Moving from private law to in-house counsel

I recently sat down with Sarah, a House Counsel attorney at Progressive, to talk about the differences working as in-house counsel versus at a private law firm. Sarah joined Progressive in January 2024. Prior to her time in in-house counsel, she worked for private law firms for six years where she was exposed to family, education, commercial litigation, and business transactional law. Eventually, she decided to transition to in-house counsel to broaden her experience and apply her legal expertise to the corporate sector.

Here's what Sarah had to say about making the switch.

The similarities and the biggest differences between general and in-house counsel

As you might expect, some aspects of in-house counsel aren't that different from working for a law firm. Sarah says many of the day-to-day in-house counsel responsibilities are similar to private practice, such as meeting with clients, doing research, submitting filings, and attending hearings. But one of the biggest differences she notes is the caseload.

"In my role of in-house legal counsel at Progressive, our average caseload is about 65 to 70 cases," Sarah says. "That's almost double what I was handling when I worked in private law. Although this can be daunting at times, I have the autonomy to organize my day to work effectively (something I didn't always have working for a law firm). I also get more courtroom experience and handle more cases for trial working for Progressive. I'm never bored during the work week. This has helped develop my career in new ways."

A supportive environment leads to a smooth transition

Since Sarah joined Progressive, she's been impressed with the training and onboarding process in our Legal organization. She says her onboarding experience has continued throughout the first year of her employment. It's included virtual learning modules, hands-on training with management on specific topics, and designated weekly meetings with her manager to discuss any issues.

"Everyone is so helpful in the in-house counsel office where I work. My manager, fellow attorneys, and legal assistants have all helped me at one point or another during my training. The other attorneys are happy to give input on my cases even though they have a caseload of their own. No one ever seems to be too busy to help—we're a team and we want everyone to do well."

Sarah's also enjoyed connecting with people outside of her office. "I've joined some of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where I've been able to connect with other employees across the company. Engaging with our ERGs really made me feel part of Progressive as a whole."

A career-defining decision

Sarah says joining Progressive has been one of the best decisions of her career. Not only has she enjoyed her work, she's also been pleased to see others get promoted in her short time with Progressive. As someone who also aspires to grow with the company, Sarah's excited by the possibilities.

"If someone asked me if they should make the switch to in-house counsel at Progressive, I'd tell them, 'Go for it!'" Sarah says. "Progressive's benefits are great, and the wellness programs they have are something the private law firms I worked for didn't offer."

In the end, Sarah says she's glad she's a part of a great company culture like Progressive's. Not only that, but the structure, career opportunities, and the process-oriented nature of Progressive also make her happy she made the switch.

"It's the perfect job for me," she continues. "And if you like being organized and enjoy a supportive work culture, in-house counsel at Progressive may be a good fit for you, too."

Still on the fence? Check out this article on the three reasons why in-house counsel might be right for you. And if you're interested in exploring a legal career at Progressive, take a look at our available jobs.