Considering becoming the GC of a startup client. I’ve been their outside GC for a couple years now, so I’m very familiar with the company and exec team. I’ll be their first in-house legal hire and building the legal org from scratch. I have no prior in-house experience. Would love to get advice and connect with those who can offer some experience-based guidance!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Whatever they're offering you, ask for double

likefunnyhelpful

Sole lawyer at a start-up here. Be prepared to implement a lot of systems and processes, something that is flexible enough not to bog down the company in red tape but can be scaled up as the company grows. Talk to a lot of people and uncover how things are currently operating and where legal/compliance is being overlooked (guaranteed there are many holes out there). Couch the changes you're making as protecting the company, its execs and employees, its IP, its business, etc. Makes it easier for people to come on board.

likehelpful

I don't have any predetermined performance metrics, mainly because as a department of one no one else can fully understand or measure what I do. Rather I set goals based on the needs I see, which I can then discuss in a performance review. For example, internal compliance policies are scattered and not enforced? Build a compliance program from the ground up. IP portfolio directionless? Craft an IP filing strategy. Issues with export control / foreign vendor risk? Create a process for handling foreign interactions.

As for software subscriptions, you'll probably need a CLM. And you should definitely make use of AI (like Claude), which has its own legal issues and you can ownership of that in the company.

In a startup environment you end up taking on more than strictly legal, because as needs arise someone has to handle them. You have to be comfortable with that. For example, I am in charge of managing our IT provider because there's no dedicated in-house IT team and the topics of cybersecurity, data privacy and security, confidentiality, records retention and lit holds, etc. touch on legal. It's not fully in my comfort zone but I'm learning how to handle it.

like

As somebody a couple weeks into that role, just wanna say that it is so fun. It is so much work (and I say that coming from BigLaw) but the day to day is so much more rewarding than private practice. You’re not just a mercenary brought in to eliminate big problems, you’re part of a team that’s building something. It’s a bit terrifying from a lawyer perspective, because when you’re the first lawyer, you come in and everything just looks like it’s on fire, but it is a wild ride to be on. Good luck!

like

I’m five years in or so and it’s still pretty fun. Honestly kinda more fun now that I finally have a second lawyer to help with the grunt work, I can get more done. Self appointed director of risk control, so now I’m working with product to make an internal app for reporting & addressing safety issues etc. Things like that. Always something to improve.

When they give you the budget… 1.5x it at minimum.

like

Already told em the budget is going to increase considerably once I get under the hood lol. And not to expect dollar for dollar cost savings on my overhead versus legal budget. Compliance and legal processes will improve, value will be added, but costs are going to rise.

like

Likely a nightmare day to day, so if you’re gonna do it, get some serious comp or equity or both.

like

Yeah i have no desire to do this. I prefer being a cog in a well run machine and still making plenty. Unless you really like "the law" or love to work, not sure who this appeals to

like

What industry? Headcount? Will help tailor recommendations for near-term action items

Agriculture/agtech/robotics. 350ish employees.

Related Posts

Hello Everyone,
I am a fresher with over 9+ months of experience as a Data Engineer at
Tata Consultancy .

I just needed some suggestions from you experienced folks.🙏

In my current project my colleagues have over 6+ years of experience and are not very supportive and scold me for unnecessary reasons, which is effecting my mental health.😔
Also I am not getting to learn anything.

Continued 👇

like

We have a big project going on and I am the only point person(initiate it, did lot of work, and knows the deets well), seems like my mgr wants to get a headcount. But I want to use this opportunity to get promoted, how can I get this across? Mgr is new(they fired my old mgr), mgr’s mgr is new too(re-org). So not sure if I should/can make a case, or how.

like

Any tips on starting a side project to boost my chance of getting hired as a PMM?

like

Advice for trying to go in house or client side? Recruiters don’t have many of these positions...

like

How difficult is it to switch projects internally in TW? Is there any said amount of time you should be in a project before you can switch?

like

How is the work culture of IBM mumbai location? Got joining in Airoli location. Are all the clients indian customer and we need to travel to client location? Any possibility to work from IBM office?


IBM Tata Consultancy Capgemini Accenture GEP Worldwide HCL Technologies Wipro

like

Hi
Can anyone help me how should i explain my project on which i worked in my current company to the interviewer.would be very helpful if someone can help with the basic format from start to end or else can give example of their own project.

