Originally published in the Chicargo Law Bulletin
Building successful business relationships with in-house counsel
oftentimes depends heavily upon individual personalities. Common
interests, prior existing friendships, business acquaintances and
an understanding of a client's needs are all elements
contributing to a potentially long-lasting and mutually beneficial
relationship. For associates at law firms, it can seem intimidating
or difficult to relate to clients whose in-house lawyers are 10 or
20 years their senior. Younger associates may not have ample
opportunities to interact directly with clients and so building any
type of relationship can prove challenging.
There are, however, a growing number of younger lawyers serving
businesses in-house, particularly in tech and ecommerce sectors.
Jeremy H. Gottschalk of Chicago-based Sittercity Inc. is one of
them. Gottschalk, 32, has been with Sittercity as its vice
president of corporate strategy and general counsel
