The future of in-house teams – more business than law?

In-house legal teams are undergoing a quiet revolution. Once seen as the guardians of compliance and risk mitigation, today’s in-house counsel are increasingly stepping into roles that blend legal expertise with strategic business acumen. As companies face mounting regulatory complexity, digital transformation, and global competition, the future of in-house teams may be less about law and more about business.

From legal gatekeepers to strategic partners

Traditionally, in-house lawyers were viewed as the final checkpoint, brought in to review contracts, manage litigation, or ensure regulatory compliance. But this reactive model is giving way to a more proactive, integrated approach. Modern in-house teams are now expected to understand the business inside and out, anticipate risks before they arise, and contribute to strategic decision-making.

This shift is driven by the growing recognition that legal risk is business risk. Whether it’s navigating data privacy laws, ESG regulations, or intellectual property strategy, legal teams are now embedded in the core of business operations. As a result, legal leaders are increasingly sitting at the executive table, influencing everything from product development to market expansion.

The rise of the “Legal COO”

A new breed of legal professional is emerging, part lawyer, part operator. Sometimes referred to as the “Legal COO,” this role focuses on legal operations, technology adoption, and process optimisation. These professionals are tasked with making legal departments more efficient, data-driven, and aligned with business goals.

Legal operations teams are leveraging tools like contract lifecycle management (CLM), AI-powered document review, and legal analytics to streamline workflows and reduce costs. This operational mindset is transforming legal departments from cost centres into value creators.

Business skills are the new legal skills

As the role of in-house counsel evolves, so too must their skill sets. Legal expertise remains essential, but it’s no longer sufficient. Today’s in-house lawyers need to be fluent in business strategy, financial literacy, data analysis, and even change management.

This trend is reshaping legal education and professional development. Forward-thinking legal departments are investing in cross-functional training, encouraging lawyers to earn MBAs or certifications in project management and data science. The goal is to build teams that can speak the language of the business and drive outcomes beyond legal compliance.

What’s next?

Looking ahead, the most successful in-house teams will be those that embrace this hybrid identity—equal parts legal advisor and business strategist. They will be agile, tech-savvy, and deeply integrated into the fabric of the organisation. Rather than simply reacting to legal issues, they will help shape the future of the business.

In this new era, the question is no longer whether in-house teams should be more business-oriented, it’s how quickly they can adapt. The future of in-house legal is not just about practising law. It’s about practising leadership.

At Taylor Root, we work across a broad range of in-house legal roles for companies across a variety of sectors. From non-qualified legal roles, including paralegals through to qualified lawyers, Legal Directors, Head of Legal and General Counsel, we have limitless opportunities, all around the world.

If you are looking for your next career move or need to expand your legal team, please get in touch with Olivia Courtney and the Australia In-house legal team for a confidential conversation. Alternatively, you can fill-in the form below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.