Keeping Tabs - Spring 2022

Q. What are the things about in-house practice that surprised you or that you wished you
understood when you worked at a firm?
A. I think what surprised me the most is the significant and important function the in-house
legal department has. The role is so much more than managing litigation files, which I did not
appreciate when I was at a firm. We are effectively managers of risk.
Q. What advice do you have for younger lawyers looking to make a career change?
A. As they say, change is good and we benefit from shaking things up once in a while. There
is a world outside your current bubble and it’s a big world. There is no guarantee that the
grass will be greener, but you don’t need that guarantee. As long as the career change
could lead to professional growth and it is something that excites you, go for it and don’t
look back. But, please don’t make the decision in a vacuum. Talk to your friends, family and
mentors about your decision to get more perspective.
Q. What advice do you have for lawyers working with in-house lawyers?
A. Be responsive and do what you say, and if you can’t, that’s usually ok, but tell us. No one likes
following up. Learn the business as much as you can and take initiative in doing so. The more you
understand the business, the more of a valuable partner you will become to your in-house lawyer
in resolving disputes. Take initiative to set up touchpoints to discuss the strategy for the matter, if
appropriate, at least once a quarter.
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