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I too am a lawyer/former sysadmin that has been searching for similar and ... theres not much. The problem as I see it: 1) your breadth of skills really applies

I too am a lawyer/former sysadmin that has been searching for similar and ... theres not much. The problem as I see it: 1) your breadth of skills really applies best in small business as a bigger business will compartmentalize you (either lawyer or sysadmin); 2) your price tag is going to be problematic for small businesses. I have channeled my effort into executive level positions in smaller companies that are targets of Private Equity. Previously GC/COO at 50 person company, now CIO AT 250 person company. I literally did everything at the 50 person company and, while stressful, it was fantastic. The 250 person company has compartmentalized me to the point that I still have to send my contracts to our lawyer for review. And I’m still on 3+ hour long conference calls with no end in sight.

tldrthelaw 6y ago
Woof, I feel you. I have done the small business/bigger business calculation a million times as I obsessively scroll through LinkedIn and Indeed jobs. Your trajectory info is helpful, thank you. Hang in there. Unless you're on the other end of this conference call ... in which case, hang up! :-)
- throwaway210203 6y ago
  One other thing to think about is that once you leave private practice, you’re probably never going to be allowed back. I only know one attorney that went in-house and went back to private practice successfully, and that was because the firm she worked for prior to going in-house wooed her back and she is still “part time GC” for the client. I’d also avoid the private equity targets. I’ve been working under private equity through two separate acquisitions of family owned companies, and the cultures do not mesh well. Private equity will always win.
  - tldrthelaw 6y ago
    I have kind of a weird amalgam of niches, and I'm already 3 years removed from my last firm job -- just been doing contract work in the interim. I think, probably, if the door to private practice is to be closed it has been closed already for me. My issue, to the extent I can identify it, is really that my niches and interests (within law) fit best at a level that I don't have the professional experience to warrant even an interview for. Thanks for the tip, I'll keep my eyes peeled for PE and be weary.

tldrthelaw 6y ago

Woof, I feel you. I have done the small business/bigger business calculation a million times as I obsessively scroll through LinkedIn and Indeed jobs. Your trajectory info is helpful, thank you. Hang in there. Unless you're on the other end of this conference call ... in which case, hang up! :-)

throwaway210203 6y ago
One other thing to think about is that once you leave private practice, you’re probably never going to be allowed back. I only know one attorney that went in-house and went back to private practice successfully, and that was because the firm she worked for prior to going in-house wooed her back and she is still “part time GC” for the client. I’d also avoid the private equity targets. I’ve been working under private equity through two separate acquisitions of family owned companies, and the cultures do not mesh well. Private equity will always win.
- tldrthelaw 6y ago
  I have kind of a weird amalgam of niches, and I'm already 3 years removed from my last firm job -- just been doing contract work in the interim. I think, probably, if the door to private practice is to be closed it has been closed already for me. My issue, to the extent I can identify it, is really that my niches and interests (within law) fit best at a level that I don't have the professional experience to warrant even an interview for. Thanks for the tip, I'll keep my eyes peeled for PE and be weary.