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The Golden Handcuffs: Navigating Legal Career Crossroads

Posted by on 8/23/2024 to

As a veteran recruiter with nearly two decades of experience and a roster of legal career coaching clients, I've observed a recurring pattern in the legal profession.

Many lawyers find themselves trapped in what's known as golden handcuffs - a situation where financial security and job stability overshadow personal fulfillment and passion.

Navigating Applicant Tracking Systems (“ATS”): A Lawyer’s Guide to On-line Applications, With a Smile

Posted by Rena Barnett Matthews on 8/8/2024 to

Ah, the joys of job hunting for lawyers! You're probably already used to dealing with complex legal jargon and meticulous details. Enter the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) — the electronic gatekeepers of the hiring world. These systems are like

The Art of Online Job Applications for Attorneys: A Survival Guide for the Legal Professional Dealing with On-Line Employment Portals

Posted by Rena Barnett Matthews on 7/29/2024 to

Applying for attorney positions online is a lot like preparing for a high-stakes courtroom battle: it requires meticulous preparation, a strategic approach, and a sense of

humor to navigate the occasionally absurd twists and turns. Fear not, legal eagles! Here's a practical guide tailored just for you to help you manage

the online job application process without losing your composure—or your sanity.

Top 10 Strategies for Surviving Corporate Restructuring and Layoffs as an In-house Counsel Attorney

Posted by Rena Barnett Matthews on 7/18/2024 to

Corporate restructuring and layoffs can be tumultuous times for in-house counsel attorneys. However, with the right approach, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. Here are ten

comprehensive strategies to help you navigate and thrive during organizational changes:

Why Throwing Money at a Legal Career Coach is the Best Worst Decision You'll Ever Make (Besides Law School

Posted by Rena Barnett Matthews on 7/16/2024 to

Congratulations! You've survived law school and emerged with a degree that cost more than your car, first apartment, and possibly even your soul.
Now, as you bask in the sheer brilliance of your legal prowess, why not take it up a notch and splurge on a legal career coach? Because nothing screams
I'm committed to success, like shelling out even more cash to learn how to excel in the job for which you've spent years studying.

Leveraging AI In Legal Resume Writing

Posted by Rena Barnett Matthews on 6/30/2024 to

This is not an article on how to use Artificial Intelligence, “AI,” to draft your legal resume.

Instead, it explores how AI can enhance your resume. As an executive recruiter with two decades of experience and a legal career coach,

I strongly advise against simply inputting prompts into Claude or ChatGPT to generate your resume.

I review between ten to thirty resumes daily, and it's easy to discern those written exclusively by AI, although thankfully, there aren't many.

However, AI is an excellent tool for improving clarity and conciseness in writing, acting as a personal assistant by proofreading and clarifying your text.

I recommend utilizing AI to enhance, not replace, your own writing. The best resumes seamlessly blend the writer's insights, specific experiences,

and unique voice with professional structure and presentation.

Rising to the Top: How to Make Your Dream of Becoming a General Counsel a Reality

Posted by Rena Barnett Matthews on 6/27/2024 to

Achieving the dream of becoming a General Counsel (GC) demands a strategic and methodical approach distinct from the structured progression of law firms.

Unlike the straightforward path from associate to partner based on billable hours and client responsibilities,

the route to GC in-house is less linear, shaped by broader organizational factors such as company growth and operational changes.

Beyond the Billable Hour: The Shift in Interviewing for In-House Attorney Positions

Posted by Rena Barnett Matthews on 6/23/2024 to

I am often asked by attorneys currently practicing in law firms how interviewing for in-house roles differs. In short, my response is that the nature of the role is different, and therefore the types of questions asked in the interview, and the employment process in its entirety, also need to be.