Transition to In-House Counsel for a College/University

[Anonymous]

For 15ish years, I’ve been a litigator. During that time, I’ve handled mgmt-side labor/employment law, patent litigation, regulatory compliance, and a host of other non-higher ed matters. Never had a college/university as a client; never as a party opponent.

I’m thinking that I have about 5 years left doing what I’m doing and thinking of new adventures.

In my mind, being counsel to a college/university seems like a promising act 2 or 3 to my career.

Anyone want to share the warts that I’m being blind to?

[Anonymous]

If a public school you may actually be part of the AG’s office which, depending on the governor, could have its own headaches.

[Anonymous]

Colleges tend to have terrible internal politics...HR does nothing to stop illegal activities and takes part in them. Look before you leap. Avoid GW, for example.

[Anonymous]

Colleges are often horrible places to work. If you don’t have a PhD you may be regarded by the credentialist faculty/staff as a moron - that was my experience, and I found it wearying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges are often horrible places to work. If you don’t have a PhD you may be regarded by the credentialist faculty/staff as a moron - that was my experience, and I found it wearying.

Totally agree!

[Anonymous]

I'm in house and I've litigated against a few universities, including several large and famous institutions in high value matters. I've been continually surprised at their lack of sophistication and inconsistent decision making. It's clear these institutions don't know how to think about legal risk and potential outcomes vs reputation vs legal costs.

I can settle with almost any industry peer on reasonable terms, but universities will opt out of reasonable deals to spend millions on legal fees to walk away with nothing. And the discussions are often all over the place, with the university not knowing what it wants out of the dispute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in house and I've litigated against a few universities, including several large and famous institutions in high value matters. I've been continually surprised at their lack of sophistication and inconsistent decision making. It's clear these institutions don't know how to think about legal risk and potential outcomes vs reputation vs legal costs.

I can settle with almost any industry peer on reasonable terms, but universities will opt out of reasonable deals to spend millions on legal fees to walk away with nothing. And the discussions are often all over the place, with the university not knowing what it wants out of the dispute.

Interesting, insightful post.

[Anonymous]

I was interviewing for a position like this and in the middle of the process they changed the salary to significantly less. Just an FYI. Left a terrible taste in my mouth.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I should have asked for a few positive stories. Thanks for all the input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges are often horrible places to work. If you don’t have a PhD you may be regarded by the credentialist faculty/staff as a moron - that was my experience, and I found it wearying.

Totally agree!

Spouse worked at a university (not a professor or lawyer), and had this perspective: a University is more like a city. It operates 24x7x365 and that comes with all kinds of extra people and staff needed to do all kinds of things. Some do their niche part really well, and others don't, just like people in cities all over this country

[Anonymous]

There are tons of ex-government lawyers, including from Dept of Ed, applying for these jobs right now. Tough time to be looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in house and I've litigated against a few universities, including several large and famous institutions in high value matters. I've been continually surprised at their lack of sophistication and inconsistent decision making. It's clear these institutions don't know how to think about legal risk and potential outcomes vs reputation vs legal costs.

I can settle with almost any industry peer on reasonable terms, but universities will opt out of reasonable deals to spend millions on legal fees to walk away with nothing. And the discussions are often all over the place, with the university not knowing what it wants out of the dispute.

+1. I've sued a dozen top colleges. I'm so incredibly unimpressed with their in-house counsel, policies, and decisions. It's depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of ex-government lawyers, including from Dept of Ed, applying for these jobs right now. Tough time to be looking.

+1. OP , there is an entire body of law called Education Law. Some big law firms even have practice areas devoted to it. Those people will be hired over you.

[Anonymous]

Incredibly hard jobs to get and no one is going to hire a 45 year old litigator with zero in-house experience and no real specialty other than being a general litigator.

Your post is completely delusional and shows how little you know about the in-house market, especially in academia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Incredibly hard jobs to get and no one is going to hire a 45 year old litigator with zero in-house experience and no real specialty other than being a general litigator.

Your post is completely delusional and shows how little you know about the in-house market, especially in academia.

Damn you savage bruv