Episode 14-From Biglaw to Government to In-house

Launching your legal career at a large law firm has many advantages.  Aside from the obvious compensation benefits, large firms provide young associates with access to sophisticated work, more formalized training and a chance to serve large and complex clients.  But the path to partnership at a large firm remains long and challenging.  In fact partnership is not the goal for many associates who start their careers at an AmLaw100/200 law firm.

While there are many career paths after leaving a large firm, in-house counsel positions remain a favorite option.  Some associates move into governmental in-house roles while others move into corporate roles.

My guest, Raquel Webster, has tried both career paths.  She currently serves as Senior Counsel to National Grid, a gas and electric utility in New England.  She began her legal career as a litigation associate in the Boston office of Bingham McCutcheon (Bingham has since been acquired by Morgan Lewis and Bockius.)  From there she transitioned into a role in the law department of the City of Boston before moving into her current role.

Raquel is active in many non-profit causes and serves on several boards.  She was named as one of the 40 Under 40 by the Boston Business Journal several years ago, and she was just named as one of the 2018 Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly Top Women of the Law.

She has a lot of insight into how the role of in-house counsel differs from private practice.  She also has a lot of practical advice about how to pursue these coveted positions.

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