Occupying the position of an in-house counsel is far from the stereotype of a humdrum and monotonous routine. It often proves to be a dynamic and engaging role that cuts across various legal issues, diverse projects, and involves liaison with numerous stakeholders. This is particularly evident from a detailed description of the workday of Meyling “Mey” Ly Ortiz, an in-house counsel at Toyota Motor North America as portrayed in a post on Above the Law.
Contrasting her previous experience as a senior associate focused on employment litigation, she finds her role as an in-house counsel to be considerably more varied. Beyond merely drafting documents or conducting research, her typical day involves an array of tasks; from morning workouts, morning meetings with clients regarding legal compliance with new laws, participating in team meetings of employment lawyers, strategizing with outside counsel on litigation matters, to providing employment law training to new managers.
Alongside her in-house counsel role, Ortiz is also a working mother, balancing parental responsibilities while also participating actively within her community in non-profit organizations. Even though her day is filled with scheduled activities, she pointed out the need to handle a constant stream of emails, calls, and text messages while ensuring her tasks don’t fall through the cracks.
Despite the numerous obligations, the main charm of in-house counsel life, as Ortiz sees it, remains the flexibility, especially with the option to work from home. This flexibility helps her juggle legal responsibilities and parenting roles effectively, even as she sometimes has to work 50 to 60-hour weeks. Particularly noteworthy is her affirmation of the importance to verify and follow up on tasks while noting that thorough preparation prior to meetings is key.
In summary, life as in-house counsel can indeed be varied, dynamic, and fulfilling whilst offering a great work-life balance for legal professionals who seek assortment in their roles and tasks.