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In-house in demand

The number of in-house solicitors in Ireland is on the rise, due to the specialised nature of in-house legal roles that support business growth. Mark Garrett crunches the numbers on the Law Society’s in-house sector at year-end 2024

No in-house solicitor role is the same as another. Its specialised nature, supporting business growth within so many different sectors, is another example of the contribution the legal skillset brings to the economy.

It is no surprise that the number of in-house solicitors is on the rise. The statistics from the Annual Report on Admission Policies of Legal Professions provide valuable insights into an evolving solicitors profession and, in particular, show an in-house community that is continuing to thrive.

At the end of 2024, the combined in-house solicitor cohort comprised 27% of the profession, with 23% of inhouse practitioners working in private industry, while another 4% were working in the ‘service of the State’ (SOS). Of the 3,335 working in-house, 66% are female.

Asset class

The skillset that in-house practitioners bring to an organisation is clearly recognised by employers. The drive to have that talent embedded in the business or agency as a strategic asset is highlighted in the statistics by the increase in in-house opportunities for members of the profession.

That said, like most of us, many in-house legal practitioners will be monitoring the international political environment and offering counsel to their employers in terms of any potential impacts.

They are protecting, guiding, and supporting businesses or agencies as they navigate continually changing legislation and regulations – especially as the international political context becomes less clear.

Onward and upward

The upward trajectory for in-house has been obvious for a few years now. While the solicitors’ profession as a whole is increasing year on year, in-house roles are also inching up.

At the end of 2022, solicitors working in-house comprised 25.9% of the profession; in 2023 that figure had risen to 26.6%; and climbed higher to 27.2% by the end of 2024.

Business dynamics

The in-house practitioner is bringing a specialism to their business, collaborating with other teams in their office seeking the right outcome for that one employer.

And in this role, the solicitor hones their leadership and strategic-thinking capabilities, as well as developing a thorough understanding of the dynamics of the business.

In just a few short years, it is very possible that the in-house community will constitute 30% of the legal profession in Ireland – another example of the changing nature of the profession.

The Law Society’s In-house and Public Sector Committee is very aware of the increasing community of solicitors working in-house.

It has a clear agenda that focuses on the varying work, perspectives, and needs of in-house solicitors – who are still bound by the same professional and ethical standards that apply to solicitors in private practice.

Mark Garrett is Director General of the Law Society.