In-House Worries: Overcoming the Fear of Missing Out

One of the most common concerns I hear from lawyers considering in-house roles is the fear of falling behind. Many believe they won’t receive the mentorship their peers in firms get and that they might become ‘stale,’ limiting their future job prospects. So how can they keep growing if they decide to move in-house?

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Is the Fear Valid?

Interestingly, many of these fears are not based on personal experience but learned from others. Often, the advice comes from those who have never worked in-house or had direct experience working within a company. It’s crucial to seek guidance from people with relevant experience or data, rather than absorbing someone else’s prejudices. That said, there are some valid considerations, so let’s explore them.

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Broad Exposure, But Less Structure

?In-house practice exposes you to a wide range of legal issues, though often without the structured progression firms may provide. In your first week, you could find yourself working on a high-stakes matters that, in a firm, might only come your way after years of grunt work. Unless your in-house team is large and has specialized roles, you’ll likely handle whatever legal matter the business needs at the time. This can make it difficult to feel like an expert in one particular area, especially early on. However, with time, as you accumulate a body of work in certain areas, expertise naturally develops. Documenting your work diligently helps to see the patterns.

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Overcoming the Litigation Gap

One big concern is litigation experience—especially for those working in companies that use external counsel. But this can be addressed. Proactively shadow your external counsel: read their submissions, brief the cases they cite, participate in their case conferencing, and go to court with them. In companies with more formal structures, consider asking for a secondment to a law firm to deepen your litigation skills.

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Creating Your Own Growth Path

Many in-house general counsels or heads of legal departments were trained in firms. While they may be busy, most will be happy to mentor you if you show initiative. However, companies are not set up to train lawyers the way law firms do. Take charge of your development—ask for feedback, seek out learning opportunities, and build relationships with your colleagues. Over time request roles on specific projects that align with your career goals. Attend conferences and keep up your CLE.

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The Role of Business Values and Culture

BUT!! It’s important to recognize that your in-house experience will largely depend on your boss, how valued the legal function is within the company and the values & culture of the business. In thriving businesses, there will probably be more quality work, better resources, and greater opportunities for career growth. Progression can however be tough, especially if you want to move past technical roles into management.

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So Own Your In-House Career

The grass is not necessarily greener on the other side, but different crops are being grown and that is why sliding over to a firm can be difficult – different skills are being developed in-house. Ultimately, in-house practice offers unique opportunities for growth, but success can largely depend on how proactive you are. Don’t let outdated fears hold you back—create your own path, leverage the flexibility of in-house roles, and find ways to continuously build your skills.

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