When Carrie Marker started at Dechert four and a half years ago, it was part of a larger talent initiative aimed at making sure the firm is known for a “supportive, high-performance culture.” Marker, whose title is associate development counselor, used her social work background to help craft how her new role should work, placing a heavy emphasis on confidentiality.

She initially set up shop in a glass-windowed office at the end of a central staircase but found her office was often empty. No one wanted to see her there because everyone else could see in. As the firm's new in-house career coach, responsible for everything from helping new lawyers learn the nuances of partner politics to helping them find a new job, her work could be a bit sensitive.

Now Marker is in a renovated file room away from any partner offices, and business has picked up quite a bit. She estimates she has met with about 50 percent of the firm's U.S. lawyers and helped about 120 to 150 lawyers leave the firm. Her aim, she says, is to help lawyers make informed decisions about their careers. “I don't want you running away from this position, I want you running toward a position,” she tells her advisees. “If you want to leave, I will help you.” Dechert is part of a small group of large law firms offering the services of an in-house career coach. The job is different at each of the couple of dozen or so firms that have it, but the services typically range from helping their attorneys figure out how to juggle a new baby and billable hour requirements to how to negotiate a better salary at a new company.