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!

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Whatever they're offering you, ask for double

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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

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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

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

Agriculture/agtech/robotics. 350ish employees.

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