March 2026

You’re not “just” a lawyer 

In our latest Front Foot Forward webinar, we explored what happens when lawyers step beyond traditional legal roles and what that shift actually requires. 

Astrid Heward (COO, Bureau of Meteorology) and Tim MacKinnon (CEO, PlayHQ Sports) surfaced several clear themes for in-house lawyers considering broader leadership responsibility. 

Here are the key takeaways.

Pay attention to what energises you

Career shifts rarely begin with dissatisfaction. More often, they begin with curiosity. You may find yourself more engaged in shaping the commercial position than drafting the document. More interested in the negotiation than the mechanics.  

That pattern is a signal. 

For many lawyers, the first step beyond law starts with recognising where their energy naturally sits.

The limitation is often self-imposed

Legal training rewards specialisation and caution. You are taught to operate within a defined area of expertise. But the underlying skills, such as structured analysis, risk balancing, and communicating clearly, are not just legal capabilities. They are leadership capabilities. 

Progression beyond the legal team often begins with reframing how you see your own skillset.

Strategic thinking comes from exposure

When you are exposed to enterprise-wide information, across Finance, Operations, HR and Strategy, you begin connecting dots differently. Perspective changes because visibility expands. 

Strategic capability is often a function of vantage point, not innate talent.

Transitions are usually incremental

Moving beyond a pure legal role rarely requires a dramatic career reset. More often, it happens over time by taking on adjacent tasks, leading cross-functional initiatives, and contributing beyond strictly legal advice in key discussions. 

Credibility builds through demonstrated capability. Over time, remit expands.

Generalist capability is increasingly valuable

As automation reshapes technical work, hyper-specialisation alone is not a guarantee of relevance. 

The ability to weigh competing pressures and recommend a balanced course of action is a core legal skill which can translate into broader leadership roles.

The “safety net” can delay progress

Many lawyers remain in roles longer than necessary, waiting for the next title or milestone before making a move. But sometimes the perceived backstop is more psychological than practical. If broader impact is the goal, momentum matters.

Growth may require letting go of identity

Titles and practising certificates carry meaning. They represent years of effort and professional identity. 

Stepping into a broader role can feel like relinquishing part of that identity. But capability is not lost. It is redeployed. 

The consistent message from the discussion was this: career evolution is rarely accidental. 

If you are curious about broader responsibility, take deliberate steps toward it. Expand your exposure. Accumulate adjacent experience. Test your capability beyond your current remit. 

Progression does not always mean climbing higher. Sometimes it means stepping wider. 

You can watch the full discussion below.