From private practice to National Grid: reflections on my secondment

When I first stepped through the doors at National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) to begin my secondment as in-house general counsel, I knew the experience would be different from my day-to-day life in private practice. What I did not fully appreciate was just how much it would reshape the way I think about law, business and the role we play as legal advisors in one of the most critical sectors of our economy.

NGED is the largest distribution network operator in England and Wales, serving over 8 million homes and businesses and powering the lives of over 20 million customers. It is responsible for the ownership, operation and maintenance of the distribution network across four licence areas: the West Midlands, the East Midlands, South Wales and the South West of England. Formerly Western Power Distribution, the business was acquired by National Grid in 2021 and formed part of a strategic shift to have a greater focus on electricity to reflect the role that electricity grids are expected to play in the energy transition.

As my secondment draws to a close and I prepare to return to my role as an Associate in the Real Estate Future Energy team at TLT, I wanted to share some reflections on what I have learnt and why I believe every lawyer working in the energy space would benefit from time spent on the other side of the fence. It has been an experience that has fundamentally shaped the way I approach my work as a lawyer, and one that I believe will prove invaluable as I return to private practice.

In-house, you are not simply advising the business, you are the business. It often becomes apparent that contractual provisions which are legally robust do not always translate into operational reality, and that a pragmatic compromise can frequently deliver better outcomes than rigid adherence to a position the business cannot practically implement. If there is one thing I will take back to private practice above all else, it is a far deeper appreciation of what it truly means to think commercially.

One of the most striking aspects of working in-house at a DNO of NGED’s scale is the sheer breadth of the legal work. In a single week, I might move from negotiating a complex connection agreement with a major renewable energy developer, to advising on a procurement issue, to reviewing amendments to a wayleave agreement, to considering the data protection implications of a new smart metering initiative, or to managing a dispute between NGED and an independent connection provider regarding contestable works. No two days are the same.

The variety of work you receive as an in-house lawyer drives a demand for a different skillset from the one you develop in a specialist private practice team. You cannot always be the most experienced in the room on every topic, rather you learn to know when you can provide a pragmatic steer and when you need to bring in specialist external support.

Perhaps the most valuable learning from my secondment has been gaining a deeper understanding of the electricity distribution network and the central role it plays in the energy transition. The challenges that NGED and other network operators face such as managing connection queues, reinforcing ageing infrastructure and adapting to a regulatory framework which is itself evolving, are real, practical and operational challenges that affect every client and every project in the energy space. I have come to appreciate that the best legal advice is informed not just by knowledge of the law, but by a genuine understanding of the client, the business, the sector and the system within which it all operates. This is particularly true for the energy sector.

Another unexpected consequence of my secondment is that I now pay far closer attention to weather warnings than any lawyer reasonably should! A forecast of high winds or heavy storms no longer simply informs my choice of jacket, it prompts an immediate thought for NGED's teams and the enormous effort involved in keeping the lights on for millions of customers.

Whilst the end of my secondment marks the end of my time working in-house, I am excited to continue building on the strong and valued relationship that TLT has with NGED from my role in private practice. Having spent time understanding NGED’s business from the inside, I am confident that I can bring even greater value to the work we do together going forward.

To any lawyer considering a secondment, particularly in the energy sector, I would absolutely recommend the experience. It will challenge you and at times, push you outside of your comfort zone, but it will also give you something that years of private practice alone cannot: a true understanding of your client’s needs, how their businesses work and why the advice you give matters. I am returning to the team as a more practical, more commercially minded lawyer, with increased confidence in my own judgement.

I am truly grateful to the team at NGED for this fantastic opportunity, and to TLT for supporting the secondment and fostering an environment in which professional development of this nature is actively encouraged. I look forward to what lies ahead and to continuing to build on the strong relationship between TLT and NGED in the years to come.

This article was written by Amina Harvey, an Associate in TLT's Future Energy team, currently on secondment at National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED).

‍