2024’s In-house Rising Star: My legal journey and why I chose a career in-house

Last year’s winner of the In-house Rising Star Award, Cameron Ramage, returns to look back on his career and what attracted him to working in-house in light of nominations opening for 2025’s award.

I can’t quite believe it has been almost a year since I won the Law Society of Scotland 2024 In-house Rising Star Award. Reflecting on the past year, this recognition remains a significant milestone in my career and a testament to the incredible support and mentorship I have received along the way. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such talented colleagues at Cirrus Logic, who continue to inspire me and provide opportunities to work on diverse and exciting projects.

Believe it or not, my initial inspiration for pursuing a career in law was because I wanted to become a criminal defence lawyer. I completed my LLB and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Strathclyde. During my undergraduate LLB, I was privileged to shadow Lord Robin McEwen, former judge of the High Court of Justiciary and Court of Session, throughout many criminal and civil trials in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, which gave me a fascinating practical insight into the legal system. I ultimately decided to follow the commercial path and undertook a well-rounded traineeship with Shepherd and Wedderburn, where I gained exposure to a variety of legal disciplines and had the opportunity to learn from many talented lawyers. My final traineeship seat was a secondment to Cirrus Logic, which provided my first experience in the fast-paced and diverse nature of in-house legal work. As I continued in my legal journey after my secondment, my interests evolved, and I found myself increasingly drawn to the dynamic nature of in-house legal work.

One of the main reasons I chose a career in-house is the sheer diversity of the work. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities, from navigating regulatory requirements in different jurisdictions to negotiating all types of commercial contracts and working on interesting cross-functional projects, which keeps me constantly engaged and always learning. I particularly enjoy working closely with internal stakeholders, understanding business objectives, and helping to craft practical, commercial solutions that enable the business to achieve its strategic goals efficiently and effectively.

Another key aspect of working in-house that I find rewarding is seeing the tangible impact of legal advice in real time. I really enjoy working in the innovative environment created by Cirrus Logic and seeing projects that I have advised on or supported come to life.  

In my career so far, I have been incredibly lucky to work with fantastic mentors and colleagues who have continued to support and challenge me in my professional growth. In particular, my team at Cirrus Logic has been instrumental in my development. Working in such an innovative and forward-thinking environment has been both inspiring and enriching. The culture at Cirrus Logic fosters collaboration and continuous learning, allowing me to engage in a wide range of legal matters and contribute meaningfully to the business’s success.

"The ability to work at the intersection of law and business, to contribute to commercial decision-making, and to see your work come to fruition is incredibly fulfilling."

For those considering a career in-house, I cannot recommend it highly enough. The ability to work at the intersection of law and business, to contribute to commercial decision-making, and to see your work come to fruition is incredibly fulfilling. Working in-house offers endless learning opportunities and new challenges, making it an exciting and rewarding career path.

As I continue my legal journey in-house, I look forward to further growth, new challenges, and continuing to contribute to the ever-evolving legal profession. For anyone who is considering pursuing a career in-house, I would be more than happy to chat.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to the 2025 In-house Rising Star nominees.

Nominations for this year’s In-house Rising Star Award are now open. If you know an in-house solicitor with up to five years post-qualification experience and/or an in-house trainee who deserves to be spotlighted like Cameron, submit your nomination by Friday 14 March.