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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!

 

How to stand out as a senior associate in a competitive market!

The legal market is becoming increasingly competitive and I regularly speak to solicitors who are navigating the challenges of how to get to that next level and indeed when at senior associate level how to make yourself stand out in the crowd! We have compiled some key tips to follow!

01 – Build your personal brand!

Think beyond your firm’s reputation. Share insights through articles, speak at events, or build a LinkedIn presence that showcases your expertise.

Consistency and authenticity go a long way in establishing you as a thought leader.

02 – Develop your business acumen

Firms value solicitors who think like business partners.

Understand your clients’ industries, anticipate their needs, and provide commercially sound advice.

Highlighting this skill in interviews or reviews can make you indispensable.

03 – Invest in relationships!

Networking isn’t just for rainmakers. Building strong relationships with peers, mentors and clients at an early stage can open doors to referrals, career advice or new opportunities.

Remember it is not about blending in, it is about showing how you bring unique value !!

If you’re navigating your next career step, let’s connect. Conekt Legal is your Partner to legal success!

Over the last few months I have had a number of conversations with solicitors at various levels considering moving back into private practice after a spell of working in an in-house role.

It’s not an easy decision, and many are grappling with the pros and cons of both worlds. If you’re in the same boat, here are a few key questions I’ve been advising candidates to reflect on as they weigh up their options.

01 – What do I enjoy? 

It is important to take the time to really analyse what you enjoy and motivates you. In-House roles provide an opportunity to immerse yourself into one business and to feed into the overall business strategy.

Private practice on the otherhand offers more variety around clients and sectors and as such you can gain knowledge of lots of types of industry

02 – Am I ready for billable hours and business development again? 

In the dynamic and competitive landscape of the UK legal sector, the journey to partnership has evolved beyond traditional metrics of leadership skills, performance, and billing.

I recently read an interesting report by Lexis Nexis which investigated the shifting ambitions of legal associates and the future of the Partnership model across the board

The in-house legal market has grown massively over the last 15+ years. We are now seeing an increased variety of in-house roles and roles at various levels across a really exciting range of sectors.