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Pro
what are your average weekly hours?
Anonymous User
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How do you find in-house positions?
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I would try to get firm experience before going in house. The training that a firm can provide is valuable to in house roles, so for exit ops purposes I think even a couple years at a firm before going in house would be beneficial. That said, firms suck, so I get it.
I also don’t know where you are applying but it’s an extremely tough market at the moment, I would probably take the offer and just assess from there if it gives you what you need. If you hold out waiting for a firm you risk not even getting an offer from the firm as well. Something to think about
Unless you already work at a firm then it might be worth staying a little longer unless this is a company or industry that really excites you
I worked at a firm and then in house. I would agree that you get more broad training at a firm first, there are just more resources such as lunch time training sessions etc but in saying that my in house role still did give me a lot of training and they were dedicated to teaching me how to do things so it is possible. I don’t know the right way to ask it but I would think of some questions to gauge if they are interested/motivated in training you. Really depends on each company and size of company but I would also say most in house lawyers are pretty time poor because so much to do. I would want to know team size going in and if it’s more associate level where my work would get reviewed.
Pro
I’d take the in-house offer. Go and grind it out there for 2-3 years. If you want to work at a firm, you can do that later. Really tough to get in-house jobs right now, so congrats.
If your new boss talks negatively about the previous person who was in your seat.
A job offer is great in this market. While I believe going to a firm can provide you some great experience and it is better to do firm then in-house, you have the play the hand you were dealt. Do you have an offer from a firm? How is the in-house offer (they may have wanted someone with little experience to pay less)?
FYI “lateraling” isn’t really what it’s called in-house. You aren’t paid or hired based on your class year. And the title you have at one job won’t follow you to the next. You would just be resigning from your current role and moving on to another opportunity—could be a similar level or could be a higher level. And it’s quite common in corporate America for people to move on to new jobs. Your ability to gain a set of skills and moves on largely depends on you taking advantage of learning the business of the company, speaking with the front line business folks that you support and not just sticking to being a back office contract drafter.
But make no mistake as a brand new lawyer your first responsibility is to learn to do the job you’re being given and do it well. Ask question, learn from mistakes, support other colleagues, be a good business partner.
If you don’t naturally move up in that job then try to figure out what the path to promotion is like & if you’re not going to be promoted then look to change jobs.