Career Management, Career Tips, GC

Classic Path to GC (& What to Do if You Are Not On it!)

  • On February 9, 2020
The classic path to getting the general counsel spot is to attend a top 20 school, train 5+ years in corporate securities at a leading law firm, and then go in-house. Early responsibilities should include SEC, M&A, and equity plans. Responsibilities should broaden over time to include commercial, compliance, and HR. Additionally, candidates should have […]
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Career Management, Career Tips, Timing

Are Gaps Between Jobs a Big Deal?

  • On October 20, 2019
The hot job market and the increasing societal acceptance of sabbaticals make gaps between legal jobs not as big a deal as in the past. The WSJ recently reported that nowadays you can step out of the workforce for up to two years, whereas ten years ago a gap of six months could be “deadly.” […]
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Career Management, Career Tips, Mentors

Ask for Advice, Not Feedback, to Get Ahead

  • On October 13, 2019
Careers take long and winding roads. To figure out what to do and how to improve yourself means getting the input of others. How do you best do that? This Harvard Business Review article says to use the word “advice” rather than “feedback” when you ask for help! Multiple studies have found asking for “feedback” […]
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Career Management, Career Tips, Interview

Interviewing When Overqualified

  • On August 23, 2019
I recently posted on ageism.  A related phenomenon is when employers reject applicants for being “overqualified.” Studies show, when presented with two good candidates, managers often prefer the one with less experience. The Wall Street Journal explains why. Hiring managers assume the candidate with the more impressive resume won’t be as committed to the company, stay […]
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Career Management

Executive Coaching for Lawyers: 5 Take-Aways

  • On June 23, 2019
I recently attended a fantastic talk sponsored by APABA-SV featuring Linda Lee, Manager of Career Development at Wilson Sonsini. A Stanford Law grad and former WSGR associate herself, she has coached over 200 associates at the firm. She explained what coaches do: coaches help clients set and achieve professional goals after understanding their values, strengths, […]
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Career Management, Career Tips

How to Handle Rejection

  • On May 3, 2019
Hundreds of successful lawyers have told me that their careers zigzagged and that there is no straight line to the top. How you deal with inevitable rejection can set you apart. Do you get beaten down, or do you figure out what you do best and who has a need for that? Wharton professor Adam […]
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