providing legal counsel to the board of directors, chairman of the board, chief executive officer and other senior management. The CLO typically has an extensive career in law, previously holding positions such as head of legal, first general counsel, and firm partner.