Times are tough for senior in-house lawyers, but opportunities remain plentiful for others
Companies seeking to slash their legal expenditure have created a challenging climate for senior in-house lawyers. Salary levels have shrunk or remained static and companies are reducing the size of their legal departments, downgrading positions or resorting to hiring lawyers on a temporary basis.
Budgets for in-house roles are reportedly particularly tight. “It has to do with cost-cutting. The legal requirements of a big firm are obviously very expensive,” explained Lisa Delehanty from recruiting firm Hudson. “The general trend is that despite more companies wanting to utilise their in-house legal teams, they are still struggling to find additional funding, particularly for senior lawyers.”
According to the findings of Hudson’s 2014 salary report, an increasing number of senior in-house counsel are becoming disengaged from work as a result of increased pressure on billable targets set by overseas head offices combined with reduced remuneration. As a result, many are looking to make moves laterally or move overseas.
Despite the bleak situation for senior in-house counsel, opportunities for junior and mid-level lawyers still exist. Companies are becoming more likely to downgrade positions, choosing to hire at around the three- to eight-year experience level.
Australian Corporate Lawyers Association CEO Trish Hyde said that overall there are currently more opportunities for lawyers wanting in-house counsel roles then there were five or ten years ago.
“Organisations are becoming more aware of the value in-house counsel deliver by being entwined in the business,” Hyde said. “Some lawyers are very attracted to the ability to be a part of an organisation, to understand it, influence its performance – to be inside the tent rather than just a transactional relationship.”
There has been a particular increase in demand for in-house counsel in areas including corporate & commercial, industrial relations and employment, investment and financial services, property and construction.
It is estimated that there are currently 14,000 lawyers working in in-house positions – making up approximately 30% of the entire legal profession in Australia.
In–house salaries for NSW in $1000s
While salaries have generally increased in the lower levels of experience, salaries in the higher levels have remained stagnant or have decreased.
Source: Hudson Legal Salary and Employment Insights
Read more: Leading in-house counsel: their biggest law firm frustrations revealed
Budgets for in-house roles are reportedly particularly tight. “It has to do with cost-cutting. The legal requirements of a big firm are obviously very expensive,” explained Lisa Delehanty from recruiting firm Hudson. “The general trend is that despite more companies wanting to utilise their in-house legal teams, they are still struggling to find additional funding, particularly for senior lawyers.”
According to the findings of Hudson’s 2014 salary report, an increasing number of senior in-house counsel are becoming disengaged from work as a result of increased pressure on billable targets set by overseas head offices combined with reduced remuneration. As a result, many are looking to make moves laterally or move overseas.
Despite the bleak situation for senior in-house counsel, opportunities for junior and mid-level lawyers still exist. Companies are becoming more likely to downgrade positions, choosing to hire at around the three- to eight-year experience level.
Australian Corporate Lawyers Association CEO Trish Hyde said that overall there are currently more opportunities for lawyers wanting in-house counsel roles then there were five or ten years ago.
“Organisations are becoming more aware of the value in-house counsel deliver by being entwined in the business,” Hyde said. “Some lawyers are very attracted to the ability to be a part of an organisation, to understand it, influence its performance – to be inside the tent rather than just a transactional relationship.”
There has been a particular increase in demand for in-house counsel in areas including corporate & commercial, industrial relations and employment, investment and financial services, property and construction.
It is estimated that there are currently 14,000 lawyers working in in-house positions – making up approximately 30% of the entire legal profession in Australia.
In–house salaries for NSW in $1000s
| Experience | 2013 | 2014 |
| 0-1 yrs | 67-80 | 70-85 |
| 1-2 yrs | 77-92 | 80-100 |
| 2-3 yrs | 88-115 | 95-115 |
| 3-4 yrs | 93-129 | 100-130 |
| 4-5 yrs | 108-149 | 115-155 |
| 5-6 yrs | 118-115 | 120-175 |
| 6+ | 134-228 | 135-220 |
| Deputy GC | 155-278 | 150-280 |
| GC | 180-300+ | 180-300+ |
While salaries have generally increased in the lower levels of experience, salaries in the higher levels have remained stagnant or have decreased.
Source: Hudson Legal Salary and Employment Insights
Read more: Leading in-house counsel: their biggest law firm frustrations revealed
