Expanding Your Career Beyond Your Legal Specialty

Lawyers who want to move to the business side often ask me: “How did you make the jump?” Here’s the answer, from someone who went Law Firm Legal → In-House Legal → EVP Sales → EVP of HR → COO → Chief of Staff. 1. Learn the business before you ask for the opportunity. Know the vision and long strategy of the company. Familiarize yourself with the product roadmap. Understand revenue, margin, and cash. If you can’t explain how the company makes and loses money, start there. 2. Translate risk into business terms. Stop saying, “that’s too risky.” Start saying, “this could cost us X, delay Y, or impact Z customers.” Quantify risk in terms of business impact. 3. Own work outside Legal. Start early. Don’t wait to be invited. Fix contracting ops. Lead a cross-functional project. Partner with HR on performance management initiatives. Build proof that you can think outside the lawyer box. 4. Speak in recommendations, not caveats. Come with: Option A / Option B / My call. Hedging kills credibility. Be confident in telling people what you would do if you owned the decision. 5. Build fluency in sales. Know the art (story arcs and messaging), and the science (forecasts, pipeline coverage and CAC). Learn the drivers that make the business grow. 6. Build a reputation as a problem-solver, not just a lawyer. You want people saying, “Ask Jess, she’ll figure it out.” Not: “Send it to Legal.” 7. Be willing to be wrong and recover fast. Operators make calls without perfect info. If you need certainty, don’t cross over. 8. Share your ambition out loud. Tell your boss you want operational exposure. Ask for stretch projects. Create your own runway. Don’t blindside your leader with news you want to leave the department. I didn’t “leave law.” (Hell, I’m still a General Counsel). I just learned the business so well that leadership trusted me to run parts of it. You can too. If you’re a lawyer eyeing the business side: what are you working on right now?

A Recovering Lawyer's Guide to LegalTech As April arrives, my inbox fills with messages from attorneys exploring career pivots. "How do I break into LegalTech?" "Do I need coding skills?" These questions echo my own journey from practicing at one of India's largest firms to now leading Digital & Innovation team and building the Indian LegalTech Network (ILTN). Here are 5 Steps to Successfully Navigate Your Transition 1. Build your LegalTech network Attend LegalGeek, ILTA events, or local Legal Hackers chapters. While running The Blue Pencil in law school, I discovered the LegalTech community is refreshingly approachable—people genuinely enjoy what they do, making connections more authentic than traditional legal networking. 2. Find technology opportunities in your current role Don't wait for a formal transition. Speak to your IT or innovation teams about joining projects. Volunteer for internal committees focused on process improvement. These experiences develop relevant skills while testing your interest without commitment. 3. Develop adjacent skills beyond legal knowledge Abandon self-limiting beliefs like "I cannot do tech." Master advanced features in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Google Workspace. Learn design thinking, process mapping, and product management fundamentals—far more valuable in most LegalTech roles than coding. 4. Build something concrete Today's no-code tools enable anyone to create functional applications. Identify a problem in your practice, map the process, and build a prototype using Bubble, Bryter, or Microsoft Power Automate. Demonstrating this initiative speaks volumes to potential employers. 5. Choose hands-on experience over theoretical training While LegalTech programs proliferate, practical experience typically provides better value. If pursuing further education, prioritize programs offering real-world projects over purely academic approaches. Where Legal Expertise Creates Value! Most LegalTech roles don't require coding—they need people who identify the right problems and bring together solutions. Key positions include: -Legal Solutions Architect -Legal Project Manager -Practice Development -Legal Operations Manager Resources That Made the Difference 1. Richard Susskind's "Tomorrow's Lawyers" 2. Communities like Legal Hackers, International Legal Technology Association (ILTA), Indian LegalTech Network (ILTN) 3. Practical skills in design thinking and process mapping Start Today - Start Where You Are Become your team's tech power user. Volunteer with LegalTech startups. Approach this transition with genuine curiosity rather than career desperation—successful legal innovators see problems as opportunities, not obstacles. (and as always Projects/Solutions you built > > Certificate courses) The pictures from the amazing International Legal Technology Association (ILTA)'s ILTACON 2024!

