DOWNLOADABLE | New to In-House: The First Year Survival & Success Guide
Your roadmap for surviving and thriving in your first year in-house!
Who It’s For
This guide is for lawyers stepping into their first in-house practice role, whether you’ve spent one year or five in private practice. Written by the Queensland Law Society’s In House Lawyer of the Year and experienced legal counsel, Mel Storey.
It’s especially for you if:
You’ve left the safety of billables and are suddenly part of “the business”
You want to understand not just the law but the commercial and cultural realities of working in-house
You’re determined to build credibility fast but aren’t sure where to start
You’ve been looking for practical, non-academic advice from someone who’s actually done the job
Whether you’re joining a small start-up or a global listed company, this guide gives you the tools, templates and mindset shifts you need to succeed from day one.
What’s Inside
60+ pages & 20+ chapters covering:
The First 90 Days Framework
The Stakeholder Discovery Process
Building Credibility Fast
Common Pitfalls for New In-House Lawyers (and how to avoid them)
Risk Appetite and Decision-Making Frameworks
How to work effectively with executives, operational teams, sales and external counsel
Contract review and redlining tips for business impact
Ethics, governance and professional responsibility in the in-house environment
Communication styles for maximum influence
Navigating internal politics and organisational culture
Creating sustainable boundaries
The Long Game: Career development in an in-house pathway
Plus:
Templates & tools (Stakeholder Meeting Checklist, Contract Review Checklist, Quick Wins list, Mindset Shift Table, Pitfall Self-Check, Priority Management Matrix)
Personal stories from 10+ years in-house across different industries and company sizes
Actionable scripts you can use straight away
Why I Created This Guide
When I went in-house for the first time, I thought I was ready. I knew the law, I could draft contracts and I looked the part.
What I didn’t know was how to:
Read a room where the CEO, CFO and Head of Sales all wanted different outcomes
Make a call with incomplete information and no Senior Associate to hide behind
Get the business to involve me early instead of at the last minute
Balance protecting the company with enabling it to move fast
I searched for resources. I found… almost nothing. A few blog posts and the odd conference session but nothing that covered the real day-to-day of being a great in-house lawyer.
For years, I thought, Someone should write this. Then I realised… that someone could be me.
After 15 years in the legal profession (12 of those in-house), I’ve pulled together everything I wish I had in my first year: the frameworks, the shortcuts, the mindset shifts, the templates and the hard-won lessons.
This guide is the result. It’s been a long time coming and it’s deeply personal.
Because I know the feeling of walking into your first in-house role and thinking: “OMG, now what?”
FAQs
Q: Is this just for Australian lawyers?
No, this guide is written for a global audience. The principles, frameworks and templates apply to in-house legal roles in any jurisdiction.
Q: Do I need to have been in private practice first?
Not necessarily. Many lawyers do make the jump from law school, government or other roles. But it’s especially useful if you’ve been in private practice and are adjusting to the in-house environment.
Q: Will this replace formal legal training?
No, this is not a legal textbook. It’s a practical, real-world companion to your legal skills, focused on how to apply them effectively in-house.
Q: How long will it take to work through?
You can read it cover to cover in a weekend or dip in as you need it. The templates and checklists are designed for quick reference during your workday.
Q: Is it relevant if I’ve already been in-house for a while?
Yes, I’ve coached many in-house lawyers with 1 – 5 years’ experience who still use these strategies to strengthen their influence, relationships and career direction.
What Others Are Saying
"I wish I’d had this guide on day one. It’s like having a mentor in your pocket as the advice is practical and rooted in lived experience. The contract review tips alone have saved me hours and the stakeholder checklist completely changed how I prepare for my meetings. Thank you, Mel. - Sophie R., Legal Counsel, Tech Industry
“This is the best thing since sliced bread. It’s amazing Mel. I read through it all last night. I loved the real life stories, that’s so helpful!.” - Chloe M., Legal Counsel, Logistics
"After four years in private practice, my move in-house was overwhelming. This guide broke down exactly what I needed to focus on and gave me language and tools to build credibility pretty quickly. Mel’s personal stories make it relatable and the templates make it actionable. It’s the most comprehensive resource I’ve seen for anyone starting their in-house career." - Daniel W., Senior Legal Counsel, Financial Services
Why This Matters
Your first year in-house is a pivot point in your career.
Done well, it sets you up for faster progression, stronger relationships, and a reputation as someone who makes things happen.
Done poorly, it can leave you stuck in reactive work, excluded from strategic decisions and unsure of your value outside the billable hour model.
This guide gives you the tools to:
Hit the ground running in your first 90 days
Avoid the mistakes that hold new in-house lawyers back
Build a personal brand that makes you the lawyer everyone wants in the room
Grow your career with intention from day one
Get Your Copy Now
$49 AUD - Instant digital download
Your future in-house self will thank you.
