What if the biggest risk to your in-house legal career is not choosing the wrong technology, but assuming you can afford to ignore it? Many in-house lawyers feel pressure to “wait and see” when new technologies emerge, especially when regulation is unclear and headlines are loud. But curious in-house lawyers understand that staying on the sidelines often creates more risk than engaging early, thoughtfully, and with curiosity.
That tension came through clearly in a recent conversation with Justin Wales, Head of Legal for the Americas at Crypto.com and former law firm partner. Justin’s career spans traditional private practice and some of the most disruptive corners of modern finance and technology. His perspective is especially relevant for curious lawyers navigating fast-moving industries. You do not need to become a technologist, but you do need to understand the systems shaping your business.
Watch the full conversation with Justin Wales here:
Curiosity Is a Career Advantage
One of the most useful lessons for in-house lawyers is that curiosity compounds over time. Justin did not set out to become a crypto lawyer. He followed his interests, asked questions outside his formal role, and volunteered for unfamiliar work. For lawyers curious in-house, willingness to explore adjacent legal areas gave him flexibility when new opportunities emerged.
For curious in-house lawyers, this matters. Corporate legal roles increasingly sit at the intersection of regulation, product, operations, and strategy. Lawyers who remain curious can spot risks earlier, translate complexity for the business, and adapt as roles evolve. Curiosity is not a distraction from legal excellence. It is part of it.
Broad Knowledge Beats Early Over-Specialization
A common trap in legal careers is narrowing too quickly. While specialization has value, extreme early specialization can limit long-term growth. Justin’s experience highlights a different approach. By building knowledge across litigation, regulatory, corporate, and compliance domains, he became better equipped to advise on complex, overlapping issues.
In-house legal work rarely fits into neat boxes. A single decision may touch securities law, consumer protection, data privacy, and reputational risk at the same time. In-house lawyers who are curious about how these pieces connect provide more practical guidance and earn greater trust from leadership.
Technology Is a Tool, Not an Identity
Disruptive technologies like crypto, blockchain, and AI often intimidate lawyers. Justin’s approach reframes that fear. The goal is not to master every technical detail, but to understand how technology affects legal risk, business models, and regulatory exposure.
In-house lawyers add value by asking the right questions, not by pretending to be engineers. Understanding the landscape well enough to guide decision-making is far more important than technical depth alone. Technology becomes manageable when approached through legal principles and business context, allowing curious minds like in-house lawyers to navigate it effectively.
Owning Your Career Path
Perhaps the most resonant message for in-house lawyers is the idea of agency. Legal careers are not fixed tracks. Justin’s willingness to take risks, decline work that did not align with his goals, and pivot when necessary gave him control over his trajectory.
In-house lawyers who actively shape their careers tend to be more satisfied and more effective. That may mean learning new areas, moving industries, or challenging assumptions about what a legal role should look like. Curious in-house professionals can find more opportunities in this evolving landscape.
The Takeaway for In-House Lawyers
Disruption is not something happening to legal. It is something legal must engage with. In-house lawyers who stay curious, build broad skills, and approach technology thoughtfully are better positioned to lead through change.
The future of in-house practice belongs to lawyers who are willing to learn in public, adapt in real time, and take ownership of their careers—a path often tread by curious in-house lawyers.
Watch the full conversation here: Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 8, Episode 10 (ft.Justin Wales)
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