Starting off strong at an in-house job is in many ways different than it would be at a Biglaw firm or in a government sector job. Working on your relationships, listening skills and setting up an environment in which you can succeed are key. Your first few months will be critical in getting yourself into a position to make valuable contributions to your organization, and to how you are perceived as a member of a team. In many cases, the in-house world can initially seem to be a trial by fire with the business function right next door or directly in your office with pressing legal needs. If you are used to writing 40 page memos that conclude with an “unequivocal maybe” to an important legal question or business initiative, you will need to shift gears and become a more agile lawyer with a focus on what your client (i.e., the business) wants and not abstract theoretical commentary. So you’ve made it – but buckle up – if you do it right you’re in for an exciting ride.
“A mentee of mine recently started his first job as in-house corporate counsel and asked if I had any tips for the transition, especially for a lawyer coming from a law firm. Here are a few suggestions, based on my personal experience, for starting off strong in-house….Congrats on joining the in-house profession! It is definitely different from working in a law firm, but it can be immensely rewarding getting to see how your legal advice is implemented and preventing problems in the first place.”
Read: Three Tips for Starting Off Strong When Going In-House at Attorney at Work