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Any firms that have well established long term counsel program? I.e. wouldn't have to negotiate it on a case by case basis? Especially in corporate practice.

Latham does, at least in bank finance but I think also in several other practice area.s

At this point, I would think almost every biglaw firm has a "Counsel" track for lawyers who will basically be considered permanent senior associates.

What is it that you are trying to achieve and why does negotiating it matter? There will be an element to negotiation with any lateral move- even at the associate level.

The original poster may be asking about negotiating compensation on legal matters "case by case" (essentially being brought in as a specialist when needed) rather than negotiating compensation for each attorney when joining a firm for a position "of counsel".

OP here. Interesting, I thought some firms might not and it would be an uphill battle to negotiate with them that I want to stay on long term at an 8+ year salary without expectation (and hours required to) make partner. Thank you.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun May 04, 2025 8:39 pm

OP here. Interesting, I thought some firms might not and it would be an uphill battle to negotiate with them that I want to stay on long term at an 8+ year salary without expectation (and hours required to) make partner. Thank you.

I wouldn't expect hours relief from a counsel track. You get a bit of relief on admin and business development by not making partner, but it's not like you get to take it easy because you aren't gunning for partner. There's probably a bit more flexibility to go part time as counsel, but "part time" is often a false promise in biglaw. I know several people for whom it basically just became a voluntary paycut.

Frankly, I don't think it really makes much sense to self-select into a counsel role (unless you are a very senior attorney who is semi retired or a consulting attorney). If you want work-life balance, better to go in-house or a small firm rather than trying to do it in a setting that is fundamentally ill suited to balance. You'd be better off just making partner, doing it for a couple of years and then using the partner position to leverage a better in-house job or start your own firm.