Some lawyers love going deep. Others love variety.
In the classic parable of the Fox and the Hedgehog, the fox knows many things; the hedgehog knows one big thing.
It’s a simple metaphor—but a powerful lens for understanding what brings you satisfaction in your legal career.
Hedgehogs—who enjoy depth and focus—often find more support for specialization in law firms, where it’s easier to build niche expertise.
Foxes—who thrive on variety and problem-solving—may feel more fulfilled in corporate legal departments, where they’re called on to wear many hats.
Whether you’re thinking about lateral options, partnership, or an in-house move, it helps to understand how you’re wired.
For me…it’s Fox all the way. I would get bored without variety. That’s actually a big reason I chose not to practice when I graduated from law school. I love being part of the legal community and working with lawyers.
But I enjoy having a broad mix of clients to support (associates, partners, in-house counsel, managing partners, GCs, etc.) and a broad mix of issues to work on (career transitions, overcoming an aversion to sales, transitioning into a leadership role, etc.)
Perhaps you are a lawyer who would be uncomfortable having such a broad mix of work.