I just joined a company as their first legal hire in a heavily regulated industry. I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the work that needs to get done. In the next year or so, what’s the best way to approach it? I want to make a year long plan but at the same point I’m dealing with all the fire drills that come up on a daily basis.

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

This was me a few years ago, so I feel your pain and anxiety. You’re on the right track with creating a plan (mapping out the risks, priorities, work, and budget needed to ensure compliance). Regarding the daily fire drills, I found that what worked best for me was to set aside a few hours each week to focus solely on the long-term. Also keep in mind that you can’t possibly manage it all so work with the business team on what needs outsourced.

I’d be happy to touch base offline if you have any questions!

like

Do you mind sharing what industry? Are you looking to better manage the legal work coming in or just a structured plan being the only one inhouse? That might help with advice.

like

Others have given good suggestions, but I would also recommend pulling outside counsel spend and analyzing not only costs but types of matters that were being sent out and create a plan that allows you to bring it inhouse without going crazy, because everything can't just come in house immediately.

like

Try to find a block of time where there wont be fire drills, and dedicate that time to longer term/project work. If you neglect some of those items, they will become fire drills.

At different points in my career I’ve found a routine of 10pm-12am or 5am-7am being good windows for this kind of work.

like

Can you set a few near-term and also longer term goals and then identify the resources you’ll need to accomplish them? A lot can happen in a year so you should probably have some goals of stuff that needs to be done within the next 3-6 months, and reassess your longer term goals as needed.

like

Related Posts

Anybody in a product specialist role or in devices and services, esp in Nest? Need to request some guidance?

like
likehelpful

Thoughts on CAIA? Difficulty, hours studied, study tips, overall experiences, etc.? I’ll be sitting for Level 1 in September. Currently work in the fund of funds space - moving over to my firm’s hedge fund research team soon so CAIA seemed like a perfect way to get knowledge in the area beforehand. I’m almost one year out of undergrad (econ background) so a lot of the CAIA content is new to me

like

Should I wfh first day on vyvance? I just don’t know how I’ll react

like

I’m a Junior accountant, recent MBA grad in Finance, located in NYC, just got laid off due to a merger. Anybody hiring or know any opening positions?

like

“Judy Dench in Cats is a cautionary tale to not agree to extremely short timelines...cat paws need fur!”

likefunny

What is the coolest thing you've ever designed?

like

Anyone have experience working in Vancouver? If so, what are your thoughts on the city? Career wise and socially?

like

Hello Everyone,

I have got an job offer but my car lease is on going....what are the options I have?

like
like

Anyone in restructuring that I can DM some questions?

like

Can anyone let me know what is the maximum offer for a consultant role in Infosys. Had a call with HR today. She said they can give cctc and after 6 months you can apply for Sr consultant role since YoE- min 7 years required. CCtc- 17 lpa. Yoe- 6.5 years

like

Is Salesforce professional services a lot harder than big 4 consulting?

like

Should I stay or should I go? Hoping to get some insight from those that went before me. I am a 6th year call working at a top20 firm in private M&A. Two kids and am in the position (continued below)

Thinking of changing careers to analytics but no clue where to start. Any pointers?

DM me for a referral to EY or EYP if you have over 1 year of professional experience. Great pay, most positions are location-flexible, and they are hiring like crazy.

like

Puts on RCL?

like

Any insight on working for the CFTC? I have some experience at the SEC, is it a similar kind of culture? Specifically interested in WLB and openness to telework. Thanks in advance!

like

Networking question here. A retired partner at the firm I used to work out reached out to me recently about attending an afternoon during the week (b4 4/30) with one of his long time clients. The partner and I have kept in touch since I joined my new firm and I feel like his invitation is a great networking opportunity since the client (who I have worked with before) is on a number of boards. Torn as how to request off as an S3. Could materialize to nothing but could be good for reconnecting.

like

Hope all the couples enjoyed their valentines, and for those single, I wish you luck in the search for a plus one for the next year.