Mel 💖
Your roadmap for surviving and thriving in your first year in-house!
Who It’s For
This guide is for lawyers stepping into their first in-house practice role, whether you’ve spent one year or five in private practice. Written by the Queensland Law Society’s In House Lawyer of the Year and experienced legal counsel, Mel Storey.
It’s especially for you if:
You’ve left the safety of billables and are suddenly part of “the business”
You want to understand not just the law but the commercial and cultural realities of working in-house
You’re determined to build credibility fast but aren’t sure where to start
You’ve been looking for practical, non-academic advice from someone who’s actually done the job
Whether you’re joining a small start-up or a global listed company, this guide gives you the tools, templates and mindset shifts you need to succeed from day one.
What’s Inside
60+ pages & 20+ chapters covering:
The First 90 Days Framework
The Stakeholder Discovery Process
Building Credibility Fast
Common Pitfalls for New In-House Lawyers (and how to avoid them)
Risk Appetite and Decision-Making Frameworks
How to work effectively with executives, operational teams, sales and external counsel
Contract review and redlining tips for business impact
Ethics, governance and professional responsibility in the in-house environment
Communication styles for maximum influence
Navigating internal politics and organisational culture
Creating sustainable boundaries
The Long Game: Career development in an in-house pathway
Plus:
Templates & tools (Stakeholder Meeting Checklist, Contract Review Checklist, Quick Wins list, Mindset Shift Table, Pitfall Self-Check, Priority Management Matrix)
Personal stories from 10+ years in-house across different industries and company sizes
Actionable scripts you can use straight away
Why I Created This Guide
When I went in-house for the first time, I thought I was ready. I knew the law, I could draft contracts and I looked the part.
What I didn’t know was how to:
Read a room where the CEO, CFO and Head of Sales all wanted different outcomes
Make a call with incomplete information and no Senior Associate to hide behind
Get the business to involve me early instead of at the last minute
Balance protecting the company with enabling it to move fast
I searched for resources. I found… almost nothing. A few blog posts and the odd conference session but nothing that covered the real day-to-day of being a great in-house lawyer.
For years, I thought, Someone should write this. Then I realised… that someone could be me.
After 15 years in the legal profession (12 of those in-house), I’ve pulled together everything I wish I had in my first year: the frameworks, the shortcuts, the mindset shifts, the templates and the hard-won lessons.
This guide is the result. It’s been a long time coming and it’s deeply personal.
Because I know the feeling of walking into your first in-house role and thinking: “OMG, now what?”
FAQs
Q: Is this just for Australian lawyers?
No, this guide is written for a global audience. The principles, frameworks and templates apply to in-house legal roles in any jurisdiction.
Q: Do I need to have been in private practice first?
Not necessarily. Many lawyers do make the jump from law school, government or other roles. But it’s especially useful if you’ve been in private practice and are adjusting to the in-house environment.
Q: Will this replace formal legal training?
No, this is not a legal textbook. It’s a practical, real-world companion to your legal skills, focused on how to apply them effectively in-house.
Q: How long will it take to work through?
You can read it cover to cover in a weekend or dip in as you need it. The templates and checklists are designed for quick reference during your workday.
Q: Is it relevant if I’ve already been in-house for a while?
Yes, I’ve coached many in-house lawyers with 1 – 5 years’ experience who still use these strategies to strengthen their influence, relationships and career direction.
What Others Are Saying
"I wish I’d had this guide on day one. It’s like having a mentor in your pocket as the advice is practical and rooted in lived experience. The contract review tips alone have saved me hours and the stakeholder checklist completely changed how I prepare for my meetings. Thank you, Mel. - Sophie R., Legal Counsel, Tech Industry
“This is the best thing since sliced bread. It’s amazing Mel. I read through it all last night. I loved the real life stories, that’s so helpful!.” - Chloe M., Legal Counsel, Logistics
"After four years in private practice, my move in-house was overwhelming. This guide broke down exactly what I needed to focus on and gave me language and tools to build credibility pretty quickly. Mel’s personal stories make it relatable and the templates make it actionable. It’s the most comprehensive resource I’ve seen for anyone starting their in-house career." - Daniel W., Senior Legal Counsel, Financial Services
Why This Matters
Your first year in-house is a pivot point in your career.
Done well, it sets you up for faster progression, stronger relationships, and a reputation as someone who makes things happen.
Done poorly, it can leave you stuck in reactive work, excluded from strategic decisions and unsure of your value outside the billable hour model.
This guide gives you the tools to:
Hit the ground running in your first 90 days
Avoid the mistakes that hold new in-house lawyers back
Build a personal brand that makes you the lawyer everyone wants in the room
Grow your career with intention from day one
Get Your Copy Now
$49 AUD - Instant digital download
Your future in-house self will thank you.
Mel 💖