In-house attorney jobs are something that every attorney worth their salt has considered at some point during their career. It is common to find lawyers and attorneys soliciting information from one another about potential good in-house opportunities. What is it about shifting in-house from private practice and secure environs of law firms that workers find so attractive? Why is it that there is a spurt in in-house attorney jobs in San Francisco and in other areas of the country as well?
A perusal of LawCrossing, a one-stop employment resource, especially for law graduates, attorneys, and people connected with the legal profession will evidence the recent surge in jobs. The job website offers the country’s largest collection of active legal jobs along with career advice and a plethora of advice that a would-be in-house attorney may require.
Surveys show that the San Francisco job market is on renewal mode after recovering from the combined decline in the city’s real estate market, its overall trade and business and in the government both at the state and federal levels. The recovery has brought in its wake expansions and new businesses opening up significant legal work for the region’s trained workforce.
Surveys have shown that a gamut of technology, biotech and biomedical companies along with financial services, leisure and hospitality and a host of other industries are looking to enhance their legal employment and take on board trained professionals to look after the legal side of things. Given the promising landscape and an increase in companies seeking to take them on their payrolls, attorneys and lawyers are keen to make the transition from private or law firm practice to an in-house environment, assuming that it would be a better career path and would give them a better chance to grow and further their potential.
However, for all those looking to make the shift, it would pay to understand the pros and cons of taking such a step. For one thing, your in-house compensation is going to be lot less predictable than the lockstep salary that you received at the law firm. Even though the hours will become less hectic, your in-house salary will be lesser than what you made there so be prepared to take a pay cut with your move.
There are both upsides and downsides to being employed as opposed to working in a firm. For one, you will liberate yourself from the anxieties of the billable hour and the constant search for new clients. There is also the added advantage of having junior staff to assist in drafting and other similar requirements. Of course, the disadvantages are there too. but nothing good in life comes without a few inconveniences. For one thing, work could be mundane and monotonous and there will be less interaction with legal peers. What if the company you work for goes bankrupt or decide to close shop? You are back to square one. Moreover, you will always be perceived as a cost to the company and not as an asset that generates revenue.
The bottom line is, if you love culture, exhibitions and art, and want to live and work in a vibrant city that’s pulsating with excitement, and then in-house attorney jobs in San Francisco will be a decision in the right direction.
