Big Law Life

#58: Should You Take a Counsel Role In BigLaw? Critical Questions to Ask First

Feb 5, 2025

Discover the complexities of the counsel role in major law firms, including its varying definitions and implications for career advancement. Uncover the challenges attorneys face, such as unclear compensation and business development expectations. Learn how some firms leverage counsel positions to retain talent with minimal commitment. Explore strategic considerations for choosing counsel over partner roles, and find out the crucial questions to ask during the hiring process to ensure alignment with your career goals.

14:16

Creator website

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Understanding the significant differences in how counsel roles are defined across firms is crucial for attorneys considering this position.

Evaluating compensation structures and business development expectations is essential to determine if a counsel role aligns with career goals.

Deep dives

Understanding the Counsel Role

The counsel role in big law firms can vary significantly across different firms, making it crucial for attorneys to thoroughly understand the specific dynamics at their firm. Many firms treat counsels similarly to contract attorneys, lacking the market pressures that drive associate compensation. This role may provide little clarity regarding its future prospects or the criteria for partnership, thereby necessitating close scrutiny during the hiring and interview process. Attorneys interested in this position should engage with current counsels to gain insight into the role’s expectations, challenges, and potential pathways to partnership.

Navigating the Counsel Role in Big Law

13min

Navigating Counsel Roles in BigLaw: Key Questions and Considerations

1min

In today’s episode, I break down the nuances of the counsel role in Big Law—what it really means, how it differs across firms, and whether it can be a stepping stone to partnership or a career dead-end. I address the biggest challenges lawyers face when considering a counsel position, including unclear compensation structures, lack of business development credit, and the evolving role of non-equity partners. If you're thinking about a counsel position—whether as a promotion or a lateral move—this episode will help you ask the right questions to ensure it aligns with your career goals.

At a Glance:

0:00 Introduction: The evolving role of counsel in Big Law and why it varies across firms
1:20 Lack of a clear definition: Why counsel roles differ significantly between firms
2:06 Counsel as contract attorneys: How some firms use the role to retain talent without long-term commitments
3:07 Counsel as a path to partnership: When the role is a stepping stone versus a permanent position
4:23 Key questions to ask: Understanding firm expectations before accepting a counsel offer
5:16 Business development expectations: Whether counsels receive credit or budget for generating clients
7:23 Compensation uncertainty: How salary and bonus structures for counsels differ from associates and partners
9:02 When a counsel role makes sense: Strategic reasons for choosing counsel over partner or associate positions
12:00 The changing landscape: How the rise of non-equity partners is reshaping the counsel role

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life? Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.

For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!

For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? - here are ways to reach out to her:

www.lauraterrell.com

laura@lauraterrell.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/

Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast