Episode 178-Becoming a Legal Recruiter: Navigating an Alternative Legal Career with Matt Miller

In this episode, Steve sits down with Matt Miller to discuss Matt's unconventional journey from practicing lawyer to what he describes as an "accidental tourist" in legal recruiting. They explore why he doesn't subscribe to the familiar "recovering lawyer" narrative, what he has learned from observing thousands of legal careers, the surprising value of a legal education, and how our priorities, definitions of success, and career choices often evolve over time.

Matt is a lawyer, entrepreneur, recruiter, and legal industry innovator whose career has taken him through Big Law, boutique practice, law firm partnership, and an in-house role as General Counsel. Along the way, he founded a legal recruiting firm and more recently launched an AI-powered job search platform designed to help lawyers navigate their careers more effectively.

Whether you're considering going in-house, transitioning out of practice, or exploring entrepreneurship, Matt's insights challenge traditional narratives and offer practical guidance.

Key takeaways

• A legal career can evolve in many directions, and those pivots can create unexpected opportunities.
• Going in-house can be appealing, but timing and fit matter more than many lawyers realize.
• Relationships and networking often shape careers more than formal plans do.
• It helps to think long term about career decisions instead of reacting only to the next move.
• Vulnerability, coaching, and honest conversations can create real clarity.
• Lawyers have more flexibility than they think, especially when they stay open to new paths.

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome and episode overview 01:07 - Matt's background and journey into law and entrepreneurship 03:44 - Early career choices and the move through private practice 07:00 - What lawyers should consider before transitioning in-house 14:10 - Intentionality versus opportunity-driven career moves 18:10 - Why relationships matter throughout a legal career

Links

• Jolo.ai – AI-powered legal job platform
• Ascent Counsel