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As I prepare to step away from my role at ACC this October, I find myself both humbled and inspired by the extraordinary evolution of the in-house profession during my tenure. One of the greatest privileges of serving as CEO of the Association of Corporate Counsel has been the opportunity to witness, and in a small way contribute to, the transformation of corporate legal practice.
ACC’s latest analysis of US Bureau of Labor Statistics data provides compelling confirmation of what so many of us have felt intuitively: The in-house legal community has not only grown — it has flourished. Looking back across the last decade and a half, three themes stand out to me.
1. An era of unprecedented growth
When I began this journey with you, the in-house profession was still too often described as a “career alternative.” Today, the numbers tell a very different story. Since 2008, the in-house counsel population in the United States has nearly doubled — from 78,000 to 145,000 attorneys. That 87 percent growth far outpaces the increases in law firms (23 percent) and government (38 percent).
This is not just statistical trivia. It signals a fundamental shift in the value corporations place on internal legal expertise. After weathering the Great Recession and a pandemic-induced pause, the acceleration since 2021 reflects something durable: Companies are no longer merely accepting in-house teams; they are investing in them as strategic partners who contribute to the success of the business.
2. A profession expanding across the map
The data also confirms what many of you have experienced personally: The geography of in-house practice is changing.
- Large states such as New York, Texas, and Florida have added thousands of positions, mirroring the growing scale of their business economies.
- Smaller states, from Wyoming to Vermont, have seen percentage increases that dramatically expand local opportunities for corporate lawyers.
The lesson here is clear: The in-house profession is no longer confined to a handful of major cities or industries. Opportunities are emerging nationwide, offering new pathways for talented lawyers who want to pair their legal skills with business insight.
3. Concentration reveals strategic hubs
Finally, when we measure the presence of in-house counsel relative to state populations, we see distinct centers of gravity. Washington, D.C. is in a league of its own, with over 500 in-house lawyers for every 100,000 people. The Northeast — New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut — also shows particularly high concentrations, underscoring the region’s longstanding role as a hub for financial and corporate leadership.
At the same time, mid-range concentrations in California, Texas, and Florida suggest room for even greater expansion in markets where business growth is already robust.
What this means for our future
For me, this research is more than an academic exercise. It is a reminder of why associations like ACC matter. Our ability to serve you has always depended on understanding where the profession is headed — anticipating needs before they fully emerge.
The near doubling of the in-house population is not simply a statistic; it is a testament to your collective impact. Corporate legal departments have become engines of compliance, governance, and strategy, reshaping how companies operate and succeed. The shifts in geography and concentration highlight how dynamic, resilient, and adaptive this community truly is.
As I prepare to pass the torch, I leave with immense confidence in the profession’s trajectory. The next decade will bring challenges we cannot yet imagine, but the strength of this community — and the data showing how rapidly it has grown — give me every reason to believe that in-house counsel will continue to lead with vision, creativity, and resolve.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of this remarkable journey. It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead the Association of Corporate Counsel, and I wish you every continued success.
Disclaimer: The information in any resource in this website should not be construed as legal advice or as a legal opinion on specific facts, and should not be considered representing the views of its authors, its sponsors, and/or ACC. These resources are not intended as a definitive statement on the subject addressed. Rather, they are intended to serve as a tool providing practical guidance and references for the busy in-house practitioner and other readers.
