Inside insights

The In-house and Public Sector Committee has delved into the findings of the Law Society’s solicitor surveys of 2023 and 2025, gaining valuable insights from the data. Colin Carroll climbs the Chinese wall 

As the legal landscape continues to change and evolve, understanding the dynamics within different cohorts of the profession becomes increasingly important. 

The Law Society has taken significant steps to capture these insights through comprehensive surveys conducted in 2023, and again this year, by Ipsos B&A. 

The Law Society’s In-house and Public Sector Committee has worked with the agency to draw out information from the surveys that specifically relates to in-house and public-sector practitioners. 

The key takeaways were summarised in a one-page summary infographic and five more detailed infographics (see www.lawsociety.ie/solicitors/knowledgebase/practice-areas/in-house/ infographic-on-in-house-solicitors). 

Growing optimism 

One of the striking changes observed between the two surveys is the increasing optimism among in-house solicitors regarding the future of the profession. 

In 2023, 49% of in-house and public-sector solicitors who responded to the survey expressed a positive outlook. By 2025, this figure had risen significantly, with 65% of private sector in-house solicitors and 53% of public-sector solicitors reporting optimism about their future. (For the profession overall, the statistic is 47%.) 

This shift could perhaps be, in part, explained by the growing recognition within the business community and public sector of the great value that in-house solicitors add to their organisations, and the rise in career opportunities for in-house solicitors. 

This optimism was tempered slightly when in-house solicitors were asked about whether they believed their areas of practice would grow over the next five years. 

In 2023, 72% believed their fields would grow over the next five years (43% ‘grow a lot’ and 29% ‘grow a little’). By 2025, this sentiment had weakened slightly, with 62% of public-sector in-house solicitors forecasting growth, and a higher 68% among their private-sector counterparts. 

The demographics 

The composition of solicitors who responded to the surveys reveals a strong representation of women. In 2023, a total of 60% of private in-house solicitors were female, which rose to 70% with public-sector solicitors. 

When we look at age, the median for private in-house solicitors is 44.2 years, while public-sector solicitors average slightly older, at 46.5 years. 

The 2023 survey revealed that a significant majority of solicitors (93%) reported working full-time. 

Notably, the trend over the last few years towards hybrid working has continued to gain momentum, with 83% of in-house solicitors working in this way according to the results of the 2023 survey. 

The data indicate that half of these solicitors typically work more days from home than in the office, demonstrating a shift in work culture that is likely here to stay. 

Geographically, Dublin remains the hub of legal in-house activity, with 76% of in-house and public-sector solicitors based in the capital. Delving deeper, we find that 74% of private-sector in-house solicitors, and an even higher 79% of public-sector in-house solicitors, are Dublin-based. 

Evolving fields 

The areas of practice for in-house solicitors are diverse. It is no surprise that commercial matters feature very highly in the surveys. 

In 2023, 41% of in-house lawyers said that they worked on commercial matters, rising to 50% in the 2025 survey for private in-house lawyers. 

The 2023 survey showed that 38% of all in-house lawyers were working on data protection, with this rising in the 2025 survey to 46% of private in-house lawyers (24% of public-sector solicitors). 

In 2023, litigation (27%) was the third-largest area of practice overall for in-house. The 2025 survey shed some light on this work, with 31% of public-sector solicitors working in the litigation area (25% for private-sector in-house solicitors). 

As the landscape shifts, new opportunities are emerging. In-house solicitors are increasingly identifying key areas for growth. 

In the public sector, the focus on artificial intelligence (AI), environmental and planning law, and administrative and public law has gained traction. Conversely, private-sector solicitors are prioritising AI, technology/cybersecurity, and data protection. 

This alignment emphasises the critical role that technology plays in shaping the future of legal practice, with 59% of public-sector and 72% of private-sector solicitors recognising the potential of new technologies.

Challenges 

Despite the prevailing optimism, challenges remain. The 2025 survey revealed that the top concerns for in-house solicitors revolve around a lack of resources, career progression, and a disconnect from colleagues regarding knowledge sharing and networking. 

In both surveys, cybersecurity and cybercrime were identified as pressing challenges. In 2023, a total of 46% of solicitors flagged cybersecurity as an extremely challenging issue – a sentiment echoed in 2025 – underscoring the constant need for vigilance and adaptation in a technology-driven environment. 

AI has also emerged as a focal point for solicitors, especially in the context of the ongoing digital transformation within the legal sector. 

While 45% of solicitors indicated they never use AI, 24% say they use it less than once a month, 14% less than once a week, 11% said often, and 5% always, every day. 

Breaking down the ‘always/often’ (16%) respondents, 41% of them were in-house private, while only 11% were in-house public. 

The 2025 survey highlights a clear demand for upskilling, with 86% of private in-house respondents and an even higher 92% of public-sector solicitors seeking more training and information to effectively harness AI’s potential. 

In all, 77% of overall respondents say they have concerns about the lack of AI guidance. 

Interestingly, while there is a belief among many that AI will positively transform legal practice, perspectives differ significantly between private and public-sector solicitors: 67% of in-house private solicitors believe AI will positively transform their work, compared with just 44% of their public-sector counterparts. 

Looking ahead As the Law Society reflects on the findings from the 2023 and 2025 surveys, it is clear that the landscape for in-house and public-sector solicitors is evolving. 

When it comes to future priorities for the Law Society, the views of in-house respondents are in line with the rest of the profession, including:

• Representation,
• Delivering high-quality education to trainees,
• Contributing to, and advising on, new legislation, regulatory requirements, and law reform,
• Maintaining high standards and regulatory compliance, and
• Providing a good quality and relevant CPD offering. 

The insights gleaned from both surveys provide a roadmap for the future of inhouse legal practice in Ireland. 

With a commitment to adaptability, ongoing education, and an openness to embracing new technologies, the in-house and public-sector solicitor community is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape. 

We believe the future is bright for the in-house legal community in Ireland. 

Colin Carroll is strategic project lead in Solicitor Services at the Law Society.