BarkerGilmore launches peer advisory program for general counsel

BarkerGilmore has introduced The Leader Exchange, a confidential peer-advisory and executive coaching program for general counsel and senior in-house legal executives. Applications are open for founding cohorts starting in January 2027, as legal leaders face broader business and leadership demands.

Why it matters: - BarkerGilmore is targeting a gap in leadership development for in-house legal executives who are being asked to do more than provide legal advice. - The program is designed to help general counsel and senior legal leaders strengthen enterprise leadership, executive influence, and career growth. - The launch reflects growing demand for peer support as legal departments take on broader strategic responsibilities.

What happened: - BarkerGilmore announced The Leader Exchange, a confidential, professionally facilitated peer-advisory program for general counsel and senior in-house legal leaders. - The launch took place Aug. 26, 2026, in Pittsford, New York. - Applications are now open for founding January 2027 cohorts.

The details: - The Leader Exchange expands BarkerGilmore's executive coaching and leadership development offerings for general counsel, chief compliance officers, and senior in-house counsel. - Participants will be placed into carefully matched cohorts based on leadership stage. - The cohorts will include high-potential in-house counsel, future general counsel, newly appointed general counsel, and experienced general counsel. - The program does not follow a fixed curriculum. - Discussions will focus on organizational dynamics, stakeholder relationships, executive influence, strategic decision-making, and career growth. - The format is confidential and professionally facilitated. - Marnie Seif, a strategic advisor and executive coach at BarkerGilmore, will lead the initiative. - Seif previously served as chief people officer and chief legal officer and corporate secretary at Analog Devices. - BarkerGilmore said Seif has experience guiding senior leaders through executive transitions, business transformation, mergers and acquisitions, post-closing integration, and growth.

Between the lines: - The program appears aimed at helping legal leaders build the business-facing skills that increasingly matter in top in-house roles. - BarkerGilmore is positioning peer exchange, not classroom-style training, as the main value proposition. - The founding cohorts suggest BarkerGilmore wants to shape the program around early participants and build a community from the start.

What's next: - BarkerGilmore will begin the founding January 2027 cohorts after reviewing applications. - The firm will continue offering executive coaching and strategic advisory services alongside The Leader Exchange. - More information is available on BarkerGilmore's website and its LinkedIn page.