As an experienced General Counsel and legal department leader, I have seen firsthand many attorneys transition from law firms to in-house roles. While many view this transition as an escape from billing hours, difficult partners and lack of meaningful work, there are new sets of challenges that come with an in-house practice. The structure and predictability of a large law firm often leave lawyers feeling unsure about their standing in the corporate world. This lack of certainty can be both a challenge and an opportunity.
Despite the initial struggles transitioning to in-house work, the move often opens opportunities that law firms can’t match. The training most big law firms provide equips you to advance your career within the company’s legal structure or make a move to other companies based on your legal experience. This transition also gives you the flexibility to move to a business role, thus expanding your horizons significantly.
It is important to evolve as you adjust to in-house life. Qualities that might have empowered you as a firm lawyer might hinder you in a corporate environment. For example, law firms often train attorneys to be meticulous, which while valuable, can be counterproductive in a corporate setting where speed and focusing on key issues are highly prized. Instead, in-house lawyers should strive to be solution-focused and collaborative, rather than acting as gatekeepers.
As an in-house lawyer, you become a businessperson with legal training, which implies looking at problems differently and embracing creative workarounds that not only protect the company but also help it meet its business goals. There is immense satisfaction in hearing your business team members express their desire to include you in meetings not just for your legal expertise, but for the creative non-law related ideas you bring to the table.
Lastly, remember that your company becomes a part of your brand when you are an in-house attorney. Your company’s success can potentially have a halo effect on you and enhance your career prospects. Of course, your most valuable asset as an in-house lawyer is your network, for it extends beyond the walls of your current company.
This insightful take on the transition from law firm life to in-house practice, although daunting at first, can be an enriching experience if viewed through the right lens.