Microsoft’s multi-round 2025 layoffs just breached a wall that was long considered untouchable: in-house counsel.
Many want to rejoice because people don’t seem to like lawyers - but this isn’t the only company to do this… and I will go into that shortly… but it does set a big precedent on where jobs are going too.
When a company with Microsoft’s cash position trims legal, it’s straight up functional leverage re-architecture under an AI and capex regime.
And yes, I called the accountability-layer squeeze weeks before this hit the legal press.
Historically, in-house counsel has been one of the safest, most insulated roles in corporate America. You don’t lay off legal unless you’re desperate… or strategically realigning. And if you’re Microsoft, you’re never desperate. So what’s really going on?