Thanks in advance

like

How is a Partner’s sales bonus at your firm calculated? Also, what if multiple Partners have connections at the same client when a sale is made? How is the bonus fairly distributed?

like

Anyone have insight on working at Verily as a project manager?

like

Hi Sharks!
I had interviewed with PwC India for Business Analyst role at Pune location, my both Manager round and Client round went well. However I have still not received any call/ offer from HR. I did call the HR she told me that they have not heard back from the Client.
Any idea how much time does the HR can take if they want to give offer.
My last working day is on this Friday and will have to join other company on Monday if dnt received offer from PwC. Please guide me.

like

AMA- consulting/ corporate strategy/ M&A

Hey all! While I stay in quarantine to assess a potential COVID exposure, I figured I’d host an Ask Me Anything for the above topics/ career tracks.

I’m a 27 year old manager, who’s been in consulting for 4.5 years, directly out of college, in Accenture doing M&A strategy for Financial Services & Life Sciences. I’ll try to answer to the best of my ability (mostly everything except client details ofc).

like

What’s your creative side-project?

like

Hi Fishes,

Is there a way to know your client or atleast the industry before joining IBM? I'm from supply chain domain and I have one more offer. HR isn't revealing this information.

What's the bench policy at IBM ? For how long one can stay in bench.? How much time it will take generally to get the project/assignment. IBM Tata Consultancy

like

My manager continues to ask me to help other teams and do work on other billable projects. I’m sick of it .. and I’m going to explicitly say that no I can’t do it because my hours are taken by the existing project we are doing. Is this appropriate?

like

Hi partners. I’m considering an offer from a key client in my region. I’ve never been on a client engagement with them, but my practice in my region has traditionally done a fair amount of work(contd)

like

Hi fishes, I recently joined Accenture, I am from manual testing background and they put me into monitoring team where we need to analyse errors looking at codes, logs and resolve it and the KT that is being given to me doesnt feel enough when I raised concern to TL, TL itself is blaming it on me that I qm not able to understand what is being taught, I am not able to work in the project at all, I requested for roll off within a month, will this imact my career at accenture? someone please sugges

like

KPMG requiring client facing colleagues to work together for 2 days in the office and only spend '1 or 2 days wfh'....erm that works out as 3 days in the office?

likefunny

More Posts

How is job security in cognizant.

Has anyone tried AdvisoryCloud ?? Is it worth it ??

like

Hello Sharks,

Can anyone please let me know the in hand monthly salary?

Post Photo
like

The coolest thing engineering gave us...

like

What is one piece of advice you would give someone considering engineering?

like

What’s a failure you’ve experienced at work and how did you come back from it?

like

Checking to see if there are any wine & spirits label designers here. I have a call with a mom/pop restaurant tomorrow who want a redesign of one of their vodka labels. They have not supplied any hi res art yet & from what I’m assuming they will not be looking to spend big bucks. Im trying to get a sense of pricing for the front & back label. Thanks for your feedback!

like

Is it worth it to renege on an offer from a T2 consulting firm for MBB?

like

Best part about being single: Not having to hold in my gas ! What is the best part of it for you??

likefunny

Which area is kpmg GS office located in bangalore? I am looking for accommodation but HR just sent a basic on boarding mail.

Kindly help me with this

like

How long after sending your packet with extra info to the recruiter did you find out results from the HC?

like

I had the weirdest dream. Criminals were put in a gated community under observation and they had to successfully fake their own death to get out. They were given too many drugs and alcohol. But they end up killing each other or suiciding and no one is left. Once everyone kills themselves they bring in new inmates. It was insane.

My brain needs a rehab now. 🥺

Edit: how do I sell this idea to Netflix? Even though it’s bizarre.

likefunny

The past two days I’ve spent to my entire day doing things that really can be done by a paralegal. So I hired a freelance para. Any tips to make this a success? What’s your tips to train and get your para up to speed?

like

How long does it typically take to get a verbal offer from ZS Associates (Strategy Insights and Planning) after the final interview?

like

Has anyone else worked two programming roles at one time?
I currently work as a Contracted Software Engineer and I’m set to finish my contracted time at the end of October. To stay ahead of game I started to move forward in the interview process with another opportunity as an Application Software Programmer and just received notification that I got the position. I definitely could use the extra paycheck to help out with my financial obligations. Just wanted to see if anyone has done this before.

like

LTI is Hiring for below Cloud/DevOps BU Positions!!

Immediate to 30 days joiners will be preferred ..

