I have always aspired to be an in-house lawyer for leading companies, having worked in-house since my admission nearly seven years ago. When I first heard about the current job opportunity from Elevate, it fit perfectly with my career ambitions as a role in which I could make an immediate impact with my existing skill set while continuing to deepen my expertise and gain new skills.

Above all, I appreciate the learning opportunities. I have a front-row seat to my Wesfarmers colleagues’ thoughtful, creative, and practical approach to problem-solving. Moreover, I get to work with them on both legal and non-legal issues, which sharpens my critical thinking and expands my intellectual flexibility. Speaking of flexibility, I also value the hybrid work environment. I appreciate being able to work from home but I also enjoy being in the office, interacting with key people and the executive team, and seeing in person how they make business decisions.

I find commercial contract drafting and negotiation, particularly negotiations with large companies, the most compelling work I get to do. It gives me exposure to a wide range of interesting legal issues, such as legal and regulatory compliance and policy matters, even though other team members may handle these areas separately. I also get to work closely with the executive team and different parts of the company. In this role, I apply my legal knowledge to both legal and non-legal matters in ways that help overall business operations and stakeholder management.

I find it fascinating to learn about different aspects of the business. Of course, understanding the company’s offerings in detail is crucial for drafting in-house contracts that meet business needs and best protect the company’s interests. But in my role as a secondee, I also see how the company delivers its products and services to customers and the various considerations at play in its relationships with external stakeholders. Legal and commercial considerations often overlap when drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. As a secondee, you are involved in core business activities, not simply legal ones – and your legal expertise adds value in both legal and commercial terms.

There are numerous benefits to working with Elevate that reflect the calibre of companies with which Elevate works. First, Elevate’s customers are leading companies and law firms, which means I get to work alongside senior practitioners who are experts in their field while also expanding my professional network far beyond what might otherwise be possible.

Moreover, as a secondee, I handle legal issues in the context of the company’s business and strategic objectives. My role exposes me to the full breadth of the company’s offerings and operations, far more than what a typical law firm lawyer would get as outside counsel. As a secondee, you become a jack of all trades and handle multiple portfolios. Your work extends beyond simply ‘lawyering.’ I work directly with senior executives who rely on me to solve problems beyond strictly legal ones – so much so that I am often the primary point of contact for many internal and external stakeholders for both legal and non-legal matters. This is a sharp contrast with law firm work, which usually offers limited opportunities for direct interaction with clients, less variation in the types of matters on which one works, and exposure to a limited set of strictly legal issues.

Of course, diligence and strong work ethics are always paramount – and as a contract or flexible lawyer on secondment, your performance reflects both on your reputation and on Elevate’s.

Also, it pays to be passionate, curious, and bold! The more you explore different legal areas, the more useful you will be to company leadership and the greater the number of interesting opportunities you will have. Never be afraid to work on matter types and legal issues that are new to you — that’s the best and fastest way to acquire new knowledge and skills that increase your value as an in-house lawyer, because there’s no substitute for real-world experience.