2022 In-House Counsel Survey Report

Why are in-house counsel leaving and where are they going?

May 11, 2023

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What Will I Learn?

You will gain insights into the career satisfaction of in-house counsel, the evolving priorities shaped by the pandemic, and practical guidance on navigating and advancing their professional journeys.

The Axiom Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 300 US in-house counsel working at organizations with a minimum annual revenue of $1M between May 23 and June 3, 2022, using an email invitation and an online survey. Revenue quotas were set for 100 respondents at companies with $1M to $25M in annual revenue and for 200 respondents at companies with more than $25M in annual revenue.

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Challenges for In-House Counsel

In-House Counsel Are Leaving

Call it the Great Resignation, the Great Reshuffling, or as we like to call it at Axiom, the Great Reflection. No matter the phrase, it’s clear that lawyers everywhere are reconsidering where and how they want to pursue their legal careers. The pandemic upended the traditional legal practice model for in-house legal departments, which is now being further impacted by inflationary and recessionary forces. Many in-house counsel aren’t satisfied with the current state of affairs, and even among those who are, resignations are expected to continue.

New Career Directions

Where Are They Going?

So where are in-house counsel envisioning their futures? Across industries and practice areas, they’re reflecting on how to improve their professional and work lives. Lawyers are seeking roles that align more closely with their values, whether through greater flexibility, improved work-life balance, or new career paths altogether. This report explores where lawyers are heading as they leave their once sought-after in-house roles and provides insights into the opportunities they’re pursuing.