The in-house legal landscape continues to develop in sophistication and complexity as more and more businesses recognise the value of an in-house function. No longer seen as just the internal contract-checkers or deal-blockers, today’s in-house counsel are expected to be commercially minded, strategically agile - and deeply embedded in the business.
As the demand for top legal talent continues to rise across all industry verticals, hiring managers are becoming increasingly discerning about the attributes they value most in their legal hires.
So, what separates a good in-house lawyer from a great one?
1. Commercial Acumen
Perhaps the biggest differentiator for in-house legal professionals is their ability to align legal advice with commercial objectives. Legal departments are no longer operating in isolation: they’re expected to proactively contribute to business strategy and decision-making.
đ What hiring managers want to see:
- Ability to assess legal risk in commercial context
- Understanding of the business’s products, services, and markets
- Pragmatic problem-solving rather than overly cautious legal theory
2. Communication Skills
Clear, concise, and confident communication is essential. In-house lawyers must explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders, often under pressure and with limited time. Hiring managers will often place greater value on a candidate’s ability to articulate and build rapport over their technical expertise (which can be more easily taught)
đŁïž Valued traits include:
- Plain-English communication
- Confidence in advising senior stakeholders
- Ability to influence and negotiate
3. Strategic Thinking
General Counsels and senior legal teams increasingly expect their hires to think beyond legal risk; but to consider a balance of reputational, regulatory and operational implications.
đŻ Look for candidates who:
- Ask smart, strategic questions
- Link legal issues to long-term business goals
- Can pivot between daily tasks and big-picture thinking
4. Agility and Adaptability
Whether it’s responding to a regulatory shift, helping with a fast-paced M&A deal, or covering unexpected legal issues, the best in-house lawyers are adaptable and solutions-focused.
⥠These skills are particularly valued in:
- Scale-ups and fast-growth businesses
- Highly regulated or evolving sectors (e.g. fintech, AI, healthtech)
- Legal teams with lean headcount
5. Stakeholder Management
Great in-house lawyers know how to build trusted relationships across departments—from finance and sales to HR and marketing. They are approachable, collaborative, and service-oriented.
đ€ Hiring managers look for:
- Emotional intelligence and diplomacy
- Ability to manage competing priorities and personalities
- A reputation as a “safe pair of hands”
6. Curiosity and Proactive Learning
Laws, regulations, and risks evolve constantly. A top-tier in-house lawyer is committed to staying ahead—through ongoing learning, curiosity, and a desire to contribute beyond the day-to-day.
đ Green flags include:
- Recent training or certifications
- Interest in emerging areas like ESG, data privacy, or AI
- A clear passion for learning and development
Bonus tip: a sense of humour helps
The ability to stay grounded and human in high-pressure situations shouldn’t be underestimated. Many hiring managers value candidates who bring a touch of lightness, humility, or perspective to their role.
Final Thoughts
The most successful in-house lawyers in 2025 are not just legal experts—they’re business enablers, trusted advisors and strategic thinkers. For hiring managers, assessing cultural fit, agility, and commercial nous is just as important as legal expertise.
At Leonid, we help companies find in-house legal professionals who go beyond the job description and demonstrate the key attributes for success in this ever-changing world.
We do not, however, compromise on speed. We pledge to fill all of our roles within one month of instruction, under our Magic Month methodology.
One aspect of our service which our clients in in-house legal particularly appreciate is our LeonidLive video shortlisting. We present shortlisted candidates in short video interviews – conducted live by a Leonid consultant, with questions pre-set by our clients. This enables hiring managers to assess many of the key attributes listed above in this article – and also saves significant time in the recruitment process, on average 10 hours per hire.
Looking to hire exceptional in-house legal professionals? Please contact Phil Redhead to find out more.