Practical support and connections for in-house counsel
Our in-house counsel programme, Coordinated Counsel, is our community for in-house lawyers and business leaders who want practical support, expert insight, and meaningful connections – without cost or commitment.
Being a General Counsel or part of an in-house legal team comes with its own pressures: balancing commercial needs with legal risk, managing workload peaks, and staying ahead of regulatory change. Our in-house counsel programme exists to make that easier.
It’s a free, collaborative network designed for in-house teams of every size and sector. Through a mix of events, resources and access to our specialists, we help you stay connected, informed and supported, so you can focus on delivering real value to your organisation.
Carys Thompson
Partner & Head of Sheffield
Selina Hinchliffe
Partner & Head of Commercial Services
How we support you
Our support is practical, timely and based on real-world experience. We help you manage the demands of your role giving you access to the tools, insight and people you need to get things done.
As part of our Coordinated Counsel community, you’ll have access to:
Our support is designed around what in-house counsel and legal teams tell us they need most – practical insight, genuine connection and trusted support. Through Coordinated Counsel, we bring together learning, collaboration and flexible assistance to help you meet the demands of in-house life with confidence. Whether you want to stay ahead of legal and regulatory developments, connect with peers facing similar challenges, or access extra legal resource when workloads peak, our programme gives you the tools, knowledge and network to make it happen. It’s a space where in-house lawyers can learn from experts, share real-world experiences and tap into on-demand support, all designed to help you deliver greater value to your organisation and thrive in your role.
Why join our in-house counsel programme
There are plenty of legal networks out there, but our in-house counsel programme is built differently. Coordinated Counsel isn’t just another mailing list or update service, it’s a genuine community focused on connection, collaboration and the realities of in-house life.
Here, in-house lawyers can share challenges, exchange ideas and access practical insight from leading specialists and peers who understand their world. It’s flexible, relevant and designed to fit around you, giving you real conversations, actionable ideas and trusted support when you need it most.
Join the conversation
Our Coordinated Counsel programme isn’t a membership or subscription. It’s an open, growing community of in-house professionals who want to connect, learn and support each other.
Whether you’re looking for networking, expert guidance or a space to exchange ideas, we’d love you to be part of it.
If you’d rather start with a conversation, get in touch with Carys Thompson or Selina Hinchliffe. They’ll be happy to chat through how Coordinated Counsel can support you and your team.
Specialising in In-House Counsel law
Insights and Learning
- In-person conferences – two flagship events each year, hosted in different locations, bringing together in-house lawyers to share ideas, explore trends and discuss what’s next in the corporate legal world. Expect thought-provoking keynotes, sector panels and practical workshops designed to inspire fresh thinking.
- Sector-focused webinars – expert-led virtual sessions exploring hot topics, case law developments and upcoming legislation. Perfect for staying up to speed at your desk.
- Quarterly insight briefings – concise, relevant updates on the legal, commercial and regulatory issues that matter most to your business, written with the in-house perspective in mind.
Community and Collaboration
- Networking and peer connection – opportunities to connect with other in-house professionals across sectors and regions, creating a supportive network you can draw on when you need a sounding board.
- Roundtables and discussion groups – small, focused sessions where you can explore specific challenges (like ESG, AI, or resourcing) in a safe, collaborative environment.
- Dedicated programme contacts – direct access to programme leads, Carys Thompson and Selina Hinchliffe, who’ll connect you with the right people quickly and help you get the most from the community.
Practical Support
- In-House Assist – preferential access to our flexible legal resource when workloads spike or cover is needed. We act as an extension of your team, giving you immediate, seamless support without long onboarding or procurement delays. Please contact us for further information.
- Fast response times – when issues arise, you’ll have direct routes to senior lawyers across all disciplines who understand the in-house landscape and can provide pragmatic advice fast.
- Tailored introductions – we’ll connect you with subject-matter experts, external consultants or other in-house peers tackling similar challenges, so you never have to start from scratch.
Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
- Our team offer prompt and professional service, whether through in-person meetings or virtual consultations, you can trust that our advice will be timely and professional, helping you feel confident in your legal matters, every step of the way
- We provide advice that is not only pragmatic and quick but also easy to understand. Every lawyer in our firm is approachable, helpful, and committed to offering reliable legal solutions, making the process straightforward for clients
- Our clear and easily understandable approach has kept clients coming back for years, knowing they can depend on us for comprehensive legal support time and time again
- Our clients regularly highlight the exceptional expertise and professionalism of our lawyers. Our team cares deeply about every aspect of your case, ensuring you receive a thorough and attentive service
Real conversations, not presentations
Our events aren’t about sitting through slides, they’re about sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and hearing honest perspectives from peers and experts who understand what it’s really like in-house.
Ideas you can act on
Whether it’s a new way to manage risk, improve collaboration with your board, or demonstrate value to your organisation, you’ll leave each session with practical takeaways you can use straight away.
Access to leading specialists
You’ll have direct links to our legal experts across every discipline, ready to share insight or provide support when you need it. No layers, no delays, just quick access to the right people.
A community that fits around you
We know how busy in-house life can be. Coordinated Counsel is designed to fit your schedule, not add to it, a mix of in-person events, short virtual sessions and concise updates, so you can engage in whatever way works best.
A trusted sounding board
Through our growing network, you can connect with peers who face similar challenges, from regulatory change to resource planning, and share approaches that really work in practice.
A link to flexible support
When you need additional capacity or short-term legal cover, our In-House Assist service gives you the option to extend your team with trusted, on-demand expertise. Please contact us for further information.
Meet our In-House Counsel team
Carys Thompson
Partner & Head of Sheffield
Selina Hinchliffe
Partner & Head of Commercial Services
Building a responsible business
Our commitment to sustainability and social impact
We are an accredited B Corporation that is committed to driving positive change in our communities, minimising our impact on the environment, and ensuring an all inclusive diverse and supportive culture for our people.
Wherever you are on your journey, our In-House Counsel specialists are here to answer any questions you might have
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please fill out the enquiry form. We will aim to reply to your query within 2 hours
Need to talk to someone sooner? You can call use at the number below
