MCCA is proud to present the 20th edition of our annual General Counsel Survey where we track and analyze the representation of women and historically underrepresented racial/ethnic General Counsel (GCs) in the Fortune 1000. In this report, underrepresented racial/ethnic group is defined as African American/Black, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American/Indigenous, and Multiracial.

MCCA’s 2020 Fortune 1000 General Counsel Survey depicts a story of slow but positive progression towards equal representation in high-level GC positions. More women than ever before have risen to the position of GC. The same holds true for historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, however at a reduced rate.

Although we see a positive increase in representation of women and underrepresented racial/ethnic GCs, the profession overall has missed opportunities for change. “Opportunity for Change” is defined in this report as: (1) there was a change in General Counsel from the subsequent year and (2) the General Counsel in question was not already the predefined race or ethnicity where change is trying to be deduced.

The 2020 Fortune 1000 GCs statistics portray a story of positive progress but missed opportunities. For those companies where the change occurred, females had 177 opportunities based on recent vacancies to enter the Fortune 1000 as GCs. Thirty-three percent, or 58 GCs, of those positions, were filled by women. Underrepresented racial/ethnic groups were presented with 198 opportunities to fill the position of GC. In 2019, fourteen percent, or 27 GCs, were filled by underrepresented racial/ethnic GCs.

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