On February 6, 2018, Regent Law Career & Alumni Services had the privilege of hosting three members of the Virginia State Bar Corporate Counsel Section. Panelists included Charles W. Durant, Vice-President and Assistant General Counsel for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC); Adam Hark, in-house legal counsel for Maxient LLC, a Charlottesville-based provider of student conduct record management software to institutions of higher education; and Mark E. Newcomb, Counsel and Vice President – Claims & Insurance for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., in the Americas, Canada, and Caribbean Home Office in Norfolk, VA.
The panel discussed the differences between a corporate attorney and traditional (law firm) attorney, the skills required to be a successful corporate attorney. While a firm attorney works in a world of billable hours and memos of explanation, a corporate attorney needs to provide immediate advice in brief emails that are understandable to non-lawyers in the corporate world.
The panel compared being a corporate attorney to being a family doctor: you have to be prepared to handle a variety of problems, seek to be an expert in everything, and know when to make referrals for specialists when the situation calls for it.
The corporate world requires patience, communication skills, curiosity (competence) to understand the business, interpersonal skills, and flexibility. Corporate attorneys are expected to give clear advice in writing and distinguish between a terrible decision and an illegal action.
Students had several questions following the panel (and the panel members graciously stayed afterward for additional questions.
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| L to R: Charles Durant, Adam Hark, Mark Newcomb, and Associate Director for Career Services & Alumni Relations Rosey Mellion |
The panel discussed the differences between a corporate attorney and traditional (law firm) attorney, the skills required to be a successful corporate attorney. While a firm attorney works in a world of billable hours and memos of explanation, a corporate attorney needs to provide immediate advice in brief emails that are understandable to non-lawyers in the corporate world.
The panel compared being a corporate attorney to being a family doctor: you have to be prepared to handle a variety of problems, seek to be an expert in everything, and know when to make referrals for specialists when the situation calls for it.
The corporate world requires patience, communication skills, curiosity (competence) to understand the business, interpersonal skills, and flexibility. Corporate attorneys are expected to give clear advice in writing and distinguish between a terrible decision and an illegal action.
Students had several questions following the panel (and the panel members graciously stayed afterward for additional questions.
