Hi Despiar, I think there are a few company in-house roles where the work is more challenging, and I hear the hours can be better.

Also, there is less likely to be the aggressive office politics of law firms, although I guess any office breeds politics to some extent?

are you sure the hours are long? long hours and 4 years spend due diligencing does not sound right, not in these times. get self-aware, take a more frank assessment of where you are and why and then move. the world is big and you are still young.

Yes - any office breeds politics.

Don’t let that be a reason.

However, if you dislike your job and don’t like DDs/contracts - an in-house job will most probably be similar - just contracts and compliance, I think.

Why don’t you explore other legal options? IP law? General Litigation? Constitutional lit? Research? Law teaching? International law/affairs? Public Policy? There’s so much you can do! :) As a lawyer.

If you are obsessed about the money then - yes - lawfirm+inhouse are your options and trust me the long hours+lousy work will set in.

Corporate law firms have very negative environments, I have noticed. I wish they’d do something about it.

Breathe and be happy. Try out joining Art of Living.

I have a vacancy in my law firm all chill and relax if you want i can help you. and about your query i have some friends working in corporate house there live are also monotonous

I agree law firms are extremely hectic and highly competitive but in-house also can become hectic and monotonous some times. It depends from company to company. Do a thorough research on the company background and work culture before joining them. I work with one of the leading media companies in India and I must say it is a fantastic place to work (touchwood!) with good work-life balance and great work culture.

In my view - an in house job is often misrepresented. An inhouse position will, apart from legal acumen, require an in depth understanding of the business aspects (even more than what a corporate law firm’s client will ever demand). This requirement is quite challenging and is often not considered whilst considering an in house position. So please be sure that you will be able to handle such requirement whilst contemplating an inhouse shift. If you’re uncomfortable with such requirements, you may consider more law centric positions outside of corporate law firms like litigation (civil / criminal), tax consulting or even teaching.

My experience - Former associate at a law firm and currently holding an in house position at a fortune 500 MNC

I agree that the need on the part of in house lawyers to deeply understand the business is not fully considered by many lawyers before movong into inhouse roles. I think its a matter of what suits your personality and what excites you. In a generalist in house roles you will get exposed to many areas and business accument is a must What excites you today might not excite tomorrow and there is nothing wrong in shifting gears or changing roles when you deem it fit after some research and mid term plan. Join multinationals or those indian companies who have good reputation for work culture. Working in mid-size multinationals would be more exciting rather than bigger ones.

Thank you all for your responses and advice in what’s a bit of a dark time in my life! I think the firm and people are work with are just not ideal or normal and I need a change.

Would you generally recommend if going in-house to go for big MNCs or are there any Indian companies that also give interesting work? I really don’t want to land up in a post office, as that might be worse than due diligence.

In-House is even more monotonous.. Litigate my friend, never too late to stimulate your brain cells