Olivia Cull joined the modular nuclear reactor developer Rolls-Royce SMR as Legal Counsel in August 2026, following a career that began at DLA Piper before moving to an in-house role at Leep Utilities. She spoke to Mark Levine, In-House managing director at BCL Legal.

I recently posed some questions to Olivia Cull – inspired by the comments she got from former business colleagues. Every answer Olivia gave is spot on for building a successful in-house legal career – which she is doing!

Enjoy some brilliant advice. Thanks Olivia!

Mark Levine: What/who made you consider law as a career?

Olivia Cull: As much as I'd love to say there was a defining moment when I knew law was the career for me, there really wasn't. I chose law at A-level because I wanted to learn more about the mysteries of it.

Why did it stick as a career path? For me, personally, law is all about understanding the "why”, whether that's why a rule exists, why a problem has arisen, or why a particular solution is the right one, and that way of thinking really appeals to me.

ML: At what point in your career as a private practice lawyer did you become aware of the option of working in-house?

OC: It was after working closely with clients in private practice that I really started to see in-house as a career I wanted to pursue.

What struck me was how interesting the conversations became once the legal advice had been given. I found myself just as curious about what happened next, how businesses balanced legal risk with commercial priorities, how decisions were made, and how legal advice shaped the wider strategy.

My advice to anyone developing their career, particularly in-house, would be simple: keep asking questions. It’s how you learn, it’s how you build trust and it’s how you become better counsel.

That is the real draw of going in-house. You're not just answering legal questions; you're helping the business navigate them. You become part of the conversations, the strategy and, ultimately, the outcomes. For me, that made the transition feel like a very natural next step.

ML: You moved in-house at around five years’ PQE. Was there any particular thinking about when to move in-house?

OC: I don't think there's a perfect PQE for moving in-house, I've met fantastic in-house lawyers who made the move much earlier than I did, and others who spent many more years in private practice first. Everyone's career develops differently, and I don't think there's a right or wrong time to make the transition.

Law is all about understanding the ‘why’, whether that's why a rule exists, why a problem has arisen, or why a particular solution is the right one, and that way of thinking really appeals to me.

For me, four years' PQE felt like the point where I was ready for the challenge of in-house: making decisions quickly, being comfortable with ambiguity and thinking beyond the matter at hand. That's what made the timing right for me.

ML: We often get asked “when is the right time to move in-house?” What are your thoughts on this?

OC: I think the answer is: there is no single right time. The best time to move in-house will be different for everyone and depends much more on what you want to get from the next stage of your career than a particular PQE number.

I think it’s important to build a strong legal foundation first, but that doesn't necessarily mean staying in private practice for a set number of years. The skills you develop early in your career – good judgement, clear communication and the ability to give practical advice – are what really matter.

What struck me was how interesting the conversations became once the legal advice had been given.

I’d also say don’t wait until you feel like you know everything, because that day probably never comes! Moving in-house requires you to be comfortable learning, adapting and sometimes figuring things out as you go.

ML: You were an associate in the projects team of DLA Piper. How similar to the role you had in private practice was the one you took on at Leep Utilities?

OC: Coming from private practice, I was already used to working with complex contracts, understanding sectors and helping clients navigate legal issues. Those skills have transferred really well into my in-house role.

The biggest difference is the way you are involved in the process. In private practice, you are working closely with clients to provide advice and support on specific matters. In-house, you are part of the business itself, you’re not one step removed from the room, you’re sitting at the table with the people making the decisions.

Don’t wait until you feel like you know everything, because that day probably never comes!

Being an employee rather than an external adviser changes the dynamic. You have the ability to spend time really understanding the context behind a question, popping by a stakeholder’s office to “just ask” a commercial question, to achieve the best outcome.

The legal analysis is familiar, but the perspective is different. Every piece of work is framed through the lens of the business, which, for me, is what makes the in-house role so interesting.

ML: What was the biggest learning curve when making the move in-house?

OC: The biggest learning curve for me was probably the pace and the level of exposure.

In-house, you are right in the middle of everything. Priorities can change quickly, you’re often juggling multiple issues at once, and you need to be comfortable adapting as the needs of the business evolve.

The other big adjustment is that you’re no longer surrounded by lawyers. Your colleagues are experts in their own fields, but they don’t necessarily speak legal language every day. A big part of the role is being able to take something complex and explain it clearly, quickly and in a way that helps people make decisions.

In-house, you are right in the middle of everything.

For me, learning to provide advice at pace, while still being thoughtful and practical, has been the biggest shift. It’s also been one of the most rewarding parts of the role because you see the direct impact of the advice you give.

ML: You recently updated LinkedIn to let people know you were moving and some of the comments from your soon to be ex-colleagues were amazing – and something all in-house lawyers would love to receive. For example: “Your judgement, calm approach, and ability to navigate complexity have made a real difference”, and, “Your knowledge, professionalism, and positive attitude will be greatly missed.”

Can you provide some thoughts around these statements? What has helped you gain these great skills?

OC: I was genuinely very touched by the comments from my lovely colleagues.

I think asking questions is what helps you develop the judgement that people associate with good in-house lawyers. Lawyers are an interesting bunch, but we definitely aren’t mind readers! You can’t give the best advice unless you understand the context, the objective and what someone is actually trying to achieve.

Over time, that curiosity builds experience and muscle memory. You start to spot patterns, balance competing priorities, think more pragmatically and understand when something needs a deep dive versus when the business simply needs a practical steer.

Sometimes stepping away from what you know is where you discover just how much you already know.

My advice to anyone developing their career, particularly in-house, would be simple: keep asking questions. It’s how you learn, it’s how you build trust and it’s how you become better counsel.

ML: What would you say to any lawyers considering a move in-house?

OC: I would say: don’t be afraid of the unknown.

Since moving in-house, I’ve spoken to a number of lawyers in private practice who are curious about the transition but assume they’re going to have to go back to square one and relearn everything.

You’re not starting again. The legal skills, judgement and experience you’ve built come with you.

For lawyers who have spent years building expertise, that can feel incredibly daunting.

The reality is that you’re not starting again. The legal skills, judgement and experience you’ve built come with you; you’re just applying them in a different environment. Of course, there is a period of learning, understanding a new business, its people and its priorities, but that’s true of any new role.

My advice would be to back yourself and give yourself permission to learn. You don’t need to arrive on day one knowing everything. Ask questions, be curious and trust that the skills you’ve spent years building will serve you well.

Sometimes stepping away from what you know is where you discover just how much you already know.

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