These Law Firms Are Where It All Began For Top-Earning GCs
Kirkland’s Chief Administrative Officer Chiara Wrocinski discussed with Law360 the Firm’s extensive alumni network and career development opportunities in place to assist attorneys in making career transitions, particularly to in-house positions.
Before ascending to the ranks of top-earning general counsel at some of America's most renowned corporations, many lawyers cut their teeth in the structured law firm environment, where they gain invaluable experience and foster connections that often last for a lifetime.
According to Law360 Pulse's inaugural GC compensation report, a significant portion of the highest-earning general counsel trace their roots back to large law firms, such as Latham & Watkins LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and DLA Piper, where there have been long-standing relationships with major corporate entities.
This finding aligns with the observations of legal recruiters, who note that close and long-standing collaboration has allowed firms and their attorneys to deeply understand the culture and needs of these companies. As a result, it is natural for these firms to be top choices when senior legal roles, such as general counsel, become available within these companies.
"These firms also have very large alumni networks of attorneys and have done a very good job of maintaining contact with their former attorneys to place them when appropriate opportunities arise," said Lee Udelsman, managing partner with Major Lindsey & Africa's in-house practice group. He added that such a connection also serves as "a potential source of business."
John Gilmore, co-founder of legal recruiter BarkerGilmore, also praised these firms' approach as a smart strategy as it increases the likelihood of receiving follow-on legal work from the companies.
Gilmore also noted that many law firms have become more organized internally with their alumni network, often assigning dedicated personnel to facilitate these connections and partnering with recruiters who can advocate for their alumni within corporate circles.
He added that while a well-crafted resume may help candidates secure consideration for a job opportunity for general counsel roles, it's qualities like personality, communication skills, and soft skills that ultimately determine whether they land the position.
It's "exactly what's not on the resume that makes them capable of that," Gilmore said, adding that what sets candidates apart is their "soft skills and their ability to be viewed as a member of the executive leadership team, and communication skills that are second to none."
According to Law360 Pulse's report, the highest-paid general counsel in 2022 was Apple Inc.'s Kate Adams, who earned a total compensation of $27 million. Prior to replacing Bruce Sewell as Apple's general counsel in late 2017, Adams spent 14 years in-house at Honeywell International Inc. and a decade at law firm Sidley Austin LLP, where she was an associate and partner.
Alphabet Inc.'s legal chief, Kent Walker, who pulled in more than $24 million at Google's parent company, began his legal career as an associate at Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk and Rabkin LLP, a San Francisco-based law firm that merged with Arnold & Porter a decade ago. Before joining Google in 2006, Walker served as general counsel for several technology companies, including Netscape, AOL and eBay.
Amazon's David Zapolsky, third on the list with just over $18 million, was a partner at the Seattle offices of Dorsey & Whitney LLP and Bogle & Gates before joining the online retail giant in 1999, while fourth-ranked Goldman Sachs GC Kathryn Ruemmler was a litigation partner at Latham, where she was global chair of the white collar defense and investigations practice. Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs in 2020.
Latham had highest number of alumni on Law360 Pulse's list of top-earning general counsel, with a total of 11, including Peter Millones at Booking Holdings, Jared Sine at Match Group, and Anat Hakim at Eli Lilly and Company, followed by Kirkland with seven and DLA Piper with six.
Representatives from Latham did not respond to Law360 Pulse's request for comment on their alumni network. However, Kirkland and DLA Piper both affirmed that they offer extensive career development opportunities and alumni programs to assist attorneys in making career transitions, particularly to in-house positions.
"We have professional coaches on hand, who help our attorneys to shape their point of view regarding their career trajectory, and guide them through the steps needed to accomplish whatever moves they're looking to make," said Chiara Wrocinski, chief administrative officer at Kirkland.
According to Wrocinski, one of Kirkland's most popular programs is CareerLink, which offers career coaching, resume reviews, exclusive job listings, and networking support for attorneys and alumni. As an extension of CareerLink, the firm offers the In-House Insider Experience, a program that helps participants understand their strengths and motivations, and the role of inside counsel.
"We have alumni who are in GC roles come back and act as mentors. They help to give color to what it's like to be in-house counsel and general counsel," Wrocinski said. "They develop relationships through our program, and many times those relationships and conversations lead to in-house roles."
Likewise, DLA Piper's chief human resources officer Kelly Neiman said that her firm provides a range of resources, including career advisor programs, partner success initiatives, emerging leader programs, and specialized technical and commercial training, to facilitate the growth and development of its attorneys.
Neiman further noted that DLA Piper has also introduced a Career Opportunities and Alumni program, offering personalized career counseling, curated job opportunities, and tailored resources to help lawyers navigate their career paths effectively.
"Maintaining strong and meaningful connections with our lawyers who develop careers outside DLA Piper is important to DLA Piper's continued success," Neiman said, adding that the firm is dedicated to enhancing its alumni engagement, recognizing former colleagues as a valuable source of community, engagement, business, and talent for the firm.
Often, senior lawyers at law firms choose to transition in-house as their priorities and focus evolve. Nevertheless, Wrocinski and recruiters have noted a growing trend where younger lawyers are opting to make these transitions at an earlier stage in their careers in pursuit of diverse opportunities.
Kirkland recently onboarded approximately 460 new associates. According to Wrocinski, Kirkland sees some associates voice their intentions early on that they plan not to remain at one employer throughout their entire careers. And Kirkland provides them with options.
"They have other aspirations, and we listen to that because we really want to be able to meet our attorneys where they are with our program. This helps ensure that whatever their goals are, they will receive that career support at Kirkland," Wrocinski said.
Major Lindsey's Udelsman also noted that attorneys, often at the associate level, make the shift to in-house roles, typically during their fifth, sixth, or seventh year of practice. He further explained that these transitions often involve lawyers who decide not to pursue partnership within their law firms due to reasons such as the challenges of building and maintaining a client base.
Echoing Udelsman, Gilmore said the movement between law firms and in-house positions has remained consistent over the years. However, he pointed out that when it comes to ascending to the highest general counsel positions, not everyone is suited to the ultimate pressure and responsibility that comes with such roles, as it requires strong communication, gravitas and relationship-building skills.
The right person for these jobs "has an amazing work ethic, great relationship building skills," Gilmore said. "Most of these people, they really did establish themselves as not just a great lawyer but a great person to work with, and that's how they're able to move into the ranks."