In business law firms, the organisation chart no longer stops at two levels, associates on one side and partners on the other. In between, titles have appeared, most of them from the Anglo-American world: counsel, of counsel, senior associate, sometimes “director” or “local partner”. None of them appears in the rules as a separate status, and they do not mean the same thing from one firm to another.
For an experienced associate, these titles raise practical questions: what does an offer to become counsel mean, is it a step towards partnership or a dead end, and how should the title be presented on a CV that other firms will read? This article takes stock.
Where the counsel title comes from in French firms
Intermediate titles arrived in France with firms of Anglo-American origin, then were adopted by many French firms. They answer an organisational problem: a firm has more experienced associates than it can take on as partners, and it wants to recognise the level of some of them without opening its capital to them.
Legally, a counsel in principle remains an associate (collaborateur), either freelance or salaried. The title does not add a new status within the meaning of the rules. However, the national internal rules 🔗, in their consolidated version of July 2026, provide that the associate contract may include “a clause establishing a particular level of responsibility for the associate, where appropriate under a specific title, setting out specific working arrangements and any reciprocal obligations attached to it”. This is exactly the framework in which titles such as counsel or senior associate fit: a level of responsibility defined by contract, under a title chosen by the firm.
Counsel, of counsel, senior associate: the differences
Practices vary, but a few trends emerge.
Senior associate
This is the title closest to the classic associate position. It refers to an experienced associate, often from five or six years of practice, who supervises juniors and handles matters with a high degree of autonomy. In many firms, it is a normal stage of progression, before possible partnership.
Counsel
A counsel is generally a very experienced lawyer, often beyond eight to ten years of practice, with a partner’s technical level and strong autonomy on their matters, but who is not a partner. Depending on the firm, the title corresponds to:
- a stage towards partnership, during which the firm assesses the counsel’s ability to develop a client base;
- a long-term position for a technical expert (tax lawyer, compliance expert, highly specialised litigator) who does not wish to, or cannot, carry a client base;
- recognition of a senior associate’s level in a firm where partnerships are rare.
Of counsel
The title “of counsel” often refers to a lawyer with a particular relationship with the firm: a former partner reducing their activity, an experienced lawyer from another background (university, judiciary, industry), a colleague who brings occasional expertise. An of counsel lawyer may be an associate, but may also practise on their own while being linked to the firm by an agreement.
| Title | Usual seniority | What it most often signals | |---|---|---| | Senior associate | from five to six years | experienced associate, supervision, autonomy | | Counsel | often beyond eight years | partner level without capital, a stage or a long-term position | | Of counsel | variable | particular link with the firm, expertise or former partner |
These benchmarks are only indicative: the same title can cover different realities from one firm to another, and the contract is what counts.
What the position means day to day
Becoming counsel changes three things above all.
Responsibility for matters. A counsel runs matters from start to finish, often signs their own correspondence and opinions, and represents the firm in front of clients. The partner steps in mainly for the commercial relationship and key decisions.
Supervision. They supervise a small team of associates, review their work, allocate tasks and take part in their appraisal.
The client relationship. A counsel is often the day-to-day contact of client legal departments. They sometimes begin to develop their own client base, within the limits set by their contract.
Contractually, the terms depend on negotiation: higher retrocession or salary, a variable component, possibly linked to the revenue brought in, conditions for developing a personal client base. The contract, and the clause defining the level of responsibility, need careful reading.
A step towards partnership or a separate track
This is the question to ask frankly when the offer is made. A few indicators help answer it.
Does the firm have a known partnership process? In firms where partners are made from counsels, the title is an antechamber. Elsewhere, it may be the end of the road.
How many counsels have become partners in recent years? A legitimate question, to be asked tactfully of the partner making the offer.
What are the expectations on clients? If the firm expects you to develop clients, it is preparing a partnership. If it mainly wants your technical expertise, it is probably offering you a long-term position.
Are the criteria written down? A timetable or clear objectives (revenue, clients, supervision) are a good sign.
The article becoming a partner in a law firm describes the different routes to partnership and what firms examine. If you are hesitating between a freelance associate arrangement and a salaried contract for this new role, the article freelance associate or salaried lawyer compares the two.
Showing the title on your CV and profile
On the CV
A counsel or senior associate title is useful information for another firm: it tells them your level in your current firm. Present it together with the title avocat, and make sure the reader understands what it covers.
- Before: “Counsel — business law firm.”
- After: “Avocat, counsel in the litigation team of an international business law firm (Paris office): responsibility for commercial litigation and arbitration matters, supervision of three associates, day-to-day contact for client legal departments.”
Clearly separate the periods: the date you became counsel, then the years as an associate before that title.
Ethical precautions
Two RIN rules deserve attention:
- the title must not create confusion about a qualification: article 10 prohibits any statement likely to create the appearance of an unrecognised professional qualification. Writing “avocat, counsel” rather than “counsel” alone removes any ambiguity;
- “specialist” remains reserved for holders of a specialisation certificate: a counsel who is an expert in an area cannot call themselves specialised without a certificate.
On your online profile
Use the same title on your professional profile, with the same date. The article a lawyer’s LinkedIn profile explains the applicable communication rules.
The pre-filled CVs of a private equity lawyer and of a maritime and transport lawyer show profiles aiming for a counsel position, and the pre-filled business lawyer CV the starting point of such a path. For a CV at this level, where every line must count, the AvocatCV builder lets you work on the content while it handles the layout, with a PDF that law firms’ screening tools read correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Is a counsel a partner of the firm?
In principle, no. They remain an associate, freelance or salaried, unless the firm is organised differently. They hold no shares and do not take part in decisions reserved for partners.
Can you turn down an offer to become counsel?
Yes. Such an offer is discussed like any change to the contract, and it must be set out in a written amendment. Ask to understand what it involves before answering.
Is the counsel title recognised by another firm?
It is understood, but not always valued in the same way. Explain on your CV what it actually involved: responsibilities, supervision, clients.
Do you need a specialisation certificate to become counsel?
No, the counsel title is internal to the firm and does not depend on any certification. A specialisation certificate can, however, strengthen an expert profile.