Getting an in-house job? Forum

[TLSUSER22]

Hey Guys,

I know this thread tends to focus on big law employment but I had a quick question. Can anyone refer me to resources (i.e websites) about in-house employment at a fortune 500? What is required? Is it like getting a big law job? Easier or harder?

This summer (1L) I will be interning at a large fortune 500 company and based on what I have gathered ( especially in regards to the hours) I'd rather work in-house than do big law.

Let me know if you guys now any good threads on this topic or if you just have general advice.

[UMich11]

I'll be doing the same this summer and would like to pursue the in-house path after LS. The one thing i've been told by mentors who are currently in-house is that there is an unanimous belief that you should do 2-3 years of firm work (not always big law but that helps) before going in-house. If you don't, your chances of moving up (if its a F-500 company) are slim.

[Kochel]

At the risk of sounding like a traditionalist, I agree that the best path to an in-house job is to work at a firm for a few years. While most in-house lawyers (like me) ultimately go in-house because of the lifestyle/work environment tradeoff, as a general rule work at a firm will give you a broader foundation more quickly than entry-level in-house work. In-house legal departments typically prefer hiring lawyers with firm experience for that very reason: they require less on-the-job training and can be more self-sufficient from day one. From my own experience, what the previous poster said about promotion potential is also generally true: you're more likely to advance within a legal department if you entered with a firm background.

Exceptions prove the rule, of course, and very large companies will sometimes hire entry-level attorneys with no firm experience. But the broadest set of in-house opportunities is open to lawyers who pay their dues at a firm for a few years.

[TLSUSER22]

I see.

Do any of you know whether 1L internships at corporations can lead to a 2L internship at the same corporation?

In addition, are we talking solely BigLaw experience? Thanks a lot for the insights.

[UMich11]

I see.

Do any of you know whether 1L internships at corporations can lead to a 2L internship at the same corporation?

In addition, are we talking solely BigLaw experience? Thanks a lot for the insights.

I'm doing 1L internship this summer in a big corporation - think Fortune 20 co. Don't plan on being offered to come back, and frankly want to try big law for a summer. I have family that was in-house at F20 and mentors who are doing the same right now - all have told me to take the firm route then go in-house. More portable skills that way. Plus, an ideal route is Firm--> in house and be of counsel to a firm at the same time.

[banana$$stand]

I see.

Do any of you know whether 1L internships at corporations can lead to a 2L internship at the same corporation?

In addition, are we talking solely BigLaw experience? Thanks a lot for the insights.

I'm doing 1L internship this summer in a big corporation - think Fortune 20 co. Don't plan on being offered to come back, and frankly want to try big law for a summer. I have family that was in-house at F20 and mentors who are doing the same right now - all have told me to take the firm route then go in-house. More portable skills that way. Plus, an ideal route is Firm--> in house and be of counsel to a firm at the same time.

Telecom?

Edit: my guess at your 1L f20

[UMich11]

I see.

Do any of you know whether 1L internships at corporations can lead to a 2L internship at the same corporation?

In addition, are we talking solely BigLaw experience? Thanks a lot for the insights.

I'm doing 1L internship this summer in a big corporation - think Fortune 20 co. Don't plan on being offered to come back, and frankly want to try big law for a summer. I have family that was in-house at F20 and mentors who are doing the same right now - all have told me to take the firm route then go in-house. More portable skills that way. Plus, an ideal route is Firm--> in house and be of counsel to a firm at the same time.

Telecom?

Edit: my guess at your 1L f20

No. Don't want to say the name on here now.

[Anonymous User]

I see.

Do any of you know whether 1L internships at corporations can lead to a 2L internship at the same corporation?

In addition, are we talking solely BigLaw experience? Thanks a lot for the insights.

I worked at a v100 company in their legal department after 1L. 2L internships were not discussed, but we did have a 2L working there that had done so after 1L. I am not sure if he/she was a special circumstance or what, but I don't think its out of the question. It depends on the company. If they hire right out of law school, I would expect that they would love to have an intern for two summers that could hit the ground running if/when they came on board full-time.