Empowering Your In-House Legal Future with Strategic Insight and Unwavering Confidence
We are a representative body for in-house lawyers. Its purpose is to provide support in the moments of conflict and crisis in-house lawyers experience, and to represent the interests of the in-house legal community with stakeholders and policy makers.
Expanding Roles, Growing Influence, and Complex Challenges
The role and number of in-house lawyers has rapidly increased over the last decade. In the UK there are now more than 35,000 lawyers working in this capacity. The trajectory is for further growth. Businesses and institutions increasingly seek the value employing in-house legal teams provides. General counsels and chief legal officers find their responsibilities expanding, and the legal market is shaping around their influence.
But it is far from plain sailing. Corporate scandals demonstrate the intense conflict that can arise. Pressures to drive commercial goals can conflict with duties to stakeholders and society. Expectations as an employee can clash with expectations of professional regulators, stakeholders and citizens. Lawyers get caught up in decisions and litigation that jeopardise their careers.
Meet Our Founder & CEO
Jenifer Swallow
Jenifer Swallow is a strategic advisor, innovator and award-winning lawyer, with more than two decades’ experience helping high growth tech companies, including leadership roles at Yahoo! and Wise (formerly TransferWise). Formerly CEO of LawtechUK, a government-backed initiative to transform the legal sector through tech, she appears in the Women in Fintech Powerlist, GC Legal 500 PowerList, Most Influential Women in Payments, British Legal Awards’ Individual of the Year, and Chambers Global 100 most influential General Counsel. Jenifer is a NED, mother to 2 boys, passionate about equality, integrity and human well-being, and supports a range of pro bono and industry initiatives.
Meet The Trustees
Jenifer Swallow
Lawyer
Jenifer Swallow is a strategic advisor, innovator and award-winning lawyer, with more than two decades’ experience helping high growth tech companies, including leadership roles at Yahoo! and Wise (formerly TransferWise). Formerly CEO of LawtechUK, a government-backed initiative to transform the legal sector through tech, she appears in the Women in Fintech Powerlist, GC Legal 500 PowerList, Most Influential Women in Payments, British Legal Awards’ Individual of the Year, and Chambers Global 100 most influential General Counsel. Jenifer is a NED, mother to 2 boys, passionate about equality, integrity and human well-being, and supports a range of pro bono and industry initiatives.
Michael Thompson
Lawyer
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Sarah Jennings
Lawyer
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Experienced & Dedicated to
Your Success
Meet The Executive
Our Purpose
The Institute of In-House Lawyers (IHL) provides support for in-house lawyers when they need it most. This includes access to legal advice, peer mentoring, and costs coverage through insurance when they have to defend themselves. The IHL also works to educate stakeholders and advance the collective priorities of in-house lawyers, through advocacy and engagement with business leaders, public institutions and policy makers.
The in-house community is well served by associations, networks, events and shared resources, but it is poorly served in respect of collective advocacy and support for the professional challenges that so often arise. It is this that is the focus of the IHL.
The IHL is led by a group of trustees appointed on a periodic basis, and administered by an executive team, following best practice governance protocols.
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Payton Hillman
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Chloe Wilson
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Jessica Davis
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James Williams
Founded by Lawyers for Lawyers
Built by experienced legal professionals who understand your challenges, the IHL offers expert advice, reliable support and dedicated advocacy to elevate and assure your in-house legal career.
Governance
We are run by a dedicated executive team and backed by a group of industry experts acting as trustees for the work of the IHL.
We model the leadership, collaboration and governance we would like to see in our businesses and institutions worldwide.
Position / Role
Jenifer Swallow
Lawyer and innovation specialist, ex-General Counsel of Wise ($11bn), established the UK Ministry of Justice initiative LawtechUK.
Position / Role
Alex Smith
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Position / Role
Morgan James
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