Unlocking the Blueprint for Growth: How to Build an In-House Legal Function from the Ground Up

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the role of in-house legal teams has taken on newfound importance. No longer confined to merely supporting business operations, in-house legal functions are now key players in strategic initiatives and corporate growth. Recently, the African Corporate and Government Counsel Forum (ACGC) and Irish Tech General Counsel (ITGC) hosted a highly insightful webinar titled “Blueprint for Growth: Building an In-House Legal Function from the Ground Up.” The session, which featured insights from Sarah Irwin, the founder of ITGC, was moderated by Godwin Ameninyu, a respected in-house counsel and ACGC Advisory Board Member. The discussion offered a treasure trove of insights into the evolving role of in-house legal teams, particularly within the tech sector, and how these teams can be structured to drive organizational success.

From Law Firm to Tech Innovators: Sarah Irwin’s Inspiring Journey

The webinar began with a question many legal professionals ask themselves: what inspires the shift from private practice to an in-house role, especially within the tech sector? Sarah Irwin’s response was both compelling and relatable. She shared her passion for working with innovators and founders, which gives her a sense of helping shape the future. For Irwin, the tech industry is not just a professional interest but a passion. She thrives on the opportunity to engage with those who are disrupting traditional ways of doing things, which fuels her drive to build effective in-house legal teams that can navigate the complexities of this dynamic sector.

Crafting a Strong In-House Legal Team from Scratch

Crafting an in-house legal team from the ground up , particularly in the fast-moving tech industry . Sarah Irwin discussed the challenges she faced when she first transitioned into an in-house role, including the overwhelming workload that often accompanies the position of a solo in-house lawyer. The sheer volume of legal demands in startups, coupled with the need to analyze complex market trends, can lead to burnout—a challenge that many in-house legal professionals are all too familiar with.

To overcome these challenges, Irwin emphasized the importance of delegating strategicallyand outsourcing. She shared her philosophy on workload management: “Low-risk, high-volume work should be outsourced to legal solutions providers, while high-risk, low-volume work should be outsourced to law firms. The in-house legal team should handle the rest of the workload.” This approach not only helps to manage the workload effectively but also ensures that the in-house team can focus on tasks that require a deep understanding of the business and its strategic objectives.

Scaling for Global Impact: Lessons from Series A Startups

The webinar also addressed the tricky components necessary for Series A startups to scale their legal functions globally. Irwin likened legal operations to sales operations, noting that just as sales operations enable sales teams to find customers quickly, legal operations should empower legal teams to navigate legal challenges efficiently. For startups looking to expand globally, it is crucial to tie legal operations closely to company goals. This alignment ensures that the legal function is not just a support service but a key driver of the company’s strategic vision.

Irwin also emphasized the cultural and regional considerations that must be taken into account when scaling a legal function. Building and scaling a legal team is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It requires an appreciation of cultural and regional differences and the flexibility to adjust to these differences seamlessly. This approach is particularly important for companies operating across multiple jurisdictions, where legal practices and business norms can vary significantly.

Running a Lean Legal Function: Maximizing Impact, Minimizing Burnout

Running a lean legal function that avoids burnout while maximizing impact was another key topic of discussion. Irwin advised that eliminating basic and repetitive tasks from the workload is essential for maintaining energy and focus on more strategic and impactful tasks. This can be achieved by outsourcing or automating these tasks , allowing in-house counsel to concentrate on higher-value work that aligns with the company’s strategic objectives.

Irwin also highlighted the importance of leveraging legal tech tools to streamline repetitive tasks such as drafting and legal review. She mentioned GCAI, a new company that has developed a program specifically for these purposes, underscoring the value of technology in enhancing the efficiency of in-house legal teams.

The Power of Partnership: Working with External Counsel

The relationship between in-house teams and external counsel was another area of focus during the webinar. Irwin emphasized the importance of selecting the right external counsel based on budget allocation, company goals, and values. Regular check-ins and meetings with law firms can help to build rapport and ensure that both teams are aligned in their objectives. This alignment is crucial for extracting maximum value from external counsel and ensuring that the legal function operates seamlessly.

Irwin also addressed the question of whether it is more valuable for a company to have a full-time in-house legal team rather than relying on occasional external counsel. She argued that having a full-time in-house lawyer is beneficial because they can develop a deep understanding of the business and the commercial rationale behind every decision. This understanding makes the in-house lawyer an invaluable asset to the company, as they can provide legal advice that is not only legally sound but also aligned with the company’s strategic goals. Additionally, it is often more cost-effective to pay an annual salary to an in-house lawyer than to incur the high hourly rates charged by law firms.

The Future of In-House Legal Teams: Strategic Drivers of Growth

The webinar provided a comprehensive blueprint for building an in-house legal function that is not only efficient but also strategically aligned with the company’s goals. From managing workload through strategic delegation and outsourcing to leveraging technology for greater efficiency, the insights shared by Sarah Irwin offer a valuable guide for legal professionals looking to build or manage in-house legal teams.

As companies continue to navigate the complexities of the modern business environment, the role of in-house legal teams will only grow in importance. By following the principles outlined in this webinar, companies can ensure that their legal functions are not just support services, but key drivers of growth and innovation.