A corporate in-house lawyer (corporate lawyer) is a lawyer with a corporate practising certificate. They engage in legal practice only in the capacity of an in-house lawyer for their employer or a related entity. The employer may be a company or not-for-profit organisation.
Corporate lawyers undertake work that is rewarding, interesting and challenging. In-house law provides an opportunity to work closely with an organisation and take on different responsibilities. Corporate lawyers also play a critical role in helping their employer comply with the law, contributing to public trust and confidence in the rule of law.
Corporate lawyers are bound by the same conduct rules as lawyers in private practice. The most common ethical challenge for corporate lawyers is the potential for conflict between their ethical and professional obligations and their loyalty and duty to their employer.
Core expectations for corporate lawyers
Corporate lawyers are bound by the same Conduct Rules as any other lawyer. As an officer of the court they must be mindful of their paramount duty to the court and the administration of justice, as well as the need for professional independence and integrity.
These duties take precedence over the duty to act in their employer’s best interests so they must carefully navigate the tension between being a lawyer and being an employee.
If you are a corporate lawyer we encourage you to read our statement of core expectations for Victorian corporate lawyers. It provides practical support and guidance to corporate lawyers, particularly solo practitioners and those practising in small teams.
Thinking of becoming a corporate lawyer?
If you are thinking about moving into an in-house role at a business or not-for-profit we encourage you to read our guidance for prospective corporate lawyers. It will help you to understand the nature of the role and undertake due diligence before accepting a job.
Employers of corporate lawyers
Corporate lawyers are more than just trusted legal advisors. Their understanding of an organisation enables them to support their employer to comply with legal obligations, navigate risk, and align decisions with organisational strategies, objectives and values.
If you employ corporate lawyers, we encourage you to read our guidance for employers of corporate lawyers. It will help you to understand your employee lawyers’ needs, responsibilities, and ethical and professional obligations. This includes corporate and not-for-profit employers. If you are a corporate lawyer we recommend sharing this resource with your employer.