Social Justice in In-House Legal Careers

Do you believe you must choose between a thriving legal career and advancing social justice? For many lawyers, the two seem at odds—yet Fatima Jafri, Lead Product Counsel for Social Impact Products at Meta, proves otherwise. Her path shows that social justice in-house legal careers are not only possible. It is also increasingly critical in shaping responsible corporate behavior and ethical innovation.

Fatima Jafri’s inspiring career journey—from growing up as the child of immigrant parents to leading legal efforts for social impact initiatives at one of the world’s largest tech companies—offers a compelling model for those considering social justice within their legal roles. It shows how in-house legal careers can integrate purpose and professional growth.

Watch the full conversation with Fatima Jafri here:

Fatima’s career is marked by deliberate choices. Early on, she sought opportunities that combined legal expertise with social impact. For example, she pursued internships at the intersection of law, technology, and public interest. Her time at Chargepoint, where she advised on green technology initiatives, further grounded her commitment to using legal skills. She aimed to drive change in her legal career in-house.

She explains that choosing meaningful work doesn’t mean giving up career advancement. Instead, it’s about aligning your values with your legal function and emphasizing social justice. Also, recognizing that such legal careers in-house can be a powerful lever for social change.

At Meta, Fatima focuses on social impact products—particularly around elections and equity. Her legal work is not limited to managing risk or checking boxes. Instead, she takes a broad view of how decisions within in-house legal careers affect real people. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped develop tools to combat misinformation. She carefully evaluated the social consequences of product design choices while incorporating social justice principles into her legal role.

She encourages legal teams to think beyond compliance and ask, “What could go wrong—and who could be harmed?” This human-centric mindset positions legal departments not as barriers to progress but integral partners in ethical development supporting social justice initiatives in-house.

Fatima emphasizes that in-house lawyers must move beyond the confines of the legal department. To have real impact within legal careers, you must embed yourself into cross-functional teams. Work closely with engineers, policy leads, product managers, and data scientists.

This means listening and understanding non-legal pain points. Building trust with colleagues who don’t speak your language is crucial. Through collaboration, legal counsel can proactively influence decisions that protect both the company and the communities it serves, echoing the principles of social justice and enhancing in-house legal careers.

For lawyers hoping to build a similar path of social justice, she recommends seeking roles that allow you to stay close to mission-driven work. Even if they don’t look like traditional legal positions, consider strategic internships, public-interest fellowships, and involvement in corporate social responsibility initiatives. These are all ways to bridge values and vocation in legal roles in-house.

She also stresses the importance of demonstrating how legal strategy contributes to both business and impact goals. When legal advice is grounded in empathy and strategic insight, incorporating social justice, it becomes a tool for influence. This is particularly relevant in-house legal careers.

Fatima’s work at Meta illustrates a growing shift. Companies are no longer measured solely by revenue, but also by how they treat people and the planet. They increasingly consider social justice aspects. Legal departments play a key role in transforming companies through in-house legal careers.

Social justice in legal roles is no longer a niche; it’s a leadership opportunity. Lawyers who understand how to balance law, impact, and innovation will shape not just company policies but the broader systems in which we live and work. They promote justice within in-house legal environments.

Watch the full conversation here:  Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 4, Episode 14 (ft.Fatima Jafri)

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