Corporate lawyers that made the switch to in-house early on - how is your career different? What are some factors you recommend someone else should look at?

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byGuestfeatured

5 years ago

Switched when I was an A3, some 6-7 months before becoming an SA. At the time it was easily the best decision to make, but I advice youngsters now to think it through because in-house is not all that it's made out to be. While it will vary by industry, it's common knowledge now that businesses have peaks where in-house counsel can be working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pay disparity can also be very high because your peers will make partner with 10 years PQE while you'll be Manager Legal or VP legal at most. It's definitely better in terms of work life balance, but if you can tide it out in a law firm for 5-7 years and then make the switch, do it.

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Corporate lawyers that made the switch to in-house early on - how is your career different? What are some factors you recommend someone else should look at?

byLogics

5 years ago

If you were within 3-4 years' PQE and had a decent career trajectory but opted to move to in-house, what were your motivations? We all likely know that your hours may have gone down (have they?), but what has materially changed in your career? Did you accept a lower compensation? And if so, does the work life balance compensate? Do you still find the thrill of a job well done? Do you know (or are) someone who regretted making the switch? In hindsight, what were some of the things you would've wanted to lookout for when you were thinking of switching?

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