Learning Is A Never-Ending Process

Gone are the days when in-house lawyers can merely just do their jobs.

Among other skills, advocacy is a versatility perfected by many in-house lawyers. They increasingly advocate on behalf of others, for an
industry, or for change in the legal profession. In the process, they
build their own careers, contribute to their organizations, and even
change the world around them.

Unconscious Bias Against Women

Increasingly, many in-house lawyers have shone a spotlight on biases
against women. Helen Yoon candidly discussed her experiences with
these biases and how they impacted her self-esteem and career, as well
as sharing some advice for women on how to deal with biases when they
face them.

Biotechnology And What It Means

Other in-house lawyers have increasingly spoken up about changes in
industries and the directions in which they’re heading. For example,
if I were to ask you about biotechnology, you might give me a look and
explain, “I studied law, not science!” Fair enough. But, remember, law
relates to all fields, and we should try to keep our eyes and ears
open, so we can become better attorneys.

Darshan Kulkarni, principal attorney of the Kulkarni Law Firm and a
former in-house attorney, specializes in life science and health care.
He discusses the recent boom in biotechnology and the importance of
being patient-focused, making it crystal clear that lawyers who are
willing to roll up their sleeves can make a meaningful difference in
the biotech industry and their own careers.

Do You Like Your Job?

Whatever your job may be, whether you’re a lawyer, a teacher, or a
waiter, chances are that you’ve stopped and asked yourself if you
liked your job. After all, life is full of choices, and we tend to
gravitate toward the ones that make us happy. Punam Kaji, assistant
general counsel at the Ben E. Keith Co., talks about how to keep
at it, even if you don’t really like your job, providing pragmatic
insights and sharing real-life experiences.

The in-house lawyers are increasingly well-rounded leaders. They
advocate for change, move their companies forward, and impact the
world around them. They openly and candidly share their experiences,
model the changes they want to see in the world, and nudge their
organizations toward doing the right thing. It is increasingly
apparent that opportunities open to in-house lawyers offer a place to
grow, contribute, and make an impact.

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