Karim Amlani is the Adjunct Professor for the Corporate Counsel Externship, as well as a Senior Director of Legal at Hootsuite where he leads a team supporting the corporate, product and procurement functions. At Hootsuite, he has closed M&A/financing transactions, negotiated business critical agreements with social networks, developed company-wide processes and considered the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Karim also sits on the Dean's Advisory Committee for the Centre for Business Law at the University of British Columbia and frequently contributes to industry activities within the legal community.
Why did you decide to get involved with the Corporate Counsel Externship?
When I first heard about the Corporate Counsel Externship, I remember thinking “Wow, I wish I could have done that in law school!”, and that enthusiasm has never left me. I love being an in-house lawyer and really enjoy teaching/mentorship, so getting involved seemed like a natural fit. Having hosted four Externship students at Hootsuite, I’ve seen how impactful it can be for students to experience delivering practical legal advice, as well as for companies who benefit from the students’ work and positive energy. As the Adjunct Professor for the Externship, I get to help even more students and organizations experience that for themselves.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Having the privilege of learning new things, all day every day. Earlier in my career, I never really appreciated how rewarding it is to get outside my comfort zone, take on challenges and learn; now it's what keeps me excited about coming into the office. As lawyers, we work on some of the toughest and most complex issues our clients face, so we're constantly having to learn and adapt - that's pretty special.
How is being a lawyer at a law firm different than being a lawyer in-house?
Lawyers at firms are technical experts in specialized areas of law and are engaged selectively by companies to tackle specific legal issues. For this reason, law firm practice is more transactional, with lawyers parachuting in and out of matters on an as needed basis. In-house lawyers, alternatively, are embedded business stakeholders who specialize in applying the law within a specific business context. While there are some transactional elements, in-house lawyers may also participate in broader business operations, such as strategic decision making, risk management, implementing corporate policies, stakeholder engagement and enablement, training, management and legal operations. For me, I enjoy leaning into the business side of things, so being an in-house lawyer makes the most sense, but being a lawyer at a law firm can also be a rewarding career path.
Do you have any advice for law students who are considering a future career as in-house counsel?
The thing I most appreciate about being in-house is that I get to work for one client all the time – I’m personally invested in the success of Hootsuite, and I get to use my legal skills to help Hootsuite succeed. For that reason, find a company and an in-house team that gets you excited. Once you’ve found that, roll your sleeves up, get stuff done, be accountable and put your hand up for new challenges – that will take you far.
Do you think the Externship may have an impact on graduates choosing to practice as in-house legal counsel?
I certainly think so. Most lawyers don’t even consider moving in-house for several years because entry-level in-house positions usually require some level of experience in private practice. The Externship fast forwards all of that, giving students hands-on experience of working on an in-house legal team. That said, even if students don’t ultimately pursue this as a career path, the skills and experience they gain are highly transferable.
Last Updated: July 2023