The World of the In-house Lawyer - a podcast by Frances Ridout, Kerry Jarred, Simon Reichwald, Nigel Spencer

In this episode, Deepak Malhotra, Corporate Adviser and former senior in-house lawyer (General Counsel) explains how he developed his career as an in-house lawyer. He discusses the experience of moving to a role where from day 1 was literally ‘sitting amongst your clients’ in corporate business. Deepak speaks about the critical skills of communication, building trust, influencing, being proactive and how he saw his in-house team’s role as being ‘educators’ of the businesses he sat within.  The episode also explores the growth of in-house roles (with 1 in 4 solicitors now working in-house) and how that opens up opportunities to hold for roles in corporate businesses, government, charities and human rights organisations.  Finally, Deepak discusses the long-term career options, and the wide range of opportunities that in-house roles can offer to develop different skill-sets. 

This episode encourage listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode. 

1. Consider what interests you most. Do you want to be a deep, niche specialist in an area of law, or have a broader, commercial role?


2. In your network, ask if anyone knows a solicitor who has an in-house legal role and seek an introduction.  Ask them what they enjoy about the role, and compare this conversation with another contact who works in private practice.

Useful resources:

• Look at websites such as the ‘Association of Corporate Counsel’ where there are career resources and information about in-house roles.


• Explore what opportunities exist for in-house training contracts, and the different government or corporate entities which offer them. 

Further episodes of Reimagine Law

Further podcasts by Frances Ridout, Kerry Jarred, Simon Reichwald, Nigel Spencer

Website of Frances Ridout, Kerry Jarred, Simon Reichwald, Nigel Spencer