Biglaw

The Path To In-House Just Got Easier At This Biglaw Firm

Imagine that -- a firm that actually cares about the career development of their associates.

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career path aheadDespite the droves of young attorneys that flock to major law firms after law school graduation, Biglaw isn’t the long-term plan for most attorneys. Whether it’s the hours, the stress, or the up-or-out model — Biglaw isn’t the long-term plan for most. Sure, it’s a great place to learn a lot — and pay down student debt — but many yearn for the green grass of in-house life. And one Biglaw firm is trying to make that transition easier.

Earlier this week, Husch Blackwell launched HB In-House, a professional development program designed to help attorneys at the firm who are interested in making the leap to in-house. The program’s goals are two-fold: 1) provide attorneys with an inside view of their clients’ roles and responsibilities; and 2) for those attorneys interested in moving in-house, provide them with the tools necessary for a successful transition to an in-house position.

How refreshing for a firm to admit its attorneys may want to move, and to provide opportunities toward that end for everyone. Too often, the transition to the next phase in an attorney’s career is left to the chance of the matters you happen to be placed on or personal connections. This program creates a clear path for those interested in exploring options other than Biglaw. Chief Client Officer Angela Quinn said, “There is nothing like this in the marketplace right now and is another example of our uncommon approach to running a law firm and serving our clients and our people. We recognize that not everyone wants to follow the traditional partner track, and this is our way of ensuring that we are training our lawyers to grow by providing them varied career opportunities to accomplish that. We are already a top supplier of in-house talent, and we see this as a great service to our clients as we train future generations of in-house talent.”

Twenty-five of the firm’s clients helped to create the curriculum for HB In-House. Joe Glynias, Chair and HB In-House program architect, said, “It is not possible to capture the gratitude we have for these client partners who gave and will give so much of their time to help build a future for other attorneys who want to better understand the role and life of in-house counsel. We are fortunate to have such committed partners, and we know there are countless more who will team with us as the program progresses.”

So what, exactly will participants learn in the first iteration of the program?

  • Education: Participants will learn about the roles and responsibilities of in-house attorneys, the structure of legal teams, and the differences between private practice and in-house legal work. This information will help them assess if an in-house position aligns with their career goals. 

  • Training: The training series will cover topics such as understanding a company’s business and how legal departments support business goals, managing a budget, comprehending key financial statements and reports, identifying, assessing, managing and mitigating risks, building relationships and being part of a team, and developing leadership skills. Participants will actively engage in learning these skills and applying them to real-world scenarios. 

  • Coaching: During the course period, attorneys will have access to various coaching programs. These programs include individual coaching, the opportunity to join a coaching cohort, and being paired with an in-house advisor to receive guidance and mentorship. Additionally, attorneys may be offered the chance to participate in a secondment, which will provide an immersive experience. 

Kudos to the firm for the innovative program that marries the needs of associates and clients in a way that helps everyone.

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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.

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