Working as an in-house attorney can provide a rewarding career, but it is essential to understand what success looks like in a corporate environment. The role as an in-house lawyer presents unique challenges, and being successful may require developing in ways that are different from what makes a lawyer successful in private practice. Knowing what professional skills are prioritized in-house can help you to thrive in a corporate role.

The first key to being successful in an in-house setting is to understand your role. This understanding begins with knowing your company’s corporate structure. How a company has decided to structure itself tells you how that company’s management believes roles and responsibilities should be assigned within the organization. It lets you know where your job starts and where someone else’s job takes over or who to seek out with a particular question.  It also gives you a sense of culture. For example, a hierarchical company suggests a desire for a clear separation of roles, while a company with a flat structure may suggest that it encourages collaboration all on topics, regardless of your title.