There's a notion that general counsel are quick to complain about eye-popping pay raises for Big Law associates while quietly accepting rate increases that get passed down to in-house clients to cover those raises. But that isn't entirely accurate. 

Sure, some GCs are hesitant to split with their go-to law firms, whether it's because they have deeply rooted relationships with certain outside counsel, the firm is a powerhouse in a niche area of the law or they're in the midst of litigation or an important deal and it would be too onerous to switch firms midstream.