What does success really look like for an in-house lawyer? Is becoming General Counsel the only way to define a thriving legal career—or can fulfillment come from something deeper, such as attaining in-house legal career success?
For many legal professionals, especially those juggling intense workloads and personal responsibilities, true career satisfaction isn’t just about climbing the ladder. Instead, it’s about finding purpose and maintaining well-being. Additionally, it’s about building a career that aligns with your values—not just your job title.
That’s exactly what Adele Tegger, Senior Legal Counsel at Western Digital, has done. Throughout her career, Adele has taken a thoughtful and unconventional approach to legal success. She’s worked entirely in-house, with past roles at Yamaha Motor Corporation and Arbonne International. Moreover, she made the deliberate choice to spend a decade working part-time while raising her son as a single parent.
Her story offers a powerful reminder that fulfillment isn’t always found at the top of the ladder. Her approach is akin to defining her own path to in-house legal career success in the spaces we create for ourselves.
Watch the full conversation with Adele Tegger here:
Building In-House Legal Career Success Around What Matters
Adele’s decision to prioritize balance came from hard-earned life experience. In the early stages of her career, she felt the pressure many lawyers do—to keep pushing, take on more, and aim for leadership roles. However, trying to “do it all” left her overwhelmed. The constant stress of striving led to anxiety and dissatisfaction. That’s when she made the choice to redefine what success looked like for her. For Adele, achieving in-house legal career success meant saying no to the climb, and yes to herself.
Instead of chasing a title, Adele focused on the work that gave her energy. She returned to employment law, an area she was deeply passionate about. By doing so, she stepped away from a senior track but stepped into a more grounded, meaningful role. For Adele, this was a turning point. Her value didn’t come from a job title—it came from her ability to contribute thoughtfully and collaborate with her team. This illustrates her personal journey toward in-house legal career success, which included living a balanced life.
Finding In-House Legal Career Fulfillment Through Passion and Perspective
Adele is open about the systemic barriers she faced in creating this path. Part-time roles in law—especially mid-career—are rare. Women, in particular, often face limited flexibility in the legal profession. Nonetheless, Adele insists that even within those constraints, you can advocate for your needs and seek out roles that align with your priorities. This tenacity is essential for pursuing in-house legal career success. It’s not always easy. However, it’s always worth trying.
Mentorship also shaped Adele’s journey. Her mother, who successfully practiced law while raising a family, showed her that a fulfilling legal career doesn’t have to come at the expense of personal happiness. That early example gave Adele confidence to chart her own course, one that others might not expect but that fully supports her life and her own definition of in-house legal career success.
In-House Legal Career Success Beyond the Office
For Adele, in-house lawyer career fulfillment also includes showing up in her community. She’s active in political volunteering and local initiatives that give her a sense of purpose beyond her legal role. These outside passions don’t compete with her career—they fuel it, contributing to her ongoing in-house legal career success.
Define Success On Your Own Terms
Adele’s story is a reminder that the most meaningful success is the kind you define for yourself. Whether you’re drawn to leadership or fulfillment in a quieter, more flexible role, what matters is how your career supports your life—not the other way around. Adele’s approach to in-house legal career success shows it’s possible when you choose what truly matters to you and have the courage to follow it.
Watch the full conversation here: Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 4, Episode 11 (ft.Adele Tegger)
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