Curious about how hierarchy and question-asking work at other companies. At mine, there seems to be a nominal welcoming of questions but several legal team higher ups clearly find questions irritating even if the questions are well informed. I’m finding this conflict difficult to navigate as I attempt to move up/expand my skills. Have others found this to be true of their orgs? If so, what have you done to grow?

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

Lead with your thoughts / views & how you tried to self serve. A different take on "come with solutions, not problems" sort of thing. I try to check my face & tone in the moment, but it does kind of annoy me when people ask questions when it was clear they didn't try to figure it out themselves or even cursorily thought through the thing.

like

Thanks! This makes a lot of sense and it’s a really good point. Most recently I came in with a proposed solution to a process problem and it was dismissed immediately without any inquiry. There was also a message not to ask questions re process decisions or at least not to reopen avenues to mitigate risks that may or may not have already been considered up the chain. Since I’m not in the know re what higher ups have and haven’t considered, it feels really difficult to see how I can continue to contribute on processes. Sorry for the rant!

My GC and direct report are dope so no I don’t have advice. I was lucky enough to be placed on a good team.

like

Lucky! :)

how are you phrasing your questions and are you sure these arent questions you already asked before

I could be slightly more direct with question phrasing but yeah I hadn’t asked before.

What kind of questions are they? I ask lots of people/process questions but not substantive legal questions

Yeah thanks I thought it was odd too. We don’t have well documented processes

Questions are always welcome in my org. Unless someone is outsourcing their critical thinking to me and it is basic legal concepts they should know. For escalations, I want them to come with their suggestion and not just the question. Their suggestion may not be the right answer but it at least shows they did think it through on their own before just asking upwards.

Related Posts

How do I tell a firm I screened with that another firm I screened with is moving forward with full rounds? I would prefer the former firm, even though the latter firm is ranked higher. Thanks for any advice

like

Has anyone tried Apposta?

Affordable places near LA/in CA to learn to snowboard?

like

How do you judge a low ball offer with how the market is changing? Earlier this year, you would look at comps and say this is the value. Now with rates going up and people pulling out, how do you justify the value? (View point from the buyers end)

like

In an attempt to be healthier, I built a permanent standing desk. Now, once every couple hours my Apple Watch reminds me “it’s time to stand up” and I feel superior to all those chair sitters out there.

like

Which one is easier? Join FDD from FAAS or Audit?

like

Currently working as a consultant in the US for a software company. Moving to UK next year for personal reasons and my company is sponsoring my visa and has offered me a Product Manager position (per my request to make a career change). Currently at 155 TC in the US and not sure how negotiate UK salary for a new position.

exit opportunities for someone who got a good gpa from a well known school and a cpa who thought they would be doing something cool while building a foundation for a fruitful career but got stuck on state/federal claims and related government work instead? or is a full restart needed?

S1 at B4 now but looking to do something more traditional (?) that will provide opportunity in finance/accounting and not something ‘risk’ oriented that will pigeonhole me.

like

Got offered a Cartier Santos w/ box at $2350 and was wondering if I should pull the trigger. Only thing is that it’s the Quartz version

like

My joining in EY GDS is Feb 21st, anyone else joining on the same day?
How many days before can I expect the onboarding related emails and what are the activities on the initial few days? Usually within how many days project gets assigned?
Please let me know, thanks in advance !!

like

I was curious what other firms have set as their utilization goals for their different positions?

Currently, everyone from staff to senior manager has a set goal of 90%.

like

Bhaiyo like dai do...

like

Has anyone gone through the Breeze Airways panel to interview? Can you give me some insight? Is it a panel of several interviewers asking me questions OR several candidates being interviewed at the same time? It's being held on Microsoft teams but they have been very vague about the specifics. @breeze airways

like

I honestly struggle with the politics of Afghanistan. It does appear that after 20 years we leave and within months it goes back to very similar or on its way. It’s not the US job to be the world police we did try to build coalitions and fail at the end of the day unless we’re willing to keep troops there forever which most Americans don’t want to I am not sure what the right thing to do is. And I’m sick of criticism just for the sake of the president. I don’t think there’s a perfect solution

likehelpful

Trinity Consulting TRINITY did any of you apply for the EVAP transfer and get rejected? Just learnt that LT is actively trying to reduce the number from their respective pods and only 'allowing' 1 of the many that applied (in one pod)

like

New place I’m at is complete anarchy. Only here for a month. One of the account managers is working 14 hour days and is a bout to crack ... so I mention it to my “manager” or na

like

Are CPGs pushing more faux-health benefits than before?
Or is society catching up to the bs?

Post Photo
like

Two of my clients have requested me on Facebook. We're really friendly but it's weird right?

likesmart

My motivation legit evaporates when I’m on the bench... help

like

How easy is it to move from an investment bank firm to a tech company?

like

Additional Posts in In-House Counsel

Would you say most in-house roles tend to hire from BigLaw?

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

I’m a new contracts lawyer and am trying to learn how to harmonize indemnification with LOL. Any tips or resources? I know this is a broad question, but would appreciate any direction on what questions to ask when reviewing a K to do this.

like

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

How do you find in-house positions?

like

Would love some advice / thoughts. I went straight from law school to a corporate legal department in house for an asset manager. They like “home grown” talent and I “be worked hard and risen relatively quickly (AGC in 9 years). I work hard and get a lot of complicated deals done (structured products and private funds). I can’t shake certain people (in compliance department mainly) thinking I don’t have enough experience to do what I do because I didn’t come from a law firm. Any advice?

like

Trying to understand risk of loss and title better. When does it make sense for title to transfer upon receipt of payment? Why would title and risk transfer separately?

like

How is productivity measured for in-house attorneys? Is there any analog of billable hours for in-house lawyers?

like

I applied to Microsoft and a recruiter reached out saying I’m being moved forward. I was asked to fill out a written questionnaire, which I submitted about a month ago. I’ve heard nothing since. My status online still says in review. Is it time to give up hope on this one?

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

What do you do to prep for an interview with the hiring manager? If it’s a new industry for you, do you research applicable laws/regulations?

likesmart

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

Day of remote interviews at a tech co for in-house. 5 YOE. Planning on wearing a suit. Tie or no tie?

like

Does your company use a ticketing system to manage emails received by the legal department? What works and doesn’t work your team?

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

How far do you require depts be with negotiating commercial contract terms before your legal review? I’m talking routine low value and risk contracts (e.g., vendor services), where Legal terms won’t kill the deal. My clients blindly forward contracts. I say “are you sure this term is ok?” And often get “no.” They’re surprised because they never read them. Checking the temp to see what others experience, what might be normal. I feel contract training in my clients’ future...

like

For in-house counsel roles, does firm prestige matter? For example, would the fact that an applicant is from Sullivan & Cromwell vs, say, White & Case matter at all, or is it much more about experience/interview? Does it matter as much as law school credentials? Assuming a mid-level corporate associate seeking to go in-house.

like

When I moved in-house a year ago as a BigLaw mid-level, I took a 45% pay cut, far more than I was comfortable with (although I was fine with a 20-30% cut). I took the job because it was a great role and I was focused on making the jump in house and developing the skills I wanted, which required me moving away from my firm practice area. Now that my year-end review is coming up, how do I ask my company for a significant pay raise (not just a 2-5% inflation-matching raise)?

like

Does anyone have any insights on pay @ oracle? I hear on average it’s below market? Thanks!

likesmart

I’m entering salary negotiations at a Fortune 500 company and am looking for trustworthy resources for salary data that I can share with the company if they ask where I got my numbers. I know Glassdoor, but what else?

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