The changing role of the in-house legal function

April 15, 2021

Within the legal community, especially during the course of the COVID-19 crisis,  there has been increased commentary on the changing nature of the role played by in-house counsel inside the businesses they serve. At the same time, those within these businesses are giving voice to their growing expectation that their In-house Lawyers should deliver more than pure legal expertise.

As a result, we have witnessed the role of today’s In-house Legal Counsel drastically change from being solely legal leaders to business enablers and a key part of the leadership team, with the events of COVID-19 pushing this further into the limelight.

In-house legal teams have moved beyond providing mere legal analysis or limiting their involvement to document drafting and negotiating to commercially savy, strategically-minded business leaders.

Historically, the role of the In-house Counsel was cut and dried and well understood. Legal was there to provide functional technical legal advice, oversee the finer points of governance, ethics, and compliance and administer the organisation’s policies and guidelines. And, where external counsel was required, the in-house lawyers would source and manage the necessary support.

Taking into consideration the numerous changes of today’s modern world, it can be said that the roles and responsibilities of  In-house Legal Counsels have been altered.

In-house Legal Counsel need to have a deep understanding of the business in which they work and need to partner with the business, understand its issues and produce viable and tangible solutions.

In many large organisations, the role of the General Counsel has been recast as Chief Legal Officer. This is more than just a change of job title. It’s an acknowledgement that the most senior In-house Lawyer is part of the C-suite. It recognises the expanded job description, increased responsibility and the complex challenges the role holder is taking on. It also reflects the strategic nature of the legal function and the contribution it makes to organisational growth.

Although the majority of in-house legal teams consist of anywhere between two and ten lawyers, many General Counsels are in effect sole practitioners, advising on matters ranging from routine contracts and transactions to business-critical strategic decisions and crisis management and are valued and recognised as more than just a legal function for the business.

The notion that an in-house legal team should function like an internal law firm is giving way to the idea that the corporate legal department is more of a commercial function, a function that drives economic value for the business.

Instead of having a deep understanding of one specific area, it’s important for in-house counsel to have a broad array of substantive legal knowledge. The strict regimes of the past are being replaced by more fluid structures, and In-house Lawyers are becoming more like business partners, that are embedded in and able to work across a variety of business units and specialisations.

As the needs of General Counsels change, we will continue to see corporate law departments in-sourcing more legal work, and employing more tools and technology, to deal with the ever-increasing volume and complexity of workload.

In-house legal teams are in a very unique position to make an impact in response to digitalisation both within their departments and for their organisations at large. Technology can also offer the in-house legal function a strategic opportunity to align itself more closely with the business it serves.

The role of the General Counsel is constantly changing. Business challenges are becoming more interdisciplinary and complex; technology is rapidly evolving, and the in-house legal team no longer simply provides advice, manages risk and ensures legal compliance, it must help guide the business through times of change and meet commercial objectives, whilst operating as a business enabler and an essential adviser to the board.

It’s both a significant challenge and a great opportunity, and one that the modern In-house General Counsel is well-placed to address.

Jobs

  • FMCG

Data Protection Counsel – FTSE 100 FMCG

An excellent opportunity to join a FTSE 100 multinational FMCG who have global operations within 53 countries. They are looking for a Data Protection Counsel, who will be dealing with some interesting and complex areas of privacy. In addition to this, you will provide support and advise on all aspects of data protection to their […]
  • Salary £85000 – £90000 per annum
  • Posted Veröffentlicht vor 2 Tagen
  • Manufacturing

Legal Assistant

About our client: Our client is a Fortune 500 company within the manufacturing sector. With innovative products, they streamline logistical operations and improve customer experiences. About the role: Providing administrative and secretarial support for the Law Department in the EMEA region, including calendar management, travel arrangements, expense handling, invoice management, and archiving. Collaborating with the […]
  • Posted Veröffentlicht vor 3 Tagen
  • Information technology

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Our client is an ASX listed technology business that partners with clients to help improve their technology infrastructure and security. Headquartered in Melbourne, this business is looking to recruit for their first General Counsel and Company Secretary. Given this is a greenfield role, it presents an exciting opportunity to shape this role in accordance with […]
  • Posted Veröffentlicht vor 3 Tagen
  • FMCG
  • Retail

Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial

The Opportunity A market leading FMCG brand, headquartered in Australia, is seeking a Counsel to join their legal and compliance team to work across a range of matters for all business functions and to support the executive team with all strategic requirements. This will be a five month full time fixed term contract role, with […]
  • Posted Veröffentlicht vor 3 Tagen
  • Energy

Senior Legal Counsel – Energy

The Opportunity Our client is a prominent organisation in the energy sector in Australia. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to working across network planning, network operations, delivery, major projects and renewable energy zones. Key Responsibilities Drafting and advising on various network related contracts and negotiating on property rights, loan agreements and securities. […]
  • Posted Veröffentlicht vor 3 Tagen

Featured Content

See all news
  • Karriereberatung

CEO Insights with Natalie Webb: Taylor Root UK Trustee Network

  • Posted April 25, 2024
A Trustee is an essential part of any charity, providing governance, and bringing experience and support to CEO’s and leadership teams. As part of our interview series for our Trustee Network we thought it would be a great insight to understand the role of Trustee from a CEO’s perspective. So, Taylor Root Director, Asha Morzaria, recently […]
  • Karriereberatung

Taylor Root UK Trustee Network: An interview with Sophie Hosking

  • Posted April 10, 2024
As part of our interview series for our Trustee Network, Taylor Root Partner, Georgia Morgan-Wynne, recently spoke to Sophie Hosking, Head of Legal at Cazoo, about being a Trustee for London Youth Rowing. What does your NFP do and what is your role as a trustee? London Youth Rowing (LYR) believes in sport, specifically rowing, for […]
  • Karriereberatung

Are you considering a career as a lawyer in Sydney, Australia?

  • Posted April 10, 2024
Sydney holds a prominent position as Australia’s financial and economic hub. Its status as a global city and key financial center has been solidified over the past decade. The city is home to the headquarters of numerous multinational corporations, major banks, financial institutions, and all levels of law firms. Sydney’s economy benefits from its diverse […]