Life as a legal counsel is a mix of highs and lows. One day you’re at the forefront of an IPO success or an expansion project, and next, you’re in the middle of a firefight, managing a litigation process that could make or break the livelihood of multiple employees.

Indeed, your story might be different: you could be dealing with company bankruptcy and the associated layoffs or be caught in the heat of public criticism. But, in situations where your tenacity is tested to the limit, how do you respond?

Here, we have shared powerful insights you should keep in mind, from common challenges lawyers face in their careers to proven tips that’ll help you deal with every twist and turn.

“Every single person has the ability to overcome adversity if they have the right ingredients in the pantry. The right ingredients can be grown and nurtured in the garden of your mind if you allow it.”

~ Eric Zheng Yu Zhang, Solicitor at Craddock Murray Neumann Lawyers

Dealing with turbulence: common scenarios

“As a GC, there are so many situations you’re going to find yourself in, and if you stay in the profession long enough, you’re going to be dealing with several over the course of your career.”

~ Mark Marin, GC at Puffco‍
Navigating Public Scrutiny & Adversity as a GC

Adversity in legal careers can come in any shape. For some, you might be in the direct line of fire, while for others, you might be in a secondary position. Regardless, each scenario can impact your career significantly. 

Below are a handful of common events legal professionals experience at different points in their careers, some of which you may directly relate to.

#1 Job loss

Let's consider an imaginary scenario in which your company declares bankruptcy. One of two things typically happens: it shuts down (in Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code) or reorganizes (in Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code).

In either case, mass layoff is a common aftermath. If you’re considered indispensable, you might be allowed to remain aboard. However, this might come with a pay cut or adjustment in responsibilities.

On the flip side, you may be shown the door alongside several other employees.

The disruption to your career, combined with the loss of a major income stream, can have a strong emotional and psychological toll on you.

Also read: Positioning Your Legal Team as Key Asset in Times of Uncertainty

#2 Internal resistance

As a legal counsel, proactivity may be the keyword you live by. So, you’re always working hard to put policies and structures in place against future setbacks.

However, if you’re in a company where existing cultures don’t align with your vision, you might face strong resistance from members of your team and other stakeholders.

Dealing with internal resistance as a legal counsel can be frustrating, especially when it is fueled by internal politics and power dynamics.

#3 Being viewed as a blocker by other departments

According to a report by Everlaw, lawyers still struggle to shake off the perception that they present hindrances to business departments. 58% report that their cross-functional partners view them as slowing down projects, while 41% say they’re perceived as overly risk-averse.

Source: Everlaw

This stereotype often stems from a limited understanding of legal complexities by business departments. It can be tough for you as a lawyer because you’ll have to make constant efforts to demonstrate your commitment to business progress.

You’ll also have to deal with the possibility of teams working around you sometimes, potentially exposing the company to unnecessary risks.

Also read: Demonstrating Legal Team Value: Effective Strategies and Tips

#3 Public scrutiny

Imagine an embittered ex-employee takes to X (formerly Twitter) and makes a post calling out your organization for promoting misogyny and unfair labor practices. 

Somehow, this accusation, though unfounded, goes viral, and your company suddenly starts trending, with other embittered ex-employees, social media users, and media outfits posting content that amplifies the parade of criticisms.

Now, your company is at increasing risk of reputational damage, financial losses, and talent pipeline draught. To remedy this situation, you step in with your team, helping the PR team draft a public statement and serving a cease and desist letter to the parties pushing the narrative.

However, with the legal team involved, your identity gets disclosed by one of the recipients, further exposing you to an angry social media mob.

This can be incredibly disturbing, especially when your safety and professional reputation are at risk.

Podcast: Navigating Public Scrutiny & Adversity as a GC: Mark Marin’s Candid Insights

#4 Burnout and Mental Health Challenges

“Our profession is plagued with mental illness, stress, and even substance abuse. A way to mitigate those circumstances is knowing yourself, your values, what you care about, what's not going to mesh with you, understanding the business landscape, and figuring out a way to marry all these elements.”

~ Akshay Verma, COO, SpotDraft
Shaping a Purpose-Driven Career in Law

After analyzing data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Washington Post ranked law practice among the most stressful jobs in the US. A different study in 2023 also revealed that 62% of legal professionals struggle with burnout.

In the last few years, legal practice has become notorious for long hours, performance pressures, and tight deadlines.

Over time, these can result in chronic physical and mental exhaustion. When you start experiencing this, your productivity may drop tremendously, and you might even risk making career-threatening mistakes.

