Risk management is second nature to lawyers. They are sought out for their judgment on when to act, when to wait, and how to weigh uncertainty. Yet when it comes to their own careers, many forget that inaction carries risk too.
The most expensive career risk isn’t a wrong move — it’s no move at all.
The Illusion of Neutrality
Lawyers often tell themselves they are waiting for the “right time”: the next promotion cycle, bonus or possibly the next trial. However, there is no true neutrality in careers, as in business.
Every pause sends a signal to the general counsel, clients, peer lawyers, or possibly the firm.
- Staying too long in a practice area that no longer fits signals permanence.
- Hesitating on a lateral or in-house opportunity allows leverage to slip while recruiters move on to an interested candidate.
- Deferring skill-building in growth areas like AI or ESG cedes “go-to” status to peers.
Delay doesn’t protect positioning. It erodes it.
Why In-House Lawyers Delay
- Fear of reputational fallout
In-house counsel often worry about optics — “What will my GC, CEO, or board think if I explore another role?” That fear of appearing disloyal keeps many from considering opportunities until it’s too late. Rarely do they ask, “What if I wait too long?” - Over-reliance on consensus
Some lawyers wait for mentors, business leaders, or their GC to “greenlight” a move. But corporations shift priorities constantly, and leadership changes can happen overnight. Waiting for perfect alignment often means missing the window. - Ambiguity about the future
Industry consolidation, regulatory change, and AI disruption create uncertainty. Many lawyers freeze in place. Yet the ones who move forward are those willing to navigate ambiguity, not avoid it. - Analysis paralysis
In-house counsel are trained to weigh risk. But over-researching compensation surveys, org charts, and market conditions can stall action. While they analyze, peers are already expanding responsibilities, moving laterally, or stepping into deputy GC roles.
When Delay Carried a Career Price
- The Associate Who Missed the Runway: A fifth-year corporate associate put off exploring in-house roles for a promotion and bonus. When she looked again, the market had cooled, while peers already transitioned to in house roles.
- The Counsel Who Skipped Skill-Building: An in-house lawyer delayed learning AI and data privacy. A younger colleague leaned in early, became the board’s point person, and is now positioned for GC succession.
- The Partner Who Waited Too Long: A litigator delayed a lateral move, waiting for “one more trial.” By the time he reconsidered, conflicts had multiplied, the slot was filled, and his book had plateaued. His options, and valuation shrank.
Reframing the Question
Before deferring a career move — whether a lateral, an in-house pivot, or a new skill set — lawyers should ask:
- If I don’t make a move this year, what will it cost me? (In leverage, visibility, or credibility compared to peers?)
- What signal am I sending by staying put? (To leadership, clients, and recruiters, do they see momentum or stagnation?)
- Am I mistaking caution for control? (Is waiting really safer or eroding my options while others move forward?)
Sometimes the safest step is forward, not sideways or back.
The Career Partnership Model
The lawyers who thrive don’t simply react. They create decision-ready options for themselves.
- In-house lawyers: Evaluate whether they are gaining the breadth (management, cross-functional exposure, ESG/AI fluency) that positions them for GC/CLO succession.
- Law firm lawyers: Regularly assess whether the firm’s platform supports long-term growth. Waiting too long reduces portability.
Perfect timing is rare. Momentum is not.
The Cost of Quiet Risk
Indecision is seldom interpreted as prudence. More often, it is read as stagnation. Firms, boards, and recruiters don’t expect perfection. They expect clarity, adaptability, and forward motion.
Indecision isn’t safe. It’s a risk with compounding interest. Each year of hesitation multiplies the cost in leverage, portability, visibility, and momentum. Standing still doesn’t preserve ground. It quietly moves a career backward.
If in doubt, here are three questions that, if answered honestly, may help determine whether “concise is getting alot of credit that really belongs to cold feet.”
