---
esco_uri: http://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/7a1dcd86-8c78-40a8-b446-269438f24d72
esco_label: "subsidiary operations"
relation: optional
onet_soc: 23-1011.00
source: model-knowledge
confidence: high
qa_count: 0
generator: gemma3:27b (prompt-designed and spot-checked by Claude)
generated: 2026-07-10
---

# subsidiary operations — Legal Counsel

For a Legal Counsel, 'subsidiary operations' isn’t about *running* the subsidiaries – it’s ensuring they operate legally, consistently with HQ policies, and minimizing risk across potentially diverse jurisdictions. Daily work involves reviewing contracts (supply agreements, leases, local service providers) entered into by subsidiaries to ensure compliance with both parent company standards *and* local laws. You'll be heavily involved in entity governance: drafting board resolutions for subsidiary actions, ensuring proper maintenance of corporate records, and advising on intercompany transactions to avoid transfer pricing issues or conflicts of interest. Think less 'strategy', more 'legal guardrails'.

Typical tools include contract management systems (CMS), due diligence checklists tailored to different jurisdictions, and access to legal research databases covering international/local regulations. A significant chunk of time is spent on compliance – data privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA) are huge here, as are anti-corruption rules (FCPA, UK Bribery Act). You'll likely be creating or adapting HQ policies into subsidiary-specific procedures and training materials. Expect frequent communication with local counsel in various countries to validate interpretations of law and ensure consistent application.

The biggest pitfalls? Assuming 'one size fits all' – a US contract template won’t work in Germany without significant adaptation. Failing to understand the nuances of local regulations (e.g., labor laws, environmental permits) can lead to hefty fines or litigation. Also, inadequate documentation of subsidiary actions creates audit risks and weakens legal defenses. Good looks like proactively identifying potential legal issues *before* they become problems, building strong relationships with local counsel, and having a clear system for tracking compliance across all subsidiaries.

Ultimately, success in this competence means enabling the business to expand internationally (or manage existing subsidiaries) without being crippled by legal risk. It's about providing practical, actionable advice that balances HQ control with local autonomy, and ensuring each subsidiary is a legally sound entity.

## Weitere Anreicherung

Stage-2 source for future practitioner grounding: CORE / DOAB (open-access law monographs).
