Key skills to be a successful in-house legal counsel!
When my clients are recruiting for their in-house legal teams, despite working with clients across a broad range of sectors from tech, FMCG, manufacturing to retail there are some key skills we see coming through as critical for a successful hire.
Our clients are always looking for more than just technical ability. They want people who can act as a trusted advisor to the business, the ability to understand the business and the strategy in a commercial way and to influence outcomes and deal with a wide range of stakeholders.
Commercial awareness and business acumen
- Ability to understand the company’s business strategy and how decisions affect revenue, growth, and reputation.
- Able to provide legal advice that aligns with broader commercial strategy.
- Conscious of costs and efficiency when delivering solutions.
Communication and influencing skills
- Explains complex issues in clear, practical language that non-lawyers understand.
- Builds credibility and trust with a wide range of stakeholders and to understand each stakeholder’s own motivations.
- Operates with integrity and discretion.
Adaptability and problem-solving
- Handles uncertainty and pressure with resilience.
- Finds pragmatic, creative solutions instead of only identifying risks.
- Adopts new tools, technology, and ways of working to improve outcomes.
Leadership and influence
- Brings gravitas and credibility that inspires confidence at board and leadership level.
- Demonstrates mentoring and team-building skills for more senior roles.
- Negotiates effectively in contracts, disputes, and corporate deals and can influence a range of stakeholders e.g. HR, sales, technology.
Innovation and forward-thinking
- Embraces legal technology and data-driven tools to streamline processes.
- Anticipates future challenges (regulatory, commercial, or reputational) before they arise.
- Contributes ideas that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and create competitive advantage.
If you’re preparing candidates or refining a legal hiring process, at Conekt Legal we have developed a Growth Toolkit tailored for in-house legal recruitment based on over 15 years’ experience of recruiting in-house lawyers.
Get in touch today if you would like a copy!