In-House Legal Career Path: Avoid the “For Now” Job Trap

Have you ever found yourself in a role that felt temporary, something you’d do “for now” until the next big opportunity came along? Most in-house lawyers have been there. It starts innocently enough: you accept a role that pays the bills, teaches you a few skills, or simply buys you time. But before you know it, months turn into years, and suddenly that “for now” job has become your in-house legal career path.

This was a theme Olga Mack explored in a conversation with Adam Becker, Director of Legal Operations at Cockroach Labs, on the In-House Outliers podcast. Adam shared how curiosity and calculated risk-taking helped him shape his own career path, and his insights are a powerful reminder that the roles we see as temporary often shape us more than we realize, especially in navigating an in-house legal career path.

Watch the full conversation with Adam Becker here:  

This is a trap many high-achieving lawyers fall into. And the irony? Lawyers, who are trained to manage risk and think five steps ahead, often underestimate the risk of staying still too long.

The truth is, “for now” jobs aren’t inherently bad. They can provide stability during uncertain times or give you space to figure out what’s next. But the danger comes when temporary turns permanent, when growth stalls, curiosity fades, and you find yourself pigeonholed into something that no longer excites you. Plenty of lawyers wake up one day realizing that their role has defined them more than their ambitions ever did, effectively shaping their in-house legal career path by default.

So how do you avoid that stall? It starts with curiosity. Adam Becker, Director of Legal Operations at Cockroach Labs, put it perfectly: curiosity is the single most important trait for thriving in legal operations—and I’d argue it’s just as critical for anyone shaping their in-house legal career path. When you stay curious about your business, your team, and yourself, you create momentum. You stop seeing your current position as the ceiling and start seeing it as a springboard.

Another way to check in with yourself is through the “earn or learn” model. If your job is teaching you something valuable, or it’s rewarding you in a way that aligns with your goals, it’s serving its purpose. But if it’s doing neither? That’s your red flag. For now has quietly become too long.

This is where mentorship—formal or not—can make all the difference. You don’t always need to ask someone, “Will you be my mentor?” Sometimes it’s as simple as watching how they navigated their own transitions, asking them why they made certain choices, and using their lessons to shape your own path. And don’t underestimate the power of peer networks. The most insightful advice often comes not from the partner you once worked under, but from a colleague who understands exactly what you’re facing today.

Yes, there’s risk in leaving behind a comfortable role. But as Adam pointed out, everything in life and law carries risk. The real danger isn’t in taking a leap—it’s in letting fear keep you from trying. At the end of the day, your skills, reputation, and ability to adapt can’t be taken away. That’s your safety net.

Don’t let a “for now” job quietly become forever. Keep learning, keep earning, and above all, keep moving. The path of an in-house legal career isn’t linear—it’s iterative. Each role, each risk, and each decision builds on the last. And when you trust yourself to figure things out, you’ll find that even the riskiest moves open the door to the most rewarding opportunities.

So, what about you? Are you in a “for now” job, or are you building toward what’s next?

Watch the full conversation here:  Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 8, Episode 3 (ft.Adam Becker)

At Notes to My (Legal) Self®, we’re dedicated to helping in-house legal professionals develop the skills, insights, and strategies needed to thrive in today’s evolving legal landscape. From leadership development to legal operations optimization and emerging technology, we provide the tools to help you stay ahead.

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