Keystone: How to Get In-House & Succeed Once There
At some point in almost every lawyer’s career, he or she gives some thought to the idea of moving in-house. As a law student, you may already be considering this move or career path. There are a number of reasons that you may be attracted to a career in-house: you may have heard about the dreaded billable hour, the requirements of business development obligations, or you may simply want the opportunity to have a more predictable schedule. In practice, it can be difficult to prepare to move in-house until you actually decide that you want to make the move. This program will help you to start thinking, as a law student, about what you can do to help position yourself whether you are interested in pursuing an in-house position later or in trying to find an in-house option right out of law school.
Carolyn Aberman, Legal Recruiting Director for Plante Moran Staffing, will moderate and participate in the discussion. She practiced law for more than a decade in the Chicago area, including 8 years at a major law firm and 3 years in-house. She will share her experience as a legal practitioner as well as discuss her perspective as a legal recruiter on the qualities and experience that companies look for with in-house candidates. Andrew Pfau, '02, Counsel at William Blair & Company, LLC and Angie Steele,'02, Senior Counsel at McDonald's Corporation, have similarly both made the transition from private practice to in-house. They will provide helpful tips for preparing to move in-house and the key factors for success once you finally take the leap of faith and land your in-house role. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students.