Seizing the Opportunity to Influence Legislation and Policy

Abstract

Opportunities to influence legislation and engage with proposed procedural reform may feel reduced when transitioning to an in-house role. In-house lawyers typically have more of an operational focus and are increasingly business-centric compared to their private practice counterparts, or those working in the public sector. Focussing on the immediate legal needs of their company, in-house legal departments are typically smaller, without the same resources available or mandate to participate actively in policy-making or legislative reform discussions. In addition, in-house lawyers may feel precluded from involvement due to the need to maintain company confidentiality and to protect the company’s interests; creating a reluctancy to comment on proposed reforms or engage with consultations, particularly where those may have direct implications for the company’s operations or provide a potential competitive advantage.