It’s 4pm. You’re knee-deep in a supplier contract, there’s a Slack from HR about a policy rewrite, and the CFO wants “a quick steer” on a funding round. Welcome to life as a solo in-house lawyer — where everything lands on your desk, and somehow you’re expected to be strategic and in the weeds. We see you. And we know that being the only lawyer in the business can be equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. Here’s how to not just survive as a team of one — but thrive.

1. Ditch the heroics

It’s tempting to say yes to everything. You’re new in role, the business is growing, and you want to be seen as helpful. But if you keep absorbing every ask, you’ll quickly become a bottleneck — or worse, burn out. Start by being realistic about: what legal needs to do; what legal could do, with the right support; what legal shouldn’t be doing at all. Then make it clear where you add the most value — and don’t be afraid to push back (nicely).

2. Set your boundaries early

When you’re the first or only lawyer in a business, how you operate sets the tone for everything that comes after. That includes: how people engage with you — random DMs or structured requests? What the business expects — miracle turnarounds or sensible SLAs? Where you spend your time — deep legal work or hand-holding on templates? Clear, consistent processes might feel like a luxury — but they’re your best friend. Even simple things like an intake form, contract playbook, or legal request triage system will save your sanity.

3. Build your legal brand

When it’s just you, your reputation matters. Not in a political way — but in how the business understands your role and value. You want to be seen as: a strategic partner, not a blocker; commercial and pragmatic, not academic; approachable and responsive, not drowning and unavailable. The best way to build that brand? Communicate clearly, set expectations, and always explain the “why” behind your advice.

4. Don’t reinvent the wheel

Time is your most precious resource — so protect it fiercely. That means leaning on: templates for common contracts or advice notes; checklists for repetitive tasks like onboarding suppliers or reviewing NDAs; playbooks that help you (and eventually others) make faster decisions. And when something works? Systematise it. Future you will thank you.

5. Find your legal community

Being the only lawyer in a business doesn’t mean you have to figure everything out alone. Whether it’s a Slack group, WhatsApp thread, or just a couple of trusted peers — having others to bounce ideas off is game-changing. You’ll get: fresh perspectives on tricky issues; reassurance that you’re not going mad; smart ways to solve problems you didn’t know could be solved. (Need a nudge? We’re always up for a chat — and we know a fair few other solos who’d be happy to connect.)

6. Get help before you need it

Spoiler alert: you don’t have to hire full-time to get support. Whether it’s overflow help during a crunch, someone to take on the BAU, or an experienced sounding board — there are flexible ways to scale without the headcount. At Plume, we work with lots of in-house lawyers who are the legal team. Our subscription model is designed to plug in fast, flex around you, and help you make the most of your time — without blowing the budget.

Final thought

Being a solo in-house lawyer means wearing a lot of hats. But it doesn’t have to mean doing it all alone. With the right boundaries, tools, and support, you can run a lean, effective legal function that keeps pace with the business — and still have time to think strategically, make an impact, and maybe even leave on time.

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