Most In-House Lawyers Have One Foot Out the Door.
More than half of in-house legal professionals are on the hunt for new job opportunities, which is concerning news for any legal leader already grappling with an overstretched and under-resourced team. The situation becomes even more alarming when you learn that, among those not actively searching for a new position, the majority still anticipate changing roles within the next year, with many looking to join flexible legal talent providers to achieve a better work-life balance.
In addition to better work/life balance, it appears there’s a focus for new roles that allow lawyers a clear career path and professional development opportunities.
Despite AI Risks, Legal Teams Lack Policies and Training.
AI is becoming integral to improving the efficiency of legal departments and their work, especially for teams struggling with bandwidth constraints. But the ungoverned use of AI tools and tech—many unapproved by companies—invokes serious, if not existential, risks. Cybersecurity, confidentiality, and accuracy concerns are recognized, with all (100%) in-house counsel surveyed acknowledging these risks.
Despite this, almost half (45%) of teams lack formal AI policies, making it crucial for legal leaders to ensure they implement safeguards and training as quickly as possible, especially as only 8% said they’ve received sufficient training for using AI tools in their legal work.
Team Resourcing Gaps Add to Dissatisfaction and Stress.
A striking 97% of in-house counsel reported their departments lack the necessary staffing resources to meet their job responsibilities, and all (100%) reported common obstacles that hinder their teams' ability to work efficiently. The top frustration? No surprise: spending way too much time managing law firms and other external resources.
While strategic alignment between in-house legal and the broader organization is positive, tensions between in-house lawyers, legal leaders, and legal ops professionals stifle productivity, effectiveness, and well-being.