The truth about the corporate lawyer job
If you have watched any TV series or movies about corporate lawyers you have been lied to. The real job is nothing like that.
If you have watched any TV series or movie about corporate lawyers (for example, Suits), you have been lied to. I refuse to do the same to you.
The truth is that as a corporate lawyer you will NEVER:
- Make any deals;
- Be the mind behind that big corporate change; or
- Call your clients with an amazing potential business proposal.
That is not our job.
By the time a client approaches you, they already know WHAT they want. Your job is to tell them HOW to do it.
It’s better that you understand this now.
Don’t get me wrong. This doesn’t mean that you won’t ever make a any decisions. That you wont have a say in thins. Or that you work is not important.
The fact that you don’t have a a say on the “end” doesn’t imply you don’t get to have a say on the “means”.
Every business transaction or legal operation can be summed up in three things:
1- What?
2 - When?
3 - How?
As a corporate lawyer, you won’t have a say on the “what”. You can try to pitch in on the “when”, yet you will most likely be subject to you clients timing needs. But when it comes down to the last piece, the “how”, you are the Queen or King.
Your Kingdom
As a ruler, you may be faced with 3 possible scenarios or situations that will need you intervention:
First scenario - Low intervention
As I said at the beginning of this post, by the time a client approaches you, they will already know what is it that they want to do.
Sometimes, they will also come with a plan on how they want to do it. If that happens don’t worry, it is not like they will know everything that needs to be done. In this situation, you job will consist on defining the specifics and getting the necessary documents ready.
This of course if what they intend to do is the best possible choice. If you think there is a better way to do it, you should not stay silent. Never assume that the client has analyzed all possible options before coming to you. They may not be aware of the alternatives and, even if they don’t follow though with what you proposed, they will appreciate that you went the extra mile to think of what’s best for their business.
Second scenario - Medium intervention
This is the most common scenario you will face.
A client will come with a goal in mind, and ask you to make it happen the best way you know how.
This are generally going to be pretty straight forward deals. This doesn’t mean little work. It just means that when the client calls you to explain what they want, in your mind you already know what needs to be done to get them to the finish line.
You main efforts will be focused on implementing the road map you made on that kickoff meeting or call.
Third scenario - High intervention
Performance in this last scenario is what makes the difference between the good and the great.
Every once in a while, a client will come with a problem that just doesn't seem to have a solution. Or they will want to do something, even though they don’t have the necessary resources.
They will come to you like Shakespeare’s Richard III from the 21st century
“A solution, a solution, my company for a solution”
They also may have even reached out to other lawyers before you. If this happens, bear in mind that they are not looking to get another no from you. They expect a solution. So you better be ready to put in the hours and think outside the box.
It doesn't have to be a pretty solution. It just needs to work.
It might not be simple.
It might require to make some twerks to the end goal.
But if it works, it works.
Don’t be afraid to resort to other colleagues for help or set up a brainstorming session. Whatever works will do.
Just remember, yo studied all those years for this moment. The solution is there, you just have to put the pieces together. If you manage to pull it of, to find the solutions that your client so desperately needs, yo will have probably won yourself a life-long client.
