Tell me about working in legal marketing

[mangobanana]

I have an interview coming up for a marketing job at a law firm (not sure if it's considered mid-sized or large - about 200 attorneys in a couple of different offices). I'm not actively looking right now, but someone I know recommended the position to me. Her husband works for the firm (also in a non-attorney position) and is really happy there. They have awesome benefits and the position would likely come with a bump in pay for me.

So what do I need to know or consider going into this and potentially making the decision to leave a job I'm pretty happy with? I'm in marketing, but have no experience with law firms (although I did consider going to law school and decide against it .

[nomad100]

I work in legal marketing. Both at a big firm (400+ attorneys and medium/small firm 100+)

What exactly do you want to know?

Do you know which area you will be working in (web site, business development, PR)?

[mangobanana]

Thanks! I guess my biggest question is whether the expectation of working many more than 40+ hours/week (which I know attorneys do so they can meet their billable hours requirements) carries over to marketing as well, since it's part of the culture? I definitely don't mind working hard when I need to, but I don't want to end up consistently working 60 hour weeks either!

The job description I've seen is pretty vague, but it looks like more focused on business development than anything else.

What do you like most about the field and what do you find most challenging?

[nomad100]

The OT thing depends on the firm and the culture of the department. See if you can get any info from your friend's husband on firm/department culture. Sometimes the firm culture may be one way and the department another.

At my old firm, 60-80 hour weeks were common. I think there were even some that were over 90. We all joked that we worked Associate hours but didn't get Associate pay. At my new firm, the smaller one, I work 40 hours a week and that is it. Could I work more? Sure but they frown on OT.

One big drawback to legal marketing is that many attorneys think of it as a waste of money so sometimes the department isn't well thought of within the firm. The less it is valued, the less you will like your job.

I like it because every day is different.

The challenging part is always having to chasing people down for stuff (bio updates, mailing lists, workshop info, just about any piece of info I need from them, etc.). Since getting me that info is non-billable, it often falls to the end of their lists.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[heyrebekah]

YGPM!

[mangobanana]

Interesting that the culture was so different at the two firms. Definitely something to investigate. I'll have to see what I can find out about how the department is thought of within the firm too. Thanks so much!

If anyone else has other thoughts (including from an attorney's perspective!), please chime in. I need all the feedback I can get. I can already tell this is going to be a tough decision if I get an offer.