Why Career “Side Steps” Matter More Than Big Leaps for In House Lawyers

Our 2025 white paper posed the question, “Why are lawyers underrepresented in CEO roles?” The response to the publication was so overwhelmingly positive that the team decided to continue the conversation. We launched an interview series with Heads of Legal and General Counsel to explore what it truly takes to step out of one’s comfort zone and progress up the in-house career ladder. Although these legal leaders offered a wide range of perspectives, common themes emerged throughout their stories: pushing past fear and remaining open to the new and unknown.

In this latest interview in our in-house legal series, we’re joined by Michael Phillips, Head of Legal at Schroders Personal Wealth.

Michael reflects that one of the biggest challenges lawyers face when exploring non‑traditional roles is the disruption that can come from making dramatic career jumps without fully understanding what lies on the other side. He shares that repeatedly stepping away from legal roles entirely created instability, often forcing difficult resets and knocking confidence, even when capability was never in question.

Over time, Michael learned that sustainable career change is rarely about abandoning your core role altogether. Instead, it’s built through small, adjacent steps taken alongside existing responsibilities. Another recurring challenge is managing expectations, both your own and the organisation’s, about what a “lawyer” is supposed to look like and how they should behave.

His advice is grounded and practical: earn trust by doing the day job exceptionally well, then gradually layer on new responsibilities rather than trying to replace your role outright. When career development is approached with curiosity, experimentation and even joy, rather than frustration, lawyers are far more likely to gain support, build momentum and unlock new opportunities organically.