what an inhouse attorney can do?

by Miss Chaya Stokes II 3 min read

In-house counsel is a lawyer or team of lawyers that works within a corporation, instead of within a law firm. These lawyers handle the legal needs of the company for whom they work, addressing issues such as ensuring that employer discrimination laws are complied with and fair labor rules are obeyed.

IN-HOUSE counsel are hired by a corporation's law department to handle a range of legal issues affecting the company, among them employment, policy, tax and regulatory matters. More prevalently, they play a managerial role, overseeing work that's been outsourced to attorneys at independent firms.

Full Answer

Why hire an in-house attorney?

Mar 24, 2008 · Well, before you make that jump, it is very important to fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of being an in-house attorney because the decision to go in-house is a very serious one that could greatly affect your long-term career. Once you make the jump, it can be very difficult to return to private practice primarily because law firms will question your …

What is in-house counsel?

Answer (1 of 5): I was an in-house lawyer for 25 years and for the most part I enjoyed it very much. The critical difference between in-house and outside counsel is the in-house counsel's ability to partner with clients in the business to prevent problems, or …

What do in-house lawyers have an advantage over external lawyers?

Apr 21, 2017 · In-house lawyers at BMO typically work from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cudjoe points out that the job is not as laid-back as people might think. “It’s a full day, and there’s always more to do. But the good thing is, you can always put it down at …

Can an in-house lawyer have only one client?

Attorneys advise and represent clients during civil or criminal cases. They provide professional advice, prepare documents, and appear in court to plead on behalf of their clients. They explain legal issues, advise clients on litigation involving them, and research all case elements, including official documentation including a police report.

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What is the role of an inhouse lawyer?

The role of in-house legal counsel is to understand the pressure points, strategy and objectives of the business and effectively communicate the risks and legal issues involved in any decision to management. This enables management to make informed strategic choices within an acceptable legal risk profile.

What is the difference between in-house counsel and general counsel?

In-house counsel is a generic term for lawyers who practice, well, in-house. General Counsel is typically the title given to the highest ranking in-house lawyer within a legal department, and that person is usually a c-suite executive like the COO or CFO of an organization.

Are in-house lawyers happier?

<< A full 75% of the respondents said their chances of being promoted in their departments were slim to none. According to the survey results, many respondents said they have made advances in their careers since transitioning to in-house positions.

What does it mean to go in-house law?

Companies sometimes employ an attorney or a group of attorneys to create a legal department. These “in-house” lawyers are there to provide counsel for business matters, manage transactions, and to oversee outside legal representation.

How do I get better at in-house counsel?

Get to know your clients, before any legal issues arise. By understanding their key challenges, legal and otherwise, you will be in a better position to provide value to them. As non-lawyers their communication style will be different—and most likely will not be a formal legal memo. Ask questions and more questions.Aug 12, 2021

Who should the general counsel report to?

A general counsel, sometimes called GC, chief legal officer, or corporate counsel, is a company's main attorney and primary source of legal advice... The GC typically reports directly to the CEO, because his or her opinions are integral to business decisions.

Is being an in house lawyer good?

Excelling in-house is about more than being an excellent lawyer – it's about being an excellent general counsel. There are a raft of discoveries to be made and internalised in the first few months, to complement the legal talent that law school and law firms hone.

How much do in house lawyers make in India?

How much does a In-House Counsel make? The national average salary for a In-House Counsel is ₹15,87,294 in India. Filter by location to see In-House Counsel salaries in your area.

How can I become in house counsel in India?

Diploma in Business Laws for In House Counsels.Diploma in Companies Act, Corporate Governance and SEBI Regulations.Certificate Course in Advanced Corporate Taxation.Certificate Course in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.Certificate Course in Advanced Civil Litigation: Practice, Procedure and Drafting.More items...•Dec 27, 2019

What is an in-house general counsel?

General Counsel or Head of Legal This individual is the chief Lawyer and leader of the in-house legal department and oversees a broad role identifying company-wide legal issues, advising senior executives and managing the in-house team.Jul 21, 2021

What does a senior legal counsel do?

The Senior Legal Counsel and Assistant to the General Counsel provides general legal support on legal issues within its scope of operations to the General Counsel and Lead Counsel / Advisor.Aug 31, 2017

What is the difference between lawyer and counsel?

There is no difference between a lawyer and an attorney when they're working as in-house counsel. In this case, both must pass the state bar to be eligible to provide legal advice. In the US, these legal professionals work for corporations or other types of organizations.Sep 16, 2021

1- The in-house counsel role is fast growing segment in the legal profession

A new trend has been emerging in the most recent decades pushing lawyers from private practice to assuming an in-house counsel role in a small, medium or large organization.

2- The in-house counsel is both an advisor and the client

The in-house counsel is both the advisor to the client and the client at the same time. This is a particularly unique position to be in as a lawyer.

3- The in-house attorney deals with many areas of the law

In-house attorneys will deal with many areas of the law in their day-to-day run at the mill.

4- The business demands more for less from the in-house counsel

If you think that in-house legal advisors have a nice nine to five type of job and a full weekend to enjoy, you should think again. This is a myth that does not hold far from the truth.

Conclusion

As you can see, the role of the in-house counsel is as challenging and demanding as that of an attorney in private practice.

Experience counts..

IN-HOUSE counsel are hired by a corporation's law department to handle a range of legal issues affecting the company, among them employment, policy, tax and regulatory matters. More prevalently, they play a managerial role, overseeing work that's been outsourced to attorneys at independent firms.

