The work depends on the organisation’s industry, size and legal team. A typical day might include negotiating a supplier agreement, advising HR on an employment issue and helping marketing check a campaign.

Common responsibilities include:
Contracts: drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements with customers, suppliers and other business partners.
Compliance and governance: explaining legal obligations, updating policies and advising management or the board.
Risk and disputes: identifying potential problems, handling complaints and coordinating external lawyers when specialist advice is needed.
Business support: helping colleagues understand their options before making decisions.

The College of Law describes in-house practice as a combination of legal advice, risk management and business strategy. [1]

For example, before a product launch, in-house counsel might review customer terms, check advertising claims and assess privacy risks. Getting involved early gives the team time to resolve issues before launch.