In-House Dreams, Real-World Warnings

We often share a few key pieces of advice with attorneys considering a move in-house. Not all in-house gigs are created equal so the points below won’t apply to every practice area or role but they are worth thinking through before you make the leap.

(Or better yet, let’s chat! I’m always happy to offer personalized advice or act as a sounding board. More on that at the end.)

1. Don’t Go In-House Too Early in Your Career

This one’s not groundbreaking but it’s critical.

The experience you gain between years 3-6 in private practice is incredibly valuable. Once you’re in-house, replicating that kind of growth can be tough. The earlier you make the switch, the more likely you are to hit a ceiling on your legal development and earning potential.

In-house teams are often smaller and companies do not replicate law firm structure. That means attorneys are often getting hired to do work without supervision. Working without supervision requires you to work on matters you have familiarity and comfort with (likely below your class year). Naturally, with this structure you have fewer learning opportunities and fewer mentors. We sometimes have attorneys who start in-house, learn a ton in their first two months and hit a plateau.

Plus, salary matters. In-house comp doesn’t scale like law firm salaries do. At law firms you get a promotion and a raise every year. That’s not usually the case in-house which is why your starting point matters. For instance, if you go in-house as a second-year associate, your future raises build from the salary you get as a second year. On the other hand, while a fifth-year associate might not match their firm salary when making the leap in-house, their starting point will be higher and the salary will build comparative to that starting point. 

2. Talk to More Than One Recruiting Shop

If you're moving between firms, recruiters act as your agent. But if you're going in-house, they represent the company first. In-house recruiters and in-house focused recruiting shops are headhunters looking for the right candidates for the jobs they are working.

What does that mean for you? Recruiting shops often have access to different in-house roles, unlike law firm jobs, which are mostly shared across the board. Limiting yourself to one recruiter could mean missing out on opportunities that another shop has access to.

So talk to multiple shops. Network. Apply to companies directly. Many in-house jobs aren’t posted or handled by recruiters at all. And like any job hunt, it’s an intentional numbers game. 

3. Litigators, You’ve Got Extra Hurdles—Start by Understanding Them

Here’s a tough truth: Big Law litigation often doesn’t set you up well for an in-house transition. 

In-house litigation roles are harder to find. They do exist but they’re not nearly as common unless you are a subject matter expert who can answer day to day questions.

If you are a subject matter expert, in-house legal teams usually want candidates with 4-6 years of experience. However, you may want to understand your chances at partnership before making the leap. But litigators often don’t know if they’re making partner until year 9-10. Once you’re beyond that 4-6 year window, many companies prefer candidates with in-house experience. Litigation work, and definitely senior level litigation work, is generally outsourced.

Also, that salary gap we talked about? It gets wider the longer you stay in a law firm. That makes the leap even tougher later on. 

4. You Might Think You Want to Go In-House But a Different Firm Could Be the Right Move

There’s a lot of Big Law tunnel vision, especially in law school. But not all firms are the same and some set you up far better for an eventual in-house move.

If your current clients aren’t the kind you’d want to work for in-house, it may be time to switch firms. Some firms serve start-ups, tech companies, or fast-moving businesses that make it easier to get your foot in the door down the road.

This kind of “lily pad” move can give you fresh skills, better contacts, and a smoother transition when you're ready to go in-house.

Final Thoughts: Take My Advice with a Grain of Salt

Everyone’s situation is different. These are general tips, not a one-size-fits-all rulebook.

The best advice I can give? Reach out. Let’s talk about your goals, background, and what you actually want in your next role. I give much better advice when I’m not talking to the internet at large.

But hey—can’t blame me for trying to appeal to the masses.

You can reach Luka and I (see pic below) at mahta@whistlerpartners.com or on Linkedin.