What In-House Lawyers *Actually* Do
In-house lawyers are often seen as just the company’s legal advisers, but in reality, their role is broader and more strategic.
Working in-house not only entails what you’d expect from a legal role, but has the added layer of internal considerations. These internal considerations can be anything from commercial to operational and everything in between, and of course, it is paramount that ethical practice remains throughout everything you do. This mix of legal expertise and business strategy results in a dynamic and fulfilling role, but what exactly do in-house lawyers do day-to-day? Let’s take a closer look at the tasks and responsibilities expected of in-house lawyers.
Providing legal support
In-house lawyers are key should a company require internal legal expertise. In-house legal teams are often lean, so unless you are a specialist in-house lawyer (more on that later) you’ll get involved in a broad range of legal matters affecting multiple departments which may include sales, marketing, privacy, HR, operations and finance. As part of your job role, you’ll be expected to respond promptly and accurately to the legal issues that arise across the areas of the business that you are employed by.
Contracts, contracts, contracts
Contracts are the lifeblood of any business, and as a junior in-house lawyer or paralegal, you'll spend a significant amount of time reviewing, drafting, and negotiating agreements. Mastering the art of contracts is an essential skill for any in-house legal professional.
While contract law may seem repetitive at times, it’s a critical part of in-house work that offers valuable insights into commercial law and business operations.The more you can find your way around the company’s templates and key clauses, the more you’ll be able to bring to the table when it comes to working with them.
Corporate governance
Corporate governance is another crucial responsibility, particularly in regulated industries. As a junior in-house lawyer or paralegal, you'll often assist senior colleagues in ensuring the company adheres to good governance practices. Depending upon budget and the number of entities in the group, some businesses may choose to outsource part or all of this service, where others may recruit specifically to take care of it. That being said, it is likely that your role will touch upon corporate governance in some way.
Having responsibilities in this are will provide you with early exposure to how companies are governed and how key business decisions are made at the highest level.
Specialism
Contrary to popular belief, not every in-house role is a varied one. It is possible to specialise in one area of law and work in-house, as evidenced by many legal teams.
While many in-house lawyers take on generalist roles, there is also the option to specialise within a company, depending on its needs and your interests. For example, you could become an in-house property lawyer, managing the company’s property portfolio. In this role, you’d handle the legal aspects of the business’ real estate, whether that’s overseeing lease agreements, negotiating property purchases or ensuring compliance with legislation in this area.
The easiest way to discover companies that employ specialist lawyers is to search on LinkedIn. If someone is working in a role that you’re interested in, that’s a good start!
Another option is to work as an in-house contractor, where you can bring either a specialist or generalist legal background to short-term, project-based roles. Contractors may handle a variety of legal tasks, from managing compliance for a specific regulatory change to stepping in as interim Legal Counsel during a transition period. This path offers flexibility and the opportunity to work across multiple industries, making it a great option if you prefer a diverse and evolving legal career. Note, contractors are likely to be self-employed or fixed term, so make sure you’re clued up on your personal employment rights.
Risk management and compliance
Risk management is an integral part of in-house legal work, and as a junior, you’ll be actively involved in identifying and mitigating legal risks. Whether it’s data protection, anti-bribery laws or industry-specific regulations, your job will be to ensure the company complies with the law and mitigates risks.
Risk is everywhere, and working in-house, you’ll need to get comfortable navigating it. The more senior you become, the larger the risk you’ll be expected to make a call on.
In-house lawyers and paralegals play a crucial role in protecting the business from legal risks, and this area of work requires both strategic thinking and industry expertise.
Collaborating across departments
One of the biggest differences between in-house and private practice is the degree to which in-house lawyers collaborate with non-legal teams. In-house lawyers are embedded in the business, which means you’ll frequently work alongside HR, Sales, Procurement, Finance, IT and many other departments, providing legal advice that directly impacts the company’s strategy and next steps. If you would welcome the opportunity to learn from others with different expertise, adapt your communication style and intertwine many business considerations into your legal advice, then in-house may be for you.
In-house legal work gives you the chance to develop a business mindset, where your legal skills are used to drive strategic decisions, not just provide advice. Adapting your way of working to different styles for different departments is a necessity.
Over to you..
As an in-house lawyer, your role goes far beyond handling paperwork or providing general support. You are an integral part of the company, responsible for managing legal risks, supporting business operations and contributing to the company’s overall strategy. Whether you choose to specialise or prefer a generalist approach, in-house roles offer a wealth of opportunities for growth and development.
In-house legal work is dynamic, challenging and rewarding. It allows you to use your legal skills in a business-focused environment, providing the chance to make a real impact on the success of the company. So whether you’re considering being in-house short or long-term, the skills and experience you gain in-house will set the foundation for a fulfilling and diverse career.