Getting
started
is
hard
to
do.
Whether
you
are
transitioning
from
a
law
firm
to
an
in-house
role
or
stepping
into
your
first
in-house
position,
the
shift
can
be
overwhelming.
Many
lawyers
quickly
realize
that
law
school
does
not
fully
prepare
them
for
the
realities
of
in-house
practice.
It’s
a
common
complaint
among
legal
professionals
—
some
argue
that
law
schools
should
do
more
to
bridge
the
gap,
while
others
believe
that
new
in-house
lawyers
must
take
the
initiative
to
gain
practical
experience
on
their
own.
Law
schools
do
their
job
by
teaching
students
how
to
research,
analyze
legal
issues,
find
case
law,
formulate
arguments,
and
apply
legal
principles,
but
legal
education
—
especially
for
in-house
lawyers
—
cannot
stop
there.
In-house
legal
work
requires
more
than
just
knowing
the
law;
it
demands
strategic
thinking,
business
acumen,
and
strong
communication
skills.
Who
is
responsible
for
providing
that
legal
education?
If
pressed
for
an
answer,
I
would
say
it
is
a
shared
responsibility.
Taking
Ownership
Of
Your
In-House
Education
Moving
in-house
requires
a
shift
in
mindset.
Unlike
law
firm
practice,
where
legal
analysis
is
often
the
sole
focus,
in-house
lawyers
must
integrate
legal
considerations
into
broader
business
objectives.
No
one
is
going
to
hand
you
a
roadmap
on
Day
One.
That
means
you
have
to
take
ownership
of
your
professional
growth
and
development.
Many
lawyers
believe
that
excelling
in
their
legal
knowledge
is
enough,
but
to
thrive
in
an
in-house
role,
you
need
to
go
beyond
traditional
legal
skills.
You
must
understand
your
company’s
business,
industry,
and
key
stakeholders
—
that
requires
getting
out
of
your
office
(or
away
from
your
inbox)
and
engaging
with
colleagues
in
different
departments.
You
can
shadow
finance
teams
to
understand
budgeting
constraints.
You
can
work
with
HR
to
navigate
employment
matters.
You
can
partner
with
sales
and
marketing
to
ensure
compliance
without
stifling
innovation.
You
must
also
take
the
initiative
to
seek
mentorship
and
find
learning
opportunities.
Unlike
law
firms
where
there
is
often
a
structured
path
for
associates
to
develop,
the
path
for
in-house
lawyers,
on
the
other
hand,
can
be
more
ambiguous.
That’s
why
it’s
critical
to
build
relationships
with
experienced
lawyers
—
both
inside
and
outside
your
company.
Find
mentors,
ask
questions,
and
seek
guidance.
Many
seasoned
lawyers
are
more
than
willing
to
help
if
you
take
the
initiative
and
ask.
The
Learning
Never
Stops
One
of
the
biggest
misconceptions
new
in-house
lawyers
have
is
that
their
education
ends
once
they
leave
law
school
or
pass
the
bar
exam.
That
could
not
be
further
from
the
truth.
In-house
practice
requires
continuous
learning.
Laws
change.
Business
priorities
shift.
New
risks
emerge.
A
good
in-house
lawyer
understands
that
staying
competent
means
staying
informed.
For
those
new
to
in-house
roles,
reaching
out
to
other
in-house
lawyers
—
whether
it
is
within
your
company
or
with
outside
organizations
—
is
essential.
Learning
from
those
who
have
navigated
similar
challenges
can
provide
practical
knowledge
that
no
law
school
class
can
teach.
Attending
industry
conferences,
joining
professional
associations
like
the
Association
of
Corporate
Counsel
(ACC),
and
participating
in
legal
networking
events
are
also
great
ways
to
continue
developing
skills
and
expanding
professional
connections.
Even
as
a
senior
in-house
lawyer,
I
still
ask
questions.
I
still
seek
advice.
I
still
push
myself
to
learn
and
refine
my
craft.
It’s
not
a
sign
of
weakness—it’s
a
sign
of
dedication
to
the
profession.
Learning
Goes
Both
Ways
One
of
the
greatest
lessons
I’ve
learned
over
the
years
is
that
learning
is
a
two-way
street.
While
junior
in-house
lawyers
and
law
students
look
to
seasoned
in-house
lawyers
for
guidance,
seasoned
in-house
lawyers
can
also
learn
from
those
junior
in-house
lawyers
and
law
school
students.
New
lawyers
and
future
lawyers
can
bring
fresh
perspectives,
innovative
ideas,
and
a
different
way
of
thinking
about
the
law.
By
engaging
with
new
in-house
lawyers
and
law
school
students,
I
have
gained
new
insights
and
grown
in
my
own
role.
That’s
why
I
believe
in
giving
back.
I’ve
mentored
junior
in-house
counsel,
taught
a
law
school
practical
legal
skills
class,
presented
at
industry
seminars,
and
co-hosted/moderated
legal
conferences.
I’ve
also
invited
law
students
to
assist
me
with
pro
bono
matters
to
give
them
exposure
and
experience
to
real-world
legal
challenges.
These
experiences
allow
me
not
only
to
share
my
knowledge,
but
also
to
continue
to
learn
from
those
who
are
just
beginning
their
legal
careers.
When
I
mentor,
I
don’t
just
talk
about
legal
skills.
I
emphasize
leadership,
ethics,
and
business
strategy.
Being
an
in-house
lawyer
is
about
more
than
just
managing
risk
—
it’s
about
being
a
trusted
advisor
to
the
company.
It’s
about
recognizing
your
duty
to
the
company,
its
employees,
and
its
stakeholders.
Be
The
Change
You
Want
To
See
If
there
is
one
thing
I
want
to
leave
you
with,
it
is
this:
when
you
enter
the
workforce
as
a
lawyer,
you
are
not
going
to
know
how
to
do
everything
you
are
expected
to
do
on
the
first
day
of
the
job.
When
you
identify
a
gap
in
knowledge
or
understanding,
do
not
wait
for
someone
else
to
step
up
and
bridge
the
gap.
That
cavalry
is
not
coming.
You
must
lead
the
charge.
Whether
you
are
new
to
in-house
practice
or
a
seasoned
corporate
counsel,
take
ownership
of
your
career.
Seek
out
opportunities
to
grow.
Build
relationships
with
business
leaders.
Learn
from
those
ahead
of
you,
and
mentor
those
who
come
after
you.
Most
importantly,
do
it
not
just
for
yourself,
but
for
others.
The
in-house
legal
profession
thrives
when
lawyers
commit
to
learning,
mentoring,
and
leading.
The
future
of
in-house
counsel
is
in
your
hands
—
make
the
most
of
it.
Lisa
Lang
is
an
in-house
lawyer
and
thought
leader
who
is
passionate
about
all
things
in-house.
She
has
recently
launched
a
website
and
blog
Why
This,
Not
That™
(www.lawyerlisalang.com
)
to
serve
as
a
resource
for
in-house
lawyers.
You
can
e-mail
her
at
[email protected]
,
connect
with
her
on
LinkedIn
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyerlisalang/)
or
follow
her
on
Twitter
(@lang_lawyer).