Deep Dive

Building a strong professional network of in-house lawyers can increase your effectiveness today and open up opportunities for the future. It is one of the most powerful tools you have to shape your career on your own terms.

When I first started posting on LinkedIn, my goal was simple: to build my professional network and brand in Boston. Before joining the Boston Globe as legal counsel in 2018, my legal career had been based entirely in New York. My only experience in Boston was founding and running a juice bar. Most people in the legal community didn’t know who I was. And the few who did mostly knew me as “the juice bar lady.”

I realized that if I wanted to make a real impact in my new role, and if I wanted to build a flexible, sustainable in-house career, I would need a strong network. I started online, especially during the pandemic when in-person networking came to a halt, and later built relationships in person as well.

It has been transformative.

Here are some of the ways a strong professional network has helped me—and how it can help you too.

5 important ways a powerful professional network can make you a more effective in-house lawyer.

1. You’ll find smarter solutions, faster.

You’re smart and you have good ideas. So does your team. But learning from peers outside your company who face similar challenges is invaluable.

Some issues are “solved problems”—like how to streamline NDAs or manage outside counsel budgets. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel if someone in your network already has a great approach you can learn from.

Others are new and hit fast. For example, many of us benefited from brainstorming with peers during the 2023 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Even when we do have time to prepare, like when we thought through GDPR and CCPA, brainstorming options with others outside our company can be invaluable. The benefit of your network in these moments comes from brainstorming with peers who are just as deep in the weeds as you are, but who bring different viewpoints to the table.

2. You’ll find the right resources faster.

Need a top-notch lawyer in Tokyo? A consultant who’s helped stand up a dozen factories in Minnesota? The fastest way to find trusted, vetted options is through your network.

The same goes for tools and vendors. When you're evaluating CLMs, billing platforms, or compliance software, firsthand input from peers helps you focus on what’s worth your time. Even if their company’s needs aren’t exactly like yours, their experiences can point you toward the best options to explore.

3. You’ll hear about (and share) opportunities.

Many of the most exciting opportunities for in-house lawyers, whether it’s a new role, an advisory board seat, or a panel invite, never show up on a job board. They’re shared through networks.

Knowing other in-house lawyers keeps you in the loop. And the more you share job openings, vendor recommendations, speaking slots and more with your network, the more naturally those opportunities will find their way to you, too.

4. You’ll enjoy your job more.

Working in-house, especially as a General Counsel, can feel isolating. You handle sensitive issues, make tough calls, and often can’t fully share what’s on your mind, even with trusted colleagues, because it’s privileged or too sensitive.

Getting to know other in-house lawyers can help lighten that load. It’s a reminder that you’re not alone in facing these pressures, and having peers who understand your world can make a big difference.

As a bonus, many in-house lawyers share similar values, instincts, and ways of thinking. That often means you’ll actually enjoy spending time with the people in your network.

5. It helps shape your personal brand.

Your personal brand is not just what you say about yourself. It is also what others say about you when you are not in the room. And your network plays an important role in that.

Every conversation you have, every thoughtful question you ask, and every time you offer useful advice contributes to how people perceive you. Over time, those impressions build. You become known as someone who is sharp, practical, collaborative, or business-minded, depending on the qualities you consistently demonstrate.

When people in your network trust and respect you, they are more likely to think of you when opportunities come up. Whether it is a speaking engagement, an advisory role, or a new job, your name is more likely to be suggested by someone who knows your work and your value.

In that way, your network not only expands your reach. It also strengthens your reputation.

Sold on the value of building a network of other in-house lawyers? Great. Check your inbox next Wednesday morning for specific steps you can take to grow your professional network.