The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
From Senior Employment Counsel (Large Organisation)
3-5 years as a Senior CounselSkills to master
- Moving from owning complex matters to owning a function. This means developing strong team leadership, budget management, and enterprise-level strategic thinking. You'll need to show you can influence beyond your direct reports.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led multiple high-stakes investigations or litigation matters.
- Mentored junior lawyers and taken on informal leadership roles.
- Developed and implemented significant, company-wide employment policies.
- Managed external counsel relationships and budgets for major matters.
- 2
From Lead/Principal Employment Counsel (Mid-Size Organisation)
2-4 years as a Lead/PrincipalSkills to master
- Scaling your expertise to a larger, more complex organisation. This involves navigating more intricate corporate structures, managing larger teams, and dealing with a broader range of international employment law issues. You'll need to demonstrate adaptability.
You're ready to move on when
- Designed and implemented enterprise-wide compliance programmes.
- Managed a small team of 2-3 direct reports or significant project teams.
- Had significant budget authority and managed external legal spend.
- Advised senior leadership on strategic employment law matters.
- 3
From Partner/Senior Associate (Top-Tier Law Firm)
8-12 years PQE, including partnership track experienceSkills to master
- Transitioning from client-facing advisory to in-house leadership. This means developing a deeper understanding of internal business operations, managing internal stakeholders, and shifting from billable hours to strategic value creation. You'll also need to build and lead an internal team, rather than just managing client relationships.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed a portfolio of complex employment law clients and matters.
- Developed and maintained strong client relationships, often acting as a trusted advisor.
- Demonstrated business development skills and an understanding of commercial realities.
- Managed junior lawyers within the firm and contributed to firm strategy.