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Law Practice

Jul. 12, 2018

Tips for newly minted in-house counsel

The road to success for in-house counsel is not about how to survive this corporate jungle, but rather, how to make your mark.

Suzette Z. Torres

Regional Counsel, North American Title Company

Email: sztorres@nat.com

Suzette co-chairs the California Women Lawyers In-House Counsel Network.

If you are new to the in-house world, you're probably thinking that you have made it to the Promised Land of no more billable hours, better work-life balance, and unlimited resources at your fingertips. I'm here to tell you: Get over it. There's no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.

Don't get me wrong. I love serving as in-house counsel. It is fun and exciting, and I love being "in the room where it happens" when deals close. But being in-house counsel also means that you may have a big learning curve to overcome. Some companies have several legal departments handling different practice areas, and sometimes you discover that you are now The Legal Department of One where you are expected to work on different areas of law and be the legal authority on wide-ranging issues such as employment, compliance, privacy, litigation, marketing, transactional, IP and beyond. You may be asked to work longer hours to complete a project and may have to accommodate conference calls in different time zones. You will be asked to think outside the box and make tough decisions, but you may not know where to find the resources to help you navigate through these nuances. You may be wondering, "What did I just sign up for?" or "How am I going to survive?" The road to success for in-house counsel is not about how to survive this corporate jungle, but rather, how to make your mark.

Where Do I Start?

There's no official playbook on what it means to be in-house counsel or how to be great at it. However, there are several articles and resources available to serve as a roadmap of your journey. Here are some places to start:

1. Association Corporate Counsel: ACC has a guide for new in-house attorneys. As an ACC member, you can also join the "new-to-in-house" listserv and participate in group discussions with other newly minted in-house counsel.

2. American Bar Association -- In-House Counsel Survival Guide (November 2017).

3. Barker Gilmore -- "Top 10 mistakes made by new in-house counsel"

How Do I Connect with Other In-House Counsel?

If applicable, you should first reach out to your colleagues within your company. Your fellow employees can provide you with some insight (and even good intel) on what your company expects from you, to understand its procedures and protocol, and how to navigate through the system. If it turns out that you can't find a trusted advocate or mentor within your company, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Venture out and expand your network.

You should always make a concerted effort to expand your horizons and connect with other in-house counsel in other companies, as well as connecting with professional organizations in your practice area. Your network will play a big part of making your mark in the company. For example, California Women Lawyers (CWL) In House Counsel Network's Signature Puzzle Series Program is a four-part series, in which in-house counsel can meet together in a confidential setting to share ideas, common goals, and discuss issues that women often face in in-house positions. The Puzzle Series is designed to help women in-house counsel from various companies around the state to meet and connect, and to maintain that connection with each other at later sessions and thereafter. This structure allows the pieces of the Puzzle to fit together. The intimate setting allows participants to be open with their questions and have frank discussions. Through this program, I've met several in-house counsel in different practice areas, and we have helped each other by sharing upcoming events, job postings, and being a sounding board for questions. At times when I have self-doubt, I have turned to my network for guidance and advice. We may not always agree, but I know that I can be candid with them and not be afraid to ask the hard questions.

Being involved in professional organizations is also an important part of your journey because it helps expand your network to a bigger audience (not limited to just the legal community). These types of professional organizations can help establish and advertise your expertise in your practice area. As an example, I have a strong background in real estate. I joined the CREW network which is a national organization for women in commercial real estate. The network is comprised of brokers, architects, tax consultants, surveyors, attorneys, and others in the commercial real estate industry. We help each other out by serving as a resource for one another and we connect people who may have the same interests.

You should always welcome the challenges that come your way. Once you make your mark and find your groove, you'll learn that there's no stopping your road to in-house success.

#348264

Aditi Mukherji

Daily Journal Staff Writer
aditi_mukherji@dailyjournal.comxx

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