Inside In-House: 2025 Legal Talent Outlook

In-house legal teams are under increasing pressure, with rising demands but limited resources. General Counsel must now juggle strategic advice, risk management, and business leadership alongside core legal duties.

This shift challenges how legal teams are built and supported – especially without formal development pathways or competitive pay. Newer legal professionals also bring evolving expectations around flexibility, purpose and career clarity.

Commissioned by BARBRI and Flex Legal, this report captures insights from over 120 UK in-house legal professionals. It highlights common challenges – limited capacity, skill gaps, and retention risks – and offers practical guidance to help legal leaders address these issues and strengthen their teams.

What's Inside:

  • Top talent challenges for in-house teams
  • Workforce priorities: What in-house teams want
  • Skills gaps in legal teams
  • Learning and development landscape
  • Flexible resourcing strategies
  • Routes to qualification
  • DE&I: Progress and potential
  • 2025/26 talent priorities

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Want to find out how we help clients and legal teams worldwide? Learn more here: https://www.barbri.com/sqe/legal-education-for-in-house-legal-teams

Find out how to attract new junior talent within your team: https://www.barbri.com/resources/how-in-house-legal-teams-can-attract-new-junior-talent