6 Ways to Navigate Office Politics as an In-House Attorney

Being politically savvy is a critical component to the success of an in-house lawyer’s career—and the secret ingredient to becoming a well-respected leader

As much as lawyers might prefer otherwise, when you’re an in-house counsel, you must be able to navigate in-house politics if you want to be successful. All organizations and professional teams are political, to some extent. Choosing to completely disengage from organizational politics is not an option. Whether an attorney works in a law firm or an in-house legal department, he or she needs to be politically savvy and informed to get ahead.

Unfortunately, people at all levels have a tendency to want to reject or overlook the significance of office politics. While we all may want our work to speak for itself and to dismiss politics as immature or unsavory, doing so could be creating a self-inflicted cap on career advancement.

How do law firm politics and in-house politics differ?

While office politics do play a significant role for an attorney at a traditional law firm, you are usually (thankfully) more likely to be judged on your legal acumen, competence, and intellect. When looking at a relatively large group of comparable associates tasked with similar responsibilities, it’s often easier to spot which attorneys are doing a stand-out job, and which ones are falling behind.

That’s not to say that office politics don’t play a big role. Given the legal industry’s problem with diversity, for example, it’s easy to see how favored individuals may have a smoother career path than those who don’t navigate firm politics well, or have the tools or opportunities to do so.

But for lawyers working in an in-house department within a company, there may be even more politics (or more confusing ones) at play. Why? Because while non-attorney executives tend to inherently trust the legal expertise of their in-house team, they may also be under the impression that most lawyers are similarly trained and equally qualified in all aspects in business. To create a long-term and lucrative career as an in-house attorney, you may have to push beyond your perceived “garden-variety” skillset—and this includes strategically navigating any office politics.

Of course, your intelligence is crucial in an in-house setting—but whether or not you can fit in and communicate with the rest of the team can have equal bearing on your success. And while navigating office politics can be far from easy, there are a few proven tactics that can make an attorney more politically confident and strategic.

1.       Develop company-wide relationships

Creating authentic, supportive, and influential relationships across your organization are arguably just as important as working hard and producing top-notch results. To effectively maneuver within office politics, it is crucial to forge a strong network of relationships, both internally and externally, with colleagues, mentors, executives, outside law firms, vendors, and legal peers.

2.       Be nice and respectful to everybody

This one should be a no-brainer, but it is worth mentioning. It’s easy to get bogged down in the midst of a busy day, but going out of your way to ensure your workload doesn’t interfere with your personal demeanor will speak volumes.

Smile and say hello to people as you pass by them in the hall, strike up friendly conversation while waiting for coffee to brew, or even compliment the next executive who asks you a thought-provoking question. And do not speak down to individuals who do not have your expertise on legal matters. It’s also important to have a solid understanding of your “hot triggers” and how to carefully manage your reaction should those buttons get pushed.

Word of mouth travels far, and it’s much better to be known as someone who is agreeable than someone who seems disconnected, ill-tempered, haughty, or terse.

3.       Identify your champions

Recognizing who has a vested interest and significant influence on your career trajectory is a quintessential factor in being politically savvy. It’s important to identify and build relationships with your stakeholders—the individuals who can help you reach your career goals—and it is equally important to identify anyone who has the power to negatively affect your career path. You can leverage your professional network to help you identify who is who.

4.       Treat everyone as equal

This is critical to success as an in-house attorney, and for more reasons than you might think. Treating everyone as an equal is a social courtesy that everyone deserves, but it can also give you a leg up when you come face-to-face with a gatekeeper. For example, an assistant who has worked with the same executive for years likely receives that person’s correspondence and controls their calendar. If you are liked and/or respected by the assistant, then you are more likely to be granted direct access to the executive.

5.       Develop your own strategic career path

Creating a strategic career plan and setting attainable goals are not only essential for your professional growth—they can also serve as a blueprint for traversing office politics. With a solid vision and specific goals in focus, you can be strategic in developing and maintaining influential relationships, while also being prepared to gracefully navigate any unpredicted career hurdles.

6.       Choose your battles

Just like in life, not all battles are worth fighting, and being politically savvy means that you choose yours strategically. Understanding your ultimate goals, as well as who has meaningful influence and authority, will help you identify which battles to take on, which ones should be avoided, and when to simply keep a low profile. Just remember, being politically astute means always approaching conflict resolution in a way that protects relationships and respects all parties involved.

Hopefully, these tips will help you navigate your company’s political waters. And always remember: you don’t have to be disingenuous or pretend to be someone you’re not to be politically savvy. Knowing how to navigate your organization and influence others—with honesty and integrity—is a good strategy to get ahead. Always lead with your strengths, but while you do, pay close attention to your surroundings and use your political intuition to sort out unwritten rules and lines of authority.

Carrington Legal Search is devoted to finding the ideal candidates for our clients’ recruitment needs. We have particular expertise in the Financial Services (banking, insurance, investment management, etc.) and Technology verticals. To make our nationwide network work for you, get in touch at 512-627-7467 or email carrie@carringtonlegal.com.