| It has been over a year since Lehman Brothers filed | | | | Depending on their experience, lawyers in private |
| for bankruptcy and the period in between proved to | | | | practices start as associates working alongside other |
| be very difficult for all professionals including legal. From | | | | experienced legal professionals. The working culture is |
| high-status legal experts losing out on salary and other | | | | very different compared to in-house with the majority |
| benefits to entry level practitioners feeling the extra | | | | of private practice lawyers having to work long and |
| pressure of launching a successful career, reality | | | | irregular hours. The responsibilities vary but in most |
| showed that withstanding in a shifting jobs market is | | | | cases cover a wide range of aspects such as |
| more than challenging. So how do you plan ahead and | | | | meeting and advising clients, preparing legal papers and |
| decide about your career? | | | | documentation or researching legal cases. The road to |
| Working In-House | | | | success is often stressful and after several years |
| With the financial sector recovering from the recent | | | | some layers admitted to partnership in law firms or |
| downturn, in-house lawyers are once again in high | | | | they may set up their own law firms. |
| demand at all levels and practices. Given the stability | | | | There can be immense satisfaction both intellectual |
| an in-house legal career can offer, the sector is | | | | and financial for talented lawyers working in a private |
| attracting even more legal professionals. From large | | | | practice. Given the competitive nature of the |
| corporations to blue chip financial companies the | | | | profession successful legal professionals need to be |
| opportunities are expanding with diverse specialisation | | | | constantly in touch with the latest legislative, regulatory |
| areas in litigation, corporate law, employment law, | | | | or technological developments of the sector they |
| contract law, international law etc. Whether you are a | | | | specialise in. As a result, high earning can be achieved |
| qualified lawyer or just starting your professional legal | | | | along with other social and professional rewards. |
| career the options are wide open and there are many | | | | Benefits and other perks offered by private firms can |
| specialised agencies to offer guidance and career | | | | also be very attractive including stock options, lucrative |
| advice. | | | | bonuses and more. |
| If you are looking for an in-house legal job there are | | | | So, which one is better for me? |
| certain benefits you should consider. These include the | | | | Choosing between an in-house and private practice |
| work-life balance, perks that a large corporation can | | | | legal career depends on your personal skills, aspirations |
| provide, virtually no stress in recruiting new clients, | | | | and priorities. If quality of life and a healthy balance |
| career growth, compensation etc. By carefully | | | | between family and work is what you are after then |
| weighing the advantages of an in-house role you can | | | | an in-house legal job suits you better. If on the other |
| decide whether such a career path is suitable for you | | | | hand you are driven by the financial and social status a |
| or not. Once you have decided that in-house is the | | | | successful career can bring then a private practice |
| way forward then the research starts as to what sort | | | | role has probably more to offer. Be realistic and |
| of company is a better layout for you experience, | | | | examine all the benefits and drawback each path may |
| career aspirations and expectations. Each company | | | | have and if necessary do some further research. Get |
| has different options to offer in terms of operations | | | | in touch if possible with some people that are already |
| and the internal structure may differ. This will have an | | | | practicing in these fields to get a better insight. Be |
| effect on the nature and size of responsibilities you'll be | | | | proactive, set up a plan that will help you choose a |
| assigned as well as the learning curve to be followed. | | | | career that can maximise your potential and allow you |
| Working for a private practice | | | | achieve your targets. |