Data shows lawyers want more autonomy and greater impact

The survey, conducted by Crafty Counsel in partnership with Pinsent Masons Vario, gathered data from 97 in-house legal professionals with a mixture of working styles, and included consultants and employed lawyers in its deep dive into the changing landscape of legal careers. Among the consultants surveyed, more than half have worked with law firm-backed alternative legal service providers (ALSPs), which has become an important pathway into consultancy.

Greater autonomy

The survey found that both autonomy and impact are great motivators for consultant lawyers when choosing their career path. Those surveyed broke down autonomy as being more than just flexibility over when to work. This was one part of it, but the wider concept focused on having control over the type of projects consultants work on as well. Taking holiday or downtime was balanced against the freedom to commit to periods of more intense work if desired.

Importantly, the survey also found that money is not as strong a motivator for consultant lawyers as might be expected. The key focus for many of the respondents was on having the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of clients and projects. As long as they felt they were being paid fairly for their work, money was less of an issue.

Avoiding office politics

Respondents generally said they chose the legal profession because they have a passion for learning and practicing the law. Inevitably, of course, as careers progress, other elements become important to professional development too, from team management to marketing and business development.

But these elements do not suit everyone, and the survey suggested that avoiding office politics was a key motivator for lawyers that made the switch from in-house legal work to consultancy. Indeed, many consultants told the survey that working without these additional responsibilities felt hugely liberating.

Re-evaluating the impact of work

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people have taken a step back and re-evaluated what really mattered to them about their work. The survey revealed that lawyers enjoy working on impactful projects and also making a direct impact on their clients. Respondents also made clear that a sense of belonging to the company's culture, and a voice in shaping the organisation's direction, were also key motivators.

Shift from ‘traditional’ legal careers

Overall, the survey demonstrates how in-house legal careers are evolving and the motivators driving these changes. There is certainly a move away from ‘traditional’ legal career norms and that scramble to reach the top of the partnership. This shift has come hand-in-hand with greater approval and adoption of legal consulting.

Many lawyers seek autonomy, and diverse work which gives them a sense of purpose and impact. While it has been useful to examine how these in-house lawyers are feeling and working, these lessons are hugely helpful to any general counsel looking to attract and retain top legal talent.