Is the grass greener? Defining success as an In-House Solicitor

What do you picture when you think of a career in the legal sphere? 

Most people tend to associate solicitors with Private Practice; looming city offices, huge teams complete with ample support staff, and Partners sitting atop the proverbial pyramid of success.

Carved out over the last century or so, the traditional route to success as a solicitor is undoubtedly ingrained in most of us: first you gain experience as a paralegal, then become a trainee, and before you know it, you’re going from associate to senior associate and ultimately Partner. But, with developments like the SQE effecting a mindset shift and technology making its presence known, in-house work is on the rise, and Partnership is no longer the only measure of a solicitor’s success.

Let’s face the facts

A growing number of solicitors are carving out fulfilling, long-term careers in the in-house legal sector. The statistics speak for themselves: as of 2023, more than 34,500 solicitors work in-house across over 6,000 organisations. That’s up from 31,000 in 2021 – a steady increase that underscores just how attractive this career path has become.

And it’s not just about qualified solicitors making the move. Back in 2020, 8.4% of all training contracts were completed in-house, showing that businesses are investing in developing their own talent pipelines. With over 158,000 practising solicitors in the UK in 2024, this suggests that over 21% of solicitors are working in-house.

And so, the proportion choosing in-house continues to grow.

So, what does the in-house hierarchy look like, and how can you build a successful career within it?

The Structure of In-House Legal Teams

Unlike private practice, the in-house structure is usually flatter, with fewer rigid titles and less emphasis on PQE benchmarks. The titles used may fluctuate, as will team size, but most in-house legal teams follow a similar framework:

Paralegal

This role is no different from its private practice counterpart and may be used as qualifying work experience to become a Legal Counsel. However, not every in-house team has a paralegal – with some preferring to have several Legal Counsel at a more junior level.

Legal Counsel

This is often the entry point into the in-house world for many solicitors. As Legal Counsel, you’ll be honing your commercial awareness and learning how to balance legal risk with the practical needs of the business. It’s a shift in mindset from private practice – no longer advising at arm’s length, but becoming a key part of the decision-making process and liaising directly with stakeholders of varying levels.

As your experience develops, you’ll gain more responsibility and manage more complex projects, liaising perhaps with senior stakeholders and possibly even mentoring junior team members.

Senior Legal Counsel

Senior Counsel positions are equal to senior associate level in private practice. You’ll typically have significant autonomy, act as a trusted adviser to executives, and may lead on specific business areas (such as employment, commercial contracts, or compliance). At this stage, you’re acting as a bridge between day-to-day legal work and wider business strategy and beginning to take on management responsibilities for others.

Legal Director or Assistant/Deputy General Counsel (depending on team size)

This is often the first managerial rung. Here, leadership, people management, and operational skills become just as important as legal expertise. You’re not just supporting the business – you’re shaping its legal function.

General Counsel (GC) / Chief Legal Officer (CLO) / Head of Legal

Atop the in-house hierarchy sits the GC, CLO or Head of Legal, most often referred to as General Counsel. This is the in-house equivalent of a law firm Partner, though the role is arguably broader. They are both a legal adviser and business leader, expected to balance risk management with commercial strategy, advise the Board, and often take on responsibilities that extend beyond law – such as governance, compliance, and ESG.

Why Pursue an In-House Career?

The appeal of working in-house is clear. Solicitors in these roles are embedded in the business, able to influence decisions from the outset, and often enjoy greater variety in their work than they might in private practice. There’s also the potential for more flexible and predictable hours, though the reality is that senior roles can still be highly demanding.

Crucially, success as an in-house solicitor isn’t tied to billable hours or billing targets. Instead, it’s about being a trusted partner to the business and providing pragmatic, commercially aware advice. For many solicitors, this makes the in-house route not just an alternative but the preferred path.

Succeeding as an In-House Lawyer

To thrive in-house, technical expertise is only part of the equation. Here are three key skills that will set you apart:

• Commercial Awareness – Understanding how the business operates, generates revenue, and faces risk is essential.
• Communication – The ability to explain complex legal issues simply and persuasively to non-lawyers is vital.
• Adaptability – In-house teams are often smaller than law firms, so flexibility and a willingness to tackle a wide range of issues will make you invaluable.
  

How Harvey John Supports In-House Lawyers

At Harvey John, we recognise that building a career in-house is not about chasing titles but about finding the right fit – both culturally and professionally. That’s why we work with entire legal teams, meeting with them at their offices, and strive to really learn how they work, in addition to the purpose of the company itself. Our aim is not just to advertise a job but to represent the company and its culture authentically.

Whether you’re a solicitor considering your first move in-house or an experienced lawyer aiming for the top of the proverbial pyramid, we can help you navigate the market and identify opportunities aligned with your ambitions.

Your Version of Success

The in-house hierarchy may look different from private practice, but the principle remains the same: success is subjective. For some, it’s becoming a soundboard for general legal advice as General Counsel; for others, it’s mastering a specialist area without the pressures of business development.

Wherever you see your career heading, it’s worth talking it through with a recruiter who understands the nuances of the in-house market.

Reach out to Hayley or Chloë for guidance on building your in-house career. And, check out our latest in-house vacancies, one of which is an exciting, newly devised position focusing on data and digital products at a well-known global brand’s office in Sussex.

If you missed it, take a look at our previous blog, which delves into success as a Private Practice solicitor.