Over the last few years, nearly 10 percent of UT Law graduates have accepted legal jobs with businesses or corporations. The main difference between practicing law as an in-house counsel at a private company and practicing law at a firm is that lawyers working in-house service only one client—the corporation. These positions can offer the challenges of private law firm practice without the pressures of meeting the billable hour requirements of law firms. New lawyers with a strong interest in the business side of law are often drawn to these types of positions because of the substance of the work, the work setting, and the potential for acting in the dual capacity of lawyer and businessperson. Many corporations, though, prefer to hire attorneys with several years of legal experience rather than recent graduates. It is common for a corporation to hire attorneys who have already worked on their matters at a law firm.
Each fall, the CSO presents a Corporate Counsel Panel and Reception where topics on corporate hiring practices, what it is like to be an in-house counsel, comparison of law firm and in-house practices, internship programs for law students, and career opportunities for lawyers are discussed. In addition, students can network with in-house counsel listed in the UT Law Mentor Directory and meet with counsel at the CSO's "Cocktails & Conversation" Mentor Reception held in November.