In-house legal professionals believe the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the importance of their role and that changes to working practices are here to stay, a survey of hundreds of company lawyers has found.

More than a third (35%) of 382 respondents to the Lawyers On Demand (LOD) poll said they felt like more of a trusted adviser within their organisation as a result of the crisis. Only 3% said they felt less so.

Slightly more than half of the respondents were based in Asia-Pacfic, with the U.K. and Continental Europe making up almost all the rest.

Commenting on the results, one financial services general counsel said she believes the pandemic has proven "great career development" for GCs.

"I've got an increased workload with no more resource. It is tricky but equally you couldn't hope for anything more in your career. There isn't anything in the business I haven't touched or seen."

One U.K. head of legal who participated in the survey said in-house lawyers should "use the opportunity to show how valuable you are, solve problems, be pragmatic – it will strengthen relationships for the future and make you feel good too."

About half of respondents said the impact of the crisis on their organisation had been 'high' or 'severe'.

Meanwhile, 83% of survey respondents said changes implemented during the crisis, such as a legal team's input in all crisis management decisions, daily team meetings and a strong focus on wellbeing, will be permanent changes.

The findings show that as low-risk legal work is delegated to other departments or picked up by a technology solution. One GC based in Australia said that the pandemic has allowed them to "accelerate automation workstreams".

Other long-term changes include regular communication with key people across the organisation and strategic assessment when prioritising work.

However, the increased importance of in-house lawyers also comes with challenges, the research found. Some GCs bemoaned the long hours, with one saying: "The business expects 24/7 turnaround time and is demanding. Evening meetings have become the norm. Totally exhausting." Finding space to think, onboarding new hires virtually and juggling childcare while working from home were also cited as challenges.

Simon Harper, co-founder of LOD, said the findings show a "strong indication" that we will see a permanent change in the way people work.

In a statement, LOD CEO Tom Hartley added: "Without downplaying the severity of the pandemic on our personal and professional lives, the findings of our survey confirm our belief that the best corporate legal teams will improve through this crisis.

"We must embrace some of the more sustainable and efficient work practices that were made in the crucible of coronavirus."

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