Ken Banta Releases New Substack Article on the Future of In-House Legal Teams in 2025

Ken Banta, Founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network, has published a new Substack article titled “What In-House Legal Teams Really Need in 2025. And What Leaders Must Do About It.” The piece draws on candid discussions with sitting General Counsels to examine how legal teams must adapt amid AI adoption, tighter budgets, and rising expectations from CEOs and boards.

Banta highlights a shift toward multidisciplinary “utility lawyers,” greater emphasis on agility and ownership, and the growing strategic importance of legal operations roles. The article also explores how leaders are rethinking talent development when promotions are limited, using rotations, project-based work, and targeted AI training to sustain engagement and readiness.

Rather than focusing on technology alone, the article underscores leadership responsibility. Preparing teams for 2025 requires modeling adaptability, investing in learning, and redesigning roles around value creation, not tradition. The result is a practical, forward-looking roadmap for legal leaders navigating a pivotal year of change.

To read the full article on Substack, click here.

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