PSA: If you’re applying for jobs outside your degree or aiming for a career change, read this! Career transitions don’t just 'happen' because you apply for enough jobs - they happen because you’ve deliberately built and communicated the bridge between your past and your target role. If you’ve sent 100+ applications in your target field and still haven’t secured an interview, this is the most likely reason: 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐕 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. This applies to both junior and senior professionals. Too often, there’s 𝐧𝐨 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭. Example: You studied Marketing at university. After graduation, you started your career in Sales at an SME. Three years later, you’re sick of sales and are now aiming for a Communications role at an MNC. It’s not impossible to make that jump, but hiring managers think in terms of credibility and risk. When they read your CV, they'll think this: “Why should I choose someone who hasn’t spent most of their career in this field over someone who has?” So in order to position yourself as a credible candidate, you need to close that gap. Ask yourself these 3 questions when revising your CV: 1️⃣ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞? → Review multiple job descriptions and spot repeated skills. These are industry requirements. 2️⃣ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐈 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞? → Frame these specific skills upfront and expand on them, with measurable results - the more detailed it is, the better you position yourself for the role. You can remove irrelevant experiences, they just add fluff and distract the recruiter. 3️⃣ 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐛𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬? → If you’re changing fields, share your motivation in your summary and draw a clear line between your past and target role. The connection have to be so clear you can spot it from space. I’ve applied this strategy successfully several times - I transitioned from a Law degree → Corporate Comms → Programme Management → Recruitment - all in 7 years. If your CV doesn’t show a clear, deliberate path to your next role, you’ll keep being seen as a risk no matter how capable you are! You need to write a CV that builds trust, not one that raises doubts. Right now, which one is yours doing? If you need support in doing this, I provide CV review services here > bit.ly/CVReviewbyYasmin _________ Let's connect - I share career tips & opportunities > Sharifah Hani Yasmin Kindly repost ♻️ for your networks!

Why CEOs Are Reluctant to Have Lawyers as Directors - And What Lawyers Must Do to Change the Narrative Once a month I host a round table discussion with CEOs. This month’s topic focused on why CEOs do not want lawyers on their boards and what lawyers can do about it. Here are the hard truths: 1. The Risk Aversion Stigma: Lawyers are often seen as the “no” people in the room. CEOs want directors who will push boundaries and embrace risk, not those who’ll play it safe. Lawyers are seen as too reluctant to take chances. 2. Tunnel Vision: The legal mindset can be narrow, focusing on compliance while ignoring the bigger picture. CEOs are hungry for leaders who can think strategically, not just legally. Lawyers are seen as missing the forest for the trees. 3. Cultural Disconnect: The corporate world thrives on a unique blend of innovation and agility. Lawyers are seen as having a tough time fitting into this fast-paced culture. So, how can lawyers change the narrative to become must-have candidates for directorships? 1. Expand Your Expertise: If you want a seat at the table, don’t just bring legal knowledge. Get familiar with financials, market dynamics, and operational strategies. Consider an MBA to broaden your appeal. You must be ready to step out of your comfort zone. 2. Shift to a Growth Mindset: Don’t just be the guardian of legal boundaries—become a champion for growth. Engage in discussions that showcase how legal insights can fuel innovation. You must be ready to be more than just a legal shield. 3. Highlight Your Unique Value: In industries facing heavy regulation, your legal expertise isn’t just a safety net—it’s a competitive advantage. Companies that prioritize ethics and compliance can differentiate themselves in the marketplace, building trust with customers and stakeholders. Position yourself as a leader who can navigate the complexities of regulation while driving innovation. You must be ready to turn compliance into a strategic asset that propels the company forward. The boardroom is evolving, and lawyers must rise to the challenge. By breaking down barriers and redefining their roles, lawyers can become indispensable assets to any company.

Most lawyers follow established career paths. Privacy lawyers are creating entirely new ones. This is Path 3 of my privacy career series - the Privacy Legal & Regulatory path and it’s creating some of the fastest-growing legal specializations of our generation. Here’s the opportunity: Privacy legal work has become a field where you can build entirely new types of legal careers. THE FIELD THAT BUILT ITSELF Unlike saturated practice areas with decades of established precedent, privacy law is still writing its playbook. Corporate legal teams, established law firms building dedicated privacy practices, and new boutique firms specializing in data protection are all actively seeking privacy professionals to navigate evolving regulations. You're not just practicing law - you're defining what privacy legal practice even means. The lawyers who recognized this early? They're not following career paths - they're creating them. FROM LAW SCHOOL TO BOUTIQUE FIRM FOUNDER I watched this transformation happen with someone who started with zero privacy experience: → Landed a summer internship at a data analytics company’s legal privacy team after law school → Discovered she loved the intersection of law, technology, and business strategy → Joined a large firm’s emerging privacy practice as an associate → Developed specialized expertise in startup privacy compliance and M&A due diligence → Launched her own boutique privacy firm focusing exclusively on tech startups → Now advises on complex privacy aspects of venture funding and acquisitions What made her trajectory possible wasn’t just legal skills - it was recognizing that privacy law offered the rare opportunity to build a practice around emerging needs rather than following established precedent. SKILLS THAT MATTER The privacy lawyers building lasting careers aren't regulation memorizers. They're: → Regulatory relationship builders - They understand how agencies actually operate → Business translators - They turn legal requirements into executable guidance → Trend anticipators - They see regulatory shifts before they hit → Cross-functional communicators - They speak engineer, marketer, AND lawyer THE CHALLENGES I've seen this path demand more than a lot of legal areas: → Constant evolution - Privacy law changes faster than almost any practice area → Intellectual isolation - You're often the only person who fully grasps the complexity → Gray area navigation - Regulators don't always have clear answers either BUT HERE'S WHAT YOU GET Something most legal careers lack: the opportunity to build expertise in a field that is still defining itself. Question for the privacy legal community: For those who've been in privacy legal work for a while - what's the biggest shift you've seen in how organizations approach privacy lawyers' role? (Next up in the series: Privacy Consulting).

Law firm partner to in-house counsel is a bigger leap than most lawyers realize. And it might not happen the way you think. If you're a partner, counsel, or senior associate (8+ years in) eyeing an in-house move, here's the truth: Companies hiring through retained search firms typically want candidates who already speak their language. No in-house experience yet? Don't worry. Many companies bypass search firms in the early phases of a senior in-house counsel hiring initiative. During that phase, they tend to be more open to considering law firm talent with potential. These roles become your gateway to future GC opportunities. Breaking in requires strategy: • 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲. Transitions happen through relationships. Reach out to former clients and colleagues who've made the jump. • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀. Partners representing companies you'd like to join often get the first call when those clients need in-house talent. These relationship partners can be your champions. • 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲. Highlight business impact alongside legal expertise. • 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀. A coffee with someone who's already transitioned in-house can reveal more than hours of research. • 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀. Organizations like ACC, ABA, In-House Connect, The L Suite and MCCA are goldmines for connections and knowledge about in-house opportunities. • 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀. Track positions on LinkedIn, ACC Jobline, GoInHouse, The L Suite, and Major, Lindsey & Africa's careers page that match your experience. Once inside a corporate legal team, success requires different skills: • 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁, 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱. Connect your advice to company goals and financial impact. • 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. Your effectiveness depends on influence, not authority. • 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿. Build relationships beyond the legal department. Collaborate across functions and business lines. • 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺. Perfect legal solutions often take a backseat to business realities. Focus on impact, not ego. Remember this: The in-house transition demands persistence and humility. You'll trade technical perfection for business influence. For many, that's a worthwhile exchange – but it's not for everyone. What was your turning point when moving in-house? Your experience could be someone's roadmap.

“I’ve been interning in Corporate law since my second year. Now my fourth year is almost over. I want to explore Arbitration… but I’m scared. Should I play safe and continue with Corporate? Or should I venture out?” One of my mentees asked me this during a one-on-one call. And I want to tell you something, this is not confusion. This is career maturity kicking in. At a time where majority of the students live with the attitude of "bas internship mil jaega, kaam dekha jaega", she was thinking like a future lawyer. For almost two years, she had built strong Corporate law experience. Good quality internships. Consistent exposure. Real work. Real learning. Now she felt the itch to explore Arbitration. She wasn't lost. But the fear wasn’t about interest. It was about risk. “What if I lose my edge in Corporate?” “What if firms think I’m confused?” “What if I waste time?” One doesn't betraying their main track by exploring another one. Exploring diverse domains in law school helps in expanding your legal intelligence. But there’s a difference between: strategic exploration and panic switching. Exploring Arbitration doesn’t mean quitting Corporate. It can mean: • One focused Arbitration internship • Shadowing a few hearings • Reading awards and pleadings • Talking to people in the field That’s not derailment. That’s smart exposure. Your Corporate experience doesn’t disappear just because you tried something new. In fact, it makes you more dangerous (in the good way). Because cross-domain lawyers think better. Who knows she might end up picking Corporate Disputes as her choice of career? Cross domain lawyers can negotiate better. They understand disputes behind transactions better. And the truth is: One doesn't build their career by playing “safe”. It's built by playing smart. Safe is staying stuck. Smart is calculated curiosity. One doesn’t always have to choose between fear and chaos. Chosing strategy could be the smart decision too. If you’re in your pre-final year and this question sounds familiar, you’re not being irrational. You’re just becoming intentional. Think it this way. Your Legal Career Coach (YLCC) Sammanika

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗚𝗖? It’s not AI. It’s not outside counsel. It’s... ...being "just legal". And those GCs are already disappearing. Some are the Blockbusters of the boardroom. A few are becoming the Netflix. The difference? 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹+ 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. Blockbuster owned the market. Netflix rewrote the rules. Today, the same shift is happening in the GC world, and only the best will thrive. The ACC Docket recently published “The Rise of the Legal+ Role.” The data confirms what I’ve lived firsthand: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻-𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰, 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆-𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴. Modern GCs don’t wait. They lead: 1/ 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 If Legal touches it, you can shape it. HR, PR, Corp Dev, ESG. 2/ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘄 Your CEO isn’t hiring a lawyer. They want a strategic executive who knows the law. 3/ 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 Every stretch role is optional. But each one accelerates your influence. This isn’t theory: -  83% of GC/CLOs manage responsibilities beyond legal. -  Fortune 500 GCs in non-traditional roles jumped from 26 → 41 in just one year. 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹+ 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. From the GC seat, I’ve led IT, HR, ESG, M&A, and more, while driving company-wide business initiatives and strategy. Each stretch expanded my influence and advanced my career. Your next “legal issue”? It’s also a chance to: - Shape HR policy - Steer corporate strategy - Turn risk into opportunity Here’s the truth: If your GC role is just contracts and compliance… You’re already falling behind. The traditional GC is going. The modern Legal+ leader is here. I guide all the new and aspiring GCs I coach to take this broad approach from day one. And so should you. 🔎 Now ask yourself: are you still seen as "just legal", or already stepping into Legal+? That answer will define your next 5 years. 💬 Which side of history will you be on, Blockbuster or Netflix? 👥 Tag a GC who’s already playing Netflix. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/gPaAh4SR ♻️ Like and Repost to help other lawyers grow. 🔔 Follow Adrian Moffatt for more in-house insights.

Thinking of Leaving the Law ⚖️? Start Here 🎙️ Not every lawyer is cut out for a lifelong career in traditional legal practice—and that’s OK. I've certainly had several fulfilling alternative careers since leaving law school (continuing legal education, recruiting, and coaching after a brief stint in investigating housing discrimination). In the latest episode of the Counsel to Counsel podcast, I speak with Kimberly Kappler Fine and Neil Handwerker, co-founders of ex judicata, a platform helping lawyers explore non-legal careers. We talk about: ✔ Why so many lawyers feel stuck—and what to do about it ✔ The mindset shifts needed to succeed outside of law ✔ How ex judicata supports both new and seasoned lawyers ✔ Practical tools: diagnostic assessments, JD-advantage job boards, skills courses, and more Whether you're burned out or just curious about your next chapter, this episode is packed with insights and resources. 🎧 Listen to Episode 157 wherever you get your podcasts (or follow the link on my website). If this conversation resonates with you and you're not sure where to start, I'm always happy to offer a free 30-minute consultation to help you think through your options. Head to my website to sign up. #legalcareers #jdadvantage #lawyerlife #counseltocounselpodcast *************** I'm Stephen E. Seckler, Esq. - Counsel to Counsel 🦉. I help attorneys: 🧭 Navigate challenging career transitions 😌 Get comfortable with marketing 🎯 Become better leaders ✋ Stop acting like a lawyer My first book Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur is now available through the American Bar Association website. Let’s talk!