In-house counsel
better hours than firms
- Remote
- Varies
- Qualification
- Typically BBA LLB (Integrated).
What the work involves
Day to day
Being the lawyer inside a business - drafting and negotiating contracts, managing disputes and external counsel, and advising on regulatory risk before decisions are made rather than after.
Who this suits
Fit
Lawyers who want commercial involvement and more predictable hours than private practice. You get closer to the business and see how advice actually lands.
The honest reality
Read this one
Teams are small, so entry-level in-house roles barely exist - most people move across after years in a firm. You are a cost centre, which affects budget and headcount. Legal skills can narrow to one industry over time, reducing mobility.
How you get there
Step by step
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2 years Step 1Finish school
Class 12 with Commerce, or any stream
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3 or 5 years Step 2Qualify
Complete 5-yr Law — BBA LLB / B.Com LLB.
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Step 3Register or licence
Enrol with a State Bar Council where the role requires it.
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Step 4Enter the field
Typical first position: In-house counsel.
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Step 5Build and specialise Optional
Move into management, or add a professional qualification.
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You are hereIn-house counsel
Everything above leads here. The steps marked optional can be skipped or taken later — they change how fast you arrive, not whether you can.
Courses that lead here
How to qualify
Roles within this career
What the job is called