Useful Tips for Lawyers Transitioning from Law Firms to In-House Positions

Transitioning from a law firm to a corporate legal department comes with many advantages. But to be successful, you must be able to adapt your skills and adjust your mindset

So, you’ve decided to make the switch from a law firm to an in-house position. At this juncture, it’s important to remember that although transitioning from a firm to a corporate legal department comes with many advantages, making the move can be slightly more challenging than it seems on the surface.  

We’ve all been told at some point in our lives that college isn’t what prepares us for the realities in our professional lives, and the same holds true for lawyers moving in-house for the first time. In order to be successful, you must be able to use your past experiences plus adapt your skills and mindset to your new role.

So, how can you ensure a long and fruitful career as an in-house lawyer? Here are 6 useful tips for transitioning lawyers:

1.     Get to know the company

This is the first step toward kickstarting a positive trajectory as a new in-house lawyer. To set the stage for success, you need to fully understand the company’s mission, its goals for the future, and how the legal department fits into the overall picture.

So, get your hands on a current business plan and organizational chart, and make it your business to understand what the company does and how information flows within the organization when starting in your new role.

2.     Learn and embrace the company’s culture

In many instances, a company’s history and culture are deeply rooted and highly relevant to the manner in which business is conducted on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, before you can successfully involve yourself in the details that direct a company’s legal and regulatory activities, you must take adequate time to learn and understand the company’s history and working culture to the best of your ability. This will help pave the way for a more seamless transition  and save you from backtracking as a result of any culture-related faux pas once you start.

3.     Join a relevant trade association 

While jumping into the legal details that govern an organization, it’s crucial to understand the industry in which the company resides. Joining a trade organization will help you understand the workings of your new market and industry, and allow you to stay up-to-date on their legal and political activities.

4.     Get to know internal clients

Unlike the clients of private law firms, in-house lawyers are expected to advise and collaborate with internal clients in various departments throughout the organization. Therefore, building strong working relationships with people in areas such as sales, HR, marketing, and accounting will allow for a more in-depth understanding of how the organization operates and make it easier to advise on relevant matters.

When working with internal clients, it’s important to remember that not everyone will have a clear understanding of what you’re there to do. By and large, you’re not communicating with fellow attorneys. Attempt to take your time and offer support and guidance to anyone who may need it. Schedule regular follow-ups, explicitly discuss next steps and action items, and offer project assistance when it’s appropriate.

5.     Remain flexible

 One of the biggest differentiators between private practice lawyers and corporate lawyers is the cohabitation that takes place between in-house attorney and client. When you’re at a firm, you’re typically sequestered from the client; when you move in-house, you move in with the client. This “live-in” dynamic makes it harder to anticipate what is going to happen at any given point during the day. Therefore, it is imperative that you stay flexible and find strategies to remain level-headed when an executive unexpectedly pulls you away.

6.     Go beyond “no” 

Internal clients may propose projects that you deem too risky to responsibly approve. In these instances, your initial instinct will likely be to protect the company, and therefore potentially create an excess of scenarios where you are saying “no.” As you can imagine, repeatedly saying “no” can quickly lead to rifts with internal clients and solidify your reputation as a barrier or a cynic.

Position yourself to be part of the business team who has a seat at the table when decisions are made, so that legal guidance and risk assessment can be discussed along the way. Offer proactive advice on ideas about how to move the business forward without running into legal issues. Work to build your reputation at someone who helps move the business forward, so that when you need to say "no," you have credibility with the client. They will learn to trust that you are looking out for them, not being a roadblock.

When appropriate, suggest alternatives instead of a blunt “no”—but when “no” is necessary, communicate it with this established credibility and in a manner that internal clients can understand and accept.

As you can see, there are a multitude of differences between working as a lawyer in a legal practice and working in an in-house counsel role. While a lot of these tips require immersing yourself into the company and its culture, you will be best served by establishing good relationships and doing as much due diligence as you can on various elements before jumping into important legal matters.

Best of luck in your new role!

Carrington Legal Search is devoted to finding the ideal candidates for our clients’ recruitment needs. We have particular expertise in the Financial Services (banking, insurance, investment management, etc.) and Technology verticals. To make our nationwide network work for you, get in touch at 512-627-7467 or email carrie@carringtonlegal.com.