Interested plz DM with job codes to apply

Post Photo

ANY REVIEWS FOR HOMESTARS?

like

39M in West LA, looking to meet someone for drinks and see where things go! (Never married, no kids)

like

Wondering what people think about my situation. I’ve been offered a role with a company. The job description didn’t mention college degree as a requirement. On my CV I have a section listed as “Education” and under it I have “Business Studies” with the university name and the 3 years that I attended the course (2.5 to be exact). It’s a 4 year degree and under this I have my High School equivalent with the years I attended there. The education wasn’t mentioned in the interviews. Continued below.

like

Resources for writing good cover letters? All the interesting jobs seem to require them now and my previous attempts have been... Bad

like

Additional Posts in In-House Counsel

What’s it like being a senior in-house corporate attorney in biotech or tech? Is the work interesting or is it mainly just reviewing contracts and admin/CYA work for biz folks?

like

Has anyone heard of TechGC/DeputyGC? Thoughts on membership?

like

I have the option to leave Biglaw for in-house position at Fortune 100 for 320k TC with 10 YOE in HCOLC. This is my first in-house role and so I wanted others' thoughts on TC range for my level.

like

Are there any industries where in-house hours are generally worse/better?

like

If you practice collections in-house, what do you earn and do you receive a bonus?

I have practiced for five years and make $121k as an employee of a financial services company. As the only attorney, I oversee all statewide collections efforts, from demand letter to garnishment, with a case volume of nearly 7k new cases per year, of which the majority I end up litigating. I receive only a $1k bonus per year. Is my compensation fair? My last insurance defense gig was $75k.

like

Anyone here made the move from a boutique ECVC firm to in house at a VC? My Y1/Y2 background was V20 ECVC hard hitting firm in the Bay, and now I’m at a large boutique with a strong rep in this field in So Cal. I don’t want to make partner, so I’m exploring what options there may be to go in house with an ECVC background. Any insight on responsibilities, W/L balance, leadership, etc in these in house roles?

FWIW, I’m a JD/MBA with a background in finance.

like

Anyone going to the security/privacy conference in DC this week?

Can anyone help me wrap my head around this post Series C start-up equity offer? It’s an IP director position, the the base is $170 with 10% bonus (both lower than I was expecting). There’s also an equity component: 0.15% of current fully diluted equity. This equates to about 30000 shares at a strike price of $2. They also indicate the preferred stock price is $6 and preferred stock equity is $188k (whatever that means). They are in the middle of a new financing and valuation round.

like

In house interview- I am going to hopefully the final round of interview to meet the whole legal team. I was asked about my availability, and it will take 5 hours if in one day. Should I split to multiple days? Will it cause any issues? Anyone on both sides can speak from their experience? Thanks!

like

Have any one used a resume coach or service for in house job search, particularly for IP and product counsel positions? If so, how did you find a good one? Thanks!

like

Anyone work at Spotify or someplace similarly music-centric (Tidal, Apple Music)? What’s the lifestyle / WLB like? How’s your team?

like

Anyone here work fully remote for in house? And in a different state than where the office is located ?

like

I’m moving from big law to in-house. Any recommendations on feeds, resources, etc that I should subscribe to? I’d love to be part of a group of other attorneys that are new to in-house. Any suggestions?

like

Any advice on finding in-house opportunities for junior associates in IP transactions/privacy? I've seen some juniors with 0.5-1.5 years of experience in biglaw go in-house lately, but all the postings I've found ask for 3+ years.

like

How recession-proof are in house roles in finance (e.g., hedge funds, PE firms, etc.), especially when newly lateraling from Big Law?

like

Any downsides to leaving a “Counsel” role and moving into a “Legal Affairs” role? Still practicing and representing the company, just a difference of titles, so core work remains the same - what do you think?

like

Currently working on a three person team in a larger GC group. I lateraled from a different group that did not pay attorneys on an attorney scale. I’m stuck in my old pay scale but have gotten promotions and raises quickly with more on the horizon. A recruiter reached out with a new role for 2-2.5x more than I currently make doing something similar. I love my company and the people I work with but the money isn’t there. Is it worth trying to get a counter to stay if I get the bigger offer?

like

What is the in-house interview timeline these days?

like

Hello, hoping for some input on how to time a job change. At a startup - we are doing well now but unless we have complete turnover in management I don’t think we have a bright future post-COVID. I could coast here 1-2 years before having to look. I’ve been here for a little under a year. This is my second in house job after 10 years at the same firm. The market is hot now, probably won’t be in 1-2 years and I am getting interest for good roles. OTOH I don’t want to look like a job hopper.

like

What is work-life balance like in big tech legal? I’m currently in house at a large multinational; I like my job and I get paid fine, with a very good WLB (40-45 hrs). I want to look into FAANG-type opportunities as they would mean a huge pay bump, and I think I’m qualified, but I have no idea about the hours, and I don’t want to substantially give up WLB, as that’s why I left BigLaw. I don’t want to be miserable again. I know Amazon is poorly reputed for lawyer WLB… what about other places?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal