The Generalist In-House Lawyer: How Flexibility Builds Career Fulfillment

Is specializing the only way to thrive as an in-house lawyer? Not according to Logan Maley, VP, Associate General Counsel at Procore Technologies. Her journey reveals how embracing a broad range of legal experiences can lead to a more dynamic, resilient, and rewarding career. The generalist in-house lawyer brings adaptability, curiosity, and a passion for learning. These traits are invaluable in today’s rapidly evolving business environments.

Logan Maley’s story challenges the traditional view that specialization is the only path to advancement. As an experienced legal leader supporting a high-growth technology company, she has built her career around flexibility, people-first leadership, and a generalist mindset. For Logan, fulfillment comes not from narrowing focus. Rather, it comes from embracing the unknown and learning continuously. This epitomizes the role of a generalist in-house lawyer.

Watch the full conversation with Logan Maley here:

Logan began her legal career in BigLaw, gaining experience in litigation and corporate transactions. That mix of skills became a key asset when she transitioned to an in-house role as a generalist in-house lawyer. Her early exposure to a variety of legal matters helped her navigate the complex and ever-changing demands of a growing tech company. It also laid the foundation for her generalist approach—one that values breadth of experience just as much as depth.

Her entry into the in-house world wasn’t part of a rigid plan; it came through a professional connection. This serves as a reminder of how relationship-building remains essential at every career stage for a generalist in-house lawyer.

One of the most impactful lessons Logan shares is Molly Graham’s “give away your Legos” philosophy. This approach encourages leaders to delegate as teams scale. For Logan, this meant letting go of tasks and trusting others so she could focus on higher-level, strategic work as a generalist in-house lawyer.

She experienced this firsthand during her maternity leave when her team successfully navigated a major company milestone: going public. The experience reinforced her belief that empowerment and trust are crucial to scaling both teams and careers for a generalist in-house lawyer.

Logan sees the generalist not as the absence of specialization but as a lawyer who is energized by variety and open to tackling new legal challenges. In a high-growth tech environment, this flexibility becomes a superpower for a generalist in-house lawyer. Generalist lawyers can shift quickly, support multiple stakeholders, and bring institutional knowledge across business lines.

Equally important is having a legal leader who values and cultivates that flexibility. This ensures generalist in-house lawyers have opportunities to contribute in meaningful ways instead of being boxed into a narrow function.

To maintain growth, Logan embraces what she calls “tours of duty”—a term borrowed from Reid Hoffman’s career model. Each tour involves taking on new projects, building different skill sets, and expanding her influence within the organization. This approach helps her stay engaged, avoid stagnation, and continuously build her value as a generalist in-house lawyer.

In companies that are scaling fast, specialization can feel inevitable. But Logan proves that generalists who remain curious and committed to learning can thrive alongside specialists. They often provide essential stability and perspective as a generalist in-house lawyer.

Logan’s career illustrates the unique value of the generalist in-house lawyer. It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing enough to stay connected, challenged, and effective. By building strong relationships, embracing new opportunities, and empowering others, generalists can shape a career that is both fulfilling and impactful.

Her story is a reminder that there is no single path to success in the legal field. For those who value collaboration, variety, and continuous learning, a more generalized legal path may be the most rewarding one of all.

Watch the full conversation here:  Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 5, Episode 11 (ft. Logan Maley)

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