LoginSubscribe Now
International In-house Counsel Journal Logo
International In-house Counsel Journal Logo
  • Home
  • Business Sectors
  • Areas of Law
  • Editorial Board
  • Write a Paper
  • Subscribe
  • Books
  • Reports
  • Back Issues
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • PLS LogoCopyright & permissions
© 2026 International In-house Counsel Journal Ltd. | ISSN 1754-0607 | Picture Credits: Freepix, Unsplash and by permission of the authors
Back to library search

Career Transitions: From Law Firm to In-House and, Possibly, Back Again

March 2016ManagementManagement

Abstract

Many law firm lawyers hope, at some point in their legal careers, to move in-house with a corporate law department. Often they seek to eliminate the pressure to develop business, abandon the hassles of timesheets, work fewer hours or at least gain more control over their work schedules, increase job security, do work that more directly advances a company’s goals, and, perhaps eventually, move from the legal function to the business side of a company. When the economic outlook is good, the lure of stock options also is an important factor. How do these rosy perceptions of life inside a corporation’s law department compare to reality? Transitioning from a law firm to in-house is a big career decision. Therefore, before embarking upon such a move, the wise lawyer considers all of the ramifications.

Subscribe to reador
PLS Logo Copyright & permissions

Author

Valerie Fontaine

Partner, Seltzer Fontaine Beckwith, USA

Related Papers

Negotiating Commercial Agreements
Home advantage is an oft-quoted adage which might work well in the sports world, but might be a false friend in negotiations. In blunt terms, it’s really hard to walk...Read more
Portrait image of Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr
Director, The Legal Director, UK
Don’t Waste All your Lawyer’s Time on Legal Matters
Hire In-House General Counsel, Because You are Adding Four Key Workhorses All in One 1. A broad technical expert in all the engineering and science aspects of your company. 2. An unconventional...Read more
Portrait image of Paul Grahovac
Paul Grahovac
Building Envelope Codes, Standards and Field Support, General Counsel, Director of New Business Develo, PROSOCO Inc, USA
Branding for Legal Departments: What, When, and How?
Many legal departments do branding exercises once in a while. It often consists of a workshop (or a series of workshops) to define the department’s identity, mission, vision, and values;...Read more
Portrait image of Antoine Henry de Frahan
Antoine Henry de Frahan
Managing Director, Frahan & Associates, Belgium
Executive General Counsels - Lawyers Going Beyond Just Law
The COVID-19 pandemic has inundated lawyers in corporations with a multitude of challenges. In the past year, in-house lawyers aka General Counsels (GCs) have been providing valuable guidance to their...Read more
Portrait image of Jeffery Tan
Jeffery Tan
Group General Counsel & Chief Sustainability Officer, Jardine Cycle & Carriage Limited, Singapore