The Challenges of an In-House Transition with Alex Lane

Ever wondered what it's like to leave a prestigious law firm for the exciting, new challenges of an in-house legal role? Alex Lane, who recently took the helm as Head of Legal at Nat Power UK, shared his insights of his transition from private practice at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP to becoming the sole legal counsel at Hive Energy. We caught up with Alex to delve into the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned along the way.

When asked about the standout challenges of moving in-house, Alex didn't hold back "The biggest challenge was losing the community." At CMS, Alex enjoyed a vibrant environment where he could casually consult with colleagues from different departments. "I had my training cohort, and we could just pick up the phone or chat over coffee without worrying about billable hours."

In stark contrast, his new role at Hive Energy was a huge shift in dynamic "Going into a situation where you haven't got that community and team around you was tough," Alex says. "You're dealing with external lawyers who are on the clock. It's not like you can just shoot the breeze and bounce ideas around without considering the fees."

Alex’s perception of billable units underwent a dramatic shift. "Your total perception on billable units changes when you move to the other side of the fence," he notes. This newfound awareness meant that every interaction with external counsel had to be carefully managed to avoid racking up costs unnecessarily.

Another significant challenge was managing his professional development. In private practice, the career progression is clearly mapped out, with regular training and new responsibilities as one climbs the ladder. "In-house, the development and progression aren't the same," Alex explains. "The work you're doing is dictated by the business's needs, which can lead to periods where you're not challenged as much."

To overcome this, Alex emphasised the importance of being proactive. "You’ve got to push yourself to go to events, get training sessions, and keep developing your skills," he advises. This self-driven approach to growth was crucial for Alex, who regularly assessed whether his current role was still offering him opportunities to develop. "At some point, you have to look at your role and decide if it's time to move on to continue growing," he says, revealing that this was a significant factor in his move to Nat Power UK.

Despite the challenges, Alex also highlights the upside. "When I moved in-house, I experienced exponential growth very quickly," he recalls. However, he also acknowledges that this rapid growth can plateau, necessitating his strategic move to Nat Power UK to embark on new personal challenges.