Corporate Counsel vs Commercial Counsel

Jan 10 4 Comments

Pros and cons of pursuing each path? If you currently or used to work in one of these positions, what do you like and dislike about the job?

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TOP 4 Comments
  • Samsung
    fRFh70

    Go to company page Samsung

    fRFh70
    I think both types of counsel have good job prospects now and in the foreseeable future, so I'd consider what the day-to day looks like for these jobs and pick the one that interests you the most. I will note, though, that corporate counsel with SEC expertise tends to be a better path to GC, if that's a career goal of yours. Or so I've heard.
    Jan 11 0
  • Amazon
    quokka1

    Go to company page Amazon

    quokka1
    It really depends on where your interests lie - are you more into contracts and negotiations? Or do you like product counselling, privacy, etc.? Some roles will allow you to do both, which I think is cool from an end-to-end experience perspective (eg you do the deal, then take the product to market). So if you’re not sure, you should investigate more generalist roles that allow you to try both until you figure out what you prefer. Tbh a good lawyer really needs both skill sets…
    Jan 10 0
  • Pandora
    zotzot!

    Go to company page Pandora

    zotzot!
    +1 to everything said above, and assume that when you say “corporate” you actually mean corporate law.

    Just want to caution here that the title “corporate counsel” can vary across companies. For example, SiriusXM changed all of the attorneys titles to “corporate counsel” when it acquired Pandora, even the specialized roles like privacy, product, and commercial. Sometimes “corporate counsel” is used by companies to mean “in-house counsel”.
    Jan 21 0
  • Snap
    beagledood

    Go to company page Snap

    beagledood
    Do the one you like more. Also caveat that you will need certain skills for corporate that you may not have gotten outside of a law firm background. Like I wouldn't hire a corporate person without strong sec or maybe m&a experience from a firm. (Saw your other post that you went the consulting firm path)
    Jan 13 0