I want to go in-house at a relatively high level (GC or report to GC) at a small to mid-size company. Thoughts on when a Corp associate has enough experience to make the move? (More info below)

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Depends on the company. I left as a 4th year to go to a fortune 100 as M&A counsel. I was well suited for the role and did not feel experience light. The company likes to poach folks at junior levels to grow into the culture.

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I’m going into my 4th year as a corporate associate at a big TX-based law firm. Billing 2100-2400/year and I have a pretty broad experience base – some securities, a lot of M&A/JVs and PE investment/portco formation (and associated NDAs, LOIs, employment agreements, etc.), and a good amount of commercial agreement experience.

I want to get closer to the business side (and eventually end up leaving the law behind) by going in-house, but I want to have real responsibility when I make the move (i.e. not handling the same 5 types of contracts every day as a staff attorney in a big bureaucratic organization). I want to make sure I have enough experience before leaving the law firm behind, and I do love the firm I’m at for the time being.

Thoughts/advice on when I’ll have the experience to be ready to go?

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Generally, I'd recommend at least 5-7 years of practice experience before transitioning in-house. Sooner than that may mean coming in too low on the totem pole in terms of comp and station (regardless of the title they may offer). You want to ensure you're not coming on as a glorified staff attorney. Also, my in-house clients tend to be attracted to candidates who also check a few other boxes, such as good client contact, some diversity of practice, and some large firm experience.

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Following for my own exit plan.

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Also following for my exit plan.

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