In-house legal careers

Move in-house with clarity and confidence.

In-house roles vary widely by organisation, culture, and stakeholder expectations. We help you understand the reality of the role — and find opportunities that fit your skills, goals, and long-term direction.
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Your in-house move

A different career path - with different expectations.

Moving in-house can offer broader commercial exposure, closer proximity to decision-making, and a more integrated role in the business. It can also change the nature of your work — from specialist legal advice to pragmatic risk and stakeholder management. At Wolf & Williams, we have a dedicated team of in-house legal recruitment specialists. We understand why lawyers move in-house, what success looks like in different environments, and how to position you for the right opportunity.

Working with us

Insight, context, and long-term support.

Role clarity
We help you understand scope, stakeholders, expectations, and what “good” looks like in that specific organisation.
Market intelligence
We provide up-to-date salary guidance and real insight into team structures, culture, and leadership styles.
Access to decision makers
Our relationships across corporate Australia help you get in front of the right people — with strong context and preparation.
Long-term partnership
We stay connected beyond placement and remain a resource for career advice as your in-house path evolves.

Role coverage​

From Legal Counsel to GC and beyond

We recruit across a wide range of in-house and corporate legal roles, including:

  • Legal Counsel
  • Senior Legal Counsel
  • Deputy General Counsel
  • Head of Legal / General Counsel
  • Company Secretary / Assistant Company Secretary
  • Commercial Managers / Commercial Directors
  • Risk & Compliance professionals

Where we work

Opportunities across diverse sectors.

Our in-house recruitment experience spans industries including:

  • Construction & Infrastructure
  • Energy & Renewable Energy
  • Transport & Logistics
  • Aged Care & Healthcare
  • Technology and FinTech
  • Financial Services and Funds Management
  • Private Equity
  • State & Federal Government
  • Pharmaceutical and industrial sectors

Career insights

Progression, pay, and working style.

Career progression in-house is often less linear than in private practice. There may be fewer layers, and promotions can depend on team structure, business growth, and timing — meaning strategic moves between organisations are sometimes part of the path.

Working hours and hybrid arrangements vary by organisation, but many in-house teams operate with more predictable patterns than private practice. The trade-off is often greater stakeholder exposure and the need for confident commercial judgement.

Next step

Thinking about moving in-house?

If you’re exploring an in-house move — or simply want a clear view of what your options look like — we’re happy to have a confidential conversation.

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In House Specialists

Sam Gray
Morgan Elder

FAQs

In-House Legal Roles.

What does career progression look like in-house?

Progression is often less structured than private practice. Building breadth (stakeholder management, governance exposure, team leadership) can be key, and promotions sometimes require moving organisations.

It depends on industry and organisation. In some cases salaries are marginally higher in-house, and bonuses can be more consistent, but outcomes vary significantly by sector and company size.

Yes. We increasingly see lawyers return to private practice after several years in-house, particularly where they have solid firm experience and are seeking technical work or clearer progression.
Generally speaking moving in house allows for greater flexibility and work/life balance. While days are busy, you are not working as often past 6.00pm and as you are at the coal face you have more time to prepare for upcoming busy periods than in a law firm, where things are always urgent and often last minute. It does vary depending on company and
Many teams work 2–4 days in the office, though some organisations are more flexible. We’ll advise based on the specific employer and team.