Going In-House: Look Before You Leap

I have recently spoken with several candidates who have expressed a desire to go in-house, and wanted to share some thoughts on making such a transition since I am a former in-house attorney. After several years of being a BigLaw attorney, I made the jump to go in-house at one of my firm’s clients, a very well-regarded private equity/investment management company. At the time, I wasn’t necessarily looking to make a move, but I didn’t think I should pass up such a great opportunity. After all, it had been ingrained in my mind that going in-house was the ultimate dream job for mid-level associates like myself. So, before I knew it, I had accepted my offer, given notice, and had started my new job as an in-house attorney.

I spent over six years at my in-house position, and feel very fortunate in that it proved to be an overall amazing experience. However, I think my situation was the exception to the rule as I have heard many horror stories that depict situations quite contrary to my own. The general thought is that going in-house means a better overall lifestyle, but that is not necessarily the case. In-house positions come in all shapes and sizes, and it is extremely important that you properly analyze each opportunity you come across because it can be extremely difficult to return to private practice, especially in this down market.

I recently wrote an article that discusses my experience as an in-house attorney because I wanted to help anyone thinking about going in-house understand the advantages and disadvantages of doing so before making that jump. Here is the link to the article: http://www.bcgsearch.com/crc/view-from-other-side.html. I hope you find it helpful!

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Put Down That Hot Dog and ….. Get Creative!

Over the course of the last two weeks, a few people have raised the issue of “female driven” law firms to me — which have been started in Manhattan, upstate New York, Atlanta and abroad. It seems odd — with the summer (and economy) as slow as it is — to see new firms sprouting up. However, I have found that a few people are taking advantage of the down market to “get creative” with new business models and new ideas for business generation.

A few weeks ago, Schroder, Joseph & Associates in Buffalo, New York, received a lot of press for their “unusual” add campaigns featuring slogans such as “Ever argue with a women?” and “Labor pains: Talk to us. (we’re women…we get it.)” Shortly thereafter, Ottawa-based Galldin Liew received some press over calling itself a “feminist law practice” and their refusal to take on male criminal clients. Last week, we saw female-run IP firm, Bates & Tyde, in Atlanta ringing its diversity bell — and big-time clients such as Coca-Cola and AT&T jumping on board for representation.

This is fascinating to say the least. When the economy gets rough, some folks get creative when it comes to generating business—and get a lot of press for it. Good for them! With Big Law topping out at billing rates, it’s no surprise that lawyers from these firms are getting frustrated and looking for ways to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. In fact, there may be a lesson in here for all of us. Don’t waste your summer sitting on a beach eating hotdogs and bemoaning what “was” or the “way things used to be” or wondering “how am I going to make my hours?” Instead, look for ways to differentiate yourself as a practitioner and make some rain! In this cash-strapped economy, clients want to see something new, different, —-and affordable. Leveraging gender to help your firm stand out is one real way to do it, but there are many other ways. What’s your angle?

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Are all law firms really “the same”?

Now that I’ve become a recruiter at BCG, all of my lawyer friends who I thought were happy (or at least not miserable) at their current jobs have suddenly confessed to their discontentedness at their present law firms. My question is “why”? If you ask them, they will confess that nothing has really changed at their respective firms over the past 4 or 5 years. Same job, same people (at least mostly), same gawdawful hours. So why am I just now hearing about all of this misery?

Law firms, it seems, breed a culture of negativity. You’re unhappy, but then so are the poor guys in the offices on either side of you. You perhaps rage against it during your first few months at your firm, but then you assume that you have to accept your lot in life. Heck, you worked hard to get where you’re at, and the money is nothing to sneer at, so might as well just plod along. Besides, no one really wants to hear about it (unless the unhappiness stems from something fairly salacious). Looking back at the happy hours with my friends during my years at various law firms, no one really discussed how they felt about their jobs, what they were doing at work, or how their jobs fell short of their expectations. It was too depressing to relive over drinks, and that’s why we were drinking anyway, right?

On the other hand, ALL the associates at your current firm no doubt complains ALL the time to each other about how miserable they are. Here, though, no one is really listening. No point, really, everyone is working for the same people and have to attend all the same annoying dinners/events, so it’s really just a waste of breath.

Why the culture of negativity exists is perhaps a bigger issue than I want to address right now. I’ll save that for my first novel. But I guess I am more interested in knowing why attorneys accept misery as a fact and don’t really try to change the situation. So many of my now-I-realize unhappy friends have been at the same firm their entire career. I have asked many of them why they stay if it makes them that unhappy, and the constant reply is this: all big firms are the same. Why go to the trouble of starting over again, trying to establish good will with a new group of partners, if the effort is just going to get you exactly where you currently are?

The thing is, having been at three firms over the past five years (that’s right–3 in 5), they really are not the same. Yes, you do have the same lack of control over your schedule, and you will no doubt encounter annoying or even evil people in any law firm environment. At least that was my experience. But, the culture, the work, and the amount of mentorship you receive can vary greatly among firms. Each firm I worked at was distinct. Hated the people at one, loved the people at another. Received great mentoring at one, realized the concept of mentoring was a new one at another. Sure, I never found a perfect fit, but my problem was that I never really wanted to be a lawyer. Perhaps that is your problem. But, if it is not, why on earth accept misery? Maybe it’s too much to ask that work be fun (although my job luckily is), but there are many emotional states that exist between misery and happiness. Do some soul searching and try to find out exactly what is making you unhappy, do some research into other firms, and then put your misery behind you (after some exit therapy). Strike out and find something new.

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Playing in the “Right” League

Playing in the “right” league can have a big impact on your career satisfaction. Before I elaborate, I wanted to share a quick story about my son, Ari.

Several months ago, I took Ari to his Little League tryout. Secretly, I was hoping for the worst. While I would have been proud if he could have been one of the few fifth graders to make it into the Majors in my town, I knew that he would have much more opportunity to play (and pitch) if he stayed in the Minors for another year.

As fate would have it, he had a good tryout; but several other fifth graders had a better tryout and Ari ended up playing AAA ball once again.

We are now in the post season and this father couldn’t be more thrilled. Ari has been a star on his team and yesterday, he drove in the winning (and only run.) He has also been given many opportunities this season to pitch.
The point of this story is not to brag about my son (though being the kid who was stuck in right field growing up, I must say that I’m very proud.) The point is to know which league suits you best. Do you fit in at a large firm? Does it feel right? Or maybe a smaller firm is a better environment for you. Does government seem like a place where you can shine amongst your peers? Perhaps in-house is where you can make the greatest contribution.

The Little League analogy is not perfect. I’m not trying to say that large law firms are the majors and everything else is minor league. Rather, I think it is important to know which is the best “league” for you and your career. That can change over time. So taking the time to reflect at least once a year is a good exercise.

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