The European General Counsel Association (ECLA) is a leading European umbrella organization representing company lawyers and in-house legal counsel associations across Europe. Established in 1983, ECLA serves as a pan-European network that connects national associations of company lawyers from 24 European countries. It is an international non-profit association governed by Belgian law, serving as a collective voice advocating for the interests of legal professionals working within corporations. ECLA provides its members—individually represented through their national associations—with various services including access to professional education, legal publications, conferences, and a platform for policy dialogue.
ECLA has gained recognition as the principal representative body for European in-house lawyers, actively engaging with European institutions to influence regulatory and policy developments affecting corporate legal departments. Over the years, the association has established strategic partnerships, such as its alliance with the dfv media group to enhance its media, networking, and lobbying capabilities. This partnership led to the creation of ECLA Association Services SPRL based in Brussels, which supports ECLA’s mission with specialized communication and lobbying efforts focused on the evolving needs of European company lawyers.
ECLA’s role extends beyond mere representation; it fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among corporate legal practitioners across borders to address regulatory, cross-border, and business challenges. The association contributes to shaping EU-level legislation and policy frameworks relevant to corporate legal practice, thereby bolstering legal compliance and governance standards in European businesses.
The association’s lobbying efforts are directed towards ensuring that the voice of European in-house counsel is heard in the EU decision-making process. Its registered lobbying activities with the EU Transparency Register demonstrate commitment to transparency and ethical conduct in advocating for policies that facilitate effective corporate legal governance. ECLA maintains a network of legal experts and lobbyists who engage with different EU institutions to influence policy formulation and implementation beneficial to its members.
