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Another point to consider: at your current seniority, I think it would be much more beneficial for you in the long-term to have experience at a name-brand, reputable company over being the sole lawyer (or “GC”) of a small unknown shop.
I assume you have law firm experience already given your current title. If you add even a few years of in-house experience at a large well-known company, you will be easily be able to get similar roles to option #2 in the future (if you so choose). In fact, you could likely do ever better (more money, support, resources, personnel, etc.)
The inverse would be much more difficult.
Pro
I would 100% pick company 1. I’m also c/o 2020 and wouldn’t take the instability and risk of founders being insufferable over the more known and stable option 1. But I have young kids and am not trying to spend more time than I have to working, while being f the only lawyer I imagine would bring.
Pro
Option 1. Option 2 sounds like it will end horribly — I’d also be weary of being the only legal hire class of 2020, you are still early on in your practice and this is exacerbated by reporting to founders you know are insane.
Chief
Yeah man you want to go somewhere with a legal team that you can learn from. Not being thrown into fire with an unstable company. Im at 17 years of experience and honestly I wouldnt want that type of job.
Not sure how 2 is even a contender. Anyone telling you it’s a good option is lying to you. Option 1 = $258-79k (base + bonus) + 401k match >>>> Option 2 = $275-300k, no 401k match, and potential job insecurity and toxic environment.
Yeah a long time ago (before I decided to go to law school), I took a job at a small company. Agreed to lower salary than I was comfortable with but they said we could “talk about a raise at 6 months if it’s going well.” Great, I know I always impress people with my work.
Come to find out, company was in a constant state of financial crisis. A good friend I made there dropped her jaw when I told her what they said in my interview. She said they never give raises like that, they absolutely had no intention of doing it. Sure enough, when I brought it up at 6 months, the response was “Sorry we just can’t afford it right now. Maybe later.”
If it isn’t in writing, assume it will not happen.
Option 1 no question. But it sounds like you want to do option 2
Lol not necessarily. Just trying to be devils advocate.
Downside of option #2 - you are likely not senior enough to step into a true GC role unless the business is SO simple with minimal risks and legal issues (but if they have a Glassdoor account, I'm guessing they are not just mom-and-pop size). I'd also be cautious they want to hire you for your inexperience in some ways as you may be seen as easier to push around. Your exit options are also going to be tougher in some ways - you probably wouldn't want to go back to a IC or even lower management role after a GC gig (and companies may assume that).
Chief
namebrand matters more than pay esp as a mid level attorney as yourself. ive worked in both a startup and a large company and prefer large all the way
I would be the first lawyer on the team with a strong chance of getting promoted to general counsel quickly. The founder said we would talk about a small basic bonus after 3 months of employment and a larger equity and/or profit sharing bonus after 6 months. He says I would be part of the process of creating the bonus structure but nothing re the bonus is concrete yet and not sure how credible this is. Glassdoor reviews are horrible, they say the founders are horrible leaders, a poorly managed company, that it’s the worst job they’ve had, etc. I recognize people with bad experiences are the ones who typically leave Glassdoor reviews but this still gives me something to think about.
What company would you go for? I mainly care about money and willing to work more and endure more for it, but worried that the smaller company may be too much of a risk. Thoughts?