Top 10 Legal Job Search Fails

On February 19, 2023

I see these ten things all the time that lawyers should not be doing. I call these out because they are within your control to avoid. 1. Your resume lists what you do in the order you do it rather than in the order the prospective employer cares about. Do not make the interviewer work to […]

Compensation, Move, Offer, Title

What Can You Negotiate When You Receive an Offer?

On February 20, 2022

Congratulations, you received an offer! Now what can you negotiate? Lawyers are usually quite conservative and want to know precedent, so see below for the list of asks in order of frequency: Compensation. Most employers expect some negotiation over compensation. Compensation is typically made up of base, bonus, and equity, and usually one element (or […]

Networking, Title, Women & Minorities

3 Things that Haven’t Changed for In-House Lawyers over Last 10 Years

On September 7, 2020

In my 10 years of recruiting in-house lawyers, I’ve seen a lot of changes. But what hasn’t changed that you think would have by now? Titles are still pretty consistent. From junior to senior the basic titles are: Associate Counsel (rare), Counsel, Senior Counsel, Assistant General Counsel (rare), Associate General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, General […]

Title

What are Standard In-House Titles, and How Can I Negotiate for a Good Title?

On September 21, 2018

A good title is important to lawyers. Your title signals your level both internally and externally. Your title can also affect what job you will next be considered for. What are typical titles? Law firm titles are pretty lock step (Associate, Counsel, Partner), but you may have room to negotiate your in-house title, especially at […]

Resume, Title

5 Details Your Resume Should Include

On May 15, 2016

Lawyers often approach resumes like legal documents by listing what they do in the order they do it. Think of the resume instead like a marketing document. Highlight your track record in the very space you want a job in. So what details should you include in your resume? Your clients/deals. For in-house lawyers, list […]

Offer, Title

How to Choose Among Offers

On April 12, 2015

Congrats! You have multiple offers. Now how do you decide which one to take? A couple factors to consider beyond compensation: The actual role. Take the job whose role you would really enjoy, not the one you think you should be excited about. Andy Bryant, the chair of Intel’s board, says, “The thing I learned is that if […]

Inhouse, Title

What Is The Pecking Order Of In-House Titles?

On July 14, 2013

Some companies are flat — even partners come in as “Counsel.” At other companies, it seems like every other person is an AGC. Despite the variation across companies on titles, the standard pecking order is, from junior to senior: Assistant (or Associate) Corporate Counsel. Companies usually don’t have such a junior position. Corporate Counsel. Senior Counsel (or […]