Community Perspectives: I have an in-house job offer, but I'm worried my current company will suffer.

(Author) Attorney

I got a job offer in-house, it’s more money than my current in-house role and this new job is promising career development which is something I don’t get right now. I feel guilty about leaving my current job because I know when I leave, a black hole will form. My current job doesn’t value legal at all, and I don’t think that will change (absent some sort of catastrophe). My current role is a true in-house and the new job will be more contracts-based. Is it a good move to leave?

I would welcome any advice or thoughts you have about the true in-house role to focusing on a more contracts-based. For context, I’m a baby lawyer so I feel like focusing on contracts right now might not be a bad idea.

VP and CEO Responses:

Go! - Just wanted to say good luck and congratulations!
This is not your problem. Go.

Counsel Responses:

Ask your new company what the opportunities for advancement are, if any. If there’s room to grow, or if there will be great opportunities. Then sometimes that’s the step back you have to take before you can move forward. If it’s not going to give you an appreciable return in growth, then maybe wait for the next opportunity. Overall, though, don’t tie regret/a false sense of obligation to your own self-improvement.
You sound just like me a year ago. In summary; don’t walk, run. Run to the bag 💰 and to further your experience.
Same boat. Awesome advice in this thread. I'm starting my new gig in four weeks and I can’t wait!
If they cared about the void, they would have put in the effort to retain you. Their imprudence isn’t your obligation.

Attorney and Associate Responses:

Yes. Leave now. I will give you the solid truth. No CEO or Corporation values their legal department, they just know it's necessary. Legal and business ideas don't always align. Your job is to guide the CEO on the law regarding their business ideologies. No more. No less. I have been GC for both large entities with 200+ employees and as small as five employees entities. - Good luck!
I just did this! I took a step back and entered a senior corporate attorney role at a different company- stepped down from GC. after six months, they still can't fill my role because they under pay and are under-resourced. We have gone literally six months without a key member of the legal team. There are so many more opportunities and a much better team at my new gig. I'm learning new things and am genuinely engaged and happy. No regrets!
The black hole is not your problem. Shoot for a smooth transition as much as possible but the rest is for them to figure out.
The shortcomings and issues with your current company are not your burden to bear. If they do not value your legal team and fail to properly staff it for instances of regular employee turnover, then that is their own error. It seems difficult to leave a place where you are comfortable but there is a reason you feel the way you feel so don’t ignore that!!! Your current company likely would not even hesitate to fire anyone if it made their bottom line better. You owe them nothing.
Why do you have to choose between only these options? Find a better other option and do that! It's OK to let this not-perfect opportunity pass you by.
Are you looking for more advice on in-house vs contracts based?

I appreciate everyone’s advice! I’m gonna do it!! Love this little support community :)

In-house? Join the conversation on Fishbowl (anonymous).