It does not get easier as you climb the rungs of the ladder, and it often gets much much harder as Deputy GCs are finding out during these turbulent times. The same stressors that impact all lawyers are often magnified at the higher levels of the legal department. This is not to say that rank and file attorneys in law departments don’t experience tremendous stress, but each level has its own distinct peculiarities and pain points. One of the reasons that Deputy GCs are dissatisfied is that advancement and promotion can be difficult, especially within a singular organization. But, as with many employment sectors, you often have to move outside the organization to move up the ladder. Breaking up with your job is hard to do, but sometimes it is the only thing that will help you achieve your long-term career objectives. And if you want to move up or laterally, there are other Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel jobs available – you just have to be prepared to apply when they pop up as they are extremely competitive.
“Deputy general counsel are reporting widespread burnout and dissatisfaction in a new study published Wednesday by legal talent provider Axiom and market research consultant Wakefield Research. According to Law.com, which reported on its results, 200 deputy general counsel at companies with more than $5 billion in annual revenues participated in the study. All of them reported feeling “stressed or burned out” in their current role, including 51% who said they feel very or extremely stressed or burned out….”even as budgets shrink, workloads rise; virtually all DGCs (99%) report their department is seeing an increase in both the volume and complexity of legal matters.” These statistics will likely lead to more turnover, according to Axiom and Wakefield Research, as 22% of deputy general counsel reported actively looking for a new job. Another 65% are not searching yet but plan to start within the next year. When deputy general counsel were asked about their dissatisfaction, 86% noted undesirable attributes about their current position. More than two-thirds said limited professional development and advancement opportunities were the primary causes. As a result, the study says, 73% feel they will have to change employers to move up in their careers…..”
Source: Deputy GCs Dissatisfied In Current Roles at ABA Journal