Legal careers in motion: adapting, growing, and thriving in high-growth environments

Speakers

Jessica Rivett (COO, Obelisk), Kendall Langford (General Counsel, Patron Capital), and Jennifer Bowers (Deputy General Counsel, Francis Crick Institute)

The top three questions or themes explored in this session were…

  1. Adapting Legal Expertise to Business Growth – Exploring how the legal function evolves as an organisation scales, from investment funds to high-growth tech firms and social enterprises.
  2. The Value of Transferable Skills in Legal Careers – Highlighting the skills that enable legal professionals to transition across industries and organisation types while maximising their impact.
  3. Being Brave in Legal Leadership – Understanding how legal professionals can step outside their comfort zones, navigate change, and take on new challenges with confidence.

These are the top 3 things that attendees should take away from the session:

  1. Legal Professionals Must Evolve with the Business – As organisations grow, legal functions shift from risk management to strategic enablement, requiring adaptability and business acumen.
  2. Transferable Skills Are Crucial for Career Mobility – Core competencies like problem-solving, stakeholder management, and commercial awareness allow legal professionals to succeed across diverse sectors.
  3. Bravery Leads to Greater Impact – Taking on new challenges, embracing change, and stepping into leadership roles strengthens both personal development and the value delivered to the organisation.

If you want to learn more about this topic, here are some additional resources:

  • Strengths profile
  • Book by Rene Carayol – What are you Great at?
  • Martin Seligman TED Talk