Based on several posts I’ve seen on this app, it seems that in-house counsel is the goal for many litigators. Is it better work-life balance? Lack of billables? Less contentious on a daily basis? What’s the day in the life of an in-house counsel look like? I’m a 3rd year and wondering if it’s something I’d be interested in over litigation at some point.

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I just posted the below in another thread, but to answer your questions quickly, in house litigator is a usually cushy gig. Often the job amounts to babysitting outside counsel, who do all the actual work and you review and greenlight. Sometimes in house counsel actually litigates themselves, but that’s not common and usually only for small matters. So yes, work life balance is supposed to be fantastic, with lower salary being the main drawback. But, the jobs can be extremely hard to find. Many litigators I know would happily switch to in house, and those that get in house jobs stay forever.

My other comment :
Finding an in house spot can be fairly easy if you’re mainly transactional (or tax, I’ve heard). Often you can move in house to one of your existing clients. But it can be very very hard in other areas, particularly litigation. I suggest you start searching the in house listings immediately and speak to one or more recruiters, and as best you can control, focus your work in those areas. If you’re in litigation, for example, and in a smaller market, basically zero small companies hire in house litigators. So you need to come up with a game plan. It doesn’t matter that any lawyer can learn any other area of law, if you’ve been litigating for 5 years everyone will think you are incapable of learning, for example, regulatory filings. (It’s ridiculous - rant over). The hunt can take years so start soon but don’t panic, give yourself time to explore the market (which is now - once you hit 6th-8th year you will probably start feeling the “up or out” pressure from your firm).

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I don’t necessarily agree with this assessment. I think it more depends on what type of litigation you’re doing. If you’re doing PI work, it might be really hard to get an in house position. But, for example, if you do L&E work or other types of business law that tend to incorporate aspects of litigation, contract drafting/review/negotiation, and corporate compliance, that translates well to an in-house job. I know a good number of litigation attorneys who did business/commercial law or L&E work who are now in house.

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Work-life balance (this includes no billing) was the main motivator for why I (former litigator) left a big firm to go in house. I had already given up over half a decade of my life in pursuit of a good resume line and to save some $$, and that was more than enough. You would be amazed at how many fewer weekend and night-killing emergencies you have when you (and your boss) don't get judged primarily on how much you work, but instead you get judged on how good your work is.

Shifting out of litigation was big as well, because generally speaking I think litigation is far more of a career dead end than non-litigation roles. In other words, in my experience and observation there is more upward mobility in house for regulatory/transactional attorneys than litigators. After a year or two it is very difficult to make such a transition in the firm environment but possible as part of a shift in house.

I agree with A1 that it is very difficult to make the jump in house as a litigator. A2's point about labor & employment is valid, but outside of that niche (and perhaps IP) litigators aren't highly valued at all. At least compared to their corporate brethren.

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Former firm litigator here, now in-house. Work life balance is considerably better, pay is good, not tracking billables is great, and there are none of the typical firm stresses (although there are other challenges).

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Moved as about a 6th year. Got an interview through contacts I’ve met over the years — old fashioned networking

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