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 Counsel (Gaming Industry)
3-5 years as a Senior CounselSkills to master
- Moving from owning specific workstreams to managing multiple legal areas, demonstrating leadership over junior colleagues, and taking on more strategic, cross-functional projects. Proving you can manage external counsel and budgets effectively.
You're ready to move on when
- You're already the 'go-to' legal expert for a major game franchise or product line.
- You've successfully led complex negotiations without significant senior oversight.
- You've informally mentored junior lawyers and actively sought opportunities to lead projects.
- You've presented legal advice directly to VPs or C-suite executives and handled their questions confidently.
- 2
From Lead Counsel (Specialist Area)
2-4 years as a Lead CounselSkills to master
- Expanding your remit beyond a single specialist area (e.g., just IP or just privacy) to cover the full spectrum of legal needs for a business unit. This means developing broader commercial acumen and people management skills.
You're ready to move on when
- You've built and managed a small team or sub-function within a legal department.
- You're recognised as an expert in your specialist field and can translate that expertise into broader business strategy.
- You've successfully influenced product or business decisions beyond your direct area of expertise.
- You've managed significant budgets or vendor relationships for your specialist function.
- 3
From Law Firm Partner (Gaming/Tech Practice)
5-8 years as a Partner or Senior AssociateSkills to master
- Transitioning from client-facing advisory to in-house leadership, which means owning the business outcome, managing an internal team, and navigating internal politics. It's about becoming an operator, not just an advisor.
You're ready to move on when
- You have a strong book of business in gaming or digital entertainment clients.
- You've managed a team of junior lawyers and paralegals on client matters.
- You're keen to move from advising to directly influencing and owning business strategy.
- You're comfortable with the idea of a single 'client' and deeply embedding yourself in their operations.