But there are some opportunities..

However, things are starting to look up for graduates as corporations look for alternative ways to minimize costs on the legal front.

NOT the norm..

Despite their unanimous praise for the aforementioned training schemes, our interviewees were quick to point out that such programs are hardly the norm. “ The reality is that the number of companies recruiting in-house counsel directly out of law school is extremely small, though the number could grow in the coming years ,” a careers dean reveals.

In-house in the summer

Fortunately, there appears to be a current spike in interest surrounding in-house careers that suggests the programs are safe for now. “ We're seeing more students attaining in-house summer positions ,” reveals another top law school careers adviser.

Advantages and disadvantages..

Indeed, while entry-level in-house opportunities are certainly limited, the advantages to a law career outside of a firm are undeniable. Benefits include:

What is an in house lawyer?

An In-House lawyer generally represents the corporate interest or governments depending on the structure. They primarily solely rely on and is focused on the area of law that the business is dependent on. As a rule In-House lawyers can earn just as much as a public lawyer depending on the nature of the company.

What are the advantages of being a lawyer?

It has a number of advantages: 1 Steady supply of work, cases or projects. 2 Steady income, often above average. 3 Representing corporations has some level of prestige compared to other areas of the law. 4 Generally good benefits and retirement. 5 Do not have to worry about malpractice insurance, business licenses, office equipment and supplies or most office expenses. 6 Can build up expertise in certain types of cases. 7 Promotion to corporate officer or director is possible. 8 Stock options, stock awards and other bonuses can prove lucrative.

Do lawyers argue in court?

Many lawyers never get the opportunity to argue in a courtroom. Contrary to the popular belief, speaking is not the main part of a lawyer's job. Reading and writing constitute at least 80% of the job. In the first few years, most lawyers will be a researcher, going through millions of case laws, treaties, and statutes.

What is the goal of an attorney?

The entire goal for an attorney's career has never changed: Your responsibility to yourself and your career is to get out there, meet people, make a name for yourself, and get some business. Once you have a stable book of clients, you are set and your career can continue indefinitely.

Who is the founder of BCG?

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

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1- The In-House Counsel Role Is Fast Growing Segment in The Legal Profession

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A new trend has been emerging in the most recent decades pushing lawyers from private practice to assuming an in-house counsel role in a small, medium or large organization. This is the case as companies are cutting down on their external legal spend and organizing themselves to handle the legal activity in-house. For compa…
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2- The In-House Counsel Is Both An Advisor and The Client

  • The in-house counsel is both the advisor to the client and the clientat the same time. This is a particularly unique position to be in as a lawyer. You will be engaged in business transactions both from the legal perspective and as a business partner and you must find the right balance between when to give a strong legal opinion to challenge a business decision and when to ride t…
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3- The In-House Attorney Deals with Many Areas of The Law

  • In-house attorneys will deal with many areas of the law in their day-to-day run at the mill. Considering that a company will have many departments, many business segments, products or services, the in-house counsel will also be solicited to give legal advice with respect to each of the business operations. In a given period of time, an in-house lawyer can deal with contract law, int…
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4- The Business Demands More For Less from The In-House Counsel

  • If you think that in-house legal advisors have a nice nine to five type of job and a full weekend to enjoy, you should think again. This is a myth that does not hold far from the truth. Companies are constantly looking at increasing their bottom line by investing in their revenue generating departments and cutting costs in their cost centers. Legal departments are typically an importan…
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Conclusion

  • As you can see, the role of the in-house counsel is as challenging and demanding as that of an attorney in private practice. While the attorney in private practice will acquire an expert knowledge, the lawyer in-house will develop a general practice of the law. To succeed in the role of an in-house counsel: The in-house legal segment is growing as companies recognize the economic b…
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Experience Counts...

  • IN-HOUSE counsel are hired by a corporation's law department to handle a range of legal issues affecting the company, among them employment, policy, tax and regulatory matters. More prevalently, they play a managerial role, overseeing work that's been outsourced to attorneys at independent firms. Depending on the size of the corporation and the nature of its work, in-hous…
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But There Are Some Opportunities...

  • However, things are starting to look up for graduates as corporations look for alternative ways to minimize costs on the legal front. Fed up with the rising cost of outsourcing work to inexperienced junior associates at BigLaw firms – whose average hourly rate is approaching $300 – a growing number of companies are opting for the more cost-effective route of hiring their own lawyers fre…
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Not The Norm...

  • Despite their unanimous praise for the aforementioned training schemes, our interviewees were quick to point out that such programs are hardly the norm. “The reality is that the number of companies recruiting in-house counsel directly out of law school is extremely small, though the number could grow in the coming years,” a careers dean reveals. “By and large, people generally …
See more on chambers-associate.com

In-House in The Summer

  • Fortunately, there appears to be a current spike in interest surrounding in-house careers that suggests the programs are safe for now. “We're seeing more students attaining in-house summer positions,” reveals another top law school careers adviser. “And also more seeking fellowships with university general counsels,” which offer the opportunity to serve for a summer or sometim…
See more on chambers-associate.com

Advantages and Disadvantages...

  • Indeed, while entry-level in-house opportunities are certainly limited, the advantages to a law career outside of a firm are undeniable. Benefits include: 1. Cross-training in several areas of law – unlike BigLaw associates, who typically specialize very early on in their careers, in-house attorneys work as generalists, so they're able to gain experience in many areas of law, including I…
See more on chambers-associate.com