Post Photo
like

Additional Posts in In-House Counsel

What is the appropriate number of YOE before earning/awarding the title of “senior corporate counsel?”

like

I received a 2 year continued service agreement from my employer (government) costing $12,000 for individuals who 'leave voluntarily' within the timeframe. Will I actually have to pay for the costs of training if I don't end up liking the job? Are these enforceable? What are the parameters of 'leaving voluntarily?' Thank you!

like

I put in my notice and now they are giving the hard sell to keep me. I love my boss so that has me the most conflicted it was the thing that made accepting the new offer hard in the first place. 😬

like

Ares or Oaktree?

like

Has anyone recently made the switch to in house and now feel unorganized and less productive than when billing hours? For what it is worth, I’ve received good reviews and my superiors seems to be pleased with my work. Litigation was just so task based because of needing to hit billables, so without that requirement I feel a little like a fish out of water.

like

What’s the best way to go about finding in-house opportunities in a non-major market city? I’m sure there are way more In-house opportunities than I know about I just don’t know where to find them.

like

Where on the totem pole does the legal department fall in your organization?

like

Should I (BL mid-level transactional associate) amend my CV for an in house application in a way that would be different to if I was simply trying to lateral? If so, how?

like

Any insight on writing assessment round for Amazon?

like

I just want one day where none of my businesses forgets to loop me in until the 11th hour or realizes we’ve accidentally been violating data privacy laws or gets into a multimillion dollar dispute. Just. One. Day. Is that so much to ask?

likefunny

What are some questions to ask in an interview to assess culture and WLB without sounding like you don’t want to work hard or put in long hours when it’s needed? And what are some red flags?

like

Does anyone have recommendations for classes or trainings that helped you gain greater expertise in reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, particularly sophisticated SaaS agreements? I came in-house with a biglaw litigation background and because of this feel lacking in competency compared to friends who came in house with transactional experience. Ditto to corporate governance. Would love some recommendations so that I can brush up in these areas and feel less like an imposter.

like

I’m a senior associate and received an offer to join a very profitable client as general counsel that would open lots of doors professionally and financially. Problem is I’m super burned out on law and was planning on quitting law firm in the next few weeks and doing something else with my life. Someone kick some sense into me before I decline the offer.

like

This is a kind of funky question but I need as many ears as I can get - are you still doing safeguard forms or symptom check forms in your offices? How is your RTO process evolving from a legal protections standpoint?

I think our HR team wants to get “back to normal” and get rid of most of our guardrails but I’m having trouble ascertaining the evolving risk.

like

Looking for recommendations for document management software - what platforms have you worked with and which were the best / worst?

Company currently has SharePoint - also open to suggestions on how to optimize as the only DMS. Thanks!

like

Any book recommendations for GC of a startup?

like

Outside counsel has been prepping company witnesses for a trial in August. It is my subject area so I am supervising outside counsel. I did not, however, choose the counsel. He is doing a really awful job. Co counsel is better, but not great either. Higher ups love the firm… I do not want to micromanage, but I have genuine concerns about outside counsel’s ability to try this case. Trials are rare, and I just don’t think these guys have actually tried many cases. Cont. below…

like

I anticipate receiving an offer at a company my spouse is employed at. My spouse is not an attorney and does not work in the same line of business as me. I was not asked to disclose any familial relationships during the application process. Do I need to disclose?

like

I’m currently at a medium sized tech startup. I was interviewing for a role that would be a bump in pay and title at a multinational public F50 company. At first, the hiring manager and head of legal were very complementary about my experience. Almost too much so. After a week of interviews with the team (softball-esq), I was informed that if I wanted to join, they would bring me on at a lower title. I’m not sure about comp yet. But if comp is still an increase + experience at a public..

like

Best legal/outside counsel spend tracking software? I have received buy-in to enthusiastically shoot Legal Tracker/Serengeti out of a cannon into the sun, so will be starting an RFP for a better program (bar is low if you have LT/Serengeti experience).

likehelpful

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

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

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