Hours billed in regulatory (privacy specifically)? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Really interested in the privacy space and it seems that regulatory work is the most relatively "chill" between that corporate, and litigation, while also providing just as good of in house opportunities as general corporate work.

[Anonymous User]

I posted a lot about this in a thread titled In-House Privacy Counsel taking Qs (or something like that) if you Google.

Short answer is that it is indeed generally more chill, though I can’t speak for the last couple of years when all of BigLaw has been crazy. I was always billing between 1900-2000 hours. I also think it’s a lot more rewarding practice for most people than corporate or (unless they are really passionate about it) lit.

It’s still Biglaw though, and the worst thing about Biglaw is the need for constant availability, not the hours per se.

[peoplearehungry]

In regulatory but not privacy. Have billed between 2000-2300 for the last half a dozen years or so at a v10 and v30. From what I can tell, privacy colleagues seem about the same. For my money, regulatory work is some of the best out there. Helpful to both corporate and lit work, but also do your own thing independent of those groups. Partnership prospects are there if that's what you want. In-house exits seem decent.

[jagpaw]

Sorry if this was asked in that AMA, but what is the best way to get into regulatory with a Corp/lit background?

[Anonymous User]

Sorry if this was asked in that AMA, but what is the best way to get into regulatory with a Corp/lit background?

If there is a regulatory area that is closely tied to your corp/lit practice, try to learn about the regulatory rules that apply and then spin that experience and interest in trying to lateral to a group at a different firm. Examples would be a banking corp lawyer moving to finreg, or a tech trans associate moving to privacy. The earlier in your career you are, the easier this will be. Keep in mind regulatory groups are usually very small relative to corporate and lit groups, so it’s not easy to make the move, though I did know two people who made the transition from big corporate firms to regulatory at my DC firm after year 2. They were both HYS grads, for whatever that’s worth.

[Anonymous User]

Some firms will allow transfers within the firm from corp to specialist groups, esp. early on. I know at least 10 people who have done this at my firm. Specialist groups have better hours generally but as other poster stated still the same unpredictability (although deliverables generally take a lot less time to process so if something comes in on a weekend not as disruptive).

If your firm won’t allow this, you should be able to make a switch to a different group at another firm as a junior in this market if your resume shows a demonstrated interest in the area or you can otherwise talk about the subject matter specifically and convincingly enough to sell your reasons for switching.

[Anonymous User]

Another slept on aspect about regulatory work is that unless you are doing deal support or have a really demanding client, a lot of deadlines can be negotiated. The government seems to usually be okay with giving extensions, and generally the type of work rarely involves fire drills so more manageable expectations can be set with the clients (unless, like I mentioned, they are demanding).

That said, echo what everyone said above. The need for availability is there. But if you figure out what things do and do not need responded to right away, you can usually get away with some more time unless it’s for a deal closing etc.

[Anonymous User]

For someone already in privacy, what are the prospects for being able to lateral up to a more prestigious firm? I'm currently a junior privacy associate at a regional AmLaw100 firm, but I am seeing job postings for privacy associates at national market-paying firms. Would already being in the field make up for not having a T14 degree?

[peoplearehungry]

For someone already in privacy, what are the prospects for being able to lateral up to a more prestigious firm? I'm currently a junior privacy associate at a regional AmLaw100 firm, but I am seeing job postings for privacy associates at national market-paying firms. Would already being in the field make up for not having a T14 degree?

Requirements change by firm - some continue to be snooty about grades and school - but this is not the case with all. Moving up is certainly a possibilty. You are in a niche practice area with high demand. Skills and experience over credentials there.

Get out there, apply, and get that bread.