Sarah Irwin
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The 2-year mark as General Counsel - what do you do next?

The 2-year mark as General Counsel - what do you do next?

1 min. read

Sarah Irwin
August 30, 2025

Hitting the 2-year mark where you work as GC is often a profoundly disappointing inflection point in your career.

It can feel like, professionally, you have nowhere to go - usually because:

1️⃣ You've spent 2 years in reactive mode, with no processes, just putting out fires.

2️⃣ You're dying to give big impact projects attention, but can't find the time.

3️⃣ You don't report to the CEO.

4️⃣ You feel unsupported & unseen, as no one gets your job or the pressure you’re under.

5️⃣ You're badly burnt out because of 1-4 above (and more).

SO: if you're feeling unsure and want to take control of how the next two years play out, this is the guide for you!

Back by popular demand! FREE Zoom Workshop with GC AI

On Sept 3, we’ll dive back in to learn advanced prompting tips together, leveraging legal AI for your contract playbooks and Word, and how it all fits together.

Join Cecilia Ziniti (a 3x GC and pioneer in legal AI) and I for this high energy session where we’ll crack the code with prompt tips, productivity hacks, and a laugh or two!

Whether you're just starting with AI or already using it daily, you'll leave with leveled-up skills. We promise it'll be an amazing session.

👉 Sign up here!

Here are my 9 strategies to help you re-energize, refocus, and start building your legacy:

1. Transform your Legal department

Take stock. Are you truly future-ready? Think AI, legal tech, smarter outsourcing, data, finance. Stop patching gaps and start designing for scale.

2. Create new projects

Find something to own beyond legal. Legal ops, ESG, DEIB, business transformation - anything that gives you cross-functional impact and better boardroom conversations.

3. Build your brand

You’ve got internal visibility. Now go external. Share what you know. Make content that helps people a few years behind you. It opens doors and future-proofs your career.

4. Invest in your team

Upskill them. Budget for growth. Think certifications, workshops, leadership training. Build a team that’s not just sharp, but forward-thinking!

5. Network to the nines

Keep showing up online, but also invest in 1:1s and community. Go to events. Make time for people. And make it consistent!

6. Advocate for resources

Start thinking long-term. Budget, tools, headcount. Don’t wait for support - go get it. Learn the language of finance and back it with data.

7. Maximise your spend

Are your firms working hard enough for you? SLAs, rates, value adds… you should be getting more than just time.

8. Set response standards

By now, you know your workflow. Set clear expectations with the business and with external counsel. Everyone should be moving to the same rhythm.

9. Document processes

Work on legal, not just in it. Create guides, onboarding docs, newsletters. The more you enable others, the more scalable and respected your function becomes.

Dive in deeper on my YouTube channel 👇

I'm sharing more in-house pain points (and practical ways to handle them) over on my YouTube channel. Check it out here!

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P.S. - I’m sharing more on Instagram these days.

Expect more personal takes, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, quick tips, and a bit of a different vibe to what you see on LinkedIn or the newsletter.

So if you hang out on Instagram, come say hi, follow along, and DM me any time!

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Curious about in-house practice or simply want to reach out?

Don't hesitate to reply to this email - I'm happy to help with any questions, no strings attached.

Let’s connect! 💜

by Sarah Irwin