My clients tell me their most rewarding moments when practicing law in-house occur when they feel embedded in their company’s business. When you are part of a cross-departmental team, you can maximize that feeling and hopefully see your advice and effort turn into action and results.

But how do you get out of the law department silo and make that happen? My answer is a collection of seven best practices from multiple sources, including conversations with your colleagues.  
                                        
1. Understand Business Goals and Speak the Language of the Business. Legal expertise is vital, but aligning legal advice with broader business objectives is what distinguishes exceptional in-house counsel. Invest time in understanding the company’s strategic goals, financial drivers, and operational challenges. Attend business meetings, review key performance indicators (KPIs), and learn the language of different departments.