Firm Lawyers Jump Ship for Quality of Life In-House

Corporations hiring new staff attorneys or general counsel are finding no shortage of qualified applicants. As pressure builds in law firms to, for example, pay for recent associate salary increases, a growing number of lawyers are looking toward in-house jobs as a desirable career path. "The number one thing you hear from lawyers is they're tired of billing their time," says consultant Melba Hughes. "They see a very different picture when they look at in-house counsel."