Also read: Why GCs must step back from daily tasks

How to navigate adversities in your legal career

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Source: Neha Gupta via LinkedIn

Everybody gets their fair share of life's rollercoaster ride. Some let it break them, while others emerge from it stronger and better than ever.

Whether you’re dealing with an unexpected job loss, in the middle of a burnout phase, or just trying to be proactive, the insights below will help you step up to the plate and turn every tide.

#1 Be prepared from the outset

“My advice for any general counsel is that if you're going to be joining a company or taking on a role at a potentially high-profile company, you have to be prepared for all of it. Do not go in thinking that you can hide in the shadows because that's not going to be the case, especially for a general counsel.”

~ Mark Marin, GC at Puffco
Navigating Public Scrutiny & Adversity as a GC

You must understand that the legal profession isn’t always rainbows and sunshine. In business, change is the only constant, and for every new event, there is always a new nut to crack. Prepare your mind for every twist and turn.

Sometimes, you might see things going south from a mile away. Other times, challenges might creep up on you when you least expect, delivering blows that might shake you to the core.

The most important thing is accepting that these moments may come and preparing your mind to remain focused on pressing onward is key to weathering every storm.

#2 Seek support

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the situation you’re in, it will be unwise to keep figuring things out on your own. In fact, it is advisable to seek support early on as opposed to waiting until the quicksand has gotten above your waistline.

Reach out to a mentor or your colleagues for advice. You might be surprised to see they’ve already been through similar situations or know someone who did. Their insights will open your eyes to new perspectives and solutions you probably won’t figure out on your own.

“Be honest and forthright with whoever's mentoring you. Allow the mentor to just advise you on how they tackled challenging issues throughout their career, overcome adversity during their career, or just how they've been successful in some of the decisions that they've made.”

~ Adam Glick, ex-Head of Legal, Intercom
Cultivating Meaningful Connections for In-House Legal Success

Additionally, in times like this, your family is an ever-present support system. Never hesitate to reach for them, as they’ll be more than happy to help you through tough times.

#3 Never lose touch with positivity

Ask yourself, “Is there a bright side to this?” 

It is true that you may not see the silver lining immediately, especially when the situation has taken a significant toll on you.

But the reality is, in the midst of many challenges, there’s always a lesson or an opportunity, and asking that question positions your mind to reach for even the tiniest shred of positivity. 

Let’s say your company filed for bankruptcy, and you had zero experience in bankruptcy law.

You’d find yourself in uncharted territory, managing legal documentation and communicating with stakeholders while learning on the fly. To make matters worse, you’d also deal with the sad reality of your company potentially downsizing its workforce, which could also mean dismissing some members of your legal department.

This is an incredibly challenging situation, pushing the boundaries of your physical, mental, and emotional limits.

Now, is there a bright side to this?

For you, perhaps.

In the near future, when the dust has settled, you will see that this event has shaped you into a better professional. Not only have you gained experience in bankruptcy law, but you’ve also learned how to communicate effectively in high-pressure situations.

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Source: Hy Pomerance via LinkedIn

#4 Make self-care a priority

In the face of adversity, it is easy to get consumed by work—working extra hours, spending less time with family, neglecting rest, losing interest in hobbies, etc.

Getting neck-deep in work is a counterproductive way to deal with career challenges. What good would it do to lose yourself in the heat of the circumstance?

You risk burning out, developing severe health conditions, or destroying your relationship with family and friends.

Always set healthy boundaries for yourself. Prioritize your well-being by maintaining a good sleep routine, a balanced diet, and a reasonable schedule for non-work-related activities.

If your self-care is on point, you’ll be in a much better shape to tackle challenges and come out on top.

#5 Continue developing yourself

Let's say you're dealing with a job loss. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, you should focus on identifying and developing skills that could potentially make you a more valuable addition to your next organization. 

For soft skills, you can work on relationship-building, leadership, business thinking, and problem-solving. You can also learn hard skills like digital proficiency, legal research and analysis, contract drafting and review, etc.

Regardless of what you’re going through at any point in your career, it is important to keep building yourself. Sign up for mentorship programs, attend conferences, read books, and keep your eyes out for what the top one-percenters are doing to stand out.

Weathering the storm

When you hit that low point in your career, your reaction will determine whether you will bounce back or lose yourself completely. If you want the former, you must stop viewing yourself as a victim of circumstances and focus on finding ways to get back on your feet.

In Counsel Corner, we collaborate with top legal professionals who share insights into how they built their careers and the various challenges they had to overcome on their way up the ladder. 

Click here to have a good read!

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