Christopher
Robin
once
told
Winnie-the-Pooh:
“Promise
me
you’ll
always
remember:
you’re
braver
than
you
believe,
and
stronger
than
you
seem,
and
smarter
than
you
think.”
If
you’re
an
in-house
lawyer
facing
job
uncertainty,
these
words
might
feel
like
little
consolation.
But
they
hold
a
powerful
truth
you
must
embrace
if
you
are
on
the
brink
of
an
unexpected
career
change.
Many
in-house
lawyers
enter
the
corporate
and
government
world
expecting
stability.
Unlike
law
firms
with
billable
hour
pressures
or
solo
practitioners
constantly
chasing
clients,
corporate
and
government
roles
can
provide
predictable
work,
a
steady
paycheck,
and
a
clear
career
trajectory.
But
the
reality
is
that
job
security
in
these
worlds
can
be
an
illusion.
Layoffs,
mergers,
restructuring,
leadership
changes,
or
shifting
business
priorities
can
turn
what
seemed
like
a
safe
role
into
a
precarious
one
overnight.
When
that
happens,
the
worst
thing
you
can
do
is
be
caught
off
guard.
The
best
thing?
Be
prepared.
Packing
Your
Parachute
Before
The
Jump
Many
lawyers
don’t
think
about
career
transitions
until
they’re
forced
to
do
so.
That’s
a
mistake.
The
time
to
prepare
for
a
job
change
is
not
when
you’re
walking
out
of
HR
with
a
severance
packet
—
it’s
long
before
that
moment
arrives.
The
key
is
to
plan
so
that,
if
and
when
change
comes,
you’re
not
scrambling;
you’re
ready
to
land
on
your
feet.
Here’s
how
you
can
start
packing
your
parachute
today.
1.
Build
And
Maintain
Your
Network
Too
many
corporate
and
government
lawyers
focus
solely
on
their
internal
relationships,
neglecting
to
build
connections
outside
their
company
or
agency.
But
if
you
suddenly
find
yourself
looking
for
a
new
role,
you
don’t
want
to
start
networking
from
scratch.
Make
a
habit
of
staying
in
touch
with
former
colleagues,
engaging
with
professional
organizations,
and
attending
industry
events.
Connect
with
recruiters
specializing
in
legal
placements,
even
if
you’re
not
actively
job
hunting.
Keep
up
with
legal
networking
groups
on
LinkedIn
and
consider
joining
bar
associations
or
affinity
groups
where
you
can
stay
visible.
Remember,
most
job
opportunities
don’t
come
from
online
applications
—
they
come
from
personal
connections.
Start
building
those
now.
2.
Keep
Your
Resume
And
LinkedIn
Profile
Updated
It’s
easy
to
get
comfortable
and
let
your
resume
gather
dust,
but
if
you
had
to
apply
for
a
job
tomorrow,
would
it
be
ready?
Updating
your
resume
and
LinkedIn
profile
is
a
small
but
crucial
step
in
being
prepared.
Regularly
update
your
accomplishments,
responsibilities,
and
skills.
Focus
on
results
—
how
have
you
added
value
to
your
company
or
agency?
Have
you
saved
costs,
mitigated
risks,
or
implemented
new
policies?
Keeping
track
of
these
details
now
will
make
it
much
easier
when
you
need
to
showcase
your
expertise
later.
Also,
make
sure
your
LinkedIn
presence
is
strong.
Follow
industry
leaders,
share
insights,
and
engage
with
posts.
You
never
know
who
might
come
across
your
profile
when
you
need
it
most.
3.
Expand
Your
Skill
Set
In-house
corporate
and
agency
lawyers
often
become
deeply
specialized,
which
is
great
—
until
you
need
to
pivot.
If
your
experience
is
limited
to
one
industry
or
a
narrow
area
of
law,
consider
broadening
your
expertise.
Look
for
ways
to
take
on
new
responsibilities
within
your
company
or
agency.
Volunteer
for
cross-functional
projects,
get
involved
in
compliance
and
data
privacy
or
earn
certifications
that
make
you
more
marketable.
If
you
have
time,
consider
pro
bono
or
nonprofit
board
work
to
build
experience
in
new
areas.
Staying
stagnant
in
your
career
is
a
risk.
Keeping
your
skills
sharp
ensures
that
when
change
comes,
you
have
options.
4.
Know
Your
Exit
Options
If
your
job
were
to
disappear
tomorrow,
do
you
know
what
severance
package
your
company
or
agency
offers?
What
about
benefits
extensions,
career
transition
assistance,
or
legal
placement
firms
specializing
in
in-house
roles?
Understanding
your
exit
options
now
—
not
when
you’re
in
a
panic
—
will
help
you
make
better
decisions
if
you
need
to
make
a
move.
Take
time
to
research
market
trends
for
in-house
counsel.
What
industries
are
hiring?
What
skills
are
in
demand?
Having
this
information
ahead
of
time
will
put
you
in
a
stronger
position
should
you
need
to
look
for
a
new
role.
5.
Have
A
Financial
Safety
Net
Job
transitions
are
easier
when
you’re
financially
prepared.
If
possible,
save
a
few
months’
worth
of
living
expenses
to
give
yourself
breathing
room
if
you
need
to
find
a
new
role.
If
saving
that
much
isn’t
realistic,
look
for
ways
to
cut
unnecessary
expenses
or
have
a
plan
in
place
for
short-term
financial
stability.
Money
stress
can
cloud
judgment
and
lead
to
desperate
decisions.
Having
a
cushion
allows
you
to
be
strategic
about
your
next
move
rather
than
taking
the
first
opportunity
that
comes
along.
You’re
Ready
—
Even
If
You
Don’t
Feel
Like
It
Facing
career
uncertainty
can
be
daunting,
but
remember
Christopher
Robin’s
words.
You’ve
built
a
career
solving
problems,
managing
risk,
and
thinking
strategically
—
those
same
skills
will
serve
you
well
in
a
transition.
The
key
is
to
take
control
now,
rather
than
waiting
until
change
is
forced
upon
you.
So,
don’t
wait
for
someone
to
hand
you
a
parachute.
Pack
it
yourself.
Prepare
now.
And
when
the
time
comes,
you
won’t
be
falling
—
you’ll
be
ready
to
jump.
Lisa
Lang
is
an
in-house
lawyer
and
thought
leader
who
is
passionate
about
all
things
in-house.
She
has
recently
launched
a
website
and
blog
Why
This,
Not
That™
(www.lawyerlisalang.com)
to
serve
as
a
resource
for
in-house
lawyers.
You
can
e-mail
her
at
[email protected],
connect
with
her
on
LinkedIn
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyerlisalang/)
or
follow
her
on
Twitter
(@lang